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S Kevin Kaesviharn |
The Saints have signed free agent safety Kevin Kaesviharn
away from the Bengals in a long-fought bidding war for a handful
of other teams.
Kaesviharn, 6'1, 196, had six interceptions in seven starts
for the Bengals in 2006 and is a six year veteran with 15
interceptions to his credit, nine in the past two seasons.
The four-year, $10 million contract includes $3 million in
guarantees.
Kaesviharn, who will be 31 in August, arrives to directly
challenge incumbent free safety Josh Bullocks, a second round
pick of the Saints in 2005. With veteran fill-ins Jay Bellamy,
Omar Stoutmire and Bryan Scott on the open market, Kaesviharn
provides a good deal of insurance for the position as well,
where strong safety Roman Harper is rehabbing a torn ACL and
Bullocks coming off a somewhat disappointing season.
The former XFL and AFL player signed with the Bengals as a
street free agent before the 2001 season and made an immediate
impact at the NFL level, with 32 tackles and three interceptions
in 10 games. Born in Paramount, California, Kaesviharn's father
is Thai, he graduated from high school in Lakeland, Minnesota
and attended DII Augustana College in South Dakota.
Kaesviharn started all 16 games for the Bengals in 2005, collecting
63 solo tackles, a sack, four pass defenses, and three interceptions.
Joining MLB Brian Simmons as the second Bengal to head south,
Kaesviharn visited Arizona, Cleveland and considered re-signing
in Cincinnati.
