The Cincinnati Bengals have been relatively quiet thus far during this free agent process, signing only veteran S Dexter Jackson, an unrestricted free agent from Tampa Bay, to a four-year contract on Monday. However, the club could be on the verge of making major headlines if it can land arguably the top-rated linebacker on the open market, LaVar Arrington.

Talks between the Bengals and representatives for Arrington are believed to be in the early stages, but things could heat up real soon.

According to Arrington's agent, Kevin Poston, the Bengals have contacted him regarding the Pro-Bowl linebacker, with the latest conversation taking place on Monday.

"Marvin [Lewis] definitely knows LaVar and there's definitely interest there," Poston said. "Marvin not only coached LaVar, but got to know him very intimately on the defensive side of the ball. Cincinnati is a great organization under Marvin's leadership and I'm sure he would like to get LaVar in there if he could. I think Marvin will try to do that."

Arrington, 27, played only one season (2002) under Marvin Lewis when Lewis served as defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. Arrington had his best output as a pro that year, registering 92 tackles and 11 sacks. Adding Arrington, who is versatile, aggressive and relentless, to the mix would give the Bengals a lot of flexibility on defense both rushing the passer and stopping the run. Such a move would likely nix the experiment of David Pollack playing the outside linebacker position. During the season Pollack was most effective while playing defensive end and showed that he could play the position at the pro level, which many doubted.

When asked what it would take for a team to land Arrington, Poston insisted that it had to be the right situation.

"The players want to know that the place they are going is not only a good football team, but one where they can fit in well with the coaches. But also the city and then the financial terms have to be right," Poston said.

Poston was speaking of Arrington and his other client, San Francisco 49ers LB Julian Peterson, who is also a free agent. Peterson has long been rumored to be drawing interest from the Cleveland Browns, but Poston said he hasn't set up anything with the organization as of yet.

Both Arrington and Peterson are receiving a considerable amount of interest from teams around the league. A total of 20 have expressed interest for the standout linebackers.

So you see Bengal fans, there's a reason why the team is spending its bank wisely and not like it's Monopoly money. The Bengals are holding out, waiting to purchase some prime real estate - Boardwalk.