NFL CAREER – Kaesviharn was signed early in the free agency period to bring a proven performer and leadership to a youthful secondary. The veteran safety was among the most active and productive defenders for the Cincinnati Bengals over the last six seasons, posting 15 interceptions, 357 tackles, six sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. In 2006, Kaesviharn opened seven of 14 games and had six interceptions – the most for a Bengals’ safety since 1989 – and four sacks, which tied for the highest total in Cincinnati record books for a defensive back. He has opened 45 of 87 contests during his NFL career, and the versatile defender has opened games at every position in the secondary, with 20 at strong safety, 13 at free safety, eight at left cornerback, one at right cornerback and three as the third corner in the nickel set. Though now an established pro, Kaesviharn earned his way to NFL success, spending several stints on Cincinnati’s practice squad and signing his first NFL contract four years after his college career concluded following stops in the Arena Football League, and the XFL. A three-year starter at Augustana (S.D.), Kaesviharn’s last name is pronounced “CASE-vih-harn.”

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms with Saints on a four-year contract (UFA), 3/13/07; Re-signed to three-year contract by Cincinnati Bengals (RFA), 4/12/04; Signed to active roster by Cincinnati, 11/10/01; Signed to practice squad by Cincinnati, 10/31/01; Released by Cincinnati, 10/30/01; Signed to active roster by Cincinnati, 10/27/01; Signed by Cincinnati to practice squad, 10/23/01; Waived by the Green Bay Packers, 4/27/01; Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay, 4/25/01.

2006 – Led the Bengals with six interceptions, despite missing two games with a knee injury and starting only seven contests…Ranked fourth on the club with 11 pass defenses…Had 58 tackles and ranked third on the team with four sacks…Also had a forced fumble and five special teams stops…Three of his interceptions came in the end zone to end potential scoring drives, and two came in the fourth quarter to seal victories…Sept. 24 at Pittsburgh had an interception in the end zone with 22 seconds remaining with 22-yard return to ensure victory. Also recorded eight tackles and a forced fumble…Suffered knee injury vs. Atlanta, Oct. 29 and placed on inactive list the next two weeks…Posted nine stops (eight solo), an interception and 1.5 sacks at New Orleans, Nov. 19…Had a pair of INTs Nov. 26 at Cleveland, in addition to a sack and four tackles. 2005 – Started all 16 games in addition to Wild Card contest…Opened first three contests at strong safety and the rest of the season at free safety…Led defense in snaps played (958) and opened every game for the first time in his career…Tied for fourth on the team with 92 tackles (69 solo), posted a team-high three fumble recoveries, notched five pass defenses and had a sack…Made his first career opening day start Sept. 11 at Cleveland and had four tackles…Sept. 18 vs. Minnesota, had four stops, an interception and a fumble recovery…Notched six tackles and an interception at Tennessee, Oct. 16…Had an interception and three tackles vs. Buffalo, Dec. 24. 2004 – Played in 15 games with six starts… Started Weeks 2-3 at FS and Games 5-7 and 9 at SS…Sidelined Oct. 3, at Pittsburgh, due to back spasms, the first game he missed in the last four seasons…Ranked ninth on defense with 62 tackles…Tied for fourth with eight pass defenses, and had a three-yard fumble return at Cleveland, Oct. 17 for his first career TD…Added 11 tackles on special teams…Led secondary in tackles with eight on Oct. 31 at Tennessee, and also tied for special teams lead with three stops. 2003 – Played every game with six starts at strong safety and one at left cornerback…Led special teams in total snaps (312) and ranked fourth in tackles (13)…Had 59 tackles (40 solo) on defense, with four pass defenses, an interception and a sack…Started at LCB Dec. 7 at Baltimore, and had eight tackles (six solo) and an interception…Had season-high nine tackles at St. Louis, Dec. 21. 2002 – Played in every game and served as the third cornerback, starting six contests…Tied for team-high with two interceptions and led club with 13 pass defenses…Added 62 tackles…Had eight stops and an INT vs. Cleveland, Nov. 17…Posted a career-high 10 tackles Dec. 15 vs. Jacksonville. 2001 – Four years out of college, he was signed to first NFL contract on April 25 by Green Bay, but waived two days later…Signed Oct. 23 to Bengals practice squad, and wound up playing 10 games for Cincinnati, tying for team lead with three INTs …Started three games at LCB (Games 14-16)…In top performance, had a pair of interceptions and six tackles vs. Pittsburgh, Dec. 30…Signed Oct. 27 to Bengals 53-player roster, and made NFL debut for Bengals on Oct. 28 at Detroit…Waived by Cincinnati on Oct. 30, but re-signed to Bengals practice squad Oct. 31 …Re-signed to Bengals 53-player roster Nov. 10…Returned first career interception 29 yards vs. Jacksonville, Dec. 9…Had two pass defenses and four stops in first NFL start, at Baltimore, Dec. 23…Played for XFL San Francisco Demons earlier in the year. 1999-2000 – Played for Iowa Barnstormers of Arena Football League, recording 133 tackles and 23 interceptions over the span, along with three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.

COLLEGE – Three-year starter and four-year letter winner from 1994-97 at Division II Augustana (S.D.)…Career totals of 167 tackles, 6 INTs and 34 pass defenses…Played in NCAA Division II all-star game after senior season.

PERSONAL – Hometown is Lakewood, Calif. …Had previously played in the Arena League and the XFL, but was working as a substitute teacher in Sioux Falls, S.D. before joining the Bengals in 2001 and being signed to Cincinnati’s practice squad…Lettered in football, track, soccer and basketball at Lakeville (Minn.) High School…Offseason residence is Sioux Falls, S.D....Married (wife Michelle), with a son, Kristian (4)…Hobbies include hunting, fishing and golf…Full name is Kevin Robert Kaesviharn.