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        Dick LeBeau has a specific goal in mind for the Bengals entering his second NFL scouting combine and free agency period as head coach.

        “We narrowed the gap last year,” he said. “Now we want to close it.”

        LeBeau will lead the Bengals' contingent to Indianapolis, where the scouting combine will begin today. It's also the first day of free agency, as the organization searches for the right players to boost the team into the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

        The Bengals improved from 4-12 to 6-10 last season. They will need another three or four victories to get them into the 2002 playoffs.

        The Bengals are an estimated $10 million under the salary cap, and only eight teams have more room. The Bengals had almost $15 million in cap room last year and don't figure to be as active in free agency this time around.

        Last year, the Bengals signed quarterback Jon Kitna, defensive tackle Tony Williams, fullback Lorenzo Neal and offensive tackle Richmond Webb in free agency. All starters. They also locked up Pro Bowl running back Corey Dillon, signing him to to a five-year contract.

        The Bengals have said they want to try to extend the contracts of linebackers Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons, the heart and soul of a defense that ranked ninth in yards allowed. The two are entering the fifth seasons of five-year contracts.

        This year, there has been speculation about the Bengals trading down their 10th overall pick for an additional early pick. Team scouts and officials consider this a deep draft at many positions.

        “There are a number of different approaches,” Bengals president Mike Brown said Wednesday. “I don't know if we want to describe what our plans are.”

        Though Bengals officials have talked in fewer specifics this year vs. last about the team's position needs, the team is expected to add players at cornerback, quarterback and tight end.

        • Quarterbacks: Scott Mitchell, who played the last two seasons for the Bengals and was 2-3 in five starts, appears to be the odd man out. Kitna and Akili Smith, who is rehabilitating a torn hamstring that required surgery, will be back.

        There appears to be mutual interest from the Bengals and free agent Trent Dilfer to strike a deal. A Dilfer signing could come within the first few days of free agency, and Dilfer is popular with other players.

        Even though the Seahawks want him back, Dilfer won't re-sign in Seattle because he has said he can't compete with coach Mike Holmgren's pet quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck.

        The Bengals also are one of five teams mentioned as serious suitors for Drew Bledsoe, along with Washington, Chicago, Denver and Seattle. The Bengals have not talked trade with any team, Brown said.

        Another veteran has shown up on the Bengals' radar screen, former Atlanta quarterback Chris Chandler. Released earlier this week by the Falcons in favor of Michael Vick, Chandler threw 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season.

        “He's an option,” Brown said of Chandler.

        Brown, whose pass offense accounted for the league's most interceptions (26) and tied Carolina for the fewest touchdown passes (12), has said this offseason that consistent quarterback play will make the Bengals a serious playoff contender.

        The Bengals also have talked about drafting Illinois' Kurt Kittner in the second or third round. Kittner was a four-year starter who led Illinois to the Sugar Bowl and would be a development project who wouldn't be rushed.

        • Cornerbacks: Several mock drafts project the Bengals' first-round pick to be Philip Buchanon, a cornerback from Miami (Fla.) who is entering the draft after his junior season.

        “Buchanon could be the best pure athlete in the draft,” wrote Pro Football Weekly's Joel Buchsbaum. “He's an outstanding cover corner who also excels as a return man.”

        Buchanon, 5 feet 11, 182 pounds, is rated the second-best cornerback in the draft, behind Quentin Jammer of Texas and ahead of Nebraska's Keyou Craver.

        The Bengals also appear to be interested in at least two veteran cornerbacks whose contracts with their teams expired at midnight. Duane Starks of Baltimore and Walt Harris of Chicago are two of the top corners in free agency, and if the Bengals sign one, they probably won't use their first draft pick on a cornerback.

        “Everybody in the league can use help at corner,” LeBeau said.

        Another wild card is incumbent Bengals cornerback Artrell Hawkins, who apparently will test free agency. Bengals scout Duke Tobin said the team would like to re-sign Hawkins and considers him a good fit.

        Hawkins, who tied for the team lead with three interceptions last season, is one of four Bengals unrestricted free agents and the player they're most interested in retaining. The other free agents are defensive end Reinard Wilson, safety Chris Carter and Mitchell.

        The Bengals are talking to agent David Levine about re-signing Wilson, but Wilson, like Hawkins, appears headed into the open market.

        • Tight ends: Starter Tony McGee, who was exposed to the Houston Texans in the expansion draft but not selected, is listed as the starter, ahead of converted fullback Nick Williams (as an H-back), long snapper Brad St. Louis and former practice-squad player Kirk McMullen.

        “Tight end, that was a hard time for us,” said LeBeau, who had four tight ends — McGee, St. Louis, 2001 third-round draft choice Sean Brewer and veteran Marco Battaglia, who was released and finished the season with Washington — go on the injured reserve list.

        The Bengals have had preliminary discussions with the agent for former Indianapolis tight end Ken Dilger, who was released by the Colts last week.

        The Bengals had just 29 receptions, 281 receiving yards and one touchdown from their tight ends in 2001; Dilger had 37 receptions for 343 yards and one touchdown and played in his first Pro Bowl earlier this month. Dilger had a career-high 47 receptions in 2000, has 19 career TD catches and was Tobin's college teammate at Illinois.

        Buchsbaum projects the Bengals drafting a tight end in the second round, probably Matt Schobel of Texas Christian. Bengals scouts said Schobel, 6-4, 255 pounds, impressed them at college all-star games in January. He had 19 receptions for 310 yards and five touchdowns for the Horned Frogs.

        Other mock drafts project the Bengals selecting Boston College offensive tackle Marc Colombo in the second round.

        But LeBeau said don't be surprised if the Bengals make what some fans might consider surprise moves. He mentioned every position except linebacker as one the Bengals might address early in the draft.

        “We still have enough needs that we will pick the best football player who can help our team the most. That has to be the approach,” said LeBeau, who used the fourth overall pick last year to take defensive end Justin Smith. “We're not drafting as high as we have in the past ... but I am confident we will get a quality player. It's important that we pick some one like Justin (Smith).”

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