By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

INDIANAPOLIS - Speaking at the start of the annual NFL scouting combine Wednesday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis was peppered with questions.

Among the topics: The league's minority hiring initiative for coaches; a possible change in overtime rules; the upcoming free agent period; and the team's draft plans.

Lewis said the Bengals might trade the pick or could take one of six players: quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Byron Leftwich; defensive tackles Jimmy Kennedy and William Joseph; cornerback Terence Newman; and wide receiver Charles Rogers.

Then there's free agency, which begins Feb. 28.

"I think guys I've had the chance to coach and be on teams with, they know that I want the best for them," Lewis said. "They want an opportunity and a chance to win and be successful, and I think we can offer both of those."

The league is examining apossible rule change that would eliminate sudden-death overtime. The options include giving both teams a possession, or moving the kickoff forward.

"Generally, I think the teams that have won these overtime games are the teams with the momentum at the end," Lewis said. "It's been a rule that's been fine."

Lewis, the only minority hired of the league's five new coaches despite a push to open up the interview process, was asked if the initiative helped him get his job.

"I'd say no," Lewis said. "You'd have to ask (Bengals president) Mike (Brown) that, because he voted against it. When I put together my coaching staff, I wanted to hire people I knew ... as much as I could."

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