By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Marvin Lewis will not be deterred from his plan in free agency, even as teams around the NFL sign players in whom the Bengals had interest.

The Bengals continued to meet and greet players on Monday. One wide receiver, Donald Hayes, left after completing an overnight visit, just as another wide receiver, Jermaine Lewis, showed up.

Tennessee Titans defensive lineman John Thornton arrived Monday night - as did a familiar face, Bengals free agent fullback Nicolas Luchey. Former Denver cornerback Denard Walker will be in tonight.

What does Paul Brown Stadium look like? A Holiday Inn?

"We're going to stay our direction," Marvin Lewis said Monday afternoon, after a news conference to introduce the one free agent the Bengals have signed, defensive lineman Carl Powell.

"It's getting the players we desire at the right level, one way or another. We've got to make sure that these deals are good deals two or three years from now, not just tomorrow."

Former Eagles linebacker Shawn Barber, who was expected to visit the Bengals this week, never got out of Kansas City. He signed a seven-year, $30 million contract Monday with the Chiefs.

Another player the Bengals had pursued, defensive tackle Daryl Gardener, was expected to sign with Denver.

The Barber signing has ramifications with the Bengals, who are trying to re-sign linebacker free agent Takeo Spikes.

"(Barber's signing) is another barometer of where the market for linebackers is," Lewis said. "Shawn's another guy who really hasn't been, by his peers, promoted to a Pro Bowl level, but is a very good player."

Buffalo president and general manager Tom Donahoe said Monday that the Bills are trying to arrange a visit with Spikes.

Spikes, Luchey and center Rich Braham are three of the Bengals' own priorities in free agency. Sources said Luchey would not have visited the Bengals if fullback Lorenzo Neal had not signed with another team (San Diego) and if he had not been sold that Lewis' hiring meant legitimate changes in the organization.

Another former Bengals starter, safety Cory Hall, signed a five-year, $12 million deal Monday with Atlanta. Lewis said he had no comment when asked if he had interest in keeping Hall.

"We drafted two safeties last year (Lamont Thompson and Marquand Manuel), and I think that was a statement that was made by the team," Lewis said. "You have to go forward."

In Atlanta, Hall, who started 47 games for the Bengals in four seasons, said, "I thought I would stick it out with Cincinnati, but I guess they had their own agenda."

Another player the Bengals have no plans to keep, quarterback Gus Frerotte, will visit Minnesota today.

Back in Cincinnati, Lewis said the Bengals would keep looking at linebackers. Word from Houston, where Bills linebacker Keith Newman visited Monday, is that Newman is talking to the Bengals, New England and Atlanta. Indications are, too, that the Bengals have expressed some interest in Dallas linebacker Kevin Hardy.

Of the players visiting Monday from other teams, Jermaine Lewis has been to Miami and will visit Washington other teams before making a decision. It is believed that the team that gives Lewis a legitimate shot to play wide receiver - not just return kickoffs and punts - has a better chance of signing him.

Rick Smith, who represents Hayes, said the wide receiver would make another couple visits before "sorting out" offers. Smith said he has another client, Raiders cornerback Tory James, who is hoping to visit Cincinnati.

It was Thornton's agent, Kevin Omell, who sounded the most optimistic about the Bengals.

"John is very excited about Cincinnati," Omell said Monday night. "He was excited about the direction the organization is headed with Marvin Lewis there."

Thornton is a four-year veteran from West Virginia. He started 16 games in 2000 on the Titans' No. 1 ranked defense - along with cornerback Walker (who will visit Cincinnati tonight).

Free agent comings and goings around the NFL

There was a flurry of action Monday in NFL free agency, both in Cincinnati and around the league. A quick overview:

VISITING: The Bengals had a visit Sunday night and Monday from New England wide receiver Donald Hayes. Former Houston wide receiver/kick return specialist Jermaine Lewis visited Monday. Bengals fullback Nicolas Luchey arrived Monday night for a visit today with the team. Tennessee Titans defensive tackle John Thornton also arrived Monday night. Former Denver cornerback Denard Walker is scheduled to arrive tonight.

POSSIBLE VISITS: The Bengals are trying to line up visits with linebackers Keith Newman of Buffalo and Kevin Hardy of Dallas. Buffalo president and general manager Tom Donahoe said Monday that the Bills were trying to schedule a visit from Bengals free agent linebacker Takeo Spikes.

NO VISIT NECESSARY: The agent for former Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Sam Adams has made a three-year contract offer to the Bengals.

BIG DEALS: Former Bengals safety Cory Hall signed a five-year, $12 million deal Monday with Atlanta. Shawn Barber, the former Philadelphia linebacker, agreed to a seven-year deal with the Chiefs worth $30 million. And defensive tackle Daryl Gardener was nearing a contract with the Denver Broncos. The Bengals had interest in both Barber and Gardener.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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