By Joe Kay
The Associated Press

CINCINNATI - A week before they make the first selection in the NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals are still mulling their options.

The Bengals have held preliminary contract talks this week with agents for cornerback Terence Newman and quarterbacks Carson Palmer and Byron Leftwich.

Coach Marvin Lewis won't discuss the team's timetable for settling on one of the three. Palmer is considered the leading candidate for a team that hasn't had a dependable quarterback since Boomer Esiason.

The Bengals have considered trading down, but haven't found a trading partner, leading them to find out what it will take to sign the top three candidates.

"We're still talking," agent David Ware, who represents Newman, said Friday. "Obviously they have strong interest in Terence, and Terence has a strong interest in the Bengals."

Agents for the quarterbacks didn't return telephone messages.

The team with the No. 1 pick can negotiate with its choice before the draft. The Bengals hope to reach an agreement before noon on Saturday, April 26.

Ware doubts that the Bengals will make up their minds based on the contract talks.

"I wouldn't say it's contingent upon them reaching a deal," Ware said. "They could reach a deal with everybody they're talking to."

Lewis has spent much of his first three months as head coach rebuilding a defense that slipped drastically last season, a major factor in the Bengals' 2-14 finish. They lost linebacker Takeo Spikes to Buffalo after the season, but signed free agent cornerback Tory James, linebacker Kevin Hardy, end Carl Powell and tackle John Thornton.

Cornerback has been one of the Bengals' main concerns in recent years. They've taken three cornerbacks in the second round - Artrell Hawkins in 1998, Charles Fisher in 1999 and Mark Roman in 2000. Hawkins has developed into a starter, Fisher tore up his knee and Roman has been moved to safety.

The Bengals still could use a cornerback, leaving Newman in consideration for the No. 1 pick.

It would be historic if he's chosen.

Since the draft began in 1936, only one defensive back has gone No. 1 overall. The Pittsburgh Steelers followed the advice of a magazine list and took Gary Glick from Colorado A&M in 1956. He played in the league for seven years.

The Bengals had their three candidates in town recently for final interviews. Newman and Palmer sat in on team meetings and watched practices last Sunday during the team's voluntary minicamp.

Lewis has said that if the Bengals draft a quarterback, the newcomer would sit behind starter Jon Kitna for the first year. Lewis is taking over the NFL's worst team - no winning season since 1990 - and wants to get off to a strong start to change the franchise's outlook. A rookie quarterback would undercut his plans.

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