By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MOBILE, Ala. - Marvin Lewis and his Bengals staff arrived Sunday and wasted little time before pulling their North Senior Bowl all-star team into a meeting.

"No. 1, this is a great week to have fun," Lewis said of his message to the 48 players.

"They get an opportunity to be loose and learn. Be loose but be (yourself) and let everyone know what kind of player and person you are and enjoy it."

Ohio colleges are well represented on the North team, which will take on the South team on Saturday.

There are four Ohio State players on the team: wide receiver Michael Jenkins, offensive linemen Shane Olivea and Alex Stepanovich, and defensive lineman Tim Anderson.

Offensive lineman Jacob Bell represents Miami, and Bowling Green's Josh Harris is one of the North's three quarterbacks.

Lewis has identified defensive players, interior offensive linemen and running backs as positions that are likely to interest the Bengals with their first-round pick, the 17th overall.

Two top-rated linebackers are on the North roster, Notre Dame inside linebacker Courtney Watson and Oklahoma outside linebacker Teddy Lehman.

The Bengals staff also will get to know some of the draft's top defensive backs: the North team features cornerbacks Derrick Strait of Oklahoma and Rich Gardner of Penn State and safeties Bob Sanders (strong) of Iowa and Brandon Everage (free) of Oklahoma.

Some of the top interior linemen are centers Stepanovich and Nick Leckey of Kansas State.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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