By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HOUSTON - Marvin Lewis made a half-day appearance at Super Bowl XXXVIII and left Tuesday afternoon.

The Bengals coach worked as analyst for the NFL Network's live coverage of media day at Reliant Stadium.

Sitting with host Rich Eisen on a set above the field, Lewis helped to conduct interviews with New England and Carolina players. Players, coaches and executives from both teams are available to reporters annually on Tuesday of Super Bowl week.

"It's reinforcing to hear the players' comments," Lewis said during a late-morning break. "What I'm getting is reinforcement of the team structure. It's good."

Looking ahead at the game Sunday, Lewis said defensive secondary play would be important.

He figures New England's defense will contain the Carolina running game and that the Patriots' defensive backs will have to eliminate big plays in the Panthers' pass offense.

DAY OFF: Neither the Panthers nor Patriots practiced Tuesday and will return to work today.

Of note at media day was the admission by Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi that he was concerned about the condition of his injured calf.

BOOMER'S BACK: Boomer Esiason will broadcast his fifth consecutive Super Bowl game Sunday, his fourth in a row on CBS Radio Sports/Westwood One.

He teamed with Al Michaels for ABC Sports television broadcast of Super Bowl XXXIV in Atlanta.

"For me, it keeps me in the mix," the former Bengals quarterback said Tuesday. "I don't have to be part of an organization, I don't have to be a VP of personnel or a coach. It lets me follow the game I love so much."

Esiason played in Super Bowl XXIII, which the Bengals lost 20-16 to the 49ers on Jan. 22, 1989. Fifteen years have sweetened the memory.

"Even though we lost the game, where we were the year before, at 4-11, to get to the Super Bowl and come within 34 seconds of winning it, it's a pretty remarkable accomplishment for all of us who were part of it," Esiason said.

BLESSING IN DISGUISE: Former Bengals tight end Marco Battaglia, signed as a free agent Dec. 2 by Carolina, said his late-season run to the Super Bowl helps to soften both his release by the Bengals and his near-miss Super Bowl experience a year ago.

Signed in spring 2002 by Tampa Bay, Battaglia was released in September 2002 as the Buccaneers made their way to a Super Bowl title.

"I'm one of the guys who caught on late and was able to get in on this great event," said Battaglia, dressed Tuesday in his white No. 47 Panthers uniform.

The Bengals released Battaglia in December 2001, and he since has signed with the Redskins, Buccaneers, Steelers and Dolphins.

He played in two games for the Panthers in the regular season but has been inactive for three playoff games.

TRANSACTION: The Bengals on Tuesday signed free agent defensive end LaDairis Jackson to a two-year contract. He had been on the Bengals' 53-man roster and was inactive for Games 7-11 in 2003.

The Bengals waived Jackson on Nov. 25. He played in 15 games for the Redskins in 2002.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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