By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

INDIANAPOLIS - The Bengals have received no inquiries from the other 31 NFL teams about trading for Corey Dillon, coach Marvin Lewis said Friday.

Asked if the Bengals were shopping Dillon, Lewis said, "No comment."

Still, Lewis seems to be going about the business of preparing his team for a possible - albeit highly unexpected - Dillon return. Lewis repeatedly has answered reporters' questions about Dillon, again at the annual NFL scouting combine, by saying Dillon's under contract with the Bengals for two more years.

"He can be nothing else," Lewis said. "He's one of our guys. Until this year (the) national representation of the Bengals was Corey Dillon, so I understand why he is where he is and why that's everybody's question."

Lewis admitted he didn't like Dillon's public comments in December that he wanted to be traded and Dillon's tossing of equipment into the stands after the season finale Dec. 28 at Paul Brown Stadium.

"His actions were not what I would have liked, but you forget them," Lewis said. "It's over. Let's move forward and let's see what's best. Corey and I have been fine since I took over.

"I'm confident that I can handle our football team, and our football team will go play and put that behind us."

Lewis also said he and Dillon have spoken recently, but wouldn't divulge the topics covered.

Still, the Bengals appear to be preparing for the post-Dillon era by studying running backs for a middle-round draft pick.

RUDI, RUDI, RUDI: The league and NFL Players Association released the one-year tender figure that would assure the Bengals compensation should tailback Rudi Johnson depart as a restricted free agent.

The Bengals would have to offer Johnson a $1.824 million tender in order to receive first- and third-round draft picks should he sign an offer sheet. The Bengals would first have the right to match the offer.

"He's essentially our player, and people obviously have the opportunity to sign him to an offer sheet," Lewis said of Johnson, the team's leading rusher with 957 yards in 2003. "But we'll be well compensated for that if we would allow him to leave."

Johnson is being counted on to be the featured back if Dillon is traded or released. Lewis said other Bengals officials have been in contact with Johnson's representatives.

MARKET DAY: The Bengals expect all eight of their unrestricted free agents to test the market once it opens March 3.

Among the eight are starters at center (Rich Braham), right guard (Mike Goff), strong safety (Rogers Beckett) and free safety (Mark Roman).

"They've earned that right," said Lewis, who also hinted that some players might not be brought back or could be released to create more room under the salary cap.

"We're going to have to make some hard decisions," he said.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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