[vincesanity82]

The agent for Ed Hartwell said Tuesday that he hopes to dot the Is and cross the Ts of the contract Wednesday. Harold Lewis had a brief chat with the Bengals but hopes to finish it off in the next conversation.

"The team knows and Eddie knows it's a perfect fit," Lewis said Monday. "For years people have been talking about their offense. You bring in a guy like Eddie Hartwell, and suddenly people are talking about your defense. We're stil working on some things, but I expect we'll get it worked out."

Even head coach Marvin Lewis, usually mum on the subject of free agents, was expansive on the subject of Hartwell Sunday night after the Bengals didn't draft a linebacker this past weekend. Harold Lewis said his client is anxious for a reunion with Marvin Lewis. His old coach in Baltimore sounds like he's looking forward to it as well.

"It's a possibility," Marvin Lewis said. "He's looking for a place to call home."

Marvin Lewis joked that after the Ravens took Hartwell in the fourth round in his last year as defensive coordinator in 2001, he never let him play a down of defense.

"He must really like me," Lewis said.

Lewis said Sunday night he felt good about the seven newest Bengals, but admitted he'll probably feel better next year when he figures the Bengals will have as many as four compensatory picks because of free-agent losses.

He noted the bushel held by AFC North rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore that, along with Cleveland, Lewis thought had solid drafts.

"Those teams, with those picks get an opportunity to do that," Lewis said. "I think we'll sit here next year and feeling a little stronger about where you're picking, No. 1, and having more picks, and you can fill on paper what are perceived needs."

The Bengals did fill some of their more glaring needs by taking three of the most physical defensive backs in the draft, one of the top speed backs, and a fifth-round pick projected as the long-term backup quarterback.

"We can fill 11 spots next year; you guys will be happy," Lewis told the media.

Lewis couldn't help but gaze back at the second round when the Bengals drafted Auburn running back Kenny Irons with the 49th pick. That came at the end of a defensive run that whisked away the Michigan duo of inside linebacker David Harris and defensive end Lamarr Woodley just before the Bengals picked.

"The only thing that you can possibly do is allow people to (trade) up to your spot," Lewis said of trades, "and if a guy you have in your grouping of three or four guys is there, then you're probably going to stay there and pick the guy.

"If they're not, then you have a chance to move back. The only time in the second were people really hot to move up, and when everybody got to our pick they quit calling because the guys we all coveted, which I think were all defensive players, were all gone off the board."

The Official Web Site of The Cincinnati Bengals - Cincinnati Bengals

[Lefty Noob]

He has signed, according to ESPN. Good pick up for Cincy. The Bengals defense needs a boost, and I'm guessing he'll be able to provide it.