INDIANAPOLIS - A few quick hits after Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson met the media Thursday at the NFL scouting combine:
-As he heads into his 13th season and last year of his deal, Lewis says he's had no discussion about a contract but, "it always takes care of itself."
-Cornerback Terence Newman left town mulling retirement last month, but Lewis says he wants to keep playing for a 13th season. Whether that is with the Bengals remains to be seen. With Newman turning 37 before the season, they may be ready to turn to recent first-rounders Dre Kirkpatrick and Darqueze Dennard.
-With tight end Jermaine Gresham set to become a free agent, Lewis indicated they are willing to consider re-signing him but, "Jermaine has to figure out what he wants to do."
-If they don't re-sign Gresham, Jackson indicated that he doesn't consider Ryan Hewitt a replacement to be paired with Tyler Eifert. He wants to keep Hewitt as a guy he can put anywhere at any time as a fullback or in-line tight end.
-Lewis said the rehab timelines are "good," for Eifert (shoulder, forearm), wide receiver Marvin Jones (ankle), and WILL linebacker Vontaze Burfict (knee).
-No doubt about it, the Bengals are looking for more speed at receiver in the draft and even though they've drafted just two shorter than 6-0 in this century (Peter Warrick and Jordan Shipley), Jackson said he's not hung up on height, especially since their top three receivers are at least 6-2.
