Bengals to talk with agents

INDIANAPOLIS -- Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, as a member of the NFL Competition Committee, had a meeting upstairs at the Westin Hotel.

So did Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, as one of the players on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's advisory committee.

On a bench outside of the meeting rooms sat Kennard McGuire, Houshmandzadeh’s agent.

After Lewis and Houshmandzadeh broke from their respective meetings this afternoon -- the eve of the annual NFL scouting combine -- the three men spoke. Houshmandzadeh, a first-time Pro Bowl player in 2007, is entering the last season of a four-year contract that pays a base salary of $2.525 million.

Houshmandzadeh is looking for a extension. One of McGuire's selling points, besides his client's league-leading 112 receptions, is Houshmandzadeh's leadership in the locker room. The agent and Bengals management are expected to meet formally today to continue talks.

Also scheduled for the combine are talks between the Bengals and agents for free agent linebacker Landon Johnson and free agent safety Madieu Williams.