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© St. Petersburg Times, published January 15, 2003
CINCINNATI -- The architect of one of the NFL's greatest defenses will try to resurrect its worst team.
Marvin Lewis was hired Tuesday as coach of the Bengals, who haven't had a winning season in 12 years. Lewis was coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens defense that won a Super Bowl in 2001 and set an NFL record for fewest points allowed in a season.
The hiring marked a philosophical shift for the Bengals, who had not brought in an outsider as head coach since 1980.
"It's a big step in the right direction for the franchise, as well as for the Brown family," Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal said. "It's good for morale."
Lewis is the third black coach in the NFL, joining Tony Dungy of Indianapolis and Herman Edwards of the Jets.
EX-GIANT'S GIRLFRIEND PLEAS: The girlfriend of former Giants player Jeremiah Parker pleaded guilty in the beating death of her 4-year-old son and will testify against Parker.
Tauleah Kelly pleaded guilty in in Paterson, N.J., to manslaughter and child endangerment in the May 14, 2001, death of Elijah Kelly. Under a plea agreement, the 21-year-old-woman will be sentenced in April to seven years in prison.
INTERNET SALES: The NFL is expecting revenue from merchandise sales on its Web site to rise 30 percent this fiscal year to $26.5-million, said Perry Cooper, the league's director of database marketing.
BROWNS: Cleveland added another former Dallas coach to its defensive staff, hiring Clancy Pendergast as linebackers coach. He will join former Cowboys coaches Dave Campo and Andre Patterson.
GIANTS: The team turned down a request by the agent for halfback Ron Dayne to consider trading the little-used Heisman Trophy winner.
JAGUARS: Carolina defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was given permission to interview for the head coaching job.
STEELERS: Running back Jerome Bettis is scheduled for left knee surgery Jan. 27 after his second straight injury-interrupted season. Bettis has torn cartilage.
TEXANS: General manager Charley Casserly said he has held discussions with "more than one team" interested in trading for the team's No. 3 overall pick in April's draft. ... The team added a link to Houston's NFL past by signing offensive tackle Andy Stensrud, son of Mike Stensrud, who played for the Oilers from 1979-85.