Marvin Lewis' coaching tree could yield landing spots for Bengals free agents

CINCINNATI -- When it comes to free agency, a player's decision often comes down to any preexisting relationships he has with players on teams or members of the coaching staffs.

Just look at Terence Newman, the 37-year-old cornerback who signed with the Vikings last offseason in large part because he knew what to expect from head coach Mike Zimmer. Bengals fans will recall that Newman spent three seasons with Zimmer in Cincinnati, where the coach was his defensive coordinator. Prior to that, they worked together in Dallas at the start of Newman's career.

Although the Bengals are going to try to retain many of the 15 players scheduled to hit free agency next month, there is a chance some of…