Warrick: I'm ready to practice

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
GEORGETOWN, Ky. – Peter Warrick said late this afternoon that he is ready to play and healthy enough to resume practicing on a daily basis.

The Bengals sixth-year receiver, sidelined since November with shin and knee injuries, was headed into an examination with Dr. Angelo Colosimo, a Bengals team physician.

“I’m ready, man,” Warrick said after he missed the team’s afternoon practice. He would like to be on the field, in uniform, for the Wednesday practice that begins at 9 a.m.

He is clearly ready emotionally and said he has a lot to prove to himself and other, unspecified people who “forgot about me.”

Warrick played in four games in 2004. He suffered a stress fracture of the fibula making a 30-yard catch in the opener at the Jets.

“When you’re hurt, a lot of people forget about you,” said Warrick, entering the final season of his six-year rookie contract. He is due to make a base salary of $2.28 million this season.
He remains confident of his place on the team, even if his role has been undefined for many years, he said.

“I can do what other receivers can do, but not many receivers can do what I do,” said Warrick, who has 264 career receptions with the Bengals. “Even when I was healthy, I didn’t know my role.

“However they want to use me, use me to the best of my ability.”

T.J. Houshmandzadeh emerged as the team’s No. 2 receiver in 2004 after Warrick was injured. Houshmandzadeh had 73 receptions for 978 yards and earned a four-year contract from the Bengals as an unrestricted free agent.

“T.J. is a great receiver, and taking nothing away from him, but if I’m healthy, he wouldn’t have got that shot.”

Coach Marvin Lewis said last week that, if healthy, Warrick has a place on the team. Lewis wants Warrick to be able to practice regularly without taking a week off at a time.

Warrick said he would like to return punts, as well as play receiver.

“Punt returns, personally, I could make it to the Pro Bowl as a punt returner in Cincinnati easier than as a receiver,” Warrick said.
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com