Bengals' last pick is LSU WR Brazell

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals grabbed former U.S. Olympian Bennie Brazell, an LSU wide receiver, with their last pick and the 231st of the draft late this afternoon.

He finished eighth in the 400-meter hurdle at Athens, Greece, in 2004.

Brazell had 13 catches for 292 yards and three touchdowns for the Tigers in 2005. He is 6 feet 1, 176 pounds.

He was the former No. 1 prep hurdler in the nation.

"He can run like the wind," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said of Brazell. He was the 110th-rated wide receiver in the draft.

First 7th-round pick is Penn State WR Kilmer

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals selected a second "athlete" project today, picking Penn State safety/wide receiver Ethan Kilmer with the first pick of the seventh round, No. 209 overall.

Coach Marvin Lewis said to list Kilmer as a wide receiver.

Kilmer is 6-0, 205 pounds.

"Ethan was an exceptional, exceptional special teams player," Lewis said. "When you put on the tape of fourth down, he blows you away. I called him the Saturday before Easter and said, `Oh, my gosh.' Tackling, speed. He has the opportunity to compete to upgrade us on special teams. He could compete to be a starting player."

Kilmer had six receptions for 79 yards and one touchdown in the Orange Bowl for Penn State. Kilmer, who has a track background and played just one year of high school football and transferred to Penn State.

QB/WR McNeal is Bengals' 6th pick

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

After taking three consecutive defensive players, the Bengals took an offensive player, Texas A&M Reggie McNeal, in the sixth round with the 193rd overall pick.

Coach Marvin Lewis said McNeal could be the Bengals' version of former Steelers wide receiver/sometimes quarterback Antwaan Randle El -- now with the Redskins.

"I've been blessed to get this far," McNeal said this afternoon. "I'll do whatever I have to. It's just a wonderful feeling to have a chance to play in the league."

McNeal also said he was not bothered about the transition from quarterback to wide receiver and said he has been working out as a receiver in the pre-draft process.

"Coach Lewis said they'd have some things for me to play wide receiver and quarterback," McNeal said.

McNeal said he started at wide receiver as a freshman on his high school varsity team and started playing quarterback as a sophomore in high school.

McNeal, who had 16 touchdown passes and nine interceptions in 2005, projects as a wide receiver in the NFL. He is believed to be a developing quarterback but is regarded as a dangerous runner. He ran a 4.31 40-yard dash and had 664 rushing yards last season.

"We're going to try him everywhere," Bengals offensive coordintor Bob Bratkowski said. "In order to help him with the transition, we're going to make it as easy as we can for him. We're going to get him here and teach him the receiver position."

Some scouts consider McNeal a dangerous runner with the strength -- at 6 feet, 2 inches, 198 pounds -- to break tackles. He could be an emergency third quarterback and has potential to be an outstanding kickoff return specialist.

"There's a lot of flexibility there," Bratkowski said of McNeal. "He's going to make it as an athlete."

McNeal was MVP of the East-West Shrine All-Star game.

Bengals take Fla. State LB A.J. Nicholson in 5th

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Off-field behavior concerns -- including a suspension from the Orange Bowl for an alleged rape -- caused A.J. Nicholson's stock to drop in the draft.

The Bengals selected the outside linebacker from Florida State in the fifth round of the draft today. Nicholson, who is almost 6 feet 1, 253 pounds, would have gone much higher in the draft if not for character issues.

He has been arrested twice for alcohol-related issues and was subdued once by police with a Taser.

"My off-field issues hhurt me a little bit,' Nicholson said today. "People had concerns about my character. I'm a good citizen and a good Samaritan.

Nicholson said he was suspended from the Orange Bowl for violating a team rule.

"I had a young lady (19 years old) in my room, and I shouldn't have," he said. "So they suspended from the Orange Bowl. The whole thing is resolved. She made allegations. That's what happened."

Bengals linebackers coach Ricky Hunley said the situation has been cleared up.

"We've investigated," Hunley said. "He has a lot of good guys he'll be around. If this isn't something we could handle, we wouldn't be talking."

Nicholson's first name is Ahman, and his father, Darrell, was a sixth-round pick of the Giants in 1982.

As a senior last season, Nicholson had 100 tackles, 10 for loss. He is considered a talented, instinctive player who can stop the run and drop well in coverage.

He was pick No. 157 overall.

Nicholson becomes the fourth defensive player selected by the Bengals with their first five picks.

Fourth-round pick is Mich. St. DT Peko

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals used their fourth-round pick, No. 123, on Michigan State defensive tackle Domata Peko. Three of the team's first four draft picks are defensive players.

Peko is known for his size and big frame at almost 6 feet, 3 inches, 307 pounds. He is quick with good speed for a man his size. He also has shown flashes of big-play ability and speed in rushing the passer.

"He doesn't have a lot of bad habits because he hasn't played a lot of football," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said.

Peko, born and reared in American Samoa, is a friend of Bengals defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene -- also a Samoan.

Peko, who played in 11 games, all starts last season for the Spartans, had 53 total tackles, two fumble recoveries and one sack. One of the fumbles he returned 74 yards for a touchdown against Michigan.

"At the end, a running back dove at my legs, and I had to jump over him," Peko said.

Jay Hayes, Bengals defensive line coach, said Peko is "very athletic, has a great motor, intelligent. He has a lot of football ahead of him. The more he played (at Michigan State), the better he got."

Bengals take USC DE Rucker in third round

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

With some quality tight ends still remaining on the draft board, the Bengals took defensive end Frostee Rucker with their third-round pick tonight.

Rucker had 6.5 sacks in 2005 for the Trojans and appears to be somewhat of a reach, based on pre-draft projections by various publications that saw him as a sixth- or seventh-round pick.

Rucker, reached at his mother's home in Irvine, Calif., said late tonight that he expected to go anywhere from the third to the fifth round.

"What I did at USC, you're a pass rusher first, but you also have to stop the run," Rucker said. "I'm a forceful player, a team player, very aggressive, a defensive-minded guy."

Bengals defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said Rucker projects to an end in the 4-3 defense. The Bengals already have Justin Smith and Robert Geathers as starters. The only other true end on the roster is second-year player Jonathan Fanene.

"He's fundamentally sound and tecnnically-minded," Bresnahan said. "He can come in here and build on what we already have. He is a good solid player and can bring that to the NFL."

Frostee is his given name. He said his father gave him the name because he wanted his son to have a unique name.

He is 6-3, 267 pounds and ran a 4.91 40-yard dash. He also is a former outside linebacker who originally signed to play at Colorado State.

Rucker started all 13 games for USC in 2005 and had 54 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Bengals take LSU OT Whitworth

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals used their second pick on an offensive player, LSU's Andrew Whitworth, in the second round of the NFL draft today.

Whitworth is 6-6½, 328 pounds and runs a 5.3-second in the 40-yard dash.

He started 52 consecutive games in college at tackle and is a right tackle prospect in the NFL.

"He's gone two years without giving up a sack," Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander said.

Actually, Whitworth gave up one sack in 2004 and committed just five penalties. He has gone 22 consecutive games without allowing a sack.

Whitworth is intelligent and mature, exceptionally strong and good with his hands, but he is a classic over-achiever who lacks natural athleticism and struggles against faster defenders.

The selection of Whitworth this early suggests the Bengals might be planning to move on from Willie Anderson after the 2006 season. Anderson's contract expires after the season, and the team is trying also to re-sign the starting left side of its offensive line, tackle Levi Jones and guard Eric Steinbach, both younger than Anderson.

Coach Marvin Lewis, offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and Alexander all said that fans should not read anything into the selection of Whitworth in the second round as a sign that Anderson or Jones might be replaced soon.

"You can never have enough good offensive linemen," said Bratkowski, who also explained that Whitworth was the most impressive scouting combine interview he conducted in 15 years.

Whitworth had no specific expectations for his rookie season, even as a second-round pick.

"I will dedicate myself to help our team win the Super Bowl," he said. "I credit myself for leadership and character."

Joseph short on experience, not self-confidence

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Before the draft, Marvin Lewis talked about the number of draft-eligible cornerbacks who had limited experience in Division I football.

Lewis and the Bengals went ahead and drafted one in the first round Saturday, South Carolina’s Johnathan Joseph.

Joseph, who played one season of junior college football at Coffeyville (Kan.), also played just a little more than one season at South Carolina.

Joseph suffered a broken right foot in the second game of the 2004 season against Georgia. Joseph then played in 12 games with 11 starts for the Gamecocks in 2005.

He had 55 total tackles, nine broken up passes and four interceptions – one returned for a touchdown – in 2005. Joseph also returned six kickoffs for a 23.5-yard average.

"He’s a guy who has the height, the speed and the athleticism to make cuts in and out of the breaks that you look for in a tall corner," Lewis said.

Joseph is 5-feet, 11-inches, 193 pounds.

"I bring a lot of playmaking ability," Joseph said. "I’m a great player, a great teammate in the locker room and a great guy in the community. I can bring great all-around play to the defensive unit."

Though he has limited Division I experience, Joseph has some of the physical tools that make him an ideal cornerback.

"You look at the ability to move your feet (and) the ability to flip your hips and run deep," Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle said.

Coyle and defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan also said that Joseph is good at the line of scrimmage and gets his hands on receivers.

"Just the words `natural' and `smooth' is what you see on tape with this kid," Bresnahan said. "You know you’ve got a guy who is fast, quick and can pedal."

Joseph is fast, clocking a 4.31 second 40-yard dash time at the scouting combine – second best to Clemson’s Tye Hill, who went to St. Louis at No. 15 overall.

Lewis and the other coaches also said Joseph has a solid character and brings no personal baggage into the NFL.

Joseph will not be expected to start as a rookie, though coaches expect him to compete for playing time. Deltha O’Neal and Tory James, who each made the Pro Bowl in the past two seasons, are listed as the current starters.

The Bengals also have third-year player Keiwan Ratliff returning as the nickel back. Ratliff was the team’s first of two second-round draft picks in 2004.

"It gives us a guy who can come in here and compete with the players we already have," Lewis said of Joseph, who turned 22 on April 16. He has a 2-year-old son, Jay'dion.

Joseph becomes the first true cornerback drafted by the Bengals in the franchise’s 39 years of existence. The Bengals did draft Oklahoma defensive back Rickey Dixon in 1988, but he played safety in the NFL.

Joseph is excited about the Bengals.

"They have a lot of talented guys on defense," he said. "I know they drafted (fellow Southeastern Conference players) David Pollack and Odell Thurman out of Georgia last year. They have some young guys on defense that can make a lot of plays."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

C. Perry has surgery; Washington re-signs

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Chris Perry sat in a locker this afternoon, just as the NFL draft was starting.

He had a crutch on each side of his body.

Perry had knee surgery Friday in what Marvin Lewis described as a clean-out.

"It will be a couple-week process," the Bengals coach said of Perry, the team’s first-round pick in 2004. "He’ll probably be out for our on-field stuff this offseason."

The on-field work starts May 16.

"It bothered him, and he didn’t want to have the surgery," Lewis said, "but we were able to get the nagging out."

Perry played in 14 games with two starts in 2005. He rushed 61 times for 279 yards and had 51 receptions for 328 yards and two touchdowns.

Perry was inactive for Games 14 and 15 because of a high ankle sprain suffered in Game 13 against the Browns.

Perry, approached Saturday in the locker room, was downcast and referred questions to Lewis.

"We found something that wasn’t showing up in the scan," Lewis said. "It was kicking around in there and causing some irritation. I know he’s happy it’s over with. No we all move forward."

WASHINGTON SIGNS: Restricted free agent wide receiver Kelly Washington re-signed with the Bengals to a one-year contract.

Washington has played in 39 games in three seasons with five starts. He has 63 career receptions in three seasons for 778 yards and eight touchdowns.

San Francisco had displayed some minor interest in Washington during free agency.

Washington is the third restricted free agent to re-sign with the Bengals. The team also signed offensive lineman Scott Kooistra to a one-year deal and re-signed starting fullback Jeremi Johnson to a six-year contract, tearing up a one-year tender.

The Bengals lost wide receiver Kevin Walter to Houston. The Bengals chose not to match the Texans’ offer sheet and received Houston’s seventh-round pick as compensation.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Mock draft scores 11 of 32 correct

So much for draft expertise.

The Enquirer's mock draft correctly predicted 11 of the 32 first-round picks.

The mock had correct picks for Houston at No. 1 (Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State), Tennessee at No. 3 (Vince Young, QB, Texas), Green Bay at No. 5 (A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State) and San Francisco at No. 6 (Vernon Davis, TE, N.C. State).

Of course, with the mock running Saturday morning, we had the opportunity to give Williams to the Texans, who signed him Friday. The Enquirer then had running back Reggie Bush going No. 4 to the Jets.

Then there were 11 incorrect picks in a row from No. 7 through 17. The Enquirer had Ohio State safety Donte Whitner going to the Bengals at No. 24. He went instead at No. 8 -- even Whitner though he was a mid-first round pick or beyond -- to Buffalo.

The Enquirer was correct at No. 18 for Dallas (Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State) and No. 19 for San Diego (Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State).

The Bengals' first-round pick, cornerback South Carolina cornerback Johnathan Joseph, was predicted by the Enquirer to go at No. 22 to the 49ers.

The first-round forecast was salvaged, somewhat, by five correct predictions from Nos. 27-31. The Enquirer was correct at No. 27 for Carolina (DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis), No. 28 for Jacksonville (Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA), No. 29 New York Jets (Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State), No 30 for Indianapolis (Joseph Addai, RB, LSU) and No. 31 for Seattle (Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami, Fla.).

Five Ohio State players were drafted in the first 32: Hawk, Whitner, Carpenter, wide receiver Santonio Holmes (Steelers, No. 25) and Mangold.

Bengals take CB Joseph at No. 24

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals selected cornerback Johnathan Joseph, from South Carolina, with the No. 24 overall pick today.

Coach Marvin Lewis said Joseph was the top player remaining on the Bengals' draft board.

"The guy can run and cover," Lewis said.

He was an early-entry junior and had four interceptions in 2005. Joseph is 5-feet-11, 193 pounds and had 55 tackles for the Gamecocks. A junior college transfer, Joseph missed all but two games in 2004 for South Carolina with a stress fracture in his foot.

"I'm going to a good team, a good organization," Joseph said from his family's home in Rock Hill, S.C., near Charlotte, N.C. "I'm a great teammate, a great guy in the locker room, a great guy in the community."

Joseph becomes the first true cornerback taken in the first round in the Bengals' 39 years. The team drafted Oklahoma's Rickey Dixon in 1988 -- fifth overall -- and converted him to safety.

The Bengals have the luxury of letting Joseph sit and come along slowly because Deltha O'Neal and Tory James figure to start again in 2006. Joseph was the sixth defensive back taken in the first 24 picks.

Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle said Joseph has natural speed and smoothness. Joseph ran a 4.31 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in February, second only to Clemson's Tye Hill.

"He can move his feet and flip his hips and run," Coyle said of Joseph. "He's very good at the line of scrimmage. He gets his hands on people. He reminds me of Deltha with his athletic ability."

Coveted players sliding toward Bengals

With Dallas taking the third first-round player from Ohio State -- linebacker Bobby Carpenter -- the Bengals are five picks away from going on the clock.

Carpenter joins linebacker A.J. Hawk and safety Donte Whitner as first-rounders.

The Bengals are moving into a position to get a player they like: cornerback/safety Jimmy Williams, defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka and linebacker/end Manny Lawson. If Lawson falls to the Bengals, look for coach Marvin Lewis and coordinator Chuck Bresnahan could make the move to the 3-4 defense.

Lawson would likely join David Pollack as the type of hybrid ends/linebackers needed to play in the 3-4.

Ravens, Browns trade, use picks for defense

The trade between Cleveland and Baltimore, division rivals for the Bengals, was interesting.

Baltimore gets defensive tackle Haloti Ngata from Oregon. Reviews are mixed on him: He can eat space, but he is said to take plays off. Linebacker Ray Lewis should be able with the addition of the 338-pound Ngata.

The Browns got a sixth-round pick from the Ravens for the trade. Cleveland went ahead and took defensive end Kamerian Wimbley from Florida State. Wimbley will fit well in the Browns' 3-4 defense and will be groomed by outside linebacker Willie McGinest, a proven veteran and consumate pro.

So the first two of the Bengals' AFC North rivals choose defense with their first picks.

Thumbs up for Jets, Packers, 49ers, Raiders

Congratulations to the Jets, Packers, 49ers and Raiders for their first-round picks at Nos. 4, 5, 6
and 7.

D'Brickashaw Ferguson is exactly who the Jets needed to upgrade their offensive line. The
Packers resisted the temptation to take a quarterback and have a sure-fire pro in outside linebacker A.J. Hawk. Vernon Davis gives Alex Smith a target at tight end. And safety Michael Huff is what the Raiders need in their secondary. Matt Leinart, who probably will drop all the way down to Arizona at No. 10, doesn't have the arm strength to fit the Raiders' downfield pass offense.

First three picks are in ...

The first three picks of the draft are official:

Great move by the Texans to sign Mario Williams, the defensive end from N.C. State. Houston is switching to the 4-3 defense, and Williams is an NFL ready player and will be a fixture for years with the Texans.

At No. 2, the Saints might have been smarter to take offensive tackFirle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, from Virginia. The Saints already have Deuce McAllister as their featured running back. New Orleans needs to protect gimpy QB Drew Brees.

With the third pick, the Titans also would have been better off reuniting quarterback Matt Leinart with his college offensive coordinator at USC, Norm Chow. This pick means Steve McNair's days in Nashville are over. He's headed to Baltimore now.

Readers' opinions on Anderson's status

Readers responded in great numbers to the Enquirer story Wednesday morning about the inability of the Bengals and right tackle Willie Anderson to agree on a contract extension.

Letter 1: Having been a Bengals fan since Day 1, I find it discouraging that Willie and the team
can't agree on a nice four-year contract for around $25 million to $26 million. -- Jim

Letter 2: Did you ask him if he wanted some wine with that cheese. Now were going to see the
real pre-Lewis Willie Anderson. He's going to cry,whine, and be a distraction the whole preseason! If they don't want to sign you, "say the (heck) with you" and go to free agency. Don't stand around crying into a reporter's microphone. Open another Fatburger place. -- Mike

Letter 3: Great article (Wednesday) about Willie. It strikes me the negotiations have begun. There will be to much pressure to sign him. -- William

Letter 4: While all players reach a place where they need to retire either because they can no
longer do the job or they are endangering their own future health pushing. Certainly there needs be development of younger players who can fill in or take over as needed. Giving offensive linemen the chance to develop as they gave Carson (Palmer) time to grow into his job is just as valid.
Everyone who understands football knows the team travels only as well as its offensive line
performs and that there are leaders with real class who shape and mold youngsters coming up. Check out Jerome Bettis for instance. This idea is especially true of a man of the stature of Willlie Anderson.
The loss of this prototype tackle would be much more injurious to Carson Palmer and the rest of the offense than any number of Kimo von Oelhoffen low tackles. -- Dave

Letter 5: I was disappointed and shocked regarding the Bengals and Willie's age. Isn'tthe newly aquired Sam Adams 34 years old? Age was no factor there. How can the Bengals consider letting go of one of the best tackles in the NFL? He's the anchor of one of the best lines in the game. -- Chris

Letter 6: Anderson makes a good point in his article with Rich Braham being 35. I do not
understand the thinking of the front office here. They should re-sign Anderson. He is and will continue to be an asset to the Bengals. -- Wes

Letter 7: I've always like Willie Anderson, but lately, he seems extremely jealous. All he ever
talked about was wanting to be part of a winning and playoff contending team. Well, now he's got his wish, and I'll be interested to see if he becomes a free agent does he run to the highest bidder. -- William

Letter 8: I know football is a business first, last, and always, but I hope the Bengals find a way to keep Willie on the team at a respectable salary. He has contributed so much through the really stupid years of Bengals football. He spoke up and said some things that make a lot of sense. I would also hate to lose Levi Jones and Eric Steinbach to free agency. -- Craig

Letter 9: I hope you can try to talk some sense into the organization about resigning Willie
Anderson. I am sure they have some bean counter telling them they shouldn't offer him a contract. But in this case, loyalty should come first.
This reminds me of one of the turning points for the Bengals years ago when they let Max Montoya go because of his age and then he continued to play very well for a couple more
seasons someplace else. It seemed like the O-line never was the same again, nor good, until now.
Of all of the players on the team, none more than Anderson deserves a nice fat check that says
thank you from the organization and fans. As a fan who has been loyal to this team through the best and worst of times, all fans should be upset by this and there better be signs flying in the stadium on Sundays in support of Willie on this matter, that is, if they are not confiscated of course. -- D.

TE Stewart joins list of re-upped Bengals

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals continue to maintain the core of their special teams, and today signed another of their unrestricted free agents, tight end Tony Stewart, to a one-year contract.

It follows by a day the signing of another Bengals UFA, running back Kenny Watson, a solid contributor in the kicking game. He also signed a one-year contract.

The Bengals have now re-signed six of their unrestricted free agents. The others are linebackers Marcus Wilkins and Hannibal Navies, cornerback Rashad Bauman and safety Anthony Mitchell.

Stewart played in 14 games in 2005 with three starts and had three receptions for 26 yards. He returns at tight end, along with starter Reggie Kelly, and the Bengals are expected to draft a tight end to replace Matt Schobel, who signed with Philadelphia as a free agent.

Also today, the Bengals' public relations staff learned it was one of five finalists for the Rozelle Award, presented annually to the top public relations staff in the league as voted by members of the Pro Football Writers of America.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Starting RG Williams agrees to 3-year extension

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals have one down and the rest of the starting offensive line to go.

The club has reached agreement on a three-year extension with starting right guard Bobbie Williams, Williams told the Enquirer this afternoon.

He said he expects to sign the deal early next week, and it will keep him in Bengals stripes through the 2009 season.

Williams, who has played the past two years with the Bengals after signing as a free agent from the Eagles, didn’t want to leave Cincinnati.

"Definitely, I love it here," said Williams, who missed only one offensive snap in 2005 after playing in 100 percent of snaps in 2004. "It's a perfect fit for me.

"I'm glad that (I), my agents and (Bengals) personnel people were able to come to an agreement. I wasn’t trying to move around."

Bengals running back Rudi Johnson owns the two most productive single-season rushing totals in franchise, both in excess of 1,450 yards, in the two years Williams has been with the Bengals. The Bengals also allowed a franchise low 21 sacks in 2005.

The Bengals also are trying to extend the contracts of left tackle Levi Jones, left guard Eric Steinbach and right tackle Willie Anderson. Those deals, like that of center Rich Braham, will expire after the 2006 season. Braham is expected to retire, though he continues to sign short-term deals and perform at a high level.

"I have to try to get some recruiting done," Williams said of his offensive line mates. "We've got to get those other guys locked in."

Williams said he is confident the Bengals will extend the contracts of the other offensive linemen.
"It's a process," he said.

Terms of the contract were immediately unavailable, but it is believed to be worth about $10.5 million total, with some $3.5 million guaranteed in bonuses.

The Bengals will not announce the contract until it is signed, and club management is trying to lock up Jones and Steinbach before the start of the season.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Bengals on prime time twice in 2006

CINCINNATI BENGALS 2006 SCHEDULE
All times are Eastern

PRESEASON (day, date, opponent, time)
Sunday, Aug. 13, WASHINGTON (NBC), 8 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 18, at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 28, GREEN BAY (ESPN), 8 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1, at Indianapolis, 7 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON (day, date, opponent, time)
Sunday, Sept. 10, at Kansas City, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17, CLEVELAND, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 24, at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 1, NEW ENGLAND, 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8, (BYE)
Sunday, Oct. 15, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 22, CAROLINA, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 29, ATLANTA, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 5, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 12, SAN DIEGO, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 19, at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 26, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 30, BALTIMORE (NFL Network), 8 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 10, OAKLAND, 1 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 18, at Indianapolis (ESPN), 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24, at Denver, 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 31, PITTSBURGH, 1 p.m.

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals’ playoff appearance in 2005 was recognized by the NFL this afternoon with the scheduling of two prime-time games in 2006 – a Thursday night at home against Baltimore and a Monday night game at Indianapolis.

The Bengals have a much tougher schedule in 2006 than they did in their playoff season of 2005.

The season will open with four consecutive games against AFC teams and ends with a Dec. 31 game at home against defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh.

The Bengals will open the regular season on the road for the third consecutive year, visiting Kansas City on Sunday, Sept. 10. The home opener on Sept. 17 will feature the Cleveland Browns in the 66th edition of the “Battle of Ohio.”

The Bengals currently are scheduled for two prime-time night games. They also are slated for two late-afternoon Sunday contests that will be featured national doubleheader games on CBS. The night games are Thursday, Nov. 30 at home against Baltimore (NFL Network) and Monday, Dec. 18 at Indianapolis (ESPN). The broadcast of both of those games will also be aired in the Cincinnati market on a local, non-cable television station to be announced.

The CBS national doubleheader Sunday games, both scheduled for 4:15 p.m. (Eastern Time), are Oct. 1 at home against New England and Dec. 24 at Denver.

The Bengals could also have a national game on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, as seven of the last eight Sunday night games are yet to be determined under the NFL’s new flexible scheduling format.

The Bengals will close the season with three straight games against fellow 2005 AFC playoff qualifiers — Indianapolis, Denver and Pittsburgh. Those teams combined for a 38-10 record in 2005.

"We're excited that the schedule is out; it helps keep you energized," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. "It's a difficult schedule. We've got the World Champions (Pittsburgh) twice, and we’ve got the other three AFC Division champs besides ourselves (Denver, Indianapolis (and) New England). In the NFC, we've got the championship game runner-up (Carolina) and another division champ (Tampa Bay).

"It's a challenge, but you don't win anything without facing a challenge. We welcome the opportunity to earn our way back into the playoffs.”

The new twist in the NFL's schedule – an attempt to put some top, late-season games in the Sunday night prime-time slot on NBC-TV – could cause Bengals' fans to adjust their own schedules.

Seven of the last eight weeks of the 2006 NFL season, games currently scheduled for Sunday afternoon, will be eligible to be moved to an 8:15 p.m. kickoff on NBC’s Sunday Night Football.

The league’s flexible scheduling element is designed to provide quality matchups for the Sunday prime-time games, and will give playoff-contending teams the chance to increase their late-season national exposure.

No teams currently are listed in the Sunday night time slots for Weeks 10-15 and 17, meaning that in each of the seven flex weeks, one afternoon game will be moved to Sunday night. Week 16 Sunday afternoon games, including the Bengals’ national doubleheader game at Denver, will not be made eligible for 8:15 p.m. starts, due to travel and scheduling considerations for the holiday weekend.

For games of Weeks 10-15, the NFL will provide at least 12 days notice of a switch to Sunday night. For example, if the Bengals game on Nov. 12 against San Diego were to be moved to 8:15 p.m. from its present 1 p.m. slot, the change would be announced no later than Tuesday, Oct. 31.

For games of Week 17, to ensure contending teams will be on the final Sunday night broadcast, the change could be made with six days notice.

Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday night. Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday, Saturday or Monday nights. Bengals home games eligible to be moved to Sunday night are Nov. 12 vs. San Diego, Dec. 10 vs. Oakland and Dec. 31 vs. Pittsburgh. Bengals road games eligible to be moved to Sunday night are Nov. 19 at New Orleans and Nov. 26 at Cleveland.

Bengals games scheduled for 1 p.m. Sundays also will be eligible to be moved to 4:15 p.m. for greater national TV exposure. Last season, Cincinnati’s Nov. 20 showcase home game against Indianapolis was moved from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., with the change announced on Oct. 31, nearly three weeks in advance.

DT Adams in town, yet to sign contract

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Sam Adams, wearing a designer sweat suit, walked through the Bengals locker room this morning at Paul Brown Stadium but was off-limits to reporters.

Adams had yet to sign his contract, and the Bengals wouldn’t let him speak to the media.

He did already have a locker. A placard reading “Adams 95” hung above one stall.
He will wear No. 95.

Adams will sign his three-year contract later today; the first year is worth almost $4 million if he reaches all incentive clauses.

He arrived with the goal of participating in the Bengals’ offseason strength and conditioning program, which started today.

Defensive end Justin Smith said he and his teammates on the line welcome Adams' arrival.
"I’ve talked to (John Thornton) and (Bryan Robinson)," Smith said of the defensive tackles. "Everybody's happy he's here. He's a great player. He's a winner. He’ll help us win."

Adams is expected to play primarily against the run, a weakness for the Bengals even after three years under defensive guru Marvin Lewis. The signing of former Tampa Bay safety Dexter Jackson and the return of healthy free safety Madieu Williams also should help significantly.
Also today, restricted free agent offensive lineman Scott Kooistra signed his one-year tender and started working out. He will get $712,000 and will be eligible for unrestricted free agency after next season, his fourth in the NFL.

Quarterbacks Doug Johnson and Craig Krenzel, the team's only healthy passers – Carson Palmer continues to rehab his surgically-repaired left knee – both participated in workouts today. Johnson said he had visited Cincinnati earlier in the offseason and met with quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese. Johnson arrived Sunday.

Johnson and Krenzel both said their goal was to be ready to start on opening day if Palmer were unable to play.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com