Bengals audition several players; and hello again

DIXON, Ill. -- I wanted to get this note Online before I tore myself away from my relatives.

The Bengals tried out several players Monday, including wide receivers Kevin Johnson, Kevin Kasper and Darius Watts, tight ends Tim Day and Matt Kranchick and linebacker Jason Berryman.

The Bengals, clearly, are looking for more help at wide receiver. They apparently are not completely impressed with the health of Peter Warrick's knee or his physical condition. It's hard to believe that if Warrick were healthy and still a shadow of his former playmaking self that the Bengals would not have signed him yet.

On a personal note, as hard as it was to tear myself away from my work last week and to miss covering the Atlanta game, it's doubly difficult to leave my brothers, sisters, in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles here in Dixon.

We had four hours of visition at the funeral home Monday for my mother, Elizabeth, who died Thursday of inoperable lung cancer. The line was out the door several times.

I'd like to publicly thank Bengals president Mike Brown and his organization, the newsroom of the Cincinnati Enquirer and columnist Tom Archdeacon (and his wife) of the Dayton Daily News for the beautiful flower arrangements they sent to the funeral home. Thank you. My family greatly appreciates your kindness and thoughtfulness.

The funeral this morning and burial were a great comfort. My six brothers and sisters, as well as our extended family, have celebrated a life magnificently lived.

I wrote and delivered the eulogy for my mother, just as she had asked me to do three years ago for my father. It was a great honor both times. I'm drained emotionally and downing coffee to prepare for the drive tonight back to Cincinnati.

I wouldn't know where to even start in counting the blessings in my life. I'm humbled and proud to be a part of the extended Curnutte and Mueller families.

I'll be back at work Wednesday. It's what my mother would expect.