Saints, Bengals practicing

The Bengals and Saints are an hour into their first of two joint practices today on the fields adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium.

The Saints, one of the NFL's media darlings, have four players with strong Cincinnati-area connections: Safety Kevin Kaesviharn and linebacker Brian Simmons are in their first seasons with New Orleans after each playing for several seasons with the Bengals.

Second-year guard Zach Strief is from Milford, and linebacker Troy Evans played at the University of Cincinnati; he is a West Chester native who played at Lakota High School.

Both teams are in full pads, though their joint work will be non-contact.

For the Bengals, cornerback Keiwan Ratliff is not in uniform.