Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

An added note about the Cincinnati Bengals’ next home game, Oct. 7 against the Miami Dolphins.

Bengals officials want you to know that it will be Breast Cancer Awareness Day at Paul Brown Stadium.

Volunteers from  Zeta Tau Alpha will distribute pink ribbons and information cards to fans as they enter the stadium.  In the Jungle Zone, there will be a Women’s Services van with volunteers distributing information, courtesy of team partner, TriHealth.  Pre-game will include several special presentations: one to announce the “Sack Breast Cancer” program in conjunction with TriHealth, and another to honor the Marvin Lewis Community Fund’s Pink Football Award Winner. The Pink Football Award Winner will also deliver the pink coin to midfield for the coin toss.   The Bengals will also present grants to TriHealth and Mercy Health for breast cancer-related work.

Also, there will be a pre-game performance by the Junior Ben-Gals, and halftime will be K9 Crew (Frisbee Dogs).

As previously noted, the Bengals have been marketing “Pack E” — a ticket pack that pairs the Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers games at Cincinnati. Ticket packs give fans the same seats for both games, plus priority over general public for possible availability of playoff tickets. Tickets can be obtained through the Bengals Ticket Hotline at 866-621-8383 or through Bengals.com.

What can Green do for Brown?

If you’re talking (A.J.) Green to start things off with a razzle-dazzle touchdown reception, then have have the rest of the Cincinnati Bengals put in an inspired and innovational day of work en route to beating the Washington Redskins38-31, the answer is … sell tickets to games in Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals have been marketing “Pack E” — a ticket pack that pairs the Dolphins and Steelers games at Cincinnati. Ticket packs give fans the same seats for both games, plus priority over general public for possible availability of playoff tickets. Tickets can be obtained through the Bengals Ticket Hotline at 866-621-8383 or through Bengals.com.

“Fan response to Pack E was initially very good, and we know from the TV ratings that a lot of people watched us win an exciting game last Sunday,” said Jack Brennan, public relations director for the Bengals. “The ticket office sees signs of a bump from that, so it’s encouraging. Pittsburgh, of course, is sold out except through packs and season tickets. We are working for another very good sales week on Miami — they’ve got Reggie Bush and Ryan Tannehill — and the goal is another full house on Oct. 7. We’d like to remind fans that Pack E prices are lower than single-game, that both games are still very much in the usual good-weather zone and that Miami is also still available as a single game.”

Got to talk with Buffalo and former University of Kentucky receiver Stevie Johnson after Sunday’s 23-20 Bills loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. (See the full story in the Herald-Leader and on kentucky.com.)

As a Wildcat, Johnson scored the winning touchdown in a triple-overtime loss to No. 1 ranked LSU.

With Kentucky playing again-No.-1-ranked LSU over the weekend — a 35-7 LSU romp — I asked Johnson if the circumstances reminded him of the game when he came through in the clutch.

“It did, but I’m not there no more,” he said. “What happened in the past happened in the past. It’s always going to be there.

“We (UK) took a tough one and they’ve just got to shake back. Just like we (the Bills) do. We’ve got to shake back and try to get a win next week.”

What would Johnson say to UK fans who may be grumbling about Joker Phillips in his second season as head coach?

“Just let him do his job,” Johnson said. “He’s the coach for a reason. He’s put in his time. He’s put in the work. He’s got a few seasons to turn things around. I know he’s going to turn things around. He’s a great coach. He’s a great motivator. Just let him do his job.”

* Bills center Eric Wood is a third-year pro who played for Elder High School in Cincinnati and became a first-round draft pick out of the University of Louisville. This time a year ago, he was starting at guard.

“Even when I was playing guard, I was always in the backup role at center, so I’d always worked on it,” Wood said. “And playing (center) all through college definitely prepared me for this year, stepping in as the starting center.”

Wood lauded Johnson.

“Stevie’s awesome. He’s a hard-working guy,” Wood said. “He does the celebrations and he does the Twitter and everything, but he’s as hard-working as it gets. He’s a great teammate, he’s a good leader and he’s about as good as it gets as far as receivers go in the NFL.”

Wood said he hasn’t tried to rub it in with Johnson that Louisville beating UK 24-17 this season.

“A little bit,” Wood said, “but Stevie never got on me too hard the last three years, so I’m not going to give it to him too bad now.”

Long-jump winner Michaela Hunter of Rockcastle County. (Maloney photo)

North Oldham takes the final event of the boys’ 2A State Track Meet, as well as the overall team title.

North topped Central for the team title, 73-63, and in the relay, 3:27.30 to 3:28.37. Tilghman finished third in team points with 55.

Covington Catholic’s Will Torbek won the pole vault at 12-9.

* Boyle County wins the final event of the girls’ 2A State Meet, getting its second relay victory of the meet in the 4-by-400, while Highlands wins the overall team standings.

Natalie Settle, Tabitha Evans, Kate Carman and Logan Arnold combined for Boyle’s 4:08.97 victory. Central was runner-up in 4:09.40.

Highlands, third in the relay, finished with 100 1/2 points. Central took second with 92. Elizabethtown edged North Oldham for third place, 55-50.

* South Warren’s Jared Skrabacz, who earlier won the 1,600 meters, added the 3,200 title (9:31.27).

Runner-up Colin Grandon picked up eight big points for North Oldham, though, giving his team a 63-55 lead over Central with two events left to go.

* The Highlands girls have reclaimed the team lead with 17 of 18 events completed. The Bluebirds have 94 1/2 points to Central’s 84. Elizabethtown is third with 53.

Highlands picked up seven points in the triple jump with a 5-6 finish by Lisa Patterson and Taylor Rosenhagen. Rockcastle County’s Michaela Hunter picked up her third win of the day with a distance of 36-11 1/4.

Highlands also scored six points in the 3,200-meter run with a third-place finish by Lauren Ossege. Caterina Karas of Collins, who earlier took the 1,600 title, won that event in 11:26.76.

* Tilghman’s J.D. Harmon, who won the triple jump earlier in the day, has taken the long jump (22-2 3/4).

With three events remaining, Central and North Oldham are tied for the team lead with 55 points each. Tilghman is third with 44.

* Zach Evans’ triumph in the 200 meters has pulled North Oldham into a first-place tie with Central in the boys’ 2A team standings, 55 each with four events to go.

Evans covered the half-lap sprint in 22.25, trailed by 100-meter winner Ryan Timmons of Franklin County in 22.71.

* A 3-6 finish in the 200 meters by Kayla Forrest and Maya Spalding has pushed Central into the team lead, 84-81 1/2 over Highlands, with three events remaining in the girls’ 2A meet.

Alisha Adair of Western Hills won the event in 25.90, followed by 400-meter/long jump winner Michaela Hunter of Rockcastle County.

* With 14 of 18 girls’ events scored, Highlands leads Central in the 2A team standings 81 1/2-75. Elizabethtown is third with 53.

Caterina Karas of Collins dominated the 1,600-meter run (5:17.87) and North Bullitt’s Chelsey Slayton snared the 800 (2:23.44).

Central’s Maya Spalding, who already won the 100-meter hurdles, also won over the 300-meter barriers (46.86), ahead of West Jessamine’s Abby Wiggins.

Lindsey Scaggs of Highlands won the pole vault by a foot at 9-6.

* With 13 of 18 boys’ events completed, Central leads North Oldham 49-45 in the 2A team standings. Tilghman is third with 34, followed by Lexington Catholic with 27.

North Oldham’s Jeremy Rice just won the 800 meters in 1:57.78. Central’s Keon Scott captured the 300-meter hurdles (39.48) and Bullitt East’s Trevor Troutman won the discus (164-11).

* With 12 of 18 events completed, Highlands has opened an 81 1/2-59 lead over Central in the 2A girls’ team standings. Elizabethtown is third with 48.

Rockcastle County’s Michaela Hunter, who won the long jump earlier in the day, repeated as champion in the 400 meters (58.60). She was the only competitor to break one minute as runner-up Alisha Adair of Western Hills clocked 1:00.19.

Other recent girls’ winners include: Hart County’s Lindsey Burd in the shot put (36-0); and Highlands in both the 4-by-100 and 4-by-200 relays.

The adapted (wheelchair) shot put went to Butler County’s Kayla Spurgeon (10-8).

* Central leads Paducah Tilghman 39-26, with Franklin County third with 25 points after 10 of 18 boys’ events.

Mercer County junior Isaiah Burrus successfully defended his title in the 400-meter dash. Burrus finished in 50.10, followed by Lexington Catholic’s Brian Babbage in 50.32.

Other recent boys’ winners include: Tilghman’s J.D. Harmon in the triple jump (46-5); South Warren’s Jared Skrabacz in the 1,600 (4:20.54); Franklin County in the 4-by-200 relay (1:31.48); and Central in the 4-by-100 relay (43.02).

The exhibition adapted (wheelchair) 100-meter dash went to Fleming County’s Lucas Cannon in 22.91.

* Highlands senior Ashley Collinsworth, daughter of TV personality and former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth, wins the girls’ 100-meter days in 12.60. Alisha Adair of Western Hills takes second in 12.70.

Elizabethtown’s Clayton Patton takes the boys’ 110-meter high hurdles (15.28) over Bullitt East’s Jacob Duvall (15.57).

* Elizabethtown and North Oldham are tied for first place in the boys’ team standings through five events with 18 points each. Franklin County is third with 13.

Recent boys’ champions include: Ryan Timmons of Franklin County in the 100 (11.02); Tyler Bray of Lloyd Memorial in the high jump (6-8); and Letcher County’s Dakota Cornett in the shot put (52-6 1/2).

* Rockcastle County’s Michaela Hunter won the girls’ long jump with a leap of 17-10 1/4. Central’s Kayla Forrest was runner-up at 17-8 1/2.

Other girls’ winners include Central’s Cha’Niquia Gore in the high jump (5-2), Elizabethtown’s Denisha Nichols in the discus (114-2) and Central’s Maya Spalding in the 100-meter hurdles (15.91).

Through five of 18 events, Central leads the team standings with 31 points, five ahead of Elizabethtown.

* North Oldham takes the boys’ 4-by-800-meter relay in 8:12.40, followed by Hopkinsville in 8:16.84. Taylor Sanders, Colin Grandon, Alec Horn and Jeremy Rice ran for the winners.

Now, there is a two-hour break before the next event on the track.

* The first event completed in the Class 2A State Track and Field Meet goes to Boyle County’s 4-by-800-meter relay team. Eighth-grader Nikki Coffey led off, followed by junior Maddie Kriz, senior Rachel Ditto and sophomore Logan Arnold. Time for the “metric two-mile” was 9:57.57. North Oldham was runner-up in 10:01.16.

Fleming County’s Lucas Cannon won the boys’ adapted shot put with a distance of 15-11 from his wheelchair. This is the first year for the exhibition event.

* A thunderstorm has pushed back Thursday’s scheduled 1 o’clock start for the Class 2A State Track and Field Meet at the University of Louisville.

However, the sky has cleared and athletes have now resumed warmups.

When conditions allow, the boys’ shot put, girls’ discus and girls’ 4-by-800 relays will be first to begin at Owsley Frazier Cardinal Park.

Why so serious?

It’s Thanksgiving, which can only mean … football day.

Before you get glued to the Turkey Day games, though, here’s a few leftovers from Sunday’s game at Cincinnati — a 49-31 victory for Buffalo.

As already documented, former Kentucky receiver Steve (a.k.a. Stevie during his UK days) Johnson caught a career-high three touchdown passes as the Bills outscored the Bengals 35-0 in the second half. Wednesday, Johnson revealed that the NFL had fined him $5,000 for lifting his jersey to reveal a message — Why so serious? — scrawled on his undershirt. The message being one uttered by the Joker in the Batman movie The Dark Knight. Johnson was poking fun at the Bengals’ self-dubbed Batman and Robin receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco.

Here’s a bit more of what Johnson had to say after the game, as well as updates on a pair of former Louisville Cardinals Jeff Brohm and Eric Wood.

Steve Johnson

“This is the closest (to) being home for me, being close to Kentucky,” Johnson said. “I felt I had to show off a little bit for the Big Blue Nation.”

Owens came to the Bengals after a season with the Bills, so Johnson obviously knows Batman well. But he also knows Robin (Ochocinco).

“Those are my guys over there,” Johnson said. “Me and T.O. built a relationship. And he came (to Cincinnati) and took on the persona of Batman, so I wanted to come out and bet the chaos guy and turn into Joker. … I’ll be hearing from him. I’ll be hearing from both of them. It’s just all fun. … I’m gonna have to cool it, though.”

After catching two touchdown passes over his first two seasons, Johnson already has nine this season.

“Just like at Kentucky, I had to sit around and learn to be patient,” he said. “Two years, I only had 12 catches. I had to be patient. But I’ve got a great group of guys in this locker room. They always kept me humble and kept me focused on the future. They knew that I’d be able to play, so I just kept on working.”

Johnson paid attention. Having learned from his teammates at UK, he continues to learn from pro teammates.

“Just like I learned from Keenan (Burton) and Dicky (Lyons) and (Jacob) Tamme — the same thing I’m doing here,” he said. “We had Josh (Reed) here, and Josh taught me about patience. We have Lee (Evans), and I always watch Lee. So consistent, he seems like a machine. I’m even watching the rookies that we have coming in, and seeing how they’re playing. It’s easy to stay focused when you’ve got a good group of guys behind you.”

* Brohm, the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, has yet to play a down this season. A third-year pro, his only action came in two games last season, when he completed 17 of 29 passes for 146 yards, with two interceptions.

Brian Brohm

“Things are going pretty good. I’m getting reps every day and I’m trying to get better every single day,” he said. “The life of a backup quarterback is to be ready, so I’m just trying to stay ready for whatever opportunity is going to present itself.”

Before his U of L career, Brohm led Trinity to three state championships. So he must have been ecstatic that his Shamrocks dispatched archrival St. Xavier in last week’s Class 6A state quarterfinals, right?

“Trinity got the big win, but I’ve got to say I had to pull back my pulling interest,” he said. “My cousin (Luke) was playing quarterback for St. X. I really had a torn heart there. But always gotta go for the Rocks.”

No torn heart about pulling for a former Kentucky Wildcat (Johnson), though, on a career-game day: “He’s a Buffalo Bill now, so I’m all for it.”

* Wood, who starts at right guard, also found himself rooting for a former Big Blue rival.

“Good for Stevie,” Wood said. “He’s playing well this season and I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Eric Wood

Wood, a first-round draft pick, had his rookie season cut short last year because of a compound fracture of his left leg. He still has a titanium rod and four screws in the leg. He went down during Sunday’s game with what was first reported as a knee injury, but he later said it was an ankle sprain.

He said he was “all right,” and Coach Chan Gailey indicated that Wood could have reentered the game if necessary.

“I think I’ve developed all right,” said Wood, a graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati. “Had a bad injury last year that I’m still working to get back 100 percent from, but I’ve gained some valuable experience these last couple years and have been able to play some pretty good games along the way.”

Dallas          3   3   3   7   — 16
Cincinnati    0   0   0   7   –   7

* Jordan Palmer’s 1-yard touchdown toss to Darius Hill with 51 seconds left averted a shutout. Dave Rayner’s PAT made the final score: Dallas 16, Cincinnati 7.

* With the two-minute warning approaching — the time when media heads to the locker room — Dallas continues to lead 16-0.

* Mat McBriar’s punt to the Cincinnati 1-yard line led to the first touchdown of the season. With Jordan Palmer trying to connect from his own end zone with Jordan Shipley, Dallas linebacker Brandon Sharpe stepped in to intercept and return the ball 6 yard to the end zone. Buehler’s PAT gave Dallas a 16-0 lead with 9:23 left in the game.

* After an exchange of punts and the end of the third quarter, the Bengals finally mounted a drive. It ended, though, when Cordera Eason fumbled. Josh Brent recovered for the Cowboys on the Dallas 11, 13 seconds into the fourth quarter.

* Fifty-six seconds after missing a 49-yard field-goal attempt, David Buehler has nailed a 23-yarder to give Dallas a 9-0 lead. The Cowboys got the ball back when Jordan Palmer’s pass for Maurice Purify was intercepted by Brandon Williams near midfield and returned to the Cincinnati 9-yard line.

* Dallas kicker David Buehler was wide left on a 49-yard field goal with 9:59 left in the third quarter. The Cowboys still lead 6-0.

* Jordan Palmer has taken over at QB for the Bengals to start the second half, only to go three-and-out. FB Brian Leonard, injured late in the first half, is out for the rest of the game due to an injured left foot.

Bengals LB Michael Johnson (93) gets a second-quarter sack of Stephen McGee.

* Another exchange of punts and an interception concluded a lackluster first half. The interception, with 18 seconds left, went to Dallas S Danny McCray on his own 14, grabbing a desperation J.T. O’Sullivan bomb intended for Andre Caldwell.

* Since Buehler’s second field goal, the teams have exchanged punts. The Bengals have just taken over on their 5-yard line with 2:33 left in the half.

* Official attendance at Fawcett Stadium is 22,364, a sellout.

* Several Cowboys are hurting: WR Titus Ryan (broken left thumb) is done for the night; the return(s) of TE Kevin Brock (left ankle sprain) and T Alex Barron (right ankle sprain) are questionable; TE John Phillips (right knee) has been taken to the locker room for further evaluation.

* Dallas has doubled its lead to 6-0, getting a 34-yard field goal by David Buehler. His kick capped an eight-play, 39-yard drive and came with 6:11 left in the half. Dallas used its third QB of the game to engineer the drive, Stephen McGee.

* After an exchange of punts, the Bengals have come up with the first turnover of the game. Dallas RB Herb Donaldson coughed the ball up and MLB Abdul Hodge recovered for the Bengals on the Cincinnati 24-yard line. However, the Bengals went backwards to the 4 and punted with 10:34 left in the half.

* The Bengals “skills” players apparently are done for the night. QB Carson Palmer, who has been replaced by J.T. O’Sullivan, finishes 2-for-5 for 18 yards. Both receptions were made by Terrell Owens. RB Cedric Johnson carried two times for 7 yards.

* Jonathan Fanene got the Bengals’ first sack, a 7-yard drop of Jon Kitna, and forced a fumble. C Travis Bright recovered for the Cowboys. At the end of one quarter, Dallas in possession at its 41-yard line: Cowboys 3, Bengals 0.

* The Bengals’ second possession began with an 11-yard Palmer-to-Owens pass. However, Cincinnati then went 1-2-3 kick, with Palmer getting sacked.

* Kitna went 2-for-4 on the Cowboys’ second drvie, which ended with a punt.

* Bengals S Chris Crocker suffered an injury to his right ankle when the Bengals punted to end their first possession. He will not return.

* The Cowboys opened their second possession with a new quarterback — former Bengals passer Jon Kitna.

* Nothing doing on the Bengals’ first possession. They did pick up a first down on Carson Palmer’s first pass attempt, good for 7 yards to Terrell Owens. The Bengals soon punted.

* Dallas took the opening kickoff and drove 63 yards in 14 plays to score the game’s first points, a 20-yard field goal by David Buehler. The Cowboys were fortunate to get the points and the Bengals were just as fortunate to hold Dallas to only three points. On first-and-goal from the 5, Dallas running back Felix Jones fumbled. Leon Hall recovered for the Bengals in the end zone, but Jonathan Fanene had lined up offsides. Given another chance, first-and-goal from the 2, Cowboys QB Tony Romo threw three incompletions before Buehler came in. Dallas 3, Cincinnati 0 (9:25 left in first quarter).

The Cincinnati Bengals warm up at Fawcett Stadium. (Photo by Mark Maloney)

Awaiting kickoff for the exhibition-season opener — the Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio — between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys.

• Cincinnati’s inactives: WR Antonio Bryant (knee); OT Andre Smith (foot); S Tom Nelson (knee); LB Rashad Jeanty (leg); FB Fui Vakapuna (shoulder); K Mike Nugent (groin/leg); CB Johnathan Joseph (thigh); RB Cedric Peerman (not specified); LB Rey Maualuga (hamstring); and DE Carlos Dunlap (concussion).in

With Vakapuna out, Louisville rookie Joe Tronzo will get the start at fullback. Adam “Pacman” Jones will start at cornerback in place of Joseph. And Michael Johnson will start at SAM linebacker in place of Maualuga.

• Dallas inactives will include DE Marcus Spears (knee); WR and No. draft pick Dez Bryant (ankle).

The Dallas Cowboys prepare for Sunday

Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis checks his notes during Monday morning's workout at Georgetown College. (Photo by Mark Maloney)

Hot, humid, a bright sun. Perfect weather for … football?

That was Marvin Lewis’ take Monday at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Georgetown College training camp.

“It’s been pretty good,” Lewis said after the team’s seventh practice of camp. “I think the weather has been cooperating — hot and humid, and helps get us acclimated and ready for the season.”

Lewis gave the morning off to several players, including running back Cedric Benson. Dressed in jersey and shorts, as were all the Bengals, Benson merely watched. He’s scheduled to be back in the mix for Monday night’s workout.

“We’ve been able to give our players who need a little bit of some rest some much-needed … time off their legs at times,” Lewis said. “And some of the young guys, lean on them a little bit more to get them a little bit more reps. Guys that need to have a little bit more learning, getting that opportunity, so that’s a good thing.”

Lewis also had several of his veterans working at their “second positions” — spots where they may have to move later in the season in case of injuries.

Returning to action Monday was cornerback Leon Hall (back tightness) and guard Evan Mathis (calf). Still out due to pre-camp surgery and/or injury are safety Tom Nelson (knee), linebacker Rashad Jeanty (leg) and offensive tackle Andre Smith (foot). Rookie defensive end Carlos Dunlap also is out (concussion).

“Our tempo has been pretty good,” Lewis said. “Obviously there’s a couple plays that wane in there and I have to remind them about it. Because we seem to have a little dip every once in a while, which is natural and expected. But we’ve got to pick it up and get going — your tempo in and out of the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage and the things we need to do.”

* Wide receiver Antonio Bryant, who gave up his No. 81 jersey to Terrell Owens, is wearing No. 19. However, Bryant likely will be wearing a number in the 80s before the season begins.

Chad Ochocinco (85) and Terrell Owens.

Terrell Owens

T.O. gets loose.

 

Free-agent acquisition Terrell Owens, the six-time Pro Bowl receiver, finally made it to training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Although he hadn’t been expected to dress for Thursday morning’s opening session, a planned mid-day news conference didn’t happen either due to a travel delay.

However, he arrived in time to sign his contract, undergo a physical exam and be on the field for the 7 o’clock night session.

(All photos by your blogger.)

Tank Johnson (99) was among the first players to greet Owens on the field.T.O. gets loose.

Jerome Simpson laid out to make a long "touchdown catch" during Thursday morning's drills. (Maloney photo)

The Cincinnati Bengals opened training camp at Georgetown College on Thursday morning, missing the most talked-about player on the squad.

Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Terrell Owens, who agreed to terms with the team Tuesday, had been scheduled to piggy-back with Coach Marvin Lewis’ mid-day press conference. However, Owens had flight problems and is not expected to arrive at the Greater Cincinnati Airport in Northern Kentucky until about 2 p.m.

Chad Ochocino grabs a pass under the watchful eye of receivers coach Mike Sheppard. (Maloney photo)

“He should arrive some point later today and we’ll have to go through some of the things we have to do administratively with him,” Lewis said at his press conference. “Hopefully, we’ll get him on the field this evening (a 7 p.m. workout). But, may not be, so we’ll have to see how it works — if he gets here in time to take care of the things we need to take care of.”

Lewis gave a thumbs up to the defending AFC North champions’ first workout in shorts and helmets.

“As a football team, we reported in outstanding shape,” he said. “I thought we had good work today on the field. A good start, good kickoff to things.”

Lewis said five players have been listed on “active PUP” (physically unable to perform):

* Rashad Jeanty (LB), who is recovering from off-season leg surgery;

* Leon Hall (CB), due to “slight tightness in his back” that could limit his participation for a few days;

* Evan Mathis (OG), who is day-to-day as he recovers from a calf strain suffered in June;

* Andre Smith (OT), foot rehab, who could be ready in two-to-three weeks;

* Tom Nelson (S), who had recent surgery to clean out his knee and could be out two-to-four weeks.

No need for injury alarm, though. Lewis described the active PUP moves as precautionary.

“We just took the ability to do this right now, and that’s the best way to do it, is put these guys on the active PUP,” he said.

Michael Johnson led the way in a defensive agility drill. (Maloney photo)

After a Thursday night and Friday afternoon practice, the Bengals will don pads for the first time Saturday. They begin exhibition play the following weekend, Aug. 8 (Sunday) against Dallas in the Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio.

Chad Ochocinco, who has dubbed himself Robin to Owens’ Batman, reiterated Thursday that he thinks the Bengals are armed to win a Super Bowl.

Talking about Owens, Lewis brought Ochocinco’s comment into the conversation.

Owens is, Lewis said, “a guy who has got some skins on the wall, an accomplished player and is looking goal-wise to match up with the same things we are. He’s done everything else. … But simply us just talking about it, as my favorite wide receiver seems to want to do, that doesn’t get you there. You’ve got to do the work and you’ve got to make the plays.”

* Antonio Bryant, like Owens an off-season free-agent acquisition at wide receiver, practiced in his assigned No. 81. However, he reportedly has agreed to give up the number to Owens in exchange for a donation to the Overtown Optimists, a youth football team in his hometown of Miami.

“I don’t need anything. He’s had that number. He’s got the legacy with that and I’ve had a lot numbers,” Bryant told Geoff Hobson of bengals.com. “I just told them to give those kids something. At least $8,000 for all the uniforms and registration and all the equipment they need.  They’re trying to get where we are.”

Take a good look: Antonio Bryant looks for the ball while wearing No. 81 -- the number he has ceded to Terrell Owens. Receivers coach Mike Sheppard checks out the play. (Maloney photo)

The Cincinnati Bengals announced Friday that they and Georgetown College have agreed to a one-year extension of the team’s contract to hold training camp at the school’s East Campus Athletic Complex. The agreement now runs through 2011, which will be the Bengals’ 15 consecutive year at Georgetown.

“The length of the relationship is reflective of the college’s excellent facilities and professional staff,” Troy Blackburn, Bengals vice president, said in a press release issued by the team. “We remain convinced of the benefits of starting our season in a camp situation and Georgetown provides us with exactly what we need, including a location (an hour from Cincinnati) that makes camp visits possible for many of our fans.”

Last season, Cincinnati’s seventh with Marvin Lewis as head coach, the Bengals went 6-0 in divisional play and won the AFC North title with a 10-6 regular-season record. The New York Jets knocked off the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs, 24-14.

Before coming to Georgetown, the Bengals held pre-season camp at Wilmington (Ohio) College for 29 years. Players report to this season’s camp Wednesday, with first drills scheduled Thursday.

Said Eric Ward, Georgetown athletic director: “It will be our goal, just as it has been for the past 13 years, to create a suitable environment for the Bengals to prepare for a Super Bowl and the fans to enjoy a unique training camp experience.”

The Bengals begin exhibition play Aug. 8, facing the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio. The exhibition home opener will be Aug. 15 against the Denver Broncos.  Cincinnati will open the regular season Sept. 12, visiting the New England Patriots, with the home opener Sept. 19 against the Baltimore Ravens.

For the full schedule, visit: Bengals schedule