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Joint practice hot with Saints, but never gets heated
Friday, August 17, 2007
CINCINNATI — Fists didn't fly. Tempers didn't flare.
The Cincinnati Bengals' first practice against an NFL opponent — the New Orleans Saints — came off smoothly and without incident.
Extras
"For one day," Saints coach Sean Payton said, "there's one team out here of 160 players rather than 80. Both of us have that common interest of improving our teams. We're working to help each other, for a day, get better."
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis agreed.
"We're not out here trying to one-up each other," he said. "We both want to come out of this a better team."
Escape the heat
The Saints, who arrived from their downtown hotel in four Lakefront Lines buses, broke camp early at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., to escape the heat.
They said Cincinnati's 98-degree temperature was still cooler than what they were used to.
"We thought it would be a good idea to leave Jackson, get out of the heat a little bit and see a different team," Payton said.
Said Bengal-turned-Saint safety Kevin Kaesviharn: "If you can make it through a camp in Jackson, Miss., you can make it anywhere. Coming back here, it feels nice to me. I'm sure you guys think it's hot."
"Oh, my God, it's like 20 degrees cooler," tailback Deuce McAllister said. "We've been in 106, 107 for the last two weeks. We'll take it (here)."
Welcome back
Kaesviharn had never been to Paul Brown Stadium's visiting locker room — until this week.
"It was a little weird, but it was nice to see some of the old teammates," he said.
Former Bengals linebacker Brian Simmons, who spent time in a cold tub recovering from soreness, said his biggest adjustment has been off the field.
"Just getting my family situated in another city, finding a school for my daughter and finding a place to live," Simmons said. "Other than that, you go to work every day, you practice football, you play football."
Talent scout
Lewis found himself studying the Saints.
"That's why you do this," he said. "You get a chance to watch their players and get a feel for some of their guys that may be at the end of their roster."
Payton place
It's like a homecoming for Payton, who was a Miami University assistant in 1994-95.
"It's good to get back," he said. "We had our Montgomery Inn (ribs) last night," he said. "I just have to get the Skyline Chili in, and I'll be set.
"I have a lot of good memories (of Miami). It was a great opportunity for me at a young age to be working at a great program. I'm originally from Illinois, so this region is home for me."
Quick hitters
• Cornerback Keiwan Ratliff missed his third straight day of practice after having all four of his wisdom teeth extracted.
• Safety Marvin White walked off the field under his own power after straining his right knee in kickoff coverage.
• A limited number of tickets are available for Saturday's game. Call the Bengals ticket office toll free at (866) 621-8383.
