Bengals pick veteran Gradkowski as rookie QB Dalton's tutor

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals reached an agreement with quarterback Bruce Gradkowski on Wednesday, giving themselves an experienced passer who knows their new offensive system and will help rookie Andy Dalton develop.

The 28-year-old quarterback was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008 and 2009, when he worked under Jay Gruden, who was hired as the Bengals' offensive coordinator in February. The Bengals drafted Dalton in the second round in April, but he has been unable to learn Gruden's system from the coaches because of the NFL lockout.

Teams aren't allowed to sign players until Friday. After agreeing to terms, Gradkowski tweeted: "BENGAL fans let's get ready to rock n' roll!!! Can't wait for this great opportunity!!"

Bengals owner Mike Brown indicated Tuesday that Dalton would have a chance to start, though the rookie has a lot of learning to do in just a few weeks.

Veteran quarterback Carson Palmer has told the team he would retire rather than play the last four seasons of his contract with Cincinnati, which has two winning seasons in the last 20 years. Palmer asked for a trade, but Brown insisted Tuesday that he won't deal the franchise quarterback as a matter of principle.

Palmer's younger brother, Jordan, is the only other experienced quarterback on the Bengals' roster. He became the offense's leader in the offseason, organizing workouts near his home in California and leading the unit through voluntary workouts for two weeks in Cincinnati.

The Bengals got Gruden's playbook during the one day the lockout was lifted in April, allowing players to have contact with coaches. Jordan Palmer learned the playbook and helped install the system during the voluntary workouts. Dalton participated in the workouts, giving him a taste of what to expect.

Gradkowski was Tampa Bay's sixth-round pick out of Toledo in 2006. He started 11 games as a rookie, his career high. He also played one season for Cleveland Browns in 2008 and the last two with the Oakland Raiders.

Two shoulder injuries limited Gradkowski to four starts last season. He completed 83 of 157 passes for 1,059 yards and five touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Owner: Bengals won't trade Palmer, consider QB to be retired

CINCINNATI -- Bengals owner Mike Brown insisted on Tuesday that he won't trade quarterback Carson Palmer, who wants to leave one of the NFL's least-successful franchises.

Palmer, who has four years left on his contract, told the team in January that he would retire if he's not traded. The Bengals have only two winning seasons in the last 20 years, one of the worst stretches of futility in league history.

Brown said the club will move on without its franchise quarterback. The Bengals plan to hold their first training camp workout Saturday in Georgetown, Ky.

"I honestly like Carson Palmer," Brown said. "He was a splendid player for us. He's a good person. I wish him well. And he is retired. That is his choice. ... I'm not expecting him to be back."

Asked why he wouldn't trade Palmer and get some draft picks in return, Brown said it was a matter of principle.

"Carson signed a contract. He made a commitment. He gave his word," Brown said. "We relied on his word. We relied on his commitment. We expected him to perform here. He's going to walk away from his commitment. We aren't going to reward him for doing it."

Brown has traditionally taken a hard line on players trying to leave. Receiver Chad Ochocinco unsuccessfully lobbied for a trade three years ago, but Brown refused. Ochocinco has one year left on his deal, but is hoping to be released during the next few weeks.

Brown and coach Marvin Lewis declined to say anything about Ochocinco on Tuesday other than that he's under contract. The Bengals picked receiver A.J. Green in the first round of the draft, giving themselves his eventual replacement.

The Bengals drafted Andy Dalton in the second round of April's draft. Brown indicated on Tuesday that he will be the starter heading into camp, even though he hasn't been able to work with coaches because of the NFL's lockout. Jordan Palmer -- Carson's younger brother -- is the only experienced quarterback on the roster.

Brown said the team will look for another veteran, but it will give Dalton a chance to win the job.

"We think he is promising for our future," Brown said. "Yes, he'll have teething problems. It won't be altogether easy for him all the time. But we're going to put him in there. If he can do it, we're going to go with him. And I hope he can manage it."

The Bengals are coming off a 4-12 season that included 10 consecutive losses. Carson Palmer told the team he wouldn't be back after Lewis decided to return even though Brown promised no significant changes in how the organization is run.

The Bengals originally planned to have players report at Georgetown College -- a 90-mile drive south of Cincinnati -- on Wednesday and have their first practice a day later. They pushed the schedule back by two days.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Free-agent Benson sends message at Bengals' workout

CINCINNATI -- By carrying the ball in the rain with his former Bengals teammates, running back Cedric Benson sent the front office another reminder that he wants to be the centerpiece of Cincinnati's new offense.

The free agent joined his former teammates for a voluntary workout Wednesday at the University of Cincinnati, acting much more like someone who's ready to lead rather than leave. Benson has topped the team in rushing each of the last three seasons, but didn't receive a contract extension.

During the NFL's lockout, free agents can't negotiate or sign with teams. The 28-year-old running back from Texas not only wants to stay, but he's ready to become one of the leaders in an offense undergoing dramatic change.

"I've been very passive the past three years, maybe just because I had to," said Benson, who revived his career in Cincinnati after tough times in Chicago. "I'm not saying I'm a totally different person or that I'd be crazy vocal or nothing like that, but I'd be a little more expressive on work ethic and passion for the game just because that's how I am."

The Bengals plummeted to 4-12 last season, when reality-show hosts Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco became the faces of an offense that had a lot of self-promotion but not nearly enough production. The defending AFC North champions put the focus on their look-at-me receivers and ended up in last place.

The T.Ocho show has been canceled, and quarterback Carson Palmer -- the face of the franchise since 2004 -- likely isn't coming back. While the NFL and its players try to resolve their labor dispute, Benson is trying to remind the front office that he's ready for a much bigger part in a new-look offense.

"Cedric wants to be more than the guy who gets the ball in the backfield," quarterback Jordan Palmer, Carson's younger brother, said after a morning workout in the rain. "He wants to be a leader. He wants to be the identity of the team and the franchise, and I'm all for that."

He attracted the attention of his former teammates by flying in from Texas to join them for several voluntary workouts.

"To have a guy like Cedric out here -- unsigned, showing his leadership by being here -- that's tremendous," offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said.

Benson was the focal point of the offense when the Bengals won the division in 2009 and then lost to the Jets in the first round of the playoffs. The Bengals decided to emphasize the passing game last season, a move that backfired. Benson thought it was a mistake to de-emphasize the running game.

"The Top 100: Players of 2011" countdown continues on NFL Network on Sunday, June 19 at 8 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for a reaction show after players Nos. 21-30 are revealed.

Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski was fired after the season. Replacement Jay Gruden is bringing in a new scheme, one that's more West Coast-style. The Bengals drafted TCU quarterback Andy Dalton in the second round as Carson Palmer's eventual replacement.

With the quarterback position in flux, the Bengals need a dependable running back to carry the load.

"You have an offensive coordinator who's coming in and saying that we're having a running identity," Jordan Palmer said. "And you have an uncertain quarterback situation, which is going to mean more carries. That's a green light for him. I know he wants to be here. He's close with these guys.

"I think he's one of the best running backs in the league, and he's going to be primed to have the best year of his career. I want him here more than anybody."

Benson likes the changes so far.

"Change can be good," he said. "Considering the way things went a year ago, it's time for change. I think it's going to be a good look."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Rookie QB Dalton on hand as Bengals work out in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI -- Andy Dalton's first practice with the Cincinnati Bengals came on a college field on a hot morning with no helmets, uniforms, pads or even a complete playbook.

Not the best way for a rookie quarterback to break into the NFL.

More than 40 Bengals players participated in their first voluntary, full-squad workout Wednesday at the University of Cincinnati, where a handful of students took a few minutes to stop and watch the franchise's next quarterback start to blend in.

With his red hair, Dalton was easy to spot. His arm got some looks, too.

"He's got a good arm," receiver Jerome Simpson said. "He's very smart. I like him."

The second-round pick from TCU has some daunting days ahead. The Bengals are switching to coordinator Jay Gruden's new offense, one with totally different terminology than the previous offense. Dalton can't get tutoring from the coaches because of the NFL's lockout. Practice is limited to a few voluntary sessions in shorts and T-shirts.

"I don't know," offensive guard Bobbie Williams said, thinking about the obstacles in the rookie's way. "I'll just say: God help the young man. I mean, he's placed in a challenging position, but you know what? In this profession, you're always placed in a challenging position. It's up to you how you (react) to it."

So far, he seems to be doing fine.

Dalton got to Cincinnati a few days early to start looking for a house. He practiced Monday with the offense while the defense worked out at a suburban soccer facility. They got together on Wednesday, giving Dalton a chance to meet most of the defensive players for the first time.

It was the first time the Bengals have worked out without quarterback Carson Palmer, who says he'll retire if he's not traded. Palmer was the team's leader during his seven years as the starter.

Feel strange not having him there?

"Of course, man," Williams said. "That's the voice and the face you miss in the crowd. You miss hearing him, you miss his presence. But this game is an ever-changing game. One day we'll all be retired, and there will be a new group of guys in here at some point."

Palmer's voice is deeper than Dalton's, leading to some teasing by his new teammates.

"Andy's picking up the tempo," Williams said. "Yesterday we kidded around with him, told him he needs to deepen his voice, get some bass in it. But he seemed to have adjusted pretty good to it."

Dalton made tight, on-target throws during a relaxed 7-on-7 session, with players being careful not to get hurt. He barely overthrew a long pass to Simpson, who stretched all-out and dived in the end zone but couldn't quite reach the ball.

That moment was the closest thing to real football.

"Just instinct, because I want to catch every ball, show that quarterback that I want to work for him," Simpson said. "It's kind of a risk coming out here and diving for a ball, but I just couldn't help it."

Dalton is competing with Jordan Palmer, Carson's younger brother, for the starting job. Both are learning a new system. Players got some of the new playbook during the one day that the lockout was lifted in April, and they're trying to learn it on their own.

"It's definitely different in terminology," Palmer said. "I've been very impressed with how fast we're all getting it as a group. We've got 30 to 40 plays in. What percentage of the offense that is, I don't know."

Dalton spent part of the day getting to know his new defensive teammates.

"I didn't know very many of them," Dalton said. "It's been great just to be around everybody and to see everybody working together."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Dalton among 47 Bengals at workouts; Palmer, Ochocinco not

A total of 47 Cincinnati Bengals, including five of the team's eight draft choices, attended the first day of player-organized workouts on Monday at two locations, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Monday night.

Tackle Andrew Whitworth and defensive tackle Domata Peko organized the sessions, which had 25 defensive players working out at Ignition Athletics in Mason, Ohio, and 22 offensive players training at the University of Cincinnati.

"We ran the offense, did some conditioning and got a chance to get our football legs back," Whitworth said. "We got a lot of quality work in."

Second-round pick Andy Dalton was one of three quarterbacks -- none of them named Carson Palmer -- who participated. Palmer has said he will retire if the Bengals don't trade him, something owner Mike Brown vowed won't happen. Wide receiver A.J. Green, the Bengals' first-round pick, is expected to join the workouts later this week.

Fellow wideout Chad Ochocinco, whose Bengals tenure appears tenuous as well, also was a no-show. He is in Montreal filming a cameo appearance for the Spike TV series "Blue Mountain State."

Each unit spent two hours on the field mirroring organized team activities -- stretching, position group work and then running plays together -- before lifting weights for another hour.

Monday's workouts were closed to the media, but Tuesday's defensive session and Wednesday's offensive workout will be open.

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Bengals players putting together plans for full-squad workouts

Cincinnati Bengals players have gathered for specific position workouts this offseason. Now, two players plan to bring the whole team together.

The workouts are being organized by offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and defensive tackle Domata Peko, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday. The plan is to hold the workouts in the Cincinnati area over four days, mimicking an organized team activity.

"A lot of the players will be there, including the draft picks," Whitworth said. "We're just getting a final schedule together right now."

Quarterback Andy Dalton, a second-round draft pick, will stay with Whitworth during the workouts, according to The Enquirer. Last month, Dalton attended Whitworth's golf tournament, which raised $150,000 for the lineman's charitable foundation.

The Bengals are the latest NFL team to announce plans for a full-squad workout. The Patriots were the most recent team to do it, reportedly gathering more than 40 players for a workout at Boston College.

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Bucs coach Morris waves off differences with Bengals' Lewis

If there was bad blood between Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris last season, the men appear to have left it on the field.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Saturday that Lewis was angry with Tampa Bay for signing rookie wideout Dezmon Briscoe to its practice squad last September, after the Bengals released the 2010 sixth-round pick in hopes he would wind up on their practice squad.

But Briscoe chose the Bucs over the Bengals because Tampa Bay offered him the rookie minimum of about $325,000, favorable to the roughly $100,000 practice squad contract the Bengals planned to field.

Hearing that Lewis was upset, Morris told reporters at the time that Lewis would be wise to focus on his own team's affairs, fueling speculation that the two were on shaky turf leading up to Week 5's Bucs-Bengals game, which Tampa Bay won 24-21. 

Morris appeared at the Marvin Lewis Golf Classic last week and rejected the notion of problems between the two.

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"That's business, this is about the community and the bigger picture," Morris said. "It's not about whether you have a disagreement on the field or whether I like him on game day.

"I wanted to come in for Marvin and be supportive of him because he's always been supportive of me."

Morris spoke of his respect for Lewis: "When you talk about guys that paved the way not only for coaches but young African-American coaches, he's been a consummate leader.

"To be here as long as he's been here and be a leader in the league as far as rules committee, that's one of those guys that you want to follow after and do the right things. If you keep following that path you have a chance."

The 6-foot-2, 207-pound Briscoe ended up playing in Tampa Bay's final two games, catching six passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.

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Bengals' Whitworth worried lockout will affect quality of NFL

The majority of NFL players with whom I've spoken say they have yet to reach the critical point for missed offseason workouts with their teams.

Late April and May are, they say, the time when the loss of minicamps and other organized team activity because of the lockout would be the most harmful to preparation for the season. Generally speaking, most players spend March and the early part of April working out on their own, usually somewhere other than where their team is based.

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But in light of comments that Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth made to USA Today on Friday, you have to wonder just how many players have bothered to maintain such a routine. The prospect of the labor dispute possibly dragging into late summer, Whitworth pointed out, might very well have become an obvious disincentive that could have a negative impact on the quality of play whenever the season begins.

"Guys are human beings," Whitworth said. "And if you tell guys, 'It doesn't look like you're doing anything until July or August,' guys will lose a lot of incentive to train and to get better. You will get a lot of guys who will say, 'We're not even going to play. I'm not going to work hard all the time.' "

It's hard to argue with his logic. Whitworth not only is a bright and thoughtful guy, he knows how his fellow players think. He knows they need a carrot, which is the goal of staying in the best possible physical condition for training camp, which, for most teams, open in late July and early August. Additionally, players who work out minus team supervision during the lockout do so at their own risk.

But it should be pointed out that Whitworth is the Bengals' NFL Players Association representative. It certainly would make sense for him to do his part to give owners yet another reason to at least be uncomfortable about a prolonged lockout while also trying to give the public more cause to oppose the idea of teams shutting down football business.

Therefore, one is advised to keep that in mind when it comes to this ominous warning from Whitworth: "You're going to ruin the chance for quality football. There will be more injuries and things that affect the game. Period."

Follow Vic Carucci on Twitter @viccarucci.

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Ravens force five turnovers to slip past Bengals

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens were already in the playoffs, so their focus on the final day of the regular season was to gain momentum and hope for a little luck.

They took care of the first part -- albeit shakily -- and got no help with the second part.

Ed Reed had two interceptions and Ray Lewis recovered two fumbles, part of an opportunistic defense that carried the Ravens over the Cincinnati Bengals 13-7 Sunday.

Despite the victory, the Ravens (12-4) failed to get the help necessary to win the AFC North. Baltimore needed Pittsburgh to lose to Cleveland, but the Steelers won 41-9 to make the Ravens a wild-card entrant.

"We came in and took care of business, which was to go from 11 to 12," Lewis said. "That's the most important thing, for us to get that 12th victory. I just think it's huge."

Baltimore will enter the playoffs with a four-game winning streak, but they face the prospect of playing all their games on the road -- just like in the previous two years.

"I think one reason why, for us, it never matters is because our defense, we travel very well on the road," Lewis said. "We play extremely well on the road."

Baltimore won its only Super Bowl, after the 2000 season, as a wild-card team.

Ray Rice scored on a 7-yard run and Billy Cundiff kicked two field goals for the Ravens, who gave up 395 yards but forced five turnovers. Baltimore had lost three straight to Cincinnati -- including a 15-10 decision in Week 2 that proved decisive in the tiebreaking system that enabled Pittsburgh to win the division.

Sunday's victory was not assured until Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer threw an incompletion on a fourth-down play from the Baltimore 2 with 10 seconds left. That ended Cincinnati's modest two-game winning streak and dropped the Bengals to 4-12.

"It was a game that we had a chance and didn't finish it," Palmer said. "We feel awful because we had the chance to go into the offseason with a pleasant feeling at least. But just didn't make the plays we needed to all game."

Palmer went 32 for 45 for 305 yards but was intercepted twice and lost a fumble. Jerome Simpson caught 12 passes for 123 yards and a score for the Bengals, who were without injured receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco.

The defending AFC North champions endured a 10-game losing streak and went 1-7 on the road. After an eight-year run in which he's had only two winning seasons, Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis will discuss his status on Monday with owner Mike Brown.

"All I know is, officially today I'm no longer employed," Lewis said. "Where I am right now in my coaching career is a different point from where I was eight years ago, and I think this football team is a lot different than it was eight years ago, and that's good. ... We're in a good spot."

After being held to a pair of field goals in the first half, Baltimore went up 13-0 on Rice's TD run with 5:47 left in the third quarter.

The Bengals then mounted an 80-yard drive that included an encroachment call against Ravens tackle Kelly Gregg on a fourth-and-1 from the Baltimore 40. That led to an 11-yard touchdown pass from Palmer to Simpson with 12:24 remaining.

Cincinnati got the ball back and moved to the Baltimore 26, where Cedric Peerman was stuffed for no gain on a fourth-and-1 with 5:30 left.

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The Bengals' next chance came minutes later, and typical of Cincinnati's season, the drive ended when Palmer fumbled at the Baltimore 29 after scrambling for a first down immediately after the two-minute warning.

"I just didn't do a good job securing the ball," Palmer said.

Reed's second consecutive two-interception game gave him eight picks for the season -- in only 10 games. His two returns totaled 48 yards, lifting him past Darren Sharper for second place on the NFL career list with 1,438. Rod Woodson is the record-holder with 1,483.

"When you're playing against Ed Reed, you have to be aware of his presence at all times," Palmer said. "You can't have five turnovers and expect to win."

Reed's first interception ended Cincinnati's first possession, and the Ravens used a 37-yard pass from Joe Flacco to tight end Todd Heap to set up a 25-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Baltimore never gave up the advantage.

"We wanted to go out of this game with a win and go in to the playoffs with momentum," said receiver Derrick Mason, who acknowledged that the Ravens must play better to advance deep into the postseason.

"We can't allow ourselves to go into next week ... and play the way that we played today," he said. "We've got to go in there and click on all cylinders."

Notes: Mason joined Jerry Rice and Tony Gonzalez as the only players in NFL history with 60-plus receptions in 11 straight seasons. ... Marvin Lewis is 10-6 against Baltimore. ... Ravens CB Josh Wilson and LB Dannell Ellerbe both left in the first half with shoulder injuries. ... Referee Pete Morelli twice referred to the Bengals as "Cleveland" over the microphone.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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University of Pittsburgh interested in Bengals coach Lewis

Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is on the short list of candidates to take over the University of Pittsburgh's football program, a league source said Sunday.

Lewis was emotional following Sunday's 13-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis might not be back next season, although the University of Pittsburgh job could be an option. (Gail Burton/Associated Press)

"I can't answer where things are for me," Lewis said after the game. Responding to questions about his future with the team, Lewis said, "Officially, today I'm unemployed," ending with a laugh.

The Bengals' Twitter page followed Lewis' remarks with a post that read: "We need to talk and i need to sleep on it."

Lewis' contract with the Bengals expires after this season and might not be renewed. Cincinnati managed just four wins through 16 weeks and earlier this season tied a franchise record with 10 consecutive losses.

In eight seasons under Lewis the Bengals recorded a 60-67-1 record, posted just two winning seasons and lost in both of their playoff appearances.

Pittsburgh's vacancy appeared when the school fired head coach Mike Haywood on Saturday, saying he couldn't continue in the job he held for just 2½ weeks because of his arrest on a domestic-violence charge.

Haywood was released Saturday from St. Joseph County Jail in Indiana on $1,000 cash bond, said an officer at the jail who declined to give her name, after the charge was upgraded from a misdemeanor to felony domestic battery in the presence of a minor.

Within hours of Haywood's afternoon release, Pittsburgh put out a statement from Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, saying the coach had been dismissed, "effective immediately," and the school was reopening its search.

Haywood was arrested about 3 p.m. Friday after a custody issue developed with a woman with whom the coach has a child, police said. The unidentified woman told police that Haywood grabbed her by the arm and neck and pushed her as she tried to leave the home that the coach owns in South Bend, Ind., where he once was a Notre Dame assistant.

Assistant St. Joseph County Police Chief Bill Redman said the woman had marks on her neck, arms and back.

Haywood's hiring by athletic director Steve Pederson was greeted unenthusiastically by fans, boosters, alumni and students who questioned why a school with annual Top 25 aspirations hired him away from mid-major Miami of Ohio. Dave Wannstedt, forced to resign last month following a disappointing 7-5 season, coached the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins before his 2004 hiring at Pittsburgh.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bengals place leading receiver Owens on injured reserve

The Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday announced they have placed wide receiver Terrell Owens on injured reserve, officially ending his first season with the team.

Owens, 37, had surgery on his left knee Monday in Birmingham, Ala., after being examined by Dr. James Andrews.

The receiver tore cartilage in his left knee two weeks ago, but kept playing. He aggravated the injury while making a cut on the opening series of a 19-17 win over Cleveland on Sunday, forcing him to hobble off the field.

Owens signed a one-year deal with a $2 million base salary at the start of training camp, when the Bengals were one of the few teams interested. He proved he could still play, leading the team with 72 catches for 983 yards and nine touchdowns.

He ranked among the NFL's top six receivers in yards and catches heading into the game against Cleveland. He's a free agent after the season, and he has said he hopes to play for two or three more years.

Despite Owens' big numbers, the Bengals (3-11) had one of their worst seasons. The victory over Cleveland ended a 10-game losing streak that matched the longest in club history for one season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Steelers use defensive stand to send Bengals to fifth consecutive loss

CINCINNATI -- The ball headed straight for Jordan Shipley. So did James Harrison.

Care to guess which one won?

The often-fined Harrison lowered his shoulder and helped knock the ball loose from Shipley near the 5-yard line on Cincinnati's final play, preserving a Pittsburgh Steelers 27-21 victory over the Bengals on Monday night that left the AFC North with an old, familiar look.

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The Steelers (6-2) are again at the top, sharing the spot with Baltimore. The defending-champion Bengals (2-6) are in last place alone after their fifth straight loss, coming up one completion short.

Credit that last rib-jolting hit -- legal all-around -- by the Steelers' on-the-spot defenders.

"The defense held strong," said Ben Roethlisberger, who was 17 of 27 for 163 yards with a touchdown and an interception that helped the Bengals rally at the end.

At the end of a night full of foibles, tricks and missed chances, the Steelers turned to their one constant to finish it off. That unyielding defense came through again.

"This is how the Steelers play ball," defensive back Ike Taylor said. "We might get a blowout here and there. But we're always in tough close ballgames. As a defense we just want to close them out. That's what we did tonight."

Pittsburgh seemed to be in control when Antwaan Randle El threw a 39-yard touchdown pass off a trick play to open the fourth quarter, building a 27-7 lead made possible by the Bengals' many mistakes. Pittsburgh also had points set up by a fumbled kickoff, a blocked punt and a missed field goal.

Then, the Steelers turned sloppy as well. Roethlisberger threw an interception that set up Terrell Owens' second touchdown catch of the game, and Jeff Reed missed a 46-yard field goal try that would have clinched it with 3:59 to go.

The drama had just begun.

Last year, Cincinnati jump-started its perfect run through the division by rallying to beat the Steelers 23-20 on Carson Palmer's touchdown pass with 14 seconds left. When Reed's attempt swerved left, the Steelers got a bad feeling.

With two more TDs and 141 yards receiving against the Steelers, Terrell Owens is proving he's still among the league's elite wideouts. Find out where he ranked among the weekly leaders.

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"They had Carson Palmer and company with timeouts," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "And that's a horror movie and we've seen that before."

Palmer led the Bengals downfield with the help of a wacky play. His pass to Cedric Benson was tipped, but the running back made a juggling catch for a 16-yard gain on third-and-long. Chad Ochocinco's only catch of the game moved it to the 12-yard line.

On fourth-and-5, Palmer found Shipley open over the middle in first-down range, but the Steelers converged and squeezed the ball out to end it.

"I ran in the middle of two guys," Shipley said. "I felt like I had it, and they knocked it out of there."

Palmer was 22 of 36 for 248 yards with an interception and touchdown passes of 19 and 27 yards to Owens.

"I think Carson played a great game under a lot of heat," said Owens, who had 10 catches for 141 yards. "He put the ball in there in tight situations. You look at the last four or five games we've played, it's been a play here or there that's made the difference."

It was fitting that Harrison had a shoulder in the final play. He got his third fine of the season, this one pushing the total to $100,000, for a hit last week on the Saints' Drew Brees. The linebacker got summoned to Commissioner Roger Goodell's office for a meeting.

Goodell was at the game on Monday night, watching as the Harrison-led defense got the best of the Ohio River rivalry.

Eight seconds into the game, the Bengals already were in trouble.

The Steelers won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Bernard Scott got the kickoff and fumbled at the Cincinnati 25. Pittsburgh needed only four plays to score, with Rashard Mendenhall pushing the final yard for a 7-0 lead.

When Scott held onto the ball as he was tackled during the ensuing kickoff, some Bengals fans gave a derisive cheer. They were incredulous moments later when William Gay burst through the middle of the line untouched and blocked Kevin Huber's punt at the Cincinnati 30-yard line -- Pittsburgh's first blocked punt in two years.

Reed's 25-yard field goal made it 10-0, just like that.

"Initially, we created some opportunities for ourselves," Tomlin said. "You knew it was going to be a 60-minute game."

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The Steelers lost two offensive linemen on a second-quarter drive. Left guard Chris Kemoeatu hobbled off with an injured right ankle. Center Maurkice Pouncey limped off with an injured right leg two plays later, but returned in the second half. Then, left tackle Max Starks went out in the third quarter with a neck injury.

With the backups in place, the Steelers managed to stay ahead. Roethlisberger threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward, his 15th TD catch against the Bengals -- Ward's highest total against any team. And Randle El's first pass of the season went for a touchdown that seemed to put it out of reach.

Notes: The Steelers got DE Brett Keisel back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the past two games, but he aggravated it and left the game. ... Ward extended his streak to 186 consecutive regular-season games with a catch, moving ahead of Owens for third place on the all-time list. ... It was Randle El's fifth career touchdown pass. ... Owens' two TDs gave him 151 career. On his last one, he caught the ball at the back of the end zone and inadvertently ran over a security guard looking toward the stands. The guard wasn't hurt.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Colts' Collie improving, but status unclear vs. Bengals

The Colts expect receiver Austin Collie to be just fine, eventually.

Their playoff hopes may hinge on it.

One day after Collie lay motionless on the field for nearly 10 minutes, coach Jim Caldwell said Monday that the second-year receiver returned to Indianapolis on the team flight and was recovering from a concussion.

"Obviously the doctors felt good enough about his situation to allow him to travel back with us on the airplane," Caldwell said. "I think that's a pretty good indication that things were trending in the right direction. He came back, he was home sleeping, our medical staff had an opportunity to talk with him this morning and his symptoms are subsiding. He's trending in the right direction, which is great."

Fortunately, Collie appears to have escaped a more serious injury after Sunday's frightening scene in Philadelphia.

The contact on Collie was initiated by Eagles safety Quintin Mikell, who delivered a legal hit with his shoulder to the chest area of Collie. That contact propelled Collie toward Eagles safety Kurt Coleman, causing Coleman to make helmet-to-helmet contact with Collie,who crumpled to the turf with his two arms frozen in the air.

Collie was strapped to a backboard and taken off the field on a stretcher.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reports that Because the helmet-to-helmet contact was a result of Collie being driven toward Coleman by Mikell's legal hit, the NFL will not impose a fine on Coleman.

"You definitely want to pray in that situation so that it's not bad as it looks," defensive captain Gary Brackett said. "And for that moment, it really puts things in perspective."

At halftime, the Colts said Collie was awake and alert.

And after the game, Collie could be seen walking around the locker room though he did not take reporters' questions.

Teammates were relieved with what they saw and heard.

"Austin is one of my best friends on this team and it's tough to watch. It's tough," tight end Jacob Tamme said. "We just tried to focus on football, but it's definitely tough. It was good to get to talk to him (on the plane), and he's going to be good -- we hope."

But the latest injury is yet another blow for the defending AFC champs.

Twelve players have already gone on injured reserve, and that list doesn't even include oft-injured safety Bob Sanders, who tore the biceps muscle in his right arm in the season opener and hasn't played since. Colts President Bill Polian said last week he hoped Sanders would return next month.

And the injury rash just seems to be getting worse.

At one point Sunday, all three of Indy's opening-day linebackers were on the sideline -- Gary Brackett, Philip Wheeler and Clint Session.

The usually high-powered offense hasn't been immune, either.

Manning has already lost All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark (wrist) for the season and has played the last two games without Joseph Addai (left shoulder). The four-man receiving corps that was expected to the deepest and most talented of the Manning era, has played together once all season, and even Polian said Saturday that while the team mantra is next man up, he's not even sure who the next man is.

Yet somehow, the Colts are 5-3 and are tied for the AFC South lead.

"I don't think we've really changed anything about this offense," Tamme said. "That's really the neat thing about this team, we understand what we're supposed to do and just go out there and go to work."

How long can the Colts keep winning this way? Who knows?

The Colts gave their players an unscheduled day off Monday, presumably to let them get an extra day to heal.

They need it.

Addai, third-string running back Mike Hart (ankle) and Session didn't even make the trip to Philly. Brackett and Wheeler both left the game briefly in the second half, and, now Collie, who just returned from thumb surgery, will be back on the injury report.

New NFL rules on concussions will require Collie to take a baseline neurological test and have his answers compared with the ones he gave before the season. He also has to be cleared by team doctors and an independent neurological specialist before he can get back in pads.

"They can make a determination of where he is," Caldwell said. "He'll be released to play whenever he is cleared."

But at least, he appears to be OK and the Colts hope he'll be back soon.

"I think it was great even to be able to relay the news that, 'Hey, he is fine. He's alert,' even prior to the game being finished," Caldwell said. "That certainly lifted a lot of spirits, in that regard.

"He is a guy that can come back and do his job," Caldwell added. "We fully anticipate that he will have the same fervor and fire in terms of his preparation in terms of trying to overcome this setback."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bengals QB Palmer rests hip, should be ready Sunday

Carson Palmer sat out practice to rest an injured hip, but Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis expects his quarterback to be ready for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, the team's official website reported.

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Jordan Palmer and Dan LeFevour split the snaps in practice Thursday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Also sitting out practice were cornerbacks Leon Hall (hamstring) and Morgan Trent (knee), and safeties Chinedum Ndukwe (knee) and Roy Williams (knee).

Linebacker Brandon Johnson (knee), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (ankle), wide receiver Terrell Owens (hand) and linebacker Keith Rivers (foot) were limited.

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White leads Falcons to wild victory over Bengals

ATLANTA -- Roddy White had a spectacular day for the Falcons, catching 11 passes for 201 yards and leading his team to a wild 39-32 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Atlanta (5-2) squandered a 24-3 halftime lead, falling behind when Cincinnati (2-4) took advantage of two turnovers and ripped off 22 consecutive points in the third quarter.

White put the Falcons ahead to stay with his second touchdown, an 11-yard reception early in the fourth quarter. He then made a leaping catch on the two-point conversion to make it 32-25.

After a Cedric Benson fumble, Michael Turner scored on a 3-yard run for a two-touchdown Atlanta lead. Chad Ochocinco gave the Bengals a chance with a late 8-yard TD catch, but the Falcons recovered the onside kick.

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Bengals CB Jones questioned after loss, traffic incident

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones was questioned and handcuffed by police after a traffic incident following a 24-21 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, but was released a short time later without a ticket or charges.

Cincinnati police Officer K. Hall said Jones drove his silver Jaguar over the curb near Great American Ball Park "trying to avoid hitting someone or something" in a downtown street. The streets were crowded with fans leaving the Bengals game -- which ended about 90 minutes earlier -- and others going to the Reds' evening playoff game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hall said Jones was questioned and released.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Jones was handcuffed, because according to police there was an outstanding warrant on the license plates.

A witness said Jones’ car swerved to avoid the car in front of his and jumped the curb onto the sidewalk, the Enquirer reported.

Jones was out of football last year, the culmination of a long streak of off-field problems. The Bengals gave him a two-year deal in May that represents a last chance to salvage his career, which started with promise when he was Tennessee's first-round draft pick in 2005.

Jones had six arrests and a dozen incidents involving police intervention, leaving his career at a crossroads. The Bengals gave him a tryout in the offseason and decided to give him a chance. He played well in the preseason and won the third cornerback job.

He was upbeat as he left the locker room on Sunday. He glanced at receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco -- both downcast after giving up a late lead -- and said, "You're looking like hounds in a dog show."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Veteran QB Palmer's late mistakes cost Bengals against Bucs

CINCINNATI -- Josh Freeman had no timeouts to use and a packed stadium screaming for him to make another inexperienced mistake that would decide the game.

Uh-uh, not this time.

These baby Bucs are growing up.

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Freeman led Tampa Bay to a signature win Sunday, directing two scoring drives in the closing minutes for a 24-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Connor Barth's 31-yard field goal with 1 second left secured a major breakthrough for the upstart Buccaneers.

At 3-1, they've matched their victory total for all last season, when they dropped their first seven under first-year coach Raheem Morris. They were on the verge again Sunday against a Cincinnati team that seemed to have one well in hand.

"It took us 15 weeks to win this many last year," said Freeman, who started as a rookie in that dreadful season. "We're a young team, but we feel we have the opportunity to win every game. And it's not who's leading the longest, it's who's leading at the end."

The Bengals (2-3) were, until Carson Palmer's interceptions turned it around.

And now, the defending AFC North champions are in a lot of trouble.

"We're a 2-3 team, and it's not a good team," safety Chris Crocker said. "We gave it away."

The Bengals were ahead 21-14 and in position to close it out with 2:28 to go. Palmer tried to get the ball to Terrell Owens on a third-and-13 play from midfield, but Aqib Talib wrestled it away.

Freeman, who missed two plays in the first half after getting dazed by a hit, showed poise with no timeouts left and 63,888 fans screaming for him to give it away. He scrambled 9 yards for a first down, threw a 15-yard pass to Mike Williams, then perfectly lofted a pass to Williams in the end zone. Williams out-jumped Johnathan Joseph for the tying touchdown with 1:26 to go.

"I've got all the confidence in that guy to make the play one-on-one," said Freeman, who finished 20 of 33 for 280 yards with an interception. "You get only so many opportunities to atone for the mistakes you make. Today was a great example of that."

Freeman's best throw was yet to come.

Palmer drove the Bengals to midfield and tried to connect with Ochocinco. The ball slipped off his fingertips and went directly to Sabby Piscitelli, who returned it to the 34-yard line with 14 seconds to go.

"It was like inches, inches away," Ochocinco said. "It was third down. I lunged for it. It was right at my fingertips."

Freeman's next throw was his best. He made a perfect pass to Micheal Spurlock at the 13-yard line. Spurlock got the toes of both feet down while falling out of bounds -- the call was upheld on review.

When Barth's kick went through, the Bucs did hip-bumps in celebration and started running off the field.

One second too early.

The Bengals threw away a multilateral return on the kickoff, starting that Tampa Bay celebration all over.

"I was more emotional after I got off the field and caught my breath," Morris said.

The Bengals will have two weeks to catch theirs. They head into their bye with no idea why their passing offense is so bad.

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Palmer threw three interceptions, including a quick out that was intercepted by Cody Grimm and returned 11 yards for a touchdown in the first half. Palmer finished 21 of 36 for 209 yards. Three of his third-down passes were dropped by wide-open receivers.

The only time Cincinnati moved the ball consistently was when it reverted to the run-first philosophy that got it to the playoffs last season. Cedric Benson carried 23 times for 144 yards, his first 100-yard game of the season. He set a club record with six last season.

It wasn't enough to overcome those two last-minute interceptions.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis blamed himself for calling the passing plays late in the game instead of running. Palmer disagreed.

"We felt like we had the game in control, and those two plays sealed our fate in this one," Palmer said. "I'm the quarterback of this team. I need to find ways to win the football game."

Notes: Bucs C Jeff Faine left in the second quarter with an injured right thigh and didn't return. He walked off the field with assistance. ... S Sean Jones hurt his back in the first quarter and stood on the sideline with ice on his back. ... The Buccaneers have won their last six games against Cincinnati. ... CB Ronde Barber started his 172nd straight game, tying Dick LeBeau for the longest streak by a cornerback in league history. ... Owens violated the NFL's restrictions on tweeting less than 90 minutes before a game. He grew perturbed when asked about it afterward.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Larry Johnson inks deal to join the Cincinnati Bengals

"Larry Johnson is a Bengal after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with the team this morning. The Bengals still have not made an official announcement since they still have to make a roster move to put Johnson on the 53-man roster.

Johnson arrived on Monday night in Cincinnati and met with the coach Marvin Lewis and his staff. Since being released by the Chiefs last Monday, Johnson had talked but the Bengals will be the one to take a chance on the oft-troubled seven-year running back. Lewis spoke with Johnson last Thursday about possibly coming to the team.

Lewis also said on Monday that Johnson would be the fourth running back and that the role of the three backs on the roster would not change.

“It would have zero affect on Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott or Brian Leonard,” Lewis said. “I’m very happy right now with what they’re doing and their roles and I want to see Bernard’s role continue to expand as it did yesterday.”

The rumors about Johnson coming to Cincinnati really intensified following Sunday’s 18-12 win over Pittsburgh when Benson left during the second quarter with a hip flexor strain.

But both Lewis and Benson said that the injury, which is officially an abductor strain, was not serious and that he could be available for this week’s game at Oakland. But Benson is expected to be limited in practices with the final decision being made close to game time.

“I had an opportunity to visit with Cedric, and it (Johnson’s signing) doesn’t affect him zero,” Lewis said. “Obviously this was already underway last week, so Ced in the game had no affect on this thing.”

Benson said this morning on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Radio morning show that he is feeling pretty good, calling it “just a minor speed bump in the road” and also supported the signing."

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Bengals Win For 'Coach Zim'

"Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers called Mike Zimmer "amazing."

Safety Chris Crocker said it was unbelievable how much his defensive coordinator showed he cared about the team just by showing up for Sunday's game.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also carried a heavy heart and said there were no words to describe the emotion of what his team had just overcome.

It was yet another intriguing Sunday in "Bengaldom" as Cincinnati took sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a 17-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

The game marked the fifth consecutive thriller for the Bengals (4-1). But the big win was only a backdrop for the heartbreaking situation involving Zimmer, whose wife, Vikki, passed away late Thursday.

Zimmer certainly didn't have to be in Baltimore Sunday.

According to Lewis, Zimmer went back and forth before choosing to travel with the team. The decision worked out well as Zimmer called a terrific game and the Bengals picked up their biggest win of the season.

"Man, it just lifted guys up," Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph said of Zimmer's presence. "Once we saw him in practice Saturday morning and knew that he was going with us, it was unbelievable the feeling I had in my stomach."

An emotional Zimmer, who declined to be interviewed Sunday, brought three members of his family to Baltimore to help console him. Zimmer also told the team afterward how much Vikki cared about the Bengals and that, "She's up there now in heaven smiling at you."

The Bengals certainly played as if they were inspired.

Zimmer's defense held Baltimore's high-powered offense scoreless for three-and-a-half quarters. Cincinnati's offense also contributed 403 total yards, which included an 80-yard drive in the final 2:15 to win the game. Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer connected with receiver Andre Caldwell for a 20-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left, which completely took the air out M&T Bank Stadium.

Cincinnati wasn't perfect -- it had two turnovers and seven penalties. But you had the sense early the underdog Bengals weren't intimidated by the hostile environment and, eventually, wouldn't be denied. "

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