Bengals quarterback Akili Smith had his drunken driven case continued for trial April 16 after a hearing Thursday in San Diego Superior Court.

        “It was a routine appearance,” said Myles L. Berman, Smith's lawyer.

        Smith was arrested early Feb.8 in his hometown of San Diego for investigation of drunken driving. Smith was pulled over for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

        He was given a sobriety test and booked into San Diego County jail. He later was released on $1,600 bond.

        Smith, 25, was the third overall pick of the 1999 draft and received a $10.8 million signing bonus. He was handed the starting job in 2000 but lost it after 10 games, during which he compiled the lowest passer rating of any regular NFL quarterback.

        Smith could face NFL sanctions if he's found guilty or admits guilt in his case. The league could step in and recommend counseling or an evaluation.

        SUCCESS: Linebacker Takeo Spikes is recovering well from arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder.

        Spikes has been bothered by shoulder irritation, and the operation was “a cleanout job.”

        “There is some hope he'll be ready for minicamp May 4-7,” Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said Thursday. “He'll definitely be ready for training camp in July.”

        Spikes was the Bengals' leading tackler last season, his third, with 109 tackles.

        LIGHTS, ACTION: The Bengals made their first of two $50,000 donations to the Cincinnati Public Schools athletics department trust fund this week. The first installment will be used for lights at Aiken High School's football field.

        Another donation will be made next year.

        The money was reallocated from Spinney Field after the city decided not to turn the Bengals' former offices and practice field into a community center.

        “We still wanted it to go to a youth initiative,” Bengals official Eric Ball said.

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