Bengals receivers coach Steve Mooshagian was frustrated Wednesday because he hadn't seen Darnay Scott at voluntary workouts for the third straight day.

        “He said he would be here,” Mooshagian said. “He needs to be here to catch up.”

        Scott was unavailable for comment. But a man who identified himself as Scott's uncle answered the phone at Scott's St. Louis home and said the receiver would be in Cincinnati today to participate.

        Scott, a six-year veteran who will turn 29 in July, figures to play a large role in the Bengals' attempted turnaround from 10 straight seasons without a winning record.

        Scott's season-ending broken leg in training camp threw the passing game into turmoil last year, and Scott is expected to help revive the NFL's worst pass offense from 2000. He and Peter Warrick are listed on the depth chart as starters.

        Scott did look fast and strong during the mandatory minicamp May 4-7, although he said he was hesitant to make hard cuts on his left leg. He said his reluctance was more mental than physical.

        Mooshagian said Scott's absence at voluntary workouts also stems from getting over his mental, not physical, concerns.

        The team, under head coach Dick LeBeau, is trying to instill a new attitude after winning just 11 of 48 games in three seasons. Participation has been good in voluntary veteran workouts this month, comparable to what new left tackle Richmond Webb said he saw in 11 seasons in Miami.

        More than 50 veteran players participated in workouts the past two weeks, although attendance has fallen off slightly since.

        The signings since April 30 of unrestricted free agents Webb, former Tennessee Titans fullback Lorenzo Neal and the Bengals' own franchise running back,

        Corey Dillon, have heightened optimism.

        A wide-open offense being installed by new coordinator Bob Bratkowski, which is especially demanding of quarterbacks and receivers, has been embraced by players and contributed to the growing sense of hope.

        Mooshagian said it would be helpful to have Scott here, “even if he was just here for the classroom work and we limited him physically.”

        Linebacker Takeo Spikes, the defensive captain who has been held out of workouts as he recovers from shoulder surgery, was critical of a couple of defensive teammates he declined to identify who live locally but failed to attend workouts after minicamp.

        Scott's absence is the first that has appeared to concern coaches, however. He is coming back after breaking the tibia and fibula in his left leg Aug.1.

        Teammates didn't seem too concerned about Scott's absence.

        “I don't know (where he is). I wish I did,” veteran cornerback Tom Carter said. “He's just rehabbing somewhere. And it really hasn't been an issue. Darnay's a veteran player. He knows how to get ready, so it shouldn't be a big thing. Every player knows what he needs to do to get ready.”

        Scott inherited the No.1 receiver mantle a year ago when the Bengals released his longtime running mate, Carl Pickens.

        Scott's loss was especially painful for the Bengals, taking away their one proven veteran receiver. He had 34 touchdown receptions and had made 88 starts in 93 NFL games.

        The Bengals started two rookie receivers — Warrick and Ron Dugans — in the first five games, and the offense went on to average just 122 yards passing a game.

        To improve the pass offense, the Bengals signed free-agent quarterback Jon Kitna from the Seahawks and re-signed veteran Scott Mitchell to compete with former first-round draft pick Akili Smith.

        The team also selected two wide receivers in the 2001 draft, former Oregon State teammates Chad Johnson (second round) and T.J. Houshmandzedah (seventh).

        The No.1 draft pick, defensive end Justin Smith of Missouri, participated in voluntary workouts Tuesday and Wednesday, even though he remains unsigned. His agent, Jim Steiner, says he hasn't had any significant contract talks with the Bengals.

        A rookie can't participate in workouts if he is unsigned until after his college finishes its last final exam. Oregon State doesn't let out until mid-June.

        “In the long run, Darnay, Chad and T.J. will all have to do some catching up in training camp,” Mooshagian said.

        Malcolm C. Knox contributed to this report.
       

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