Jon Kitna drove the offense 59 yards until throwing an INT at the 6. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — There was no obvious winner at quarterback in the Bengals' annual training camp scrimmage Saturday. But some subtle details are beginning to emerge that indicate Jon Kitna is ahead of Scott Mitchell and Akili Smith — in that order — in the race for the starting job.

        Coach Dick LeBeau was asked the same question a dozen ways after the scrimmage, won 14-0 by the defense: Did any quarterback pull ahead? He finally said Kitna had started because he had played slightly better during practice, an admission LeBeau didn't make earlier in the week.

        “We just let the guy who had graded the highest to this date start in the scrimmage,” LeBeau said in his press conference. “And then I just wanted to make sure all three guys got an equal opportunity. There wasn't much difference in the grading.”

        Scott Covington, who's not challenging for the starting role, ran the fourth drive and drove the team farther than both Mitchell and Smith.

        “The bottom line is they all moved the team,” LeBeau said. “All four sessions the offense moved, but it was not productive enough in the point area.”

        After the scrimmage, Bengals president Mike Brown was asked for his reaction to the performances by the three quarterbacks.

        “I thought Jon Kitna did a nice job until that one screwed-up play at the end of his tour,” Brown said. “And Mitchell was steady. He did all right. We looked a little ahead there of where we've been.”

        Brown did not mention Smith, who ran the third and fourth drives. The former No.3 overall draft pick ran 12 plays for 18 yards.

        Another top Bengals official, personnel director Jim Lippincott, late last week made public comments that Mitchell and Kitna are poised leaders who take charge at quarterback but Smith — while he has more physical ability — needs to learn the offense so he can make quicker decisions in the passing game.

        Kitna drove the offense 59 yards on 11 opening-drive plays but threw an interception — the knock against him; he had 19 in Seattle last year — on second down and goal from the 6.

        Mitchell ran 11 plays for 30 yards, and Covington directed eight plays that yielded 37 yards.

        Kitna was 4-for-7 passing for 34 yards, Mitchell 1-for-3 for 14, Smith 3-for-6 for 20 and Covington 2-for-3 for 33. Smith and Kitna both were sacked, and Smith lost a fumble on a shotgun snap.

        Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski called the plays, the majority of which used three wide receivers. Like LeBeau, he was vague on the quarterbacks.

        “My initial reaction is there were some good things because we moved the ball,” he said. “They all did a decent job. We have to study the film.”

Bengals' QB race in neutral DAUGHERTY: Rookie Johnson energizes Bengals Kickers 0-for-2 on field goals Brown ignores Griffey's slam Training camp still fascinates Brown

Reds 5, Marlins 0
Griffey amends retirement remarks
SULLIVAN: Hold on to Reese
88 lineups later, Boone likes this one
Dunn finally takes O-fer
Fan's eye view of the Reds
Five Questions with Tony Perez
Road woes continue for Marlins
Reds runs, box
Olympic proposal difficult to score
What readers say about Cincinnati's bid
Where Cincinnati stands on key Olympic topics
Pitino, Duke highlight Kentucky schedule
Kentucky men's basketball schedule
Tennis tourney gets fast start
Best and worst of week in sports
Baseball program embraces diversity, opportunity
Bonds Watch: No homers
Local teams win on national level
Champs as sons aim to repeat as fathers
Father-Son tennis schedule, results
Rain wreaks havoc on Metro softball
Metro Softball scores
Auto Racing Insider
Great Outdoors Games a big project
High School Insider

• Return to Bengals front page...