GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Second-year offensive tackle Mike Doughty, apparently unhappy with his playing time and prospects, left camp after the Bengals declined to release him.

        “He was here (Monday),” said Jim Lippincott, the club's director of personnel. “It was discovered during meetings this morning that he wasn't here.”

        According to Lippincott, Frank Murtha, Doughty's agent, asked for the lineman's release Monday.

        “I told him no,” Lippincott said. “He was in our plans. We're not going to release players just because they want to go somewhere else. Yes, he's behind four tackles, but if something happens to one of those tackles ... This is his third year. Obviously, a bunch of us thought enough of him that we wanted him to be here.”

        Doughty did not play against the Bears, but was expected to play Friday night against Detroit.

        The Bengals reported Doughty's absence to the league office and sent the Notre Dame product a letter informing him that he is liable to be fined for his unexcused absence. In addition, if he doesn't return by Monday, the club has the option of placing him on the reserve/left squad list. If it does, Doughty will not be allowed to play in the NFL in 2001 and the Bengals will retain his rights.

Smith must pass passing test LeBeau uses bench to emphasize point Doughty AWOL from camp

Giants 9, Reds 3
Bonds' 48th HR sets Cinergy mark
SULLIVAN: Still no conclusion to Rose saga
Chronology of Rose case
Season over for Larkin, Harnisch
Larkin: SS is only spot open for me
Rijo focusing on relief
Reds to honor Davis
Reds box, runs
Wyoming star Hall now a Bearcat
Las Vegas tourneys shift to high school
Tennis Masters loses Safin, Enqvist
Tennis Masters schedule, results
Becker draws overflow crowd
Sampras looks frisky in romp
Tennis losing grip on Rafter
Ousted Safin: 'I'm just bad'
Spain's Ferrero rising star
England's eyes focused on Henman
Heat is tournament's hot topic
Tennis Masters Notebook
Tennis Masters facts
40,000-plus expected for IRL race

• Return to Bengals front page...