Peter Warrick signs an autograph. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Peter Warrick led the Bengals in receptions last season, but had a dozen drops and finished his rookie season far from his goals.

        Ron Dugans started the first five games, was inactive for two and had only 14 receptions.

        “They were embarrassed by their first year,” wide receivers coach Steve Mooshagian said.

        Drafted in the first and third rounds, Warrick and Dugans were believed to be the first college teammates — Florida State — to start as rookie wide receivers for one team in an NFL opener.

        The warm glow of September, however, quickly turned to a cold slap of December reality and another 4-12 Bengals' season.

        Warrick and Dugans have come into their second NFL training camp more mature and determined to perform better.

        Both players lost weight in the offseason.

Warrick and Ron Dugans share a laugh. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        While Warrick is clearly one of the team's top three receivers, he's no longer the center of attention. Veteran Darnay Scott has returned from a broken leg, and rookie Chad Johnson has dazzled with his speed, hands and leaping ability.

        Dugans is slotted anywhere from the team's fourth to sixth receiver and does not have a guaranteed roster spot. He probably won't start a game this season, will play primarily on long passing downs and on special teams.

        Warrick, a compact 5 feet 11, dropped from 204 pounds to 197 and isn't done. He plans to reach 195. He also worked on his flexibility with a personal trainer in the offseason.

        “I ain't flexible at all,” Warrick said. “I can't bend over and touch my toes. Can't sit down and touch my toes. But it's me. It's always been like that. They tried, but it's going to take time.”

        Dugans, who lives in Orlando, Fla., in the offseason, weighs 197; he reported at 207 after a short contract holdout last season. He worked out with teammates Tony McGee and Scott Mitchell, primarily Mitchell, who mentored Dugans through his rookie season. Sometimes, Dugans and Warrick would meet in Tallahassee for a series of workouts.

        The results are showing. Dugans is faster and quicker. What hasn't changed is his willingness to do what he can to contribute to the team. Special teams? No problem.

        “It was hard on me last year,” he said. “I started. Then I didn't start. Then I was inactive. It worried me at first. I talked to Scott Mitchell, and he told me not to worry about the things I couldn't control. I said to myself, "I might not play on Sunday, but I'm going to give it up the whole week of practice.' I'm going to work hard no matter and make them put me on the field.”

        As professional football players, they've learned the mental game separates winners from losers.

        Warrick has been moved to the slot position in the offense, one that finds him working less downfield and more across the middle on quick slants.

        “We're putting a lot on him,” Mooshagian said of Warrick. “He's having to make a lot more adjustments than most of the other receivers. He actually has the most responsibility.”

        Warrick has to change his routes depending on the defense, cutting them short, for example, if he sees a blitz.

        “His maturity level has been impressive,” Mooshagian said. “He has done a good job of not getting too high or too low.”

        But he's still the fun-loving Warrick, a mix of innocent confidence and hard-won ex perience.

        “I know my role,” said Warrick, the first player in Bengals history to score touchdowns receiving, rushing and on a kick return in one season.

        “It is whenever I get the ball — it's getting to be like Florida State days — just do what Pete can do, try not to do too much. Say, like, deep passes, I know that's going to be more of a Darnay and Chad thing. I'm more of an underneath, reverse, trick plays, stuff like that. I accept that. Nothing major. Now I'm not saying that I won't catch nothing deep. I can catch it deep.”

        Warrick still has personal goals: six receptions a game (96 for the year), 10 touchdowns (he tied Corey Dillon for the team lead with seven in 2000) and 1,000 yards receiving.

        The Bengals strengthened the receiving corps in the offseason. For the second year in a row, they drafted college wide receiver teammates, this time Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh from Oregon State. Scott is back from injury. Danny Farmer, picked up after being cut by Pittsburgh, had 10 receptions in his final two Bengals games a year ago.

        Plus, former UC quarterback Chad Plummer has been impressive in spots. And veterans Craig Yeast and Damon Griffin are fighting to make the team.

        So is Dugans.

        “The biggest thing about Ron is, he doesn't complain,” Mooshagian said. “He understands what's expected of him.”

        Dugans welcomes the additional competition, saying it will make him work harder and make him better. He says he's willing to take any role given to him.

        “I want to be on this team,” he said. “Pete and I decided to put it behind us. It's a new year.”

Warrick, Dugans seek atonement Dillon to start Friday

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