The Bengals have to make 14 roster moves today to get down to the league-mandatory 53 players, and will continue to look into acquiring another quarterback.

        The team isn't taking the holiday weekend off, practicing today and Monday from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

        Coaches and players re main optimistic in spite of a second consecutive 1-3 preseason. The Bengals had 1,579 yards of offense and averaged 126 yards a game more than they gave up. They think if they can cut down on turnovers — they were minus-5 in preseason takeaways — they can turn close losses into victories.

        The Bengals lost two fumbles and an interception in the 23-17 loss Thursday night to Indianapolis.

        “We just made too many mistakes to win,” coach Dick LeBeau said. “Until we correct that, we'll have a hard time winning.”

        The Bengals had 442 yards of offense against the Colts.

        “Any time you can put 400 yards of offense up, you've got a pretty good team,” veteran tight end Tony McGee said.

        With second-string quarterback Scott Mitchell out 4-8 weeks because of a high ankle sprain suffered Thursday, and third-stringer Akili Smith coming back from tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, the Bengals could re-sign Scott Covington today or pick up Kent Graham from Pittsburgh or Eric Zeier from Atlanta.

        Jon Kitna will have a second week of work as the starter before the Bengals open the season against New England next Sunday.

        There is reason for optimism on defense, even minus rookie holdout Justin Smith.

        “Talking is cheap, but we had 16 preseason sacks,” tackle Oliver Gibson said. “When's the last time we did that?”

Bengals weigh roster cuts, QB depth NFL won't give in to locked-out refs

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