Cornerback Rodney Heath is recovering more quickly than expected from hamstring surgery that ended his season in October.

        Heath should be ready for the start of training camp and has an outside chance of being able to participate in minicamp (May4-6) or the voluntary veteran workouts that follow.

        “The rehab has been uneventful,” Bengals trainer Paul Sparling said. “The big issue for both of them (Heath and Smith) is to be effective on the football field.”

        Starting defensive tackle Oliver Gibson may not be ready for minicamp after undergoing “light housekeeping” on his left shoulder. Gibson, the anchor of the improved defensive line, will be ready for training camp.

        Sparling is awaiting word from doctors who treated T.J. Houshmandzadeh's injured ankle in California, but the second-year wide receiver is expected to be 100 percent for minicamp.

        O'Dwyer is healing well after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

        The following four players have been cleared for full workouts: running back Corey Dillon (knee), running back Brandon Bennett (hand), cornerback Mark Roman (finger) and tight end Tony McGee (knee).

        WORKING OUT: Almost a dozen Bengals participated in the voluntary workout Tuesday morning under the direction of strength coach Kim Wood and assistant Rodney Holman.

        The players were wide receiver Peter Warrick, running back Rudi Johnson, linebacker Chris Edmonds, guards Mike Goff and Matt O'Dwyer, center Rich Braham, tight end Brad St. Louis, linebacker Brian Simmons and defensive end Justin Smith.

        SIGNED AND SEALED: Free agents Jeff Burris and Reinard Wilson have signed their contracts.

        Burris, a cornerback, and Wilson, a defensive end, both had agreed in principle to three-year contracts during the last week of March.

        GOING CAMPING: The second annual Anthony Munoz Hall of Fame Football Academy is June 24-27 at Sycamore High School's athletic complex.

        Munoz, the former Bengals tackle who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, will be the featured instructor among a group that includes some of the Tristate's top high school football coaches.

        There will be a youth football camp for boys entering grades 3-8 and a speed and strength seminar for all male and female athletes entering grades 7-12.

        A clinic will be held for youth and junior high coaches.

        Participating coaches will be Andy Olds, Kings; Greg Bailie, Lakota East; Tim Viox, Madeira; Dan Star key, Roger Bacon; Gary Popovich, Mason; Dave Brausch, Lebanon; Greg Searcy, Withrow; Doug Ramsey, Elder; Mike Martin, Taft; Chuck Warden, Loveland; Kevin Siple, Indian Hill; Jim McQuaide, LaSalle; Kerry Coombs, Colerain; Kurry Commins, Mount Healthy; Eric Tudor, Middletown; Bob Crable, Moeller; Tom Adams, Sycamore; Al West, Hughes; and Eric Gillespie, Hamilton.

        For more information, visit www.procamps.com or call Gregg Darbyshire at (513) 459-2939.

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