Some questions about the Bengals should begin to be answered during training camp, which will open Friday at Georgetown College. Among them:

        - How will the contract status of linebackers Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes, the heart and soul of the ninth-ranked defense, affect the team? The Bengals are trying to extend the five-year rookie contracts of the two star defenders, which will expire after the season. If new deals can't be reached, will the situation be a distraction, or will Simmons and Spikes use it as motivation for bigger free agent contracts?

        — Will Michael Westbrook emerge as the go-to, No. 1 receiver that Darnay Scott wasn't? Westbrook is bigger and more physical than Scott and known for his ability to wrestle a ball away from a defensive back. He says he is motivated to produce more and put the negative experience of playing for the Redskins behind him.

        — Speaking of the passing game, how will the offense fare with two tights who have not played a down in the NFL? The team invested third-round draft picks in Sean Brewer (2001) and rookie Matt Schobel. Brewer missed all of his rookie season with a groin injury. Tight end has been a major weakness in the 11-year playoff drought. In 1990, the last time the Bengals were in the postseason, their tight ends had seven touchdown receptions and 820 receiving yards, numbers unmatched since.

        — Can the Bengals get their top two draft picks, left tackle Levi Jones and safety Lamont Thompson, signed in time for the start of training camp? Six of the past seven first-round picks missed at least one training camp practice because of a contract dispute, and three of the six were out for significant amounts of time. Jones and Thompson are both projected as major contributors, if not starters, this season.

        — Has the cornerback position been upgraded enough? A year ago, Artrell Hawkins was in danger of losing his job with the Bengals, but he responded with the best season of his four-year career. And the Colts had no interest in re-signing Jeff Burris. Those two are the Bengals' starters, backed up by Kevin Kaesviharn, Robert Bean and Rodney Heath, who appears to be making a miracle comeback from a hamstring tear.

QB derby focus of Bengals camp Who has the edge? Kitna Bengals hope Dorsch is up and good Questions abound around Bengals Bengals training camp schedule Parity prevails as NFL camps open Bengals Q&A: Is Adams final piece of defensive puzzle?

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