QB Gus Frerotte throws during training camp at Georgetown College. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Three days is too soon to tell who has the advantage in the Bengals' quarterback derby, but offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said the competition is lifting the play of Jon Kitna and Gus Frerotte.

        “The competition has really made the guys be into it,” Bratkowski said after Sunday's practice. “It has really crystalized and sharpened their focus. They're competing very equally so far.”

        Kitna shows the knowledge of the Bengals' offense that comes with a year of experience in the system.

        “Today was the first day where my ball was going where I wanted it to go,” Kitna said. “Just getting into seeing things at full speed, it's like a hitter in baseball. You've got to get your stroke back.”

        Frerotte has looked especially smooth throwing the ball to his former Washington Redskins teammate, Michael Westbrook, who broke his wrist Sunday and could miss 4-to-6 weeks.

        “I feel real comfortable. I have the normal soreness anybody has,” said Frerotte, who had surgery on his separated throwing shoulder in December. “I'm making the throws to the right people. I just have to complete them.”

        COMEBACK KID: Rodney Heath spent Sunday afternoon's practice helping on drills.

        The fourth-year veteran cornerback suffered a mild sprained ankle in Saturday's practice and had to watch Sunday.

        “He wasn't happy to sit out,” trainer Paul Sparling said.

        An ankle injury won't hold Heath back, not if a severely torn hamstring couldn't.

        “It's no problem,” Heath said of his surgically repaired left hamstring, which was injured when he was caught beneath a Cleveland player in October. “I've been fine. It hasn't affected me at all.”

        Three training camp practices have proved to Heath he can make the quick, sharp breaks required to play cornerback.

        “People watching me probably wouldn't know I had an injury,” he said.

        Heath, who played at Western Hills High School, is a former undrafted free agent who played two years of indoor football before getting a chance in the NFL. He has started 23 of his 34 games with the Bengals.

        “He's competitive,” cornerbacks coach Kevin Coyle said. “I'm encouraged. I've seen him run deep with receivers. He's had to chase crossing routes. I haven't seen anything that would make me be overly concerned at this point.”

        Heath, listed third on the depth chart at right cornerback, is expected to practice today, Sparling said.

        CONFUSION: Seventh-year defensive lineman Jevon Langford has not reported to camp.

        “I think we made a mistake and said everyone was here,” Bengals president Mike Brown said. “Jevon hasn't been here.”

        Langford is in the second year of a three-year contract that pays him $525,000 this season. The absence is unexcused, and he faces a fine.

        GONE: Rookie safety Pig Prather left camp Saturday night without permission and will be given five days to return once he receives a letter from the club. If Prather fails to show up, he will be placed on the reserve/left squad list, ending his season. His absence is unexcused. Former Bengals offensive tackle Mike Doughty left camp last season in a similar fashion.

        NUMBERS GAME: Converted linebacker Chris Edmonds is wearing No.59 as a tight end at camp but will soon be fitted with No.86, which was the number worn by Darnay Scott, the former Bengals wide receiver who was released earlier this month and has since signed with Jacksonville.

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