Corey Dillon signs autographs [see story] with his teammates Thursday night at training camp in Georgetown, Ky. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Quarterback Jon Kitna, who started 15 games last season, will start the Bengals intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday.

        Kitna will be followed by Gus Frerotte, Akili Smith and Scott Covington. Each quarterback will get about 10 snaps.

        “Although if they have a drive going, he'll be allowed to finish,” coach Dick LeBeau said before Thursday's night practice.

        LeBeau also said he might even run Corey Dillon for a play or two. “We'll see,” LeBeau said. “Right now, he has a couple tender spots (in his foot).

        WE GOT SPIRIT: LeBeau liked the energy displayed by his players during Wednesday afternoon's practice, but with a limit. He had to bring practice to a halt and address the team after some offensive and defensive players got into heated verbal exchanges.

        “It was a good time to have a night off,” LeBeau said. “One thing I liked was, we lost a little bit of our discipline at one phase, but then very quickly gathered up and went back to a functional practice.

        “And that is exactly what we're going to have to do in a game. And what I'm trying to stress in periods like that is you have to focus and control your emotions. If you react like that in a game, it's going to be 15 yards against our football team.”

        BIG DEAL: Bengals linebackers Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons, whose agents are attempting to get the players' contracts extended, took note of the seven-year, $50 million contract signed by Ravens middle linebacker Thursday.

        “I didn't see it, but I heard about it,” Simmons said.

        Simmons and Spikes are entering the final season of five-year rookie contracts.

        SIGN HERE: The Bengals opened their first night practice of the season by having players sign autographs for 30 minutes.

        Players were positioned at tables and chairs around the outer rim of the playing field. Some of the pairings at tables were worth noting: Simmons and Spikes; Kitna, Frerotte and Akili Smith; Justin Smith and Levi Jones, the last two first-round picks; and Dillon and Peter Warrick, the two most exciting offensive players.

        “It's a good thing,” LeBeau said. “Our players are not stressed. They're sitting down.”

        INJURY REPORT: Looking to Saturday's scrimmage, the following players are out: Wide receiver Danny Farmer (hamstring), cornerback Artrell Hawkins (knee), defensive end Eric Ogbogu (calf), tight end Matt Schobel (ribs), wide receiver Michael Westbrook (wrist) and offensive tackle John Jackson (groin).

        Wide receiver Ron Dugans (heel) is questionable. Probables are linebacker Steve Foley (hip flexor), cornerback Rodney Heath (ankle), Spikes (hamstring) and Dillon (foot).

        ROSTER MOVE: The Bengals waived safety Pig Prather from the reserve/retired list. The rookie from Mississippi State will not be exposed to other teams on the waiver wire. He left Bengals camp without an excuse on Saturday night.

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