Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna uses a towel to provide shade during practice at training camp Friday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Today's intrasquad scrimmage will be the first live hitting for the Bengals, and it's a chance for them to help themselves, not necessarily hurt their chances.

        “The cast of characters changes so quickly in that situation (a scrimmage) that you have to be careful about total evaluation from two or three snaps,” coach Dick LeBeau said. “But if a player has a particularly good series or shows a couple strong skills, that is something you do credit.”

        Jon Kitna will get the start at quarterback. He, Gus Frerotte, Akili Smith and Scott Covington (in that order) will get roughly the same number of snaps.

        The scrimmage will consist of 45 plays. The offense will get six points for a touchdown, one point for an extra point and three for a field goal. The defense will get one point for forcing a field goal attempt, two for forcing a punt and five for a turnover.

        Changes in the injury report for the scrimmage: Wide receiver Ron Dugans (ankles) is probable. Cornerback Rodney Heath (right hamstring) is questionable. Wide receiver Peter Warrick (right quadricep) is doubtful.

        Linebackers Steve Foley (hip flexor) and Takeo Spikes (hamstring) are out.

        EXCUSED: Wide receiver Michael Westbrook, who had surgery on his broken left wrist on Monday, was excused from training camp Wednesday night because of a death in his family. Westbrook will return Monday.

        VROOM: Tomas Scheckter, winner of the IRL race at Michigan International Speedway last weekend, will be at the Bengals training camp today from 1-3 p.m. to sign autographs. Scheckter's race car will be on display.

Bengals running back Corey Dillon makes faces for a teammate. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        SCHEDULE CHANGE: Monday's practice time has been changed from 3-5 p.m. to 7:30-9:30 p.m. The temperature is expected to reach 102 degrees. The Georgetown College complex will be open from 5:30-10p.m.

        LONG LIST: Eighteen safeties were taken ahead of Marquand Manuel in the April draft. And the Bengals rookie, drafted in the sixth round, 181st overall, has all 18 of them listed on his training camp locker.

        “Just a little focus on the people who said I couldn't play at this level, couldn't do the things mentally and physically to be a top draft pick in this league,” he said. “The draft is one of those funny things that's a motivator for me.”

        Manuel, from Florida, is third on the depth chart at strong safety behind Cory Hall and JoJuan Armour. But Manuel has impressed Bengals coaches with his play on defense and special teams.

        The Bengals' second-round pick, Lamont Thompson, is the training camp starter at free safety. Thompson was the third safety drafted, behind Roy Williams (Cowboys) and Ed Reed (Ravens).

        Manuel and Thompson get along well. “He's seen me play before,” Manuel said. “If we have questions, we ask each other.”

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