Curtis Keaton tries to shake off the tackle of safety Mark Roman and gain extra yards. (Greg Ruffing photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The depth Dick LeBeau has tried to build on his team showed during Saturday's scrimmage.

        Two of the biggest plays were turned in by backups at the team's two deepest positions, running back and linebacker.

        Brandon Bennett had a 47-yard run, and Adrian Ross registered a sack.

        “I saw Adrian come (through) pretty good out there a few times, and that's the way he plays,” LeBeau said.

        Bennett started because LeBeau rested three-time Pro Bowler Corey Dillon, who had sore feet.

        “We look at (Bennett) as a starter here,” LeBeau said. “If you think back to some of our most successful rushing games, he's always been a solid contributor. Whenever we put him in the game, he does a good job.”

        Ross, a fifth-year pro, can play any linebacker position.

        “That's my role,” Ross said. “I feel like we're going somewhere here.”

        Said Bennett, who had career bests in rushing average (4.6 yards) and receptions (20) last season: “We have a very good running back corps. We have different running styles, but they're all productive.”

        BORN TO RUN: Dillon and Bennett aren't the Bengals' only talented running backs.

        The club invested fourth-round picks in running backs in 2000 and 2001, in Curtis Keaton and Rudi Johnson. Johnson ran for 29 yards Saturday, and Keaton had 24.

        DEFENSE: After falling behind 7-0, the defense scored 12 consecutive points by forcing two field goal attempts (one point each) and four punts (two each) and getting the ball back on downs (two).

        “I was disappointed early. We didn't have good pursuit lanes on the big run (by Bennett),” defensive coordinator Mark Duffner said. “We lost containment on a play that was pretty much stopped at the line of scrimmage.”

        BIG CROWD: The Bengals estimated scrimmage attendance at 5,800.

        NO CIGAR: LeBeau didn't like two plays that came up short for first downs.

        On a fourth down and four to go, quarterback Akili Smith completed a three-yard pass to Khori Ivy, who was knocked down by cornerback Robert Bean.

        On a third and six on the next drive, Scott Covington threw to Darcey Levy for three yards.

        “I think we could have just punted the ball if we only pick up four when we need five,” LeBeau said. “It's a lesson that we can really underscore.”

        FAIR CATCH: With wide receiver Peter Warrick out with a quadriceps injury, cornerback Jeff Burris was the top punt returner and made three fair catches.

        There were no live returns allowed in the scrimmage.

        OUT: Other notables who didn't play Saturday were linebacker Takeo Spikes (hamstring), cornerback Artrell Hawkins (knee), linebacker Steve Foley (hip flexor) and cornerback Rodney Heath (hamstring).

        PUNTED: Nick Harris and Travis Dorsch each punted twice. Harris averaged 44 yards, Dorsch 44.5.

        UP NEXT: Camp is closed today. The players have a day off. The next public event will be a 7:30-9:30 p.m. practice Monday, which was moved from the afternoon to avoid the forecasted triple-digit temperatures.

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