GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Tailback Rudi Johnson is the first Bengals player to rush for 100 yards in consecutive preseason games in the club's 35-year history.

        Johnson has 203 yards in two games and should break the club's preseason rushing record of 216 yards, set by Boobie Clark in 1976, when the Bengals had seven preseason games.

        NO PRACTICE: Linebacker Takeo Spikes, who is out for Saturday night's game with the New Orleans Saints, was excused from practice by coach Dick LeBeau “to tend to family business.”

        Running back Corey Dillon missed the Bengals' afternoon practice because he was in Cincinnati for a routine follow-up exam on his left knee. Dillon had arthroscopic surgery March 4 on the knee, which had fluid buildup.

        VISITOR: Former Bengals safety Robert Jackson (1981-87, 1989) spoke to the team after the afternoon practice. He brought players from his West Chester youth league football team to training camp.

        LOOKING GOOD: Coaches continue to be impressed by guard Thatcher Szalay (Montana), one of nine rookie free agents still left in camp. The Bengals signed 19 undrafted rookies in April.

        FIRST OPPONENT: The Bengals will face quarterback Drew Brees in the Sept .8 season opener against San Diego. Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer named the second-year pro Brees his starter over 39-year-old Doug Flutie.

        Flutie started all 16 games last year for the Chargers and had an NFL career-high 3,464 yards passing.

        FEELING BETTER: Travis Dorsch, the former Purdue kicker in his first NFL season, is feeling better about his possible place with the Bengals.

        Dorsch made field goals from 29 and 33 yards Saturday night at Indianapolis, and he had 14 friends make the 1-hour drive from West Lafayette, Ind., to see the game.

        “It took awhile to get in the comfort zone, not just with myself, but with everything around me,” Dorsch said. “Last week, as a whole, was my best week of preparation. I feel good about that.

        “It was fun to get back close to school and have a bunch of people down there watching me.”

Bengals' QB plot thickens Jones may start Saturday McMullen among Bengals cuts Bengals Notebook: Johnson achieves first NFL Notebook: Adams signs with Raiders 49ers 12, Broncos 7

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