GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Bengals wide receiver Danny Farmer will make his 2002 debut Saturday night, and he hopes this season to play “before it gets cold.”

        All of Farmer's 15 receptions came in the second half of last season, but Farmer appears poised to play early and often for the Bengals.

        “I'm ready,” said Farmer, who returned to practice early last week after missing the first three weeks of training camp with a hamstring injury. He is probable for the game with the New Orleans Saints.

        Farmer, who had a 15.2-yard average and one touchdown reception, was impressive during May minicamp and voluntary workouts until his hamstring wore down from overuse.

        “My leg feels good,” he said. “No question, I'll be ready.”

        PRETTY PLAY: Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna, often criticized for having a lack of arm strength, completed a 70-yard post pattern to wide receiver T.J.Houshmandzadeh early in 11-on-11 drills Thursday night. The ball traveled at least 50 yards in the air, and Houshmandzadeh, who had a step on the defensive back, caught it in stride.

        STRONG LEG: The kicking competition held at the start of practice caught the attention of position players when Neil Rackers was perfect on a 63-yard field goal. The ball split the uprights and had plenty of distance to spare.

        Several players cheered for Rackers, and a few walked over to shake his hand.

        MUNOZ FOUNDATION: The first Anthony Munoz Foundation Celebrity Block party raised more than $150,000 to benefit needy children in Greater Cincinnati, the organization announced.

        The event will be June 8-9 next year, and the second Hall of Fame Football Academy will be held June10-13 at Sycamore High School.

        The foundation (www.munozfoundation.com) is preparing for its next fund-raising event, a golf-a-thon to be held Sept.23 at the Traditions Golf Course in Northern Kentucky. People interested in playing up to 100 holes of golf are asked to call the foundation at 772-4900.

        Munoz is the only Bengals player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

At training camp, competition and camaraderie forge a team Bengals training camp by the numbers Farmer returns, hamstring and all Grass-roots effort working well at Paul Brown Stadium He's the one who brings bad news Chargers 31, Rams 10 Rams fullback fractures left foot in preseason game

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