The Bengals' six-horse race at wide receiver is so close coming down the home stretch that a couple more laps — two games — might be needed to sort out the pack.

        “The toughest part as a coach is to try to separate them,” Bengals wide receivers coach Steve Mooshagian said Thursday. “I think the first couple games of the season will dictate where they fall. I see all six of them playing.”

        The receiving corps, maligned at times last season even in the locker room, has collectively vowed to have a big season. The group is unusually deep but somewhat unproven, and its performance this season — in concert with quarterback Gus Frerotte — will help determine whether the Bengals make the playoffs for the first time since 1990.

        “We kind of got a little chip on our shoulder, have a point to prove,” said second-year receiver Chad Johnson. “We're going to take it game by game, play by play, instead of trying to prove our point by doing too much at once.”

        Five of the team's six receivers — Johnson, Peter Warrick, Ron Dugans, T.J.Houshmandzadeh and Danny Farmer — are back. Those five, along with Darnay Scott, who is expected to sign a contract Monday with the Dallas Cowboys, were criticized by quarterback Jon Kitna last season for sometimes running incorrect routes and making the wrong reads against pressure defenses.

        The 2001 season was the first in coordinator Bob Bratkowski's offense, and the passing game struggled until recording 751 yards in the final two games. The Bengals finished with the NFL's No.23 pass offense, up from last in 2000.

        Seven-year veteran Michael Westbrook, a former teammate of Frerotte's in Washington, signed a contract July9 — the day the Bengals released Scott.

        Frerotte, the first-year starter who signed May1 as a free agent, has liked what he has seen from the receivers.

        “Most teams, you have two or three top guys,” he said. “I've built a lot of trust with them, knowing they're going to catch the ball and be in the right spot.

        “Seems like all of our guys are good here. I have confidence in all of them, whoever is out there.”

        Westbrook and Warrick are listed as starters now, but each of the six receivers has a specific role and will play.

        Warrick offered this scouting report of the group.

        Westbrook: “Size, veteran, leadership,” Warrick said.

        Dugans: “Third-down playmaker.”

        Farmer: “Solid.”

        Houshmandzadeh: “Smart, good instincts for the rock. Makes plays.”

        Johnson: “Speed.”

        Warrick: “I think I bring excitement. Not every play, but every now and then, I'm going to do something to get you out of your seat.”

        Warrick and Dugans are the longest-tenured Bengals receivers, both coming to Cincinnati in the 2000 draft. Farmer was also a 2000 draft choice, by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who waived him at the end of training camp.

        Johnson and Houshmandzadeh arrived in the 2001 draft.

        “We're not worrying about last year,” Dugans said. “We're not worrying about what people are expecting to us do this year.

        “We want to go out and do a good job. Once our number is called, we're going to let our playing do the talking.”

Frerotte-Westbrook connection WR corps boasts 6-cylinder power No TV for Bengals-Chargers Chargers' Jammer ready to sit out season Injuries piling up for Browns NFL opens season with NYC concert 49ers 16, Giants 13

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