San Diego's Rodney Harrison called the Paul Brown Stadium grass the worst he ever played on and blamed it for a groin injury. Tampa Bay defensive end Simeon Rice, who played on the Paul Brown grass in December 2000 with the Arizona Cardinals, has even greater disdain for the field.

        “It's worse than the worst,” Rice said this week as the Buccaneers prepared to visit Cincinnati for Sunday's game.

        Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes told Tampa writers this week that the field needs work.

        “The field is not the best in the world,” Spikes said. “I don't think it's bad the way it was the first year we played on it. But it's going to come up in some places, point blank. But you've got to play on it.”

        The sod was replaced earlier this week between the numbers to prepare for Sunday's game.

        INJURY UPDATE: Bengals wide receiver Michael Westbrook was downgraded to questionable Thursday with a back injury, but he did practice.

        Cornerback Artrell Hawkins (calf) and defensive lineman Eric Ogbogu (calf) are questionable. Hawkins did not practice Thursday.

        Defensive end Vaughn Booker (knee) and wide receiver Danny Farmer (knee) are doubtful and did not practice.

        FINED: Atlanta linebacker Keith Brooking was fined $5,000 by the NFL for taking off his helmet on the field and tossing it in the Falcons' 30-3 victory over the Bengals Sunday night.

        Brooking also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for removing the helmet after Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna threw an incomplete fourth-down pass in the fourth quarter.

Bengals at loose ends at tight end Bengals Notebook: More kicking the grass NFL Notebook: Moss apologizes to team

Reds 1, Cubs 0
Reds Box, Runs
Reds will play AL East in '03
Kearns eligible for other rookie award
Reds trainer Lynn resigns
Reds-Expos Series Preview
Sosa prepared to wait till next year
Dodgers still kicking in wild-card race
Johnson ends D'backs slide
Athletics clinch AL West
Angels finally get back to playoffs
UC's Adams seeks interception records
Louisville shocks No. 4 Florida State
Miami rediscovers running game
Buckeyes focus on improving
UK transfer loves big-time spotlight
Elder, Dixie put top rankings on the line
Prep football schedule
Previews of top Cincinnati games
Previews of top Northern Ky. games
Football helps Maupin leave trouble behind
Ohio playoff picture taking shape
Old strategy recharges Harrison
Top QB prospect playing tight end
Highlands grad coaching Dixie to new heights
Student says 'hit' note was hoax
Scott star dedicated to revive winless program
More Player of the Year candidates
Boys cross country results
Boys golf results
Boys soccer results
FAVC schools reap sportmanship awards
Girls cross country results
Girls soccer results
Girls tennis results
Girls volleyball results
Ohio state cross country polls

• Return to Bengals front page...