New quarterback Joe Germaine practiced Monday for the first time with the Bengals and was assigned No. 7, worn most prominently in franchise history by Boomer Esiason.

        Signed Thursday to the practice squad, the former Ohio State quarterback said his first task is to learn the offense.

        “Nothing has been said to me the last few days about the plans for me,” he said. “I'm just on the practice squad right now. I'm trying to learn everything and get a grasp (of the offense).”

        BETTER LATE: Bengals running back Corey Dillon called to tell coaches he was having flight problems and would miss Monday's practice.

        Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said the absence was tentatively excused. The Bengals had three days off (Friday through Sunday) for the bye weekend.

        Dillon did show up later Monday afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium, after practice had been completed.

        RESTED AND REFOCUSED: Coach Dick LeBeau hit a few golf balls and watched a lot of football during the Bengals' weekend off. And he said Monday that he's hoping the break will help his team separate itself from its disappointing 0-6 start.

        “We're trying to draw a line, and this (bye week) should help us do that and focus on what's in front of us,” LeBeau said.

        He's encouraged that the AFC North division leaders, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, are 3-3.

        “Last I looked, nobody has distanced themselves from us, if we could just get going,” LeBeau said.

        The Bengals have been outscored an average of 30-9 in their six losses.

        STAT PACK: Monday's NFL statistics show the Bengals' offense is ranked last in points per game, passing average, interceptions and punt return average. It also is 31st in total yards per game and yards per play.

        On defense, the Bengals are ranked 21st in yards allowed per game, 28th against the run and 11th in passing yards per game.

        TIGHTEN UP: LeBeau said that he expects the usual from the Tennessee Titans, and that means a lot of running back Eddie George and quarterback Steve McNair.

        George has rushed for 331 yards in six games for the Titans, who are 2-4. But George had 113 yards in his last game, a 23-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also has 38 points on six touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

        McNair has thrown for 1,471 yards with nine TD passes and nine interceptions.

        “They look the same,” LeBeau said. “The week before their bye, George ran well. The week before, the quarterback threw for a bunch of yards.”

        McNair threw for 398 yards in Tennessee's 52-25 loss Sept.29 at Oakland.

        INJURY UPDATE: Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, defensive end Vaughn Booker and tight end Sean Brewer didn't dress for Monday's practice.

Dillon's record gave Bengals false hope Bengals Notebook: Germaine gets Boomer's No. 7 Steelers 28, Colts 10 Titans' Rolle fined for headhunting Marino's sales pitch sends Carter to Miami NFL Notebook: Favre won't miss start

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