By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kicker Neil Rackers had the finest season of his three-year career in 2002.

Though he remains unsigned as a restricted free agent, Rackers said Monday he expects to be back with the Bengals and is looking forward to an even better year. The Bengals have made him a one-year tender offer of $605,000.

"I still think I have a lot to prove," Rackers said on the first day of the offseason strength and conditioning program. "We didn't have a lot of opportunities.

"I think it just goes up from here. I think it will only get better."

Rackers made 15 of his 18 attempts, missing from 45, 46 and 52 yards. Twice he missed by inches, and the third miss resulted from hitting holder Nick Harris' hand.

Part of the reason for Rackers' enthusiasm is special teams coach Darrin Simmons, who replaces Al Roberts.

"He's very knowledgeable about kicking," Rackers said of Simmons. "He was a punter at Kansas. He has studied it. Just by talking to him, I heard him say things about kicking I've never heard someone say. It took about 15 minutes for me to be impressed."

One change will be live kicking during the two-minute drill in practice.

"I think we need that," Rackers said. "It's make the field goal or the team has to run another gasser. That's pressure."

BACK HOME: Linebacker Armegis Spearman, who remains with the Bengals because they matched an offer sheet he signed with Green Bay, is happy to be in Cincinnati. Spearman can earn almost $3 million over three years and said he was flattered Lewis thought enough of him to match.

"It makes you feel good to be wanted," he said.

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