By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kevin Hardy wear the old number of Takeo Spikes (51) during Bengals minicamp on Friday. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

The cohesiveness of Marvin Lewis' coaching staff showed itself early in Friday morning's minicamp practice: Lewis' assistants worked with any player on the field, regardless of position.

"We have to coach guys. They're all the same players," Lewis said. "They're all our players. This is their football team. We're here to help them play as well as they can play."

Wide receiver Chad Johnson got some advice directly from Lewis and a constant reminder from tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes.

"He was talking to me about using my speed more, instead of sitting at the line and making a move, just basically saying I don't have to do that, don't waste time," Johnson said of Lewis.

Hayes told all offensive players to "get a block" after every pass completion in drills.

"He's not going to play any games out there," Johnson said of Hayes. "Defensive coaches are getting on the receivers. It's good."

VISITING: Former Southern Cal quarterback Carson Palmer will visit the Bengals today and is expected to attend practice this afternoon. Former Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman also is expected to visit this weekend.

They are two of the players the Bengals are considering taking with the first overall pick in the April 26-27 draft.

Word around the league is that the health of Newman's left shoulder has the Bengals worried and has given Palmer a decided edge on their draft board.

Lewis won't discuss the team's plans for the first pick.

A medical recheck on Newman's shoulder last week in Indianapolis showed that a nerve injury has not healed and is, in fact, getting worse.

Newman has been considered in the running with Palmer for the top pick. Newman can play in his current condition but further aggravation could force surgery. Newman is still expected to be a high draft pick.

STRETCH ONE-TWO: The team has added post-practice stretching to the pre-practice warm-ups, a change from previous teams.

Lewis said he could see the positive effects of the team's offseason conditioning program, started March 24.

"Our bumps and bruises were minimal after the first practice," he said. "We got a twisted ankle or so the second. I think the guys (understand) why you do what you do in the offseason."

Recent Bengals teams were considered some of the league's poorest physically conditioned.

FIRST TIME: Linebacker Brian Simmons worked without former teammate Takeo Spikes beside him on Friday.

Spikes last month signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills, an offer sheet the Bengals chose not to match.

Simmons, a good friend off the field with Spikes, downplayed Spikes' departure.

"Once you get out there, that's the guy you're going to sweat with, cry with, bleed with," said Simmons, who has moved outside to make room for middle linebacker Kevin Hardy.

"That's where your focus has to be. You can't worry about who used to be there."

MISSING: Long snapper Brad St. Louis missed the morning practice. He attended his grandfather's funeral Thursday in Springfield, Mo., and took the first flight to Cincinnati on Friday morning. He practiced in the afternoon.

Center Rich Braham, an unsigned free agent, did not attend.

LAST RESPECTS: Bengals president Mike Brown was in Chicago Friday at services for former Bears chairman Ed McCaskey, who died Tuesday at age 83.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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