By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Akili Smith watch has entered the home stretch.

The Bengals could release the fifth-year quarterback on June 1 and split his remaining amortized signing bonus onto this year's and next year's salary cap.

"I have nothing to say (about Smith)," is all coach Marvin Lewis had to say Wednesday, four days before a possible release date.

Smith participated Wednesday in another offseason workout at Paul Brown Stadium.

"All indications are I'm going to be here," Smith said. "We'll see what happens. June 1 is Sunday. Maybe they'll wait to do it Monday. I sense right now that I'm No. 2. Carson (Palmer) has so much to learn, the speed of the game."

Palmer, a rookie, was the first overall draft pick.

NEXT: With Palmer under contract, offensive lineman Eric Steinbach is the top unsigned draft pick of the remaining eight.

Steinbach, the 33rd overall pick in the April draft, has been inserted as the top left guard on the reshuffled offensive line.

"I hired my agent (Jack Bechta) to do a good job," Steinbach said. "I told him I don't want to be one of those hold-out guys. Hopefully, my agent and the organization can reach an agreement. I don't know when that's going to be. But as far as I'm concerned, ASAP."

AS FOR CARSON: Palmer continues to participate fully in the offseason program.

"It's going as well as it could, I guess," Palmer said. "You didn't know what to except coming in, but the transition has been smooth so far."

THE DAY AFTER: The Bengals locker room continued to buzz Wednesday, a day after Lewis and the Bengals released four veteran players - including two popular backups and special teams mainstays.

Released were center Brock Gutierrez and linebacker Canute Curtis - along with defensive end Eric Ogbogu and fullback Mike Green.

"I felt these are good people, and it gives them a chance to sign somewhere else," Lewis said.

"In some areas, we're looking to upgrade. We've done what we've done and had a chance to evaluate."

Converted linebacker-tight end Chris Edmonds, now a fullback, stands to benefit from Green's release.

"It feels good to have people having confidence in me," Edmonds said. "The last couple years, I was kind of on the edge. Now I feel like I don't mess up because people have confidence in me."

Edmonds, Terry Witherspoon and rookie Jeremi Johnson are the three fullbacks on the roster.

"Chris has been very receptive to whatever has been asked of him," running backs coach Jim Anderson said when asked about Edmonds. "He has athleticism. He's working hard on the field and off the field in the weight room. One of the strong things about Chris is how much he contributed to special teams in the past. He can play a position and (special) teams."

NUMBERS GAME: Free agent defensive end Duane Clemons has a new number, 92, in just his second week with the Bengals.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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