By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Running backs coach Jim Anderson uses soccer balls during a quickness drill with RB Corey Dillon. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

About 450 prospective Bengals season-ticket buyers watched Monday afternoon's workout from portable bleachers on the Paul Brown Stadium practice fields.

There by invitation, the fans were former season-ticket holders or single-game customers, said Kevin Lane, Bengals director of ticket sales.

Two tents were set up for shade and concessions. Coach Marvin Lewis wore a microphone that broadcast his comments live during practice through a P.A. system near the bleachers.

"Make the play, Riall," Lewis said at one point to third-year linebacker Riall Johnson. "That's your play to make. That's an easy play to make."

After practice, fans were invited to come out onto the field and greet players. Several players and Lewis signed autographs. Lewis then addressed the audience.

The Bengals have sold out just eight of 24 home games since taxpayer-funded Paul Brown Stadium opened in 2000. The last three home crowds of 2002 were the three smallest for the Bengals in stadium history.

BYE, BO: Cornerback Ligarius "Bo" Jennings was released after practicing Monday morning.

The third-year defensive back from Tennessee State played in nine games for the Bengals in 2002 with nine tackles on defense and 12 tackles on special teams.

AKILI WATCH: Former Bengals quarterback Akili Smith, one week to the day since he was officially released, visited the New York Jets on Monday and will be in Green Bay to meet today with Packers coaches.

Then, Smith will head to New Orleans for a yet-unscheduled visit with the Saints, a team that is highly interested in signing him.

REAL ESTATE: Rookie quarterback Carson Palmer has a new neighbor. Ten-year veteran quarterback Shane Matthews has the locker next to Palmer's.

On the other side of Palmer is tight end Reggie Kelly. On the other side of Kelly is starting quarterback Jon Kitna. Palmer was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft. Kitna and Matthews were undrafted rookie free agents.

"It's huge," Palmer said of the value of learning from Kitna and Matthews. "Having two guys that know it and can teach you and show you, it doesn't get any better than that.

"They've put their time in, they put their work in. I'm the punk rookie that turns out the light in the meeting room, gets everybody's chair, doing all the leg work, and that's how it should be."

INK: Six of the Bengals' nine rookie draft picks remain unsigned: guard Eric Steinbach, wide receiver Kelley Washington, cornerback Dennis Weathersby, fullback Jeremi Johnson, linebacker Khalid Abdullah and defensive end Elton Patterson.

Palmer, defensive tackle Langston Moore (sixth round) and offensive tackle Scott Kooistra (seventh) have signed.

STREET CLOTHES: Tailback Brandon Bennett did not practice Monday because of a back disc problem.

NEW ARRIVAL: Brad and Michelle St. Louis are parents of Lance Henry, born Wednesday at 8 pounds, 4 ounces and 21 inches. St. Louis is a fourth-year tight end/long snapper.

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