By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Bengals special teams struggled Sunday in the preseason-opening loss at New Jersey against the Jets.

But coach Marvin Lewis and special teams coach Darrin Simmons said Tuesday that they would not abandon their plans for the kicking game.

"I believe there was a difference in tempo, their special teams and ours," Lewis said between practices. "They had gone through a game, and they had the other way happen to them last week. It's kind of an evolution thing that happens."

The Jets had lost their preseason opener to Tampa Bay in Tokyo the week before playing the Bengals.

The Bengals play host Saturday to the Detroit Lions in their preseason home opener.

The Bengals special teams were flagged for three penalties, dropped two snaps in the kicking game, gave up a 32-yard punt return and fumbled a punt.

"I'm obviously unhappy," Simmons said. "Our first rattle out of the box we gave up a couple of plays and didn't make a couple we should have. But you know, we just go back and keep doing the things we're doing and keep working hard to get better."

Special teams players are learning an entirely new scheme, just as the defense is working in a new system.

"From a terminology standpoint, things I talk about, things I emphasize, everything is new," Simmons said.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Lewis was asked, after watching game film, what he liked best and worst about Sunday's loss.

"I was pleased, in all but two plays, in defending the run and protecting the quarterback offensively," he said.

"And I think the worst thing was dropping the football. We dropped it in the passing game. We dropped two snaps with our placement, and we fumbled the football. We had two interceptions in our hands on the other side of the football. Those are plays when the season comes along, we have to make those plays."

BUDDY SYSTEM: Legendary defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan attended the morning practice and was especially interested in one of his former players, Bengals defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

"He was smart (as a player)," said Ryan, who coached Frazier with the Chicago Bears. "That will help him in the coaching business."

Ryan predicted that the influence of Frazier and Lewis would be seen in the Bengals defense by midseason.

"You'll see improvement every week, and hopefully by the middle of the season they'll be clicking on all cylinders and they'll have a winning season - for a change," Ryan said.

Ryan also asked who started at free safety for the Bengals. Told it was Mark Roman, Ryan said he liked "that No. 34. You can tell he's smart."

No. 34 is Kevin Kaesviharn, who is backing up Roman.

LEADERSHIP: Tailback Corey Dillon showed his leadership during Sunday's preseason game against the Jets.

After rookie free agent tailback Ray Jackson fumbled, Dillon approached him on the sideline and offered encouragement.

"Keep your head up," Dillon told Jackson. "It happens to the best of us, and you've got to play the next play."

RELEASED: The club released rookie free agent Noah Swartz, an offensive lineman from Toledo.

The Bengals had picked him up off waivers from Dallas on July 29.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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