Wednesday, September 3, 2003
Notes: One day added to blackout deadline
Game must sell out by 1 p.m. Friday to make local TV
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals have received a 24-hour extension from the NFL in an attempt to sell out Sunday's season-opening game against Denver at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Bengals, because of the Labor Day holiday, will have until 1 p.m. Friday to sell the remaining tickets.
"We will need a good week of sales, but a sellout is definitely reachable," said Tim Kelly, Bengals ticket manager.
If the game is a sellout, it will be shown live on WKRC-TV (Channel 12).
The Bengals have sold out just eight of 24 games in their first three seasons in Paul Brown Stadium.
FREE AGENT VISIT? The Bengals are trying to arrange a visit from former Steelers running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala. Pittsburgh terminated the contract of the five-year veteran Sunday.
Fuamatu-Ma'afala has five rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns in five NFL seasons. He has rushed for 751 career yards, primarily as a backup to Jerome Bettis.
Fuamatu-Ma'afala, who played college ball at Utah, visited the Saints on Tuesday and was headed to Jacksonville for a Tuesday night visit. New England also is interested in him.
SILENCE: The Bengals for a second consecutive day declined to comment on the waiving of kicker Neil Rackers.
Rackers, who suffered a 3- to 4-inch tear of the meniscus in his left knee during Friday's preseason finale, cleared waivers Tuesday and is a free agent.
Shayne Graham was picked up off waivers from Carolina on Monday and will be the Bengals' kicker in the opener. He is reunited with Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons, who was assistant special teams coach with the Panthers from 1999-2002.
LIGHTS, CAMERA: NFL Films' presentation of Hey, Rookie, Welcome to the NFL will air for the first time today at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is featured in the documentary.
PEP RALLY: The Bengals will hold a tailgate kickoff party from 5-8 p.m. Friday at Fountain Square.
Coach Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati mayor Charlie Luken and Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz will address fans. Former Bengals running back Ickey Woods will perform his "Ickey Shuffle," and the BenGals cheerleaders also will perform. Other former Bengals will be in attendance to sign autographs.
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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com
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