By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Coach Marvin Lewis used the Thanksgiving Day practice as the kickoff to his new schedule.

"Today is to get them in and out," Lewis said after the two-hour workout Thursday in the rain. "We'll start just a little bit earlier and take out some of the dead time in the middle of the day."

Players will get into the routine of watching practice film after that practice, and seeing film of their opponent before going home.

"We're just more focused on it, and we'll be able to get in and out more quickly," Lewis said. "We're trying to keep them fresh."

INJURY CHANGES: The Bengals' injury report remained the same.

The Steelers upgraded center Jeff Hartings (knee) to questionable and guard Keydrick Vincent (hip) to probable. Tight end Jay Riemersma (chest) was downgraded to doubtful.

REGGIE'S RECOVERING: Bengals tight end Reggie Kelly (foot), listed as questionable, practiced again Thursday and said he wants to play Sunday at Pittsburgh.

"I think there is a good chance of playing a lot Sunday, but you never know how it turns out," said Kelly, who started the first seven games before suffering a stress fracture against Seattle.

In Kelly's absence, backup Tony Stewart started, and Matt Schobel saw an increase in his snaps. Their blocking has helped the Bengals rush for 200 yards in each of their last three games.

"Those guys have been doing a great job all year," Kelly said of Stewart and Schobel. "But they stepped it up."

NEW GUY: Linebacker Frank Chamberlin, acquired Tuesday as a free agent, started three games last season at linebacker for the Titans. But with 35 career special teams tackles, he sees his first opportunity with the Bengals coming in the kicking game.

"Any great coach wants good special teams because of the field position battles, and you can tell they put an emphasis on it here," Chamberlin said.

FOUR IN A ROW: The Bengals are shooting for their first four-game win streak since the 1996 team won its last three and the 1997 team won its opener.

The franchise's last four-game win streak in a single season was accomplished by the 1989 team, which won Games 2-5.

The 2003 team is 5-1 in its last six games, the best six-game record since the 1988 AFC champion Bengals opened the season 6-0.

BILL ON MARVIN: Steelers coach Bill Cowher gave Lewis his first job in the NFL - as Pittsburgh's linebackers coach in 1992.

"I'm impressed with their football team," Cowher said of the Bengals. "It's always going to be a process when you come in as a first-year coach, installing a new system on defense."

One of Lewis' best moves, Cowher said, was retaining offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski - a former Steelers wide receivers coach under Cowher.

"They're playing very well on offense," Cowher said. "The quarterback's (Jon Kitna) playing super. Now you got a one-two punch with Rudi Johnson and Corey Dillon coming back."

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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