By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bengals players go back to work today, even as the organization licks its wounds about near misses with free agents Troy Vincent and Warren Sapp.

Players will hit the weight room for the first day of the 14-week strength and conditioning program.

The program set the tone a year ago for the break-even 2003 season by creating a more conditioned and cohesive team.

"We're getting started for the season," tight end Reggie Kelly said Sunday. "This is where it started last year. It's where it starts again."

Kelly was a first-year Bengal a year ago, part of coach Marvin Lewis' first free agent class. So was defensive tackle John Thornton.

Thornton would have played next to Sapp and said he respects the Bengals organization for making a serious run at signing Sapp. He agreed to a seven-year deal Saturday with Oakland, only hours after it appeared he would be coming to Cincinnati. On the previous Monday, Taylor chose the Bills over the Bengals because he thought Buffalo was closer to the Super Bowl. "You get some. You don't get some," Thornton said. "As a player, I didn't think (Sapp) would come here. It would have been huge for us. But it wasn't sexy enough for him here."

Said Kelly, who started 11 games and missed time because of a left foot injury: "If (Sapp) were meant to be here, he would be here. I'm sure we'll pull in some new guys."

Thornton started all 16 games for a team that finished .500 for just the second time in 13 years and was in playoff contention on the final day.

"In my opinion, we weren't that far from the playoffs," he said. "We've got a lot of good players here, and we're going to get better in a second season together."

While Thornton acknowledged the organization's desire to sign Sapp and Vincent, he did say, "You want guys who want to be here."

Two likely defensive starters, middle linebacker Nate Webster and safety Kim Herring, signed on the second day of free agency without taking a look at another team.

"Both of those guys have something to prove,' Thornton said. "Kim was out last year with the broken forearm. And Nate wants the chance to show what he can do as a starter."

The landscape has changed significantly in the year since the last offseason program opened. Carson Palmer has been named the starting quarterback, replacing Jon Kitna.

The roster continues to be turned over by Lewis. Gone are former starters Jeff Burris, Artrell Hawkins and Mike Goff. Key backups Matt O'Dwyer, Brandon Bennett and Riall Johnson are no longer here.

Disgruntled tailback Corey Dillon - the Bengals' identity for several years - is on the trading block and has said he will not attend the workouts.

"Last year, we were fighting for respect and to change the image of the Bengals," Thornton said. "This year, we start out fighting for the playoffs."

Thornton and Kelly were eager to see how many of their teammates, and which ones, will show up beginning today.

Some of the unsigned restricted free agents - tailback Rudi Johnson, wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, tight end Tony Stewart, guard Victor Leyva and defensive back Kevin Kaesviharn - find themselves in awkward situations. They have been tendered one-year contracts by the Bengals but have yet to sign.

"We'll have about what we expect," Lewis said of turnout. "The best percentage of our guys will be there."

Getting ready

Bengals offseason schedule:

Today: Offseason strength and conditioning program begins and runs 14 weeks.

April 24-25: NFL draft.

May 7-9: Rookie minicamp.

May 18-20: On-field coaching sessions.

May 25-27: On-field coaching sessions.

June 1-3: On-field coaching sessions.

June 11-13: Mandatory minicamp.

June 15-17: Coaching sessions (passing camp).

---

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com