By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals announced Sunday that they have hired former Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan as an assistant coach.

His duties will include directly assisting defensive coaches and helping the Bengals' offensive coaches analyze opposing defenses.

"I'm here to do whatever they want me to do," said Bresnahan, 43 the Raiders coordinator the past four years. "We're going to start our pretty basic and evolve into third down and help with the nickel (pass coverage) package."

Head coach Marvin Lewis enters his second season at the helm. (Michael E. Keating photo)

Coach Marvin Lewis said the commitment was for one year, and Bresnahan - who has known Lewis for 10 years - said he'd "love to stay here forever. It's dynamite."

Bresnahan also has been a linebackers coach for the Browns and Colts and a defensive backs coach for the Raiders.

The Bengals will pay Bresnahan for his specific duties, and with one year remaining on his Oakland contract, the Raiders will make up the difference of what he is owed.

KITTNER GONE: Though his two years of NFL experience might have appeared to give him an edge to be the third quarterback, Kurt Kittner was waived Sunday.

"I didn't know him," Lewis said. "I got to see him Wednesday and Friday. It's time to move on. I feel confident with the other guys."

Those quarterbacks are rookie seventh-round pick Casey Bramlet and undrafted free agent Scott Rislov. Carson Palmer is the starting quarterback, and incumbent Jon Kitna is the top backup.

RUMOR MILL: The serious groin injury to starting 49ers quarterback Tim Rattay - he could be out four months after surgery - has made Kitna the subject of trade gossip for the second time this offseason.

Kitna played for San Francisco coach Dennis Erickson in Seattle. Ken Dorsey becomes the 49ers top quarterback with Rattay out.

SHOUT OUT: Lewis said he was happy with the three-day rookie mini-camp, which concluded with two practices Sunday.

Lewis said he liked what he saw from rookie free agents Mondre Dickerson, a former Tennessee defensive end, and ex-San Jose State wide receiver Jamall Broussard.

"We learned how to practice. The weather (temperatures in the 80s) gave us a preview of our summer (training camp)," Lewis said.

All but two rookies - limited by their college class' graduation date - can return May 16, Lewis said.

COACHING SESSIONS: The Bengals added a 14th organized team activities day - the most allowed by the league's collective bargaining agreement - on June 18.

They used one Friday when 21 veterans practiced with rookies. Their next one is May 18.

Featured back Rudi Johnson will be among the veterans participating. A restricted free agent, Johnson remains unsigned but is expected to sign the team's $1.824 million one-year tender in the near future. "Rudi's a young guy. He's a pro. He has the chance to show everybody how good he is," Lewis said. "This is no different than how it's been for him. ... He's not had the easy way."

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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