By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals, for years, have been dogged by criticism that they have not spent as much money on players as other NFL teams.

In 2003, according to a USA Today report, the Bengals had the fourth-highest payroll of the NFL's 32 teams.

The Bengals had a payroll in 2003 of $85.5 million, the newspaper reported Tuesday.

"It was reflective of new signings," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said after an on-field coaching session Wednesday. "That was the thing we talked about early last spring: The conceptions that were put out there regarding the Cincinnati Bengals weren't exactly true.

"All in all, when all is said and done, the fact is we're spending up to the standard of the league and beyond most of them."

New Orleans was first at $95.1 million, followed by Tampa Bay ($88.1 million) and Minnesota ($85.7 million).

The Bengals' signings in 2003 that might have skewed the numbers: Carson Palmer ($10 million of his $14 million bonus), Chad Johnson ($7 million of his $10.5 million bonus paid in his contract extension) and defensive starting free agents John Thornton ($6 million) and Kevin Hardy and Tory James ($5.6 million).

Cleveland had the lowest payroll in 2003, according to the newspaper's survey, at $53.8 million.

OUCH: Rookie first-round pick Chris Perry was taken from the practice field on a cart Wednesday morning. Perry, a running back, suffered what Lewis called a "minor tweak" of his left hamstring.

"He'll be fine," Lewis said.

OUCH, PART II: Wide receiver Peter Warrick, who is rehabbing a torn right knee cartilage injury, didn't practice and had his right leg wrapped in a bandage from ankle to thigh.

TOASTMASTER: Lewis gave a speech Wednesday night at Finneytown High School.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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