By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Tailback Kenny Watson started right, cut left and darted back to his right, sprinting into the end zone from 20 yards Thursday morning in the Bengals' practice.

Starting tailback Rudi Johnson could not attend the voluntary offseason practice. Rookie backup Chris Perry was held out because of a tweaked hamstring suffered Wednesday.

It was Watson's turn to run.

"You have to show the coaches that you can play. I want them to have confidence in me that I can do it on offense or special teams," said the third-year back from Penn State.

Watson, 26, played in eight games on special teams for the Bengals in 2003 and averaged 16.1 yards on seven kickoff returns.

Watson did not play offense, but he had 787 scrimmages yards - including a pair of 100-yard rushing games - in 2002 for Washington.

Watson is the kind of player who has added competent depth to a Bengals roster that once lacked it.

The Bengals signed Watson on Sept. 30 as a free agent, a month after he was cut by the Redskins.

Being part of the offensive installation in the spring is easier than coming in cold and having to adjust from Steve Spurrier's offense to the one run by the Bengals.

Watson is a quiet professional who never gripes.

"There is nothing to complain about," he said. "I'm going to get the opportunity, and it's up to me to make the most of it when it comes."

Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson is confident Watson will be ready when called upon.

"That's what being a pro is," Anderson said. "That means you're listening, you're paying attention to all the little things you need to do. You can never have enough good players."

OUT: Besides Perry, the Bengals were missing cornerback Reggie Myles for practice. Myles attended in street clothes but did not participate, because he had wisdom teeth pulled.

BIG PLAYS: Rookie safety Madieu Williams closed quickly on a deep pass from Jon Kitna that was intended for Chad Johnson, and came away with the interception.

Later in the morning practice, Johnson grabbed a pass with one hand over rookie cornerback Greg Brooks and ran into the end zone.

NEXT: On Thursday, the Bengals used their seventh organization team activities day - on-field coaching sessions - and have seven remaining.

Their next three will be Tuesday through Thursday next week. The mandatory minicamp is June 11-13. The final four on-field coaching sessions will be June 15-18.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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