By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Nick Ayers lived a dream for five weeks and decided it was time to get on with his life.

The Bengals on Tuesday released Ayers, a 1999 Glen Este High School graduate who was one of 18 rookie free agents signed April 27 by the Bengals. He was a running back who played at Georgetown College.

"I spoke with Coach (Marvin Lewis) this morning, and we decided it was best," Ayers, 23, said by phone from Georgetown, Ky., of his release.

"I learned a lot from the mini-camp and coaching sessions. I'm so fortunate that I will have an education degree from Georgetown."

Ayers, who impressed coaches with his hustle and enthusiasm, had hurt his left knee. He is 17 credit hours short of his degree and plans to finish by the fall.

The Bengals' roster is now at 91, including 11 unsigned rookie draft picks.

Ayers played high school football with U.S. Army Pfc. Keith "Matt" Maupin, who has been held captive by Iraqi insurgents since April 9. Ayers was impressive in widespread interviews in early May, when he called Maupin a true hero.

FIELD UPDATE: The Paul Brown Stadium playing field resembled a quarry Tuesday.

Crews installing the synthetic FieldTurf surface are completing Stage 2, Bengals official Bob Bedinghaus said.

Workers ran a steamroller over a crushed stone base. Within two weeks, the actual carpet will be put down, and the process will be finished by June 30.

"Our deadline is August," Bedinghaus said. "But this will give the grounds crew plenty of time to get acclimated to it."

The first stage was to remove 4-5 inches of sod and sand.

REDS HOT: As one pro sports coach to another, Lewis said he is happy for the success Reds manager Dave Miley is enjoying.

The Reds entered their game Tuesday night in Florida tied with the Marlins for the National League's best record.

"They're going out there every night and playing good defense," Lewis said of the Reds. "They're hitting the ball well almost every night, but the biggest thing is they're not beating themselves. As a coach, you want to make sure they're going out and taking care of everything fundamentally, and that's what they're doing. And they're letting their ability come to the forefront."

TICKET SALES: Bengals single-game preseason tickets and multi-game packages will go on sale this morning.

Ticket packages allow fans to hold the same seat for two games. Prices range from $80-$120 per person and include admission to both games. The packages are: Miami (Sept. 19) and Dallas (Nov. 7); Baltimore (Sept. 26) and Denver (Monday, Oct. 25); Pittsburgh (Nov. 21) and the New York Giants (Dec. 26); and Cleveland (Nov. 28) and Buffalo (Dec. 19).

Tickets for the Bengals' two preseason games at Paul Brown Stadium (Aug. 21 against New England and Sept. 3 against Indianapolis) also can be purchased individually beginning Wednesday. Prices range from $40-$60.

Sales will begin at 9 a.m. by calling 621-8383 or toll free (866) 621-8383. Fans also can visit the Bengals' ticket window near Gate E at Paul Brown Stadium.

Season tickets for 2004 are currently on sale. Group tickets and regular-season single-game tickets will go on sale at later dates.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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