By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Training camp has yet to open, and an odds maker already has the Bengals a 31/2-point underdog in their season opener at the New York Jets on Sept. 12.

Three points is usually the starting margin given to a home team.

Danny Sheridan's line was published last week in USA Today.

The Bengals also are a 4-point underdog in the preseason opener Aug. 14 at Tampa Bay, according to Sheridan.

PALMER PRESS: Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is featured in the issue of Sports Illustrated dated July 26.

"Can Carson Palmer cut it in Cincinnati?" is the article's title.

The story examines the decision by coach Marvin Lewis to promote Palmer over Jon Kitna and how Palmer has prepared to be the team's starting quarterback.

The article reveals, too, how Palmer started to put down a foundation of leadership by entertaining teammates and their families at his Tristate home for Monday night football parties.

It also mentions how Palmer had offensive linemen and tight ends over during the winter to play paintball in the woods behind his house.

DON'T FORGET CHAD: Chad Johnson is ranked as the NFL's seventh-best wide receiver in an on-going series of player rankings in USA Today Sports Weekly.

Johnson, analysts write, "has the complete package. He's big, he can run and he can make big plays. If anybody is going to be the next (Randy) Moss, it's him. For sure, (Johnson) doesn't lack the confidence."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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