By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Training camp drew another day closer on Monday, and the Bengals have still signed just one of their 11 draft picks.

But coach Marvin Lewis, during an online chat at Cincinnati.Com, didn't seem overly concerned.

"The trend across the league has been very slow this year," he said Monday. "I anticipate 90 percent of the contracts to be finished by Friday."

Sixth-round pick Greg Brooks remains the only rookie pick signed.

The Bengals appear to be operating from a position of strength with first-round draft pick Chris Perry.

Rudi Johnson is the starting tailback, and Kenny Watson and Skip Hicks can provide depth, a team insider said.

Lewis addressed several topics during the 40-minute chat:

• On what the team needs to stress most at training camp, which will begin Saturday: "We have to work at simulating live football as much as we can."

• On the team's biggest challenge this season: " . . . to fight from the ground up. What we did last year wasn't good enough and it is history."

• On his top concerns: "We must protect the football on offense. Defensively, we must play better on third down and eliminate explosive plays."

• On the possibility of replacing starting quarterback Carson Palmer if he struggles and the team is 0-4: "If we are 0-4 because of our quarterback play I will make a change."

• On the health of cornerback Dennis Weathersby following his April auto accident: "He will be unable to participate in the 2004 season."

• On the team's new uniforms: "I really like all of our new options. My favorite might be the orange jerseys and black pants."

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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