By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Yes, it's early, and training camp is just one week old. Yes, it was just an intrasquad scrimmage.

And, yes, it's a long time until the regular-season opener Sept. 12 at the New York Jets.

But a big Bengals problem from 2003 - rush defense - reappeared Friday night in the controlled game.

INSIDE CAMP Friday's photos

Coming up • 1 p.m., mock game (with NFL officials) • After an off day Sunday, the Bengals return to practice twice on Monday: 8:45-11 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. Directions From downtown: Take I-75 South about 70 miles to Exit 126 (Georgetown, Ky.). Turn right off ramp onto U.S. 460 West. Stay on 460 for about 2 miles. Turn right at light onto Lemons Mill Road (1962 West). Turn right into driveway flanked with Georgetown College/Bengals signs Injury report • Tackle Levi Jones (car accident), wide receiver Patrick Johnson (unannounced) and cornerbacks Reggie Myles (groin) and Greg Brooks (intestinal virus) might be back Monday. • Guard Eric Steinbach (elbow) and wide receiver Maurice Mann (ankle) could be back midweek. • Offensive lineman Scott Kooistra (knee) could be back late next week or early the following week. • Linebacker Kevin Hardy (back spasms) is day-to-day. Palmer watch Quarterback Carson Palmer worked the first two series of the intrasquad scrimmage Friday. Friday's highlights A few members of an NFL officiating crew have worked the past couple practices. They called several defensive holding and illegal contact penalties in the 5-yard chuck zone, reflecting a point of emphasis for the season. On one play Friday, cornerback Terrell Roberts was called for illegal contact on a pass intended for T.J. Houshmandzadeh. "They're still adjusting," umpire Jim Quirk said. "They just don't believe it. They think we'll lighten up after the season gets started. Word is from above that we are not to lighten up." Preseason schedule Aug. 14 - at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. Aug. 21 - NEW ENGLAND, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 28 - at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3 - INDIANAPOLIS, 7:30 p.m.

The offense rushed for 160 yards and one touchdown in a 70-16 victory over the defense before a crowd estimated at 8,500 at Rawlings Stadium.

Rudi Johnson broke a 46-yard run in the first series, escaping tackles by Tony Williams and Rogers Beckett. Backup Kenny Watson ran for 51 with a long of 16, and the defense yielded a 6.4-yard average on the ground.

"We have to do a better job of leveraging on defense," coach Marvin Lewis said. "There were some plays, (but) hopefully we'll do better."

The offense ran almost at will, even though the starting left side of the offensive line - tackle Levi Jones and guard Eric Steinbach - didn't play because of injuries.

The Bengals finished tied for 25th in rush defense in 2003, allowing 138.6 yards a game - an average of 200 yards in the final month when the team lost three of four games and missed the playoffs.

Quarterback Carson Palmer started and was 7-for-14 passing for 108 yards and three touchdowns.

"I thought it went pretty well," Palmer said. "We still have a lot of stuff to clean up. ... I'm excited by the running game."

Rookie defensive back Madieu Williams intercepted Palmer once, on a pass that went through the hands of wide receiver Kelley Washington.

Backup quarterback Jon Kitna looked exceptionally sharp, playing with the second team mainly against the second-team defense. He was 10-of-12 passing for 120 yards and one touchdown.

Tight end Chad Hayes caught touchdown passes of 2 and 28 yards.

Rookie wide receiver Jamall Broussard turned in the night's most exciting play. He found space after catching a dump pass from Palmer on the sideline, out-running the defense into the end zone for a 27-yard score.

"I've got to do things to get noticed," said Broussard, whose chances of making the team look better each day.

Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski liked what he saw from Broussard.

"He's fun to watch," Bratkowski said. "He showed he has some special moves. I liked what our second and third units didn't against the No. 1 defense. They weren't intimidated."

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who missed most of last season with a hamstring injury, was the leading receiver with 74 yards on four receptions.

Tight end Tony Stewart had a 33-yard touchdown catch, and tailback Skip Hicks leapt over the line for a 1-yard touchdown. Hicks had an NFL Europe-best 10 rushing touchdowns earlier this year.

Watson had more playing time because of the absence of rookie Chris Perry, whose contract holdout reached seven days.

Illustrating how the front seven had problems against the run, the two leading tacklers were safeties Ricot Joseph with nine and Marquand Manuel with five.

On special teams, kicker Shayne Graham made four of six field goals, missing right from 42 and 46 yards. Punter Kyle Richardson kicked six times for 39.8-yard average.

The only injury of note was rookie linebacker Landon Johnson, who left the field after suffering a hard hit on an already sore shoulder.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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