By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Some coaches are worried that Chris Perry won't be prepared to play in the regular-season opener Sept. 12.

After his first practice since ending a 10-day holdout, Perry said he would be ready for the preseason home opener Aug. 21.

"Mentally, it's going to take a little longer, because I have to catch up and there's so much to learn," said Perry, who insisted he would be ready to play against New England. "I'm not looking to prolong this process more than I have to.

"I'm trying to get everything down so I can make fewer mistakes next practice than I did this practice."

Coaches did not take it easy on Perry. He practiced in the regular rotation and was under the constant eye of running backs coach Jim Anderson.

In fact, it was Anderson who grabbed Perry after his news conference Wednesday and pulled him into a long meeting. How long?

"I started going into a daze after that; I didn't think about the time," Perry said.

Coach Marvin Lewis told Perry he would not play Saturday in the preseason opener at Tampa.

Lewis also said Perry had multiple steps to take to get back into football shape.

Perry showed excellent quickness as a runner and soft hands as a receiver in his first two practices, just as he did during spring workouts and practices.

TRAVEL PLANS: Hurricane Charley has forced the Bengals to come up with three alternative travel plans for their flight to Tampa, Fla.

The charter originally was scheduled to leave at 3 p.m. Friday, but the eye of the hurricane is forecast to be near Tampa at 2 p.m.

Club officials will decide today whether the flight will leave tonight, as scheduled, later Friday or early Saturday, business manager Bill Connelly said.

STEINBACH'S BACK: Left guard Eric Steinbach was in uniform Wednesday for the first time since undergoing surgery July 28 to remove loose bodies and a bone spur from his left elbow.

Steinbach didn't participate in contact drills but was cleared by a doctor to resume practicing.

"When you're out of it for a week, you lose the footwork with (center) Richie (Braham) and (left tackle) Levi (Jones)," Steinbach said. "It's good to get back there and drill. I've got to get enough strength to get into the physical work."

He could go full speed by early next week.

GOODBYE: Cornerback James Allen was waived Wednesday. The rookie free agent from Brigham Young was the third player waived in camp, joining rookie free agent receiver Marlus Mays and veteran defensive tackle Norris McCleary.

STRETCH ONE-TWO: Chad Johnson's leg cramps have been a concern. During the morning practice, while special teams were on the field, wide receivers coach Hue Jackson signaled to Johnson to stretch his hamstrings on the sidelines.

Then offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski went over and stretched with Johnson.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes was on the receiving end of a players' prank to mark his 42nd birthday.

After the morning practice, quarterbacks Jon Kitna and Carson Palmer led a group that dumped ice water on Hayes back and followed it with a heavy sprinkling of baby powder.

HALL OF FAME: Former Bengals great Anthony Munoz made his first appearance at camp this year.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com