By Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writer

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - As one of six tight ends in training camp, Tony Stewart is continually looking for opportunities to contribute.

The 25-year-old did his share last season, playing in all 16 Bengals games and making four of six total starts at tight end.

"My footwork got a lot better last year," Stewart said Thursday. "I'm not saying it's great or good, but I think I'm improving from last year to this year. There is still much improvement yet to be done."

Among Stewart's assets are his durability and versatility.

With starter Reggie Kelly (thumb) and Matt Schobel (hamstring) tending to injuries, he started Monday's game against the Buccaneers. Schobel is expected to play Saturday, but Kelly will not.

The trio caught 58 passes for 625 yards and three touchdowns in 2003.

"We know as a tight end unit that we had some opportunities that we missed," said Stewart, whose 21 receptions and 212 receiving yards were career highs. "But it's all part of game-planning and taking what the defense gives us."

Stewart also has worked as an H-back, blocking and running some pass routes out of the backfield, during camp.

"It's a little new," he said. "They always say the more you can do, the longer you can stick around. I just try to do what the coaches ask and do it 100 percent.

"We're still pushing for that tight end up the (middle), but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon."

FAMILIAR SPOT: Rookie Madieu Williams, whom the Bengals drafted as a safety in the second round, spent Wednesday and Thursday working exclusively at left cornerback.

He is expected to start there against the Patriots on Saturday with Deltha O'Neal out because of injury.

"I've been refreshing some of the old skills and applying what I know to this system here," said Williams, who played cornerback as a freshman and sophomore at Towson State. "The action happens a lot quicker (at cornerback than at safety). A lot of running plays come downhill at you, so you've got to react a lot quicker than you would at safety."

JOSEPH WAIVED: The Bengals reduced their roster to 79 players by waiving safety Ricot Joseph on Thursday.

Joseph, who was signed to the practice squad Dec. 9, had two tackles in Monday's game against the Bucs.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Joseph, who attended the afternoon session with his left arm heavily bandaged, will move to the injured reserve list if he isn't claimed off waivers.

COMPETITION IS GOOD: The Bengals must get their roster to a minimum of 65 players by 4 p.m. Aug. 31. Lewis reiterated Thursday that several positions remain open.

"I think our wide receiver position and the backup offensive line are very open," Lewis said. "We are in a transition with our secondary, and our backup linebacker positions are a competition. So I think every position ... can have some changes. Just because of what you did last year doesn't mean you have a spot reserved."

TAPE DELAY: Because Saturday's game is not a sellout, it will be shown on tape delay in Cincinnati. The broadcast will begin at 11:35 p.m. on WKRC-TV (Channel 12).