RACKERS, PELFREY, PART I
BY GEOFF HOBSON
Kicker Doug Pelfrey is supposed to be fighting sixth-round draft pick Neil Rackers for a job. But there was Pelfrey and punter Brad Costello taking Rackers and rookie punter Tim Morgan to dinner a few times this weekend. Rackers won the kickoff competition, but he felt better about his field-goal tries after missing just three or four against the narrow goal posts.
Special teams coach Al Roberts nearly owed rookie long snapper Brad St. Louis two dinners. He already owes him one after Roberts saw him hit some pockets on a net with his long snapping. St. Louis said he could go one better and hit a pole. Roberts said if he hit the pole on three straight, he'd get dinner. St. Louis did it. St. Louis asked what he could get for five. Roberts told him another dinner. The fifth snap just whizzed past the pole by a whisker.
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2000 CHEERLEADER TRYOUTS
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Are you a former dancer or cheerleader interested in dedicating yourself to a year of fun and football? Then the Cincinnati Ben-Gals are the team for you. This past weekend marked the kickoff of not only the Cincinnati Bengals Mini Camp, but also the first section of tryouts for the 2000 Ben-Gals squad.
Approximately 75 women attended the April 30 preliminary tryout, with even more expected for the May 7 audition. Cheerleader coordinator Charlotte Jacobs was excited about the enthusiastic turnout, and is anxious for the 2000 season to begin. "We had a great turnout yesterday with some young, quality ladies, and we are definitely still looking for some new, fresh talent." Your final opportunity to join the Ben-Gals squad is:
**Sunday, May 7 at 1:00 p.m.
Now's your last chance to be on the sideline as a Ben-Gal and cheer on Akili Smith and Peter Warrick, as they break open the 2000 season in their new home.
- Please contact Charlotte Jacobs at
(513) 621-3550 Ext. 180
for your informational packet.
COSLET LIKES: Coslet liked the look of the secondary compared to last year. "Better players cover better." That's probably because of the safeties. Cory Hall is no longer a rookie and is playing his natural position of strong safety, and free safety Darryl Williams is bringing eight seasons of starting experience to free safety. Heading into last season, Hall and Greg Myers brought a combined 30 starts to the spot.
Coslet said backup tackle Jamain Stephens has been the biggest surprise because after a winter of workouts, "He's transformed his body. He's not that much lighter, but he can function better."
Keep an eye on Mississippi linebacker Armegis Spearman, a rookie free agent. Coslet said, "He looked ike Takeo (Spikes) and Brian (Simons). He can run like heck."
THIS AND THAT:
- Tight end Marco Battaglia could be out a few days with a stomach strainThe rookies can't return until May 16, or when their class graduatesCoslet can hold 14 voluntary workouts before the July 21 start of training camp. He'll have three this week, four next week and then have a three-week break before finishing up in JuneRookie free agent receiver Tony Hartley was sent home after flunking the physical and replaced by Arizona State receiver Tariq McDonald Rookie free agent tackle Joe Hattendorf of Buffalo was released.
