Updated: 4:30 p.m.
The Bengals walked through their last session Friday morning in Paul Brown Stadium before Saturday night's preseason game against the Saints. After which running back Rudi Johnson said he'll make his '08 debut in Thursday night's preseason finale in Indianapolis.
Asked about head coach Marvin Lewis' declaration that Chris Perry would be the starter if the season opened now, Johnson said, "The season doesn't start now."
Marcus Maxwell forged ahead in the third receiver race with hard work. That's what he was doing Tuesday after practice when he suffered what appears to be a season-ending torn quad muscle. He stayed after with quarterback Jeff Rowe to catch "9" routes (the long ball). "I was only going abut 60 percent but it happened when I tried to speed up to get one," he said.
Later Friday, Maxwell cleared waivers and reverted to the Bengals Reserve/Injured list.
Offensive line coach Paul Alexander says preseason week one is to get the feet wet, week two is to try and find different combinations, and week three is "to lock it down." Asked if the lock-down line would have Stacy Andrews or Willie Anderson at right tackle, he said, "You'll have to buy a ticket." Andrews is still listed No. 1. Alexander did day that Eric Ghiaciuc is unquestionably the No. 1 center.
Another Father Mike Zimmer-Son Adam Zimmer showdown with the Saints in town. Mike, the Bengals defensive coordinator who came over from Atlanta, went against Adam, a Saints defensive assistant, twice last year. "He's smarter than me," Mike said. "He's got a degree in something like finance. I got it in PE."
Wide receiver Chris Henry worked with the strength and conditioning coaches on the field following Friday's practice.
