First Bengal player to show up to training camp was Palmer

Let it be duly recorded that Carson Palmer checked in as one of the first Bengals to report to training camp Friday morning, 37 minutes early. He signed up for his TV, wheeled in a suitcase, and went to work as the No. 1 quarterback. "Pretty much only clothes. You can never have enough clothes. I just threw in all the T-Shirts and shorts I had," Palmer said. "No books. Your playbook is all you need." The Bengals hope the bulk of their drafted rookies are going to follow Palmer into camp for Saturday's first practice at 8:45 a.m. at Georgetown College. Three are signed and the agents for second-rounder Madieu Williams, third-rounder Caleb Miller, and fourth-rounder Stacy Andrews expect their clients to sign Friday. The agent for third-rounder Landon Johnson said a deal is close enough for his client to get there on time, which gives them seven of their 11 picks virtually done.
NFL source said that one reason for the slow signings is that the Bengals are attaching clauses to off-season workouts in the early-to-mid rounds that amount to a payback of the signing bonus to the club if they don't have 100 percent participation. Other teams have similar arrangements, but the numbers vary between 80 and 90 percent. "I don't think it's as Draconian as some are making it out to be," said Kyle Rote Jr., Miller's agent. "I have faith that Marvin (Lewis) is going to administer the program fairly. If it had been a different head coach, it might be another story, but I trust him." Rich Moran, the agent for Andrews, said he signed the deal after making sure there was language that workouts could be made up because of emergencies or special circumstances. "Once we were clear on that, the 100 percent didn't bother me," Moran said. "We encourage all clients to be there all the time." Casey Bramlet, the Wyoming quarterback taken in the seventh round who has the edge on the No. 3 job, is in the fold for three years and joins fifth-rounder Maurice Mann and sixth-rounder Greg Brooks with signed deals. The Bengals also dipped into the college free-agent ranks Thursday when they signed Brigham Young cornerback James Allen to a one-year deal.The 5-10, 175-pound Allen was a BYU junior in 2003 and ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 57. He had four sacks and also returned nine kickoffs for an average of 18.1 yards. Bramlet, who set school records for completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes during three seasons, looked impressive in the spring camps with more snaps than free agent rookie Scott Rislov. One intriguing note is that former Cowboys quarterback Chad Hutchinson has apparently cleared waivers and is now a free agent. Bengals personnel consultant Bruce Coslet had been impressed by Hutchinson during the 2002 season as the Dallas offensive coordinator, but there is no word if Cincinnati is interested. Scott Boras, Hutchinson’s agent, couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday. The Coslet and Greg Seamon connection (Coslet’s tight ends coach in Dallas who is now a Bengals scout) may have had a hand in the one-year agreement tight end James Whalen agreed to Wednesday.

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