With the season-ending injury to Darnay Scott and the release of James Hundon last week, rookie Ron Dugans was promoted to a starting role opposite fellow rookie -- and former Florida State teammate -- Peter Warrick.

That fact poses a question: Has any NFL team ever had two rookie receivers from the same college starting at the same time?

Nobody around the Bengals could think of a prior example. Warrick and Dugans love that.

"I guess we'll make history, I don't know,'' Dugans said. "But you can make history either the good way or the bad way. So we just want to go out and make the best of the situation, prove to everybody that hey, you can start two rookies in the league and get the job done.''

RIVALRY REDUCED? Coach Bruce Coslet was asked Wednesday if the Browns-Bengals rivalry is as fierce as it used to be in the 1970s, when Coslet was a Bengals reserve tight end.

"I don't think so. That was a blood feud, basically,'' he said. "(Paul) Brown vs. (Art) Modell and there was hard feelings there and it was serious business.''

INJURY REPORT: With 16 days off between games, it's no surprise the Bengals' injury report is short.

Running back Michael Basnight is the only player ruled out of Sunday's game, as he continues to recover from a broken bone in his right wrist.

Defensive tackle Tom Barndt (chest muscle strain) and safety/kick returner Tremain Mack (sprained ankle) are probable.

Televised incentives for Smith

Sept. 6, 2000

The toughest part of Akili Smith's bye weekend wasn't watching football so much as it was listening to the post-game analysis.

Sunday night, much ado was made about the success of the quarterback draft class of 1999. Five of the first six quarterbacks drafted last year had good days -- Tim Couch of Cleveland, Donovan McNabb of Philadelphia, Daunte Culpepper of Minnesota, Cade McNown of Chicago and Shaun King of Tampa Bay.

They combined to complete 60.8 percent of their passes for 937 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions (a passer rating of 83.0). They also rushed for 242 yards and five TDs.

Afterward, networks threw up numerous graphics touting those achievements, of course, leaving out the idle No. 3 overall pick from that year -- Smith.

"I'm real anxious to get out there (this Sunday against Cleveland)," Smith said. "I watched all the shows, and (the lack of attention) is nothing I haven't been dealing with my whole career.

"It definitely gets you fired up when you see McNabb go into Dallas and pull out a victory, Culpepper rushing for three TDs; I'm not disrespected at all, I just haven't had a chance to prove myself yet.

"I'll get my chance Sunday."

Smith took special notice of the Eagles' 41-14 win at Dallas. McNabb was aided by running back Duce Staley's 201-yard game. Bengals running back Corey Dillon put up 192 yards against the Browns in the teams' last meeting.

"Hopefully, Corey will be ready to play this Sunday," Smith said.

OUTTA HERE: Left guard Matt O'Dwyer serves his one-game suspension this week for violating the NFL's violent crime policy because of his involvement in a July 1999 bar brawl on Long Island.

That means O'Dwyer cannot visit Paul Brown Stadium until Monday. Scott Rehberg is starting in O'Dwyer's place.