Carson Palmer is training hard to return to the field in time for the Bengals' Sept. 10 opener against Kansas City. Palmer called his knee surgeon, Dr. Lonnie Paulos, "a doctor who likes to hear himself talk and see his name in the newspaper." He also has some strong feeings for one of the Bengals' rivals. "I hate (the Steelers)," Palmer told Sports Illustrated. "I keep thinking about how much, back in college, I hated UCLA. I hate the Steelers more than I hate UCLA. Yeah, it's because I'm jealous and I want what they have. I guess I'm just not that evolved."

Former standout tight end Dan Ross, who spent most of his seven NFL seasons with the Bengals and still shares the record for most receptions in a Super Bowl, died Tuesday at age 49. Ross' best season was in 1981, when he had 71 receptions for 910 yards and five touchdowns. His death, first reported by the Boston Herald on Wednesday morning, was confirmed by family members and city officials in his hometown of Atkinson, N.H. Ross reportedly collapsed at his home after returning from an evening jog. He was transported to Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, Mass., where he was pronounced dead.

Levi Jones, the Bengals left tackle who started 15 out of 16 games last season is very interested in working out a new contract and staying in Cincinnati. "I've expressed interest (in returning) and am wanting to return," Jones said. "I'm able to not focus on it. I told my agent, 'I don't want to hear about every conversation. When something pertinent comes up, let me know about it.' "I am here to focus on football. I've got another year on my contract, and I need to focus on getting my job done."

After adding a few more quarterbacks to the depth chart, back-up QB Craig Krenzel was waived Monday by the Cincinnati Bengals. Krenzel's achievments include leading Ohio State to a National Championship in 2002.