4-16-04, 11 a.m.
BY GEOFF HOBSON
With D-Day just eight days away, the Bengals are cranking up for a big week on and off the draft board.
During next weekend's draft, fans are invited to Paul Brown Stadium to inspect available locations in the team's Select-A-Seat program for a home schedule that features the first prime-time doubleheader in Cincinnati's NFL history.
Meanwhile, "On the Clock," the show that goes behind the scenes of the Bengals' draft, is set to air on Channel 5 this coming Thursday at 7:30 p.m. With the new uniform to be unveiled earlier in the day, the program is one of the first opportunities to see the fashion show.
"On the Clock" will also feature a look at the markings of the new FieldTurf surface being installed at the stadium this offseason. Those markings, including the midfield and end zone designs, will be shown to news media for the first time earlier in the day.
Prospective season ticket buyers can visit PBS Saturday, April 24 from noon until 4 p.m., and on Sunday, April 25 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., while draft coverage beams from the stadium's videoboards. Available reserve seating on all three levels will be marked, and members of the Bengals sales staff will be available to answer questions.
"Fans will be able to roam the stadium bowl at their own pace, so we see this as a fun opportunity for everyone," said Kevin Lane, Bengals Director of Ticket Sales. "And for anyone considering season tickets, there's no substitute for actually being in the seats."
Free parking is available at PBS Lot 1, located on the northwest corner of the stadium at Central Avenue and Pete Rose Way. From Lot 1, fans proceed to Gate B of the stadium, where they can enter the seating bowl. More information on the Select-A-Seat program can be obtained at 513-621-TDTD (8383). www.bengals.com plans to provide updates closer to the event.
Fresh off a franchise record attendance of 479,488, the Bengals look to have a great chance at busting half a million with a Sunday night game against the Dolphins Sept. 19 and their first home Monday night game in 15 years Oct. 25 against the Broncos.
Season tickets are available now, with ticket packages and single-game tickets available later in the spring.
"On The Clock," is airing for the second year with the star of last year's debut returning as a guest. Quarterback Carson Palmer, the new No. 1 quarterback who was the first overall pick in last year's draft, joins head coach Marvin Lewis on the show.
Ken Broo, WLWT sports anchor, and Dave Lapham, the former Bengals offensive lineman who is the color analyst on the team's radio network, will host the show. Lapham is also heading into his second year as a Channel 5 sports reporter.
