It's not often a politician is willing to say something he knows will upset half of his constituency, but Columbus mayor Michael B. Coleman didn't care. 

When it comes to the NFL, Coleman doesn't try to hide his allegiance. He's a Bengals man.  Yesterday, it was Hizzoner's honor to be the Bengals' guest at training camp. Decked out in a Bengals shirt, shorts and hat, Coleman stood on the sideline chatting with Bengals president Mike Brown. He sounded almost awe-struck talking about his conversation with coach Marvin Lewis, and during Lewis' news conference, Coleman stepped off to the side to snap a picture with a disposable camera.

While the Bengals were in Detroit for their preseason opener, Tab Perry remained at Georgetown College, working out in 100-degree heat, strengthening his achy right hip.  The third-year wide receiver is "chomping at the bit" to play, and that's part of his problem. He keeps re-aggravating the injury that kept him sidelined the final 14 games of 2006.  "(The trainers) keep saying I'm being hard-headed about it, but they want to really take care of it," Perry said. "They want me to be out there, but they want me to rest, too."

Perry, who practiced for the second straight day on Sunday, said he could've played at Detroit.  "Would it have been the smartest thing? Maybe not," he said. "I feel real good because I have fresh legs. I keep fighting and fighting. I've just got to be patient and not push it too hard."

New daddy:  Wide receiver Reggie McNeal became a father on Thursday night when his fiancee, Jenn, delivered a healthy boy, Reggie Jr., at Cincinnati's Good Samaritan Hospital. "It feels great. It feels wonderful. I can't explain it," McNeal said.  He got the news at halftime in Detroit.  "As soon as I walked in the locker room, I had a text message saying she was (delivering) now," McNeal added.  Little Reggie's measurements: 6 pounds, 12 ounces and 20 inches long.  "I'm happy he's healthy. That's the biggest thing," he said. "I just couldn't wait to get back to him."

Teamates speak for receiver who has been placed under gaga order by coach Lewis. 

Every day in practice at Georgetown College, Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry dominates.  It's almost comical watching the cornerbacks attempt to cover him. Henry simply has too much size, speed and athleticism.  But it's no laughing matter because, once the preseason ends, Henry will be placed on the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list, meaning he can't practice or play for more than two months.

His eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy begins Sept. 3. He's allowed to attend meetings and work out individually at the team's Paul Brown Stadium headquarters. But he'll be held out of practices as well as Games 1-8. Henry is eligible to rejoin the active roster on Nov. 5 if he stays out of trouble.

The Cincinnati Bengals return to training camp at Georgetown College on Saturday for an abbreviated afternoon workout from 3:45-5:15 p.m.  And when they hit the field at Toyota Stadium, they'll be without the services of rookie tailback Kenny Irons.  Head coach Marvin Lewis confirmed Friday that Irons suffered a torn left Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and is out for the season.

Irons, a second-round draft pick out of Auburn, was injured in the first half of the Bengals' 27-26 preseason-opening loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.  Irons rushed four times for 17 yards. His final carry was a 7-yard gain around left end - he was tackled by free safety Gerald Alexander - with about five minutes remaining in the first half.  Irons' injury brought back memories of Aug. 17, 1995, when rookie tailback Ki-Jana Carter - the No. 1 overall pick of the draft - tore his left ACL in a preseason game against the Lions at the Pontiac (Mich.) Silverdome.

Lions cornerback Keith Smith intercepts a pass intended for Bengals receiver Chris Henry during the second quarter.

DETROIT -- Plenty to provide confidence. Enough that must improve.  So it went for the Bengals last night in a 27-26 exhibition loss to the Detroit Lions in Ford Field.  As expected, Bengals first-teamers didn't play long. Most of the offensive and defensive starters played only two possessions.  Both units did more good than bad. Bengals starters outscored the Lions 6-0 and outgained them 126-63. But the offense couldn't get in the end zone, settling for 23- and 48-yard field goals by Shayne Graham, who missed a 48-yard try as time expired.

"We expect to score touchdowns every time we get the ball," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "We'll have to look at the film and figure out why we didn't."  Palmer was sharp, completing 7 of 10 passes for 93 yards. The running game was productive behind a line missing tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones. Rudi Johnson's first carry went for 20 yards, and he finished with 32 yards on five carries.

Detroit scores 17 points in last seven minutes; Graham misses last-second field goal.

The Cincinnati Bengals were good, bad and ugly in their preseason opener, which translated into a sloppy, stunning 27-26 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Thursday night.  Shayne Graham hit four field goals, but the one he wanted most — a 48-yarder as time expired — missed wide left.  The Bengals figured they had the game won when backup defensive tackle Matt Toeaina rumbled 81 yards with an interception at 10:16 of the fourth quarter as linebacker Matt Muncy delivered the final block on Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky. 

They figured wrong because the Lions scored 17 unanswered points down the stretch. Orlovsky threw touchdown passes of five yards to Ron Bellamy at 6:53 and seven yards to Kevin Kasper at 1:55, with Kenny Byrd's 25-yard field goal sandwiched in between.  After Byrd's field goal, the Lions recovered an onside kick to set up the winning TD.  The Bengals' No. 1 offense played the first quarter, working two series that yielded 121 yards on 18 plays and two field goals. 

Quarterback Carson Palmer completed 7 of 10 passes for 93 yards and a 99.2 passer rating, but came away disappointed because his unit got shut out of the end zone.  Graham field goals from 23, 48 and 47 yards gave the Bengals a 9-0 lead.