NFL Bengals try to get a hold on kicks

Cincinnati is trying to find a reliable holder for field goals.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- No matter who's holding, the Cincinnati Bengals can't get their kick's.
They botched four more field goal attempts -- three of them because of fumbled snaps -- during a 21-20 preseason loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Friday night, leaving Marvin Lewis fuming.
The first-year coach has emphasized the kicking game during mini-camps and training camp, hoping to make big changes in the NFL's lowest-rated special teams.
Instead, he's gotten more bungling and a big problem with the season opener only one week away.
"We can't make mistakes," he said. "We're still making mistakes that help us lose the football game. We keep doing that."
Mistake-prone
Do they ever. Even under new management, the NFL's worst team since 1991 can't seem to get the simple things right.
In their first preseason game against the New York Jets, holder Nick Harris fumbled a snap that aborted a field goal attempt and another that scuttled an extra point try.
Those problems occurred in a driving rain. The latest happened in a dome.
Harris fumbled two snaps on field goal tries Friday night. Travis Dorsch, the other punter competing for the job, was sent in to hold on another field goal attempt and fumbled the snap as well.
Dorsch was able to recover and spike the ball on the third-down kick, giving the Bengals another attempt. Dorsch caught the next snap and got the ball down, but Neil Rackers' kick was wide to the left.
"It's happened too many times in preseason," Dorsch said. "There's no explanation. I'm not going to try and pawn that off. I just dropped the ball. If I'm around Monday, it's definitely something I'm going to work on. We owe that to Neil."
Eyes reliable holder
Lewis is determined to find a reliable holder, complicating his decisions on the final roster cuts that have to be made today. Harris has been the primary holder. Lewis has to decide whether he or Dorsch gets the punting job.
Lewis also can look at his other options on the roster. Danny Farmer is listed as a backup holder, but is one of several receivers trying to earn a backup spot.
Quarterback Jon Kitna has small hands, and backup Shane Matthews has little experience at holding on kicks. Lewis also could bring in someone once other teams make cuts.
"We can't accept mediocrity," Lewis said. "We're falling back into those bad habits. We have to nip it in the bud and move forward."
The kicks weren't the only glaring problem. The Bengals opened the game by allowing rookie Brad Pyatt to return the kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown.
Another interception
Carson Palmer also threw another interception that was returned for a touchdown -- his third of the preseason -- and had a fumble returned for another touchdown.
Palmer's struggles aren't a concern -- he's a rookie who won't be playing at the outset. The kicking blunders are ominous.
"We just fell apart," said Rackers, who also kicks off. "Guys weren't in the right spot, and they scored a touchdown. As far as the field goals, I really don't know."