Bengals tidbits

[BB73]

I would appreciate it if you would make this letter available to Jeremy Schapp, as I have always respected his work and his ethics, and strongly believe he would have appreciated knowing the other side before participating in the segment.

Although Leonard Levine (Rucker's attorney) has "always respected" the work and ethics of Jeremy Schaap, he was unable to spell his name correctly when referencing him twice in the letter.

 

[sandgk]

Well methomps, spelling errors aside, I for one applaud Rucker's attorney for taking ESPN to task. Whatever one thinks of Frostee's character, the approach taken in putting that segment together is something which we are (sadly) all too familiar with. Selective packaging of innuendo, rumor, coupled with twisting of statements and one-side fits all "reporting" is what passes for journalism at ESPN.
When ESPN tells us the scores or runs a game they are in their element. When they attempt to don the mantle of "Sports Journalist" it is all too often the case that they end up out of their depth, looking throughly unprofessional and frequently unfair.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/13/06

BENGALS
Wright ready to step in, start mixing it up
Backup gets start with Palmer out

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Anthony Wright isn’t the quarterback Cincinnati Bengals fans crave to see tonight in the preseason opener in Paul Brown Stadium against the Washington Redskins.
They want Carson Palmer. But that won’t happen. Palmer and his surgically reconstructed left knee won’t play until at least the Bengals’ next home preseason game, Aug. 28.
Though tonight’s game loses the marquee value it would have had with Palmer, Wright’s performance isn’t just window dressing.
Wright could well be Cincinnati’s starter for the season opener at Kansas City. The Bengals remain optimistic that Palmer will be ready by then, but at this point it’s just conjecture. Even Palmer says as much.
"I felt I was going to play Sept. 10 on Jan. 10," Palmer said Friday after the final training-camp practice. "I’m going to keep that goal in mind. I expect to play. Whether it happens or not is still up in the air."
Wright needs to establish himself as a viable backup, starting tonight.
"I’m just happy to have shown them that I could start," Wright said. "I need to go out there and play well and start forming a chemistry with those guys."
Wright has been a starter before with Dallas and Baltimore. In neither place did he have the supporting cast he does in Cincinnati.
"There are some good weapons, guys who are explosive and can make things happen," Wright said. "I was just talking with Carson earlier that with the guys we have, it’s a lot easier to go 80 yards than it is with a lot of other teams. We can go 80 in five plays. Some places it might take 12."
Right tackle Willie Anderson said it’s important for Wright to play within himself and not try to prove too much.
"He’s a leader," Anderson said. "Guys immediately were attracted to him because you could tell his spirit and competitiveness."
Coach Marvin Lewis indicated that Wright and the starters would play most or all of the first quarter. Doug Johnson will quarterback the second team, and undrafted rookie Erik Meyer will play after that.
Lewis said he wants crisp play with no turnovers or careless penalties.
"There’s going to be a jittery giddiness to us because we haven’t played guys with different-colored helmets on yet," he said. "Hopefully, our young guys will be able to handle that stepped-up intensity."
This will be the first game in Paul Brown Stadium since the playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Palmer’s injury and the off-field misadventures by several players have clouded the optimism the 2005 team generated. The Bengals are eager to rekindle that excitement.
NBC will televise the game, and recent Hall of Fame inductee John Madden was at practice Friday.
Palmer said Madden told him the Bengals-Denver Broncos Monday Night Football game he worked in Cincinnati in 2004 was as electric a crowd as he’d ever seen.
"I said, ‘Get ready, it’s going to be the same atmosphere,’ " Palmer said. "It’s going to feel like a playoff game ... that’s just the way Bengals fans are."
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

8/13/06

Lights, cameras, Bengals
Analysis: Team takes field with future in solid shape

ANALYSIS BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->Mercifully for the Bengals, they finally will play a football game tonight.
Even a preseason game should create enough news and interest to help further distance the organization from its series of offseason, off-the-field problems.
If Bengals fans are upset that four players were arrested since June, they aren't showing anger the way it matters most - with their wallets. The game at Paul Brown Stadium against the Redskins is a sellout, a rarity in the preseason. Cincinnati is a franchise that went 11 years without selling out all of its regular-season games until 2004.
There's no question the off-field problems already have affected the Bengals. Middle linebacker Odell Thurman will miss the first four games, and maybe more, because of a league substance-abuse suspension. No. 3 wide receiver Chris Henry - who almost single-handedly has made the Bengals the NFL's Bad Boys with four arrests from December through June - could miss time if convicted in court or suspended by the NFL.
The unfortunate ripple of the player arrests is how they distract from what the organization has accomplished and how it has changed.
The Bengals are drafting well and, like AFC North division competitors, smartly signing their home-grown players to long-term contracts that keep them in Cincinnati through their primes.
The Bengals have made some sharp trades. They're no longer wasting money chasing and hoping for quick-fix free agents. And once known in coaching circles for paying their head coaches, coordinators and assistant coaches poorly, the Bengals have become a coaching destination and one of the most stable staffs in the NFL.
PLAYERS
On July 26, the Bengals announced they had signed left tackle Levi Jones - the club's first-round draft pick in 2002 - to a contract extension that keeps him in Cincinnati through 2012.
Since March 2005, when the Bengals re-signed tailback Rudi Johnson and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals have signed seven starters on what was the league's fourth-ranked offense in 2005.
Besides Jones, Johnson and Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals have signed wide receiver Chad Johnson, fullback Jeremi Johnson, quarterback Carson Palmer and right guard Bobbie Williams to deals that keep them with the team through at least 2008.
Of course, the Bengals still face a challenging situation regarding 11th-year right tackle Willie Anderson and fourth-year left guard Eric Steinbach, whose contracts will expire after the 2006 season. But unlike Bengals days of old (the 1990s), the Bengals - as the Steelers do masterfully - are grooming young potential replacements in the likes of Stacy Andrews and Andrew Whitworth. There is a plan in place.
The Bengals clearly have three years remaining in the current talent-pool window to make a serious run at a Super Bowl title.
On defense, Pro Bowl cornerback Deltha O'Neal is signed through 2007. Recent defensive draft picks such as David Pollack, Thurman, Johnathan Joseph, Frostee Rucker and Domata Peko are signed for several seasons.
Of course, the Bengals also are looking at major contributors on defense who will need new deals to stay, such as end Justin Smith (2006 is his last season) and secondary players Keiwan Ratliff and Madieu Williams (2007). Starting linebacker Landon Johnson can be a restricted free agent after this coming season.
COACHES
Also in the offseason, the Bengals gave head coach Marvin Lewis another raise and extended his contract through 2010.
Lewis' entire staff returns unchanged from 2005 and is under contract through 2007.
Some position coaches, such as quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese and defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle, are NFL coordinators-in-waiting, but competitive salaries are making them and others more likely to stay with Lewis.
TRADES, FREE AGENTS
Nowadays, free agents are complementary pieces, not fixes. Gone are the days when the Bengals threw big money at defensive linemen such as Tom Barndt and Vaughn Booker.
Sam Adams is a proven veteran, who was a Pro Bowl alternate last season with the Bills.
Strong safety Dexter Jackson is a former Super Bowl MVP and part of an excellent defense in Tampa Bay. He just turned 29.
And though trades are rare in the NFL, the Bengals pulled off a pair of outstanding ones in recent years. Before the 2004 draft, they traded malcontent tailback Corey Dillon to New England for a second-round pick that become Madieu Williams - pound for pound the best player on the Bengals' defense. In April 2004, the Bengals traded down with Denver and received O'Neal and another fourth-round pick in exchange. O'Neal has 14 interceptions in 27 games.
SUMMARY
The Bengals stand at the edge of the 2006 season, and if Palmer were coming off his breakout season healthy, the Bengals would be the trendy pick to represent the AFC in Miami in February.
As it is, some national writers and broadcasters still see the Bengals as a sleeper to go to the Super Bowl.
E-mail [email protected]
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[sandgk]

Well - at half-time, which is double my official cut-off for relevancy in the 1st pre-season game, the following has transpired.

A - Portis down out of the game early. Hopefully, that is just a precautionary measure. Without Portis the 'Skins look significantly less dynamic with 1's vs 1's.
B - Ball hawking by the Bengal D early spoiling the 1st sharp looking Skins drive. Portis was hurt on the return.
C - Bengals looked pathetic on first drive and damned ineffectual despite the good field position after the INT.
D - Against all odds the Bengals have scored a TD, a safety, a field goal and an extra point before half-time, one more way to score and I'll have the Perfecta at Riverdowns.
E - In the 2nd quarter (officially garbage time in your 1st pre-season bout) the 'Skins net a field goal.

The absence of Palmer is clearly evident. He was interviewed to get feedback on his likely return date. Talks of wanting to feel confident of being able to take a couple of low hits.

 

[jwinslow]

 

[sandgk]

OK that's worth a laugh jwins - though, however bad Chad's dye-job looks it is less of a worry to you I'm sure than Portis' shoulder.
(I hate seeing primo players go down in scrimmage games).

 

[OhioState49]

I love the bengals, but when i saw johnson's hair, and then him being a member of the chain gain, that just made me laugh! I am very pleased with what I saw tonight. The boys seemed faster. All 3 QBs looked decent behind Palmer. Our backfield was incredible. This was a great preseason game!

 

[jwinslow]

I love the bengals, but when i saw johnson's hair, and then him being a member of the chain gain, that just made me laugh! I am very pleased with what I saw tonight. The boys seemed faster. All 3 QBs looked decent behind Palmer. Our backfield was incredible. This was a great preseason game!

the bengals backfield was getting blown up in the backfield when the redskin starters were in... once they started subbing out the offense got better. Henry had a good game.

OK that's worth a laugh jwins - though, however bad Chad's dye-job looks it is less of a worry to you I'm sure than Portis' shoulder.
(I hate seeing primo players go down in scrimmage games).

no doubt about that... it makes it worse he hurt himself trying to stop the INT return during a preseason game.

 

[tibor75]

Always nice to see other players getting injured instead of the Bengal stars.

 

[OhioState49]

It didn't look like he would have got hurt. He made a big hit on the returner. It looked like he would have gotten hurt.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Canton

8/14/06

Most callers just curious about Bengals’ hot line
Monday, August 14, 2006


CINCINNATI (AP) — Most of the people who called the Cincinnati Bengals’ new hot line for reporting unruly fans just wanted to see if it worked — or hung up.
About 100 calls had come in to the hot line, 381-JERK, by the end of halftime at the Bengals’ preseason game Sunday against the Washington Redskins. The team set up the hot line to allow fans to report excessive foul language, fights and other bad behavior in the stands.
Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to handle rowdy fans at least once because of a call to the hot line, said Bob Bedinghaus, the team’s director of development for Paul Brown Stadium.
One security guard manned the hot line’s sole telephone during the game. The line doesn’t have call waiting or voicemail, so some fans might have gotten a busy signal.
Bedinghaus said that’s likely to cause complaints, “but we’re not going to put 25 people down there to answer phone calls.” If the line is busy, fans can ask a security guard or police officer for help.
A call to the hot line alerts security to check out the complaint on camera, then in person if action is warranted. The team has 38 cameras in the stadium, Bedinghaus said.
Fans had complained to team officials that beer is increasing the problem with misbehavior in the stands.
Those using too much foul language will get a warning. Those who continue could be ejected and have their season tickets and personal seat licenses taken away. More serious offenses could lead to arrest.
“It was a great tool to call attention to something we’re trying to address: unruly fans,” Bedinghaus said.
Denis Cahill, 30, who came from Dayton to attend the game with his 10-year-old son, said he would never call the hot line to report a fellow fan.
“I don’t mind drunk people — obviously,” he said while surrounded by fans drinking beer and cocktails.
Bedinghaus said the team probably will review the hot line’s effectiveness after the second home game of the regular season, on Oct. 1 against the New England Patriots.
“If 90 percent of the calls we’re getting are prank calls,” he said, “we need to re-evaluate this.”
——— Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/14/06

Wright does all right as fill-in at QB

Monday, August 14, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>TONY TRIBBLE ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Bengals quarterback Anthony Wright is sacked by Redskins linebacker Lemar Marshall in the first quarter. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


CINCINNATI — Even on the Cincinnati Bengals’ best offensive play of the night in a 19-3 preseason-opening victory over Washington, there was room for improvement.
With the defense fooled by a flea-flicker, T.J. Houshmandzadeh was a good 10 yards beyond the deepest defender. But Houshmandzadeh had to wait for Anthony Wright’s pass to arrive, and safety Reed Doughty was able to tackle the Bengals receiver after a 52-yard gain.
Then again, execution is rarely flawless in preseason games, especially the first one. That was certainly the case for Cincinnati’s offense last night in front of a preseason record crowd of 64,961 in Paul Brown Stadium.
With Carson Palmer not ready to test his reconstructed left knee, Wright played the first half at quarterback. His performance won’t induce panic among the Bengals faithful. It also didn’t make anyone forget Palmer.
"I think overall it was a good first start with this being my first time live in competition with this offense," Wright said. "Obviously, there’s a lot to look at and learn from."
Wright completed 9 of 16 passes for 101 yards. He followed the flea-flicker completion late in the first quarter with a 12-yard lob to Chris Henry for the starting unit’s only touchdown.
The Bengals were successful only once in seven third-down chances in the first half — the conversion came on a 7-yard Wright scramble — and their running game was abysmal. Rudi Johnson lost 10 yards on his first carry and finished with minus-8 yards on three carries. As a team, Cincinnati gained only 13 yards on nine first-half runs.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said the run woes were partly attributable to the lack of game-planning. But he added, "We’ve got to run the ball better."
The picture was much better on defense and special teams. Whitehall graduate Keiwan Ratliff ended Washington’s first drive with an interception of Mark Brunell. Ratliff returned the interception 52 yards before being tackled by Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who partially dislocated his left shoulder.
Defensive tackle John Thornton later intercepted a hurried pass by Todd Collins at the Washington 31.
Aided by the absence of Portis, the Bengals’ run defense looked good. Cincinnati limited Washington to 21 yards on 17 carries in the first half.
Kyle Larson pinned Washington at its 2-yard line on a 37-yard punt. On thirdand-7, Bryan Robinson beat his blocker and forced Collins to get rid of the ball. The officials ruled the pass intentional grounding, which, because it occurred in the end zone, resulted in a safety.
After Henry’s touchdown, the Bengals got a 37-yard field goal from Shayne Graham to make it 12-0.
Washington scored with four minutes left in the first half on a 38-yard field goal.
Cincinnati made it 19-3 in the third quarter on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Doug Johnson to Kelley Washington.
In addition to Palmer, the Bengals played without cornerback Deltha O’Neal (knee), right guard Bobbie Williams (knee), running back Chris Perry (ankle), defensive tackle Sam Adams (leg) and linebacker David Pollack (hamstring).
The Bengals reported no significant injuries other than a foot injury to backup safety Anthony Mitchell.
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

8/15/06

Washington knows he might dance out of town

The Bengals' depth at WR could send the 'Squirrel' performer to another NFL team.

By Mark Gokavi Staff Writer
CINCINNATI — Kelley Washington's possible résumé:
• Job objective: Win/keep an NFL wide receiver position.
• Education: Two-year stint at the University of Tennessee, where he schooled some defensive backs.
• Work history: Three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, 63 catches, 778 yards and eight scores in 39 games and five starts. Shortstop/third baseman in the Florida Marlins system.
• Awards: All-state quarterback in Florida.
• Special skills: Exuberant performer of the unique, celebratory "Squirrel Dance."
Washington had three catches for 47 yards, with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Doug Johnson during the Bengals' 19-3 preseason victory Sunday over the Redskins at Paul Brown Stadium.
While showing glimpses the past three seasons, Washington may have a hard time making this Bengals roster. That's what made his TD catch — and SportsCenter-worthy Squirrel Dance — important.
"I'm just auditioning," Washington said. "I'm doing a lot of different things, playing a lot of different positions and playing special teams. My main objective is get a lot of film. "It's just the situation here. ... I just want an opportunity somewhere. I'm going to get it. I just have to keep working hard and making plays like that."
With Chad Johnson, Antonio Chatman, Chris Henry, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Tab Perry, Bennie Brazell and others, Washington's time may be up.
"Everybody can play," Washington said. "I feel I'm just as talented as anybody else out here. I'll be fine in the end. I'm a good player. I think people here in the locker room know that."
While Chad Johnson was held catch-less, Washington bounced up from his score and into a 30-second rendition of a dance that must be seen to be understood.
"That's the extended version," he said. "Every year it gets a little bit better. It's NBC. Showtime. I wanted to get my own commercial for the fans."
He also wants an NFL job, be it in Cincinnati or elsewhere.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or
[email protected]

DDN

8/15/06

Ratliff bounces back from tough start

Bengal cornerback comes up with key interception in exhibition victory.

By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer
CINCINNATI — For Keiwan Ratliff, the Cincinnati Bengals' 19-3 preseason victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday night was a game of give and take.
The Bengals' left cornerback gave up pass plays of 18 yards to Santana Moss and 27 yards to Brandon Lloyd on Washington's first series. Then Ratliff took control, picking off a Mark Brunell pass and racing 52 yards with the first of three Bengals' interceptions that triggered the triumph.
The Bengals scored two touchdowns for show, but their defense was dough — cash money — as it held Washington to 256 yards, 30 rushing on 24 carries (a 1.3 average) and 226 passing.
Ratliff fumbled for the right words to describe his early struggles only to have wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh chime in with the brutal truth.
"Blown coverage," Houshmandzadeh said.
"I'll take T.J.'s answer," Ratliff said. "Sometimes things don't go your way. But I got (Brunell) back. I really should have scored. If I didn't have training-camp legs, I would have put it in the end zone.
"Any time we can give our offense more opportunities to put the ball in the end zone, it's going to be good for us. Just to know that we got this win under our belt and we are moving in the right direction is good."
Ratliff — starting in place of Pro Bowler Deltha O'Neal, who has some left-knee soreness — had five tackles and a 14-yard punt return in addition to his interception play, where Redskins tailback Clinton Portis hurt his shoulder making the tackle.
"I'm trying to stay on the field," Ratliff said. "I know the odds are against me right now, but I'm trying to make sure the coaches have to keep me on the field. Any opportunity I can get, I'm taking advantage of it."

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

8/15/06

Palmer playing status unclear
Comments on telecast conflict

BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->Bengals coach Marvin Lewis declined comment Monday when asked to clarify apparently conflicting statements attributed to him and Carson Palmer on the NBC Sports broadcast of the preseason opener Sunday night.
Palmer, the fourth-year quarterback, is attempting to complete a speedy rehab from reconstructive knee surgery and start in the regular- season opener Sept. 10 at Kansas City.
Palmer did not play in the preseason game Sunday night, a 19-3 Bengals victory against Washington.
During the nationally televised broadcast, analyst John Madden relayed details of conversations he had with Lewis and Palmer.
"He has the next 10 years," Madden said in reference to Palmer, who is hoping to start the first regular-season game. "I think you have to look beyond the opening game, the second game, the third game. Maybe you're talking about the fifth game."
The Bengals will play their fifth game in Week 6, Oct. 15 at Tampa Bay, following their bye.
"I know one thing," Madden continued. "Marvin Lewis said, 'Next week, we want to fish or cut bait with Carson Palmer.' And he said, 'If we're going to fish, then I want him to play in the preseason game next week (Friday night at Buffalo).'
"And then we talked to Carson Palmer, and he said, 'No way. I don't feel that I can play in the game next week, maybe the third week (Aug. 28 at home against Green Bay).' "
At the start of training camp, Palmer said, "I'm hoping to play against Kansas City."
Lewis has said that he wants to see Palmer during the preseason to determine if he were ready to play Sept. 10.
Madden, a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach, also said the worst move Lewis could make was to rush Palmer back into game action if he is not ready.
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com
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