Bengals tidbits

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Dispatch

BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Coaching friends hook up as Lewis, Edwards meet

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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Herm Edwards and Marvin Lewis were far down the coaching totem pole 15 years ago when they met, but even then Edwards recognized something special about Lewis.
On Sunday, Lewis? Bengals will play Edwards? Kansas City Chiefs in the season opener.
In 1991, Lewis was an assistant at the University of Pittsburgh when he got his first taste of the NFL as an intern during training camp for the Chiefs in the minority coaching fellowship program.
Edwards had been the Chiefs? first such intern and, after a stint as a scout, became Kansas City?s defensive backs coach as his first NFL coaching job.
He said he could sense even then that Lewis was destined to be a head coach.
"You could just see it," Edwards said. "You could see the way he was going about doing his work in college and how eager he was to learn and that he was a great teacher. He was very disciplined and taught fundamentals. He was a detail guy. You kind of knew that when I watched him come along and you knew it was going to happen eventually, and it did."
Lewis described Edwards as a "great friend."
"Since I?ve come to the NFL, his wife and my wife have become very close friends," he said. "It?s a good relationship."
Adams ready

Defensive tackle Sam Adams practiced yesterday for the first time this week. Because Adams played in only one exhibition game, it might take some time for him to jell with his linemates.
"But I tell you what, they?re loving him up now because he brings a whole new presence," defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said. "He eats up two blocks every time, or he?s in the backfield."
Henry may take plea deal

The case against receiver Chris Henry on concealedweapons charge appears headed for a plea agreement.
An Orlando Sentinel reporter said yesterday that instead of facing trial, Henry was expected to reach a plea bargain Tuesday on charges stemming from a Jan. 28 incident in Orlando.
The plea bargain could trigger a four-game NFL suspension as penalty for a second legal offense. Henry has two other cases pending.
Henry?s attorney could not be reached for comment.
O?Neal , Pollack upgraded

Cornerback Deltha O?Neal (knee) practiced again yesterday and was upgraded from questionable to probable, as was linebacker David Pollack (hamstring). Houshmandzadeh (heel) again didn?t participate in team drills and remains questionable. [email protected]

 

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Dispatch

NFL
Veteran offensive line is good as gold for Bengals
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>AL BEHRMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Coach Marvin Lewis congratulates left tackle Levi Jones, left, and right tackle Willie Anderson as they leave the field. The bookends of the offensive line have helped form a formidable fivesome up front for the Bengals. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>

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CINCINNATI ? For years, the Kansas City Chiefs? offensive line was considered the NFL?s gold standard.
Left tackle Willie Roaf and right guard Will Shields each made 11 Pro Bowl trips. Left guard Brian Waters has been to two Pro Bowls.
But Roaf and right tackle John Welbourn have retired, forcing the Chiefs to enter the season opener today against the Cincinnati Bengals having to replace more than one lineman for the first time since 2001.
Although the Chiefs line still should be one of the better ones in the NFL, the unofficial title of best offensive line now is up for grabs. Pittsburgh can make a claim. So can Denver.
So, too, can the Bengals.
For the third straight year, Cincinnati?s line will consist of the same five starters ? Levi Jones, Eric Steinbach, Rich Braham, Bobbie Williams and Willie Anderson, from left to right. Anderson is a three-time Pro Bowler, Jones and Steinbach are on the cusp of such recognition, and Williams and Braham are regarded as underrated.
"Everyone probably considered them the top or one of the top," Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said of the Chiefs? line. "Now that they?ve had a couple of guys go down, our offensive line can slide right into that spot."
The Bengals? linemen aren?t quite ready to second Palmer.
"No, we?re still striving to be the gold standard," Anderson said. "To get that status, you have to be playing that way year in and year out consistently. The last two or three years, we?re getting that way. But consistency for me means five to seven years of great football. I think last year was the first year we had a season (where) we put it all together."
Cincinnati allowed only 21 sacks, an impressive statistic considering the Bengals often throw deep passes that require extra protection. The line provided sufficient blocking for Rudi Johnson to run for 1,458 yards and break his own team record for a season.
The Jones-Steinbach tandem is considered the athletic part of the line and the Williams-Anderson side the maulers, but that?s an oversimplification. The left side can punish and the right side can move.
"It?s fun putting the game plan together because you can run virtually any play you want," offensive line coach Paul Alexander said. "They?re big and athletic and strong. You can run power schemes. You can run finesse schemes."
Braham often is overlooked, but Anderson said he?s the brains of the operation.
"He allows guys like me and Levi to use our physical ability because a lot of the game mentally he takes care of," Anderson said. "Protection (of Palmer) is the key. We?re kind of like the Secret Service or the CIA, and Richie?s the lead officer. He spoils us a lot on the mental side. We count on Richie so much. We count on Richie too much sometimes."
The Bengals entered the offseason with all five linemen eligible for free agency after this season. Williams, Jones and Anderson have since signed contract extensions.
The team is grooming second-year center Eric Ghiaciuc to replace the 35-year-old Braham and picked versatile lineman Andrew Whitworth in the second round of the draft this year, so change could be on the way next year.
But the Bengals linemen would love to be able to replicate the Chiefs? success.
"What it all boils down to is the continuity those guys had," Jones said. "They played together for a long time. We have that now. Any time you get good offensive linemen around each other long enough, you?re bound for greatness. We feel we have assembled a good offensive line here. Whether we?re the standard or not, I don?t know."
Only the games can prove that, and that work starts today.
"As long as we keep having that mentality of saying we haven?t arrived," Anderson said, "I think we?ll keep climbing higher and higher."
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Dispatch

BENGALS GAMEDAY
Sunday, September 10, 2006
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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>ED ZURGA </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Chiefs running back Larry Johnson torched the Bengals last season and should be the focal point of the offense this season. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


The story line
Carson Palmer makes his official return from a knee injury for a Bengals team hoping to build on its first divisional title in 15 years. This season, with 11 offensive starters back for the second straight season and a revamped defense, the Bengals? potential seems unlimited. But Cincinnati faces a rugged schedule, starting today in Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have a new coach in Herm Edwards and have retooled their offensive line, but with quarterback Trent Green and running back Larry Johnson, they remain formidable.
What?s at stake
The Bengals used a quick start to propel them to the playoffs in 2005 after several seasons in which poor starts doomed them. Five of Cincinnati?s first six opponents won 10 or more games last season, so a victory would reinforce the Bengals? confidence.
The series
The Chiefs lead 12-10, including a 37-3 victory in the 2005 regular-season finale. The Bengals, having already clinched a playoff spot, treated the game as a glorified preseason contest.
On the hot seat
Palmer. Yes, the Bengals quarterback looked sharp in two exhibition games and has passed every test so far. But until he does it for four quarters in a game that matters, there will be questions. The Chiefs have solid cornerbacks but not a great overall defense, so Palmer has the opportunity to put up big numbers.
Key matchup

Larry Johnson vs . Bengals safeties Dexter Jackson and Madieu Williams :
Johnson ran for 201 yards on 26 carries last season against the Bengals. A big, speedy back, Johnson will get his yards. The key for Cincinnati is to make sure 8-yard gains don?t become breakaway touchdown runs, and much of that responsibility lies with Jackson and Williams.
Streaks / slumps
The Bengals are 17-21 overall in season openers, including 5-11 on the road. The Chiefs have won 25 of their past 32 games at home, second best in the NFL behind New England.
Bengals win if ...
Palmer and his offense overwhelm a shaky Chiefs defense and Cincinnati can keep Larry Johnson from running wild. The Bengals will try to rack up points early with the passing game and then run out the clock with Rudi Johnson.
Bengals lose if ...
They can?t slow Larry Johnson. Green is a seasoned, dangerous quarterback, but Chiefs receivers are nothing special.
Prediction

BENGALS 31, CHIEFS 24
Yes, the Chiefs are tough at home, but the Bengals should prove the better team. If their defense doesn?t get manhandled, the Bengals should win.

? Bill Rabinowitz

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Dispatch

BENGALS 23 CHIEFS 10
Bengals grind one out
Defense stops Johnson?s streak of 100-yard games at nine

Monday, September 11, 2006


By Bill Rabinowitz THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>DICK WHIPPLE ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Bengals running back Kenny Watson (33) celebrates with offensive tackle Willie Anderson after Watson scored on an 8-yard run in the second quarter. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>

</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>DICK WHIPPLE ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is stopped for no gain by Bengals defenders Landon Johnson (59), Shaun Smith (66) and Madieu Williams. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


KANSAS CITY, Mo. ? Marvin Lewis predicted the type of opener the Bengals would have.
Forget the reputations of Cincinnati and the Kansas City Chiefs for having high-powered offenses and leaky defenses. The Bengals coach had a feeling the teams wouldn?t engage in a shootout to begin the 2006 season, and he was right.
While the Bengals offense sputtered
most of the game, their defense stifled the Chiefs in a 23-10 victory yesterday in Arrowhead Stadium.
"Marvin told us it would be a grindout game," offensive tackle Willie Anderson said. "He said it?s not going to be a pretty game. He and (new Chiefs coach) Herm (Edwards) know each other very well and both of them are teaching the same kind of football. His word for the week was ?grind.? "
The Bengals did that better than the Chiefs, who had to play the final 20 minutes without Trent Green. The quarterback was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was hit by Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers while sliding at the end of a scramble and his head snapped back against the grass.
Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson said Green had sustained "pretty severe head trauma," but preliminary X-rays were negative.
It?s a significant drop-off from Green to backup Damon Huard, who hadn?t completed an NFL pass since 2000. But the Bengals already had established the upper hand against the Chiefs offense.
Larry Johnson, who ran for 201 yards against a Bengals defense littered with backups last year in the regular-season finale, found running room tougher to find yesterday. The Bengals limited him to 68 yards on 17 carries. That snapped Johnson?s streak of nine consecutive 100-yard games.
Lewis said the key was nothing more than having every defender in sync.
"You play defense with 11 guys," he said. "I?ve coached guys (in Baltimore) who went 60-some games without giving up a 100-yard rusher, so I know a little bit about it."
Led by defensive end Justin Smith?s three, the Bengals had seven sacks, a quarter of their total from last season. They also forced three turnovers, a hallmark of the 2005 team.
"From the first play, we knew what we had to do," said safety Madieu Williams, who had an interception. "We knew we had a great game plan. The coaching staff all week long did a tremendous job of breaking down where we need to be, and it just became a matter of executing it."
The Bengals? offensive execution left much to be desired most of the game. Penalties, miscommunication and a few errant throws by Carson Palmer doomed several possessions. Only one drive went longer than 37 yards, but that was the key one of the game.
With the score tied at 3 early in the second quarter, the Bengals used their nohuddle offense to go 88 yards for a touchdown. Rudi Johnson (28 carries for 96 yards) ran the final 22 on a thirdand-1 play.
Cincinnati made it 17-3 four minutes later. After sacks by John Thornton and Smith forced a three-and-out, Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt shanked a punt to give the Bengals the ball at the Kansas City 37. Five plays later, Kenny Watson took a pitchout and scored from 8 yards. Those were all the points the Bengals needed. The defense kept Kansas City out of the end zone until Huard threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez with less than four minutes left. [email protected]

 

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Dispatch

BENGALS
Defense brings attitude

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Bengals defensive end Bryan Robinson knocks the ball loose from Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


They posed and preened. Mostly, they punished.
It was as if the players on the Bengals defense wanted to do more than win a game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. They also wanted to make a statement.
They did just that in a 23-10 victory, denying the Chiefs a first down on five of 11 possessions.
The game?s signature play was Robert Geathers? knockout blow on Chiefs quarterback Trent Green, but that?s not the best example, considering replays confirmed coach Marvin Lewis? contention that receiver Eddie Kennison blocked Geathers from behind before Geathers hit Green.
There were plenty of other times the Bengals mauled their opponent. Defensive end Justin Smith manhandled Chiefs tackles on a three-sack day. Safety Madieu Williams had an interception and flew around disrupting plays.
The Bengals didn?t try to hide their joy, either. Smith and Williams did little dances. Defensive lineman Bryan Robinson flexed his biceps after knocking down a pass. Safety Dexter Jackson jawed at the Chiefs sideline.
Intimidation is a big part of any ferocious defense. The Bengals looked eager to start acting the bully.
"We?re a confident bunch, and that?s because we?ve worked our tails off," Robinson said.
Their offensive counterparts are delighted with the attitude.
"We have tough, hard-nosed football players," right tackle Willie Anderson said. "For years, I?ve sat on the other sideline watching other guys tattoo our guys. Now we have guys on defense that can bring the pain, too."
With few questions about Cincinnati?s offense now that Carson Palmer is back, the defense came under the microscope. A year ago, that unit was the weaker link in the Bengals? run to the playoffs.
Last week, even defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan wondered whether his players would play consistent, physical defense.
Though it was a good start, coaches won?t be handing out all A?s, nor did the players believe they deserved them. The Bengals missed some tackles that could have ended drives sooner.
"I thought it was an OK job," Robinson said. "It was fair. There were some plays out there we shouldn?t have given up."
It also should be pointed out that the 2006 Chiefs aren?t the Chiefs they have been, in talent or philosophy. Herm Edwards is a conservative, defensive-minded coach. Dick Vermeil?s Chiefs almost certainly wouldn?t have called a run play up the middle on third-and-5, as Kansas City did from the Cincinnati 11 late in the first quarter.
Then again, the Bengals defense of 2005 probably wouldn?t have stopped Larry Johnson for no gain, as it did Sunday.
"I think this sets the table for our defense," Smith said. "We want to be a heck of a defense, a top-five defense. I think we have everybody we need to have to do it."
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ABJ

Bengals' Henry pleads guilty in gun case

TRAVIS REED

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->ORLANDO, Fla. - Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry avoided jail time by pleading guilty Tuesday to a concealed weapon charge.
In exchange for the plea, Henry will be on probation for two years, serve 100 hours of community service, attend a firearms safety class and forfeit the 9 mm gun he pulled during a skirmish in downtown Orlando.
Circuit Judge John Kest agreed to withhold adjudication on the felony count because Henry had no prior convictions, despite his guilty plea to a marijuana possession charge in March in Kentucky. Neither Kest nor prosecutors mentioned that in court.
Henry has been arrested four times in the past 10 months, and had a reputation as a potential problem even before the Bengals drafted him two years ago.
"I'd like to say I know I made a mistake, but I'm just trying to, you know what I'm saying, turn all of this into a positive," he said outside the courthouse. "I just want to get back to playing football. It's what I do."
Henry was arrested Jan. 28 in Orlando after a police officer saw him raise a handgun during a fight. The officer pulled his weapon and ordered Henry to drop the gun, loaded with eight hollow-point bullets and one "snake shot" round, which produces a spread of pellets similar to a shotgun, according to prosecutors. The gun had also been listed as stolen by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Henry was originally charged with felony possession of a concealed firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm, but prosecutors dropped all but the concealed possession count.
Henry pleaded guilty to the marijuana charge in Kentucky, avoiding jail time after completing a drug rehabilitation program.
He was arrested in June and charged with speeding and drunken driving in suburban Cincinnati, and that month pleaded not guilty in Covington, Ky., to charges that he provided alcohol to three underage females.
The misdemeanor DUI charges in Clermont County, Ohio, are still pending, with the next hearing set for Oct. 19.
It wasn't clear how or if Henry may be disciplined by the league. NFL spokesman Steve Alic said he couldn't comment specifically on the case.
Under NFL rules, anyone convicted of or admitting to a criminal violation, including a plea to a lesser offense, is subject to discipline determined by the league commissioner.
Usually Cincinnati's third-string receiver, Henry filled in for injured wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. He had one reception for minus-5 yards.
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Dispatch

BENGALS
Henry avoids jail time
Receiver pleads guilty in gun case

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Travis Reed
ASSOCIATED PRESS

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ORLANDO, Fla. ? Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry avoided jail time by pleading guilty yesterday to a concealed weapon charge for pulling a weapon during a fight, one of four arrests he has had in the past 10 months.
In exchange for the plea, Henry will be on probation for two years, serve 100 hours of community service, attend a firearms safety class and forfeit the 9 mm gun he used during the skirmish in downtown Orlando.
Circuit Judge John Kest agreed to not send Henry to jail, despite his guilty plea to a marijuana possession charge in March in Kentucky. Neither Kest nor prosecutors mentioned that in court.
Henry had a reputation as a potential problem even before the Bengals drafted him two years ago.
"I?d like to say I know I made a mistake, but I?m just trying to, you know what I?m saying, turn all of this into a positive," he said outside the courthouse. "I just want to get back to playing football. It?s what I do."
Henry was arrested Jan. 28 in Orlando after a police officer saw him raise a handgun during a fight. The officer pulled his weapon and ordered Henry to drop the gun, loaded with eight hollow-point bullets and one "snake shot" round, which produces a spread of pellets similar to a shotgun, according to prosecutors. The gun had been listed as stolen by the Pasco County Sheriff?s Office.
Henry originally was charged with felony possession of a concealed firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm, but prosecutors dropped all but the concealed possession count.
He pleaded guilty to the marijuana charge in Kentucky, avoiding jail time after finishing a drug rehabilitation program.
He was arrested in June and charged with speeding and drunken driving in suburban Cincinnati, and also in June pleaded not guilty in Covington, Ky., to charges that he provided alcohol to three underage girls.
The misdemeanor DUI charges in Clermont County, Ohio, are still pending, with the next hearing set for Oct. 19. It wasn?t clear how or if Henry may be disciplined by the league. NFL spokesman Steve Alic said he couldn?t comment specifically on the case.

 

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Dispatch

Browns defense gains QB?s respect
Bengals? Palmer labored in most recent game against state rival

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>The Browns held Carson Palmer, second from left, to 93 yards passing in a game last December. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


CINCINNATI ? With Carson Palmer healthy, the Bengals are supposed to light up the scoreboard this season.
But except for an 88-yard touchdown drive Sunday in the 23-10 victory in Kansas City, Cincinnati?s offense mostly fizzled.
Next up are the Cleveland Browns. Though Cleveland flopped in its opener, the Bengals have reason to be concerned about facing the Browns defense in Paul Brown Stadium.
Last year in Cincinnati, Palmer threw for only 93 yards and the Bengals eked out a 23-20 victory over the Browns.
"They did a good job last year, and they?ve only gotten better since," Palmer said. "We need to bring our ?A? game to the stadium and play great to beat this team."
Palmer completed 13 of 27 passes in his last game against Cleveland. It was the only time all season he failed to complete at least 50 percent of his passes.
Some of the blame could be placed on swirling winds more typical of Cleveland Browns Stadium, but Romeo Crennel?s defense also was determined to keep Cincinnati from throwing deep.
"It?s not rocket science," receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. "They didn?t want us to beat them with the pass, so they forced us to run the ball. And we beat them with the run. But they played well."
Rudi Johnson ran 30 times for 169 yards, continuing a trend of big games against Cleveland. His second-highest total last year was 126 yards, in the opener against the Browns, and his career high of 202 yards was set a year earlier against the Ohio rival.
Running the ball this year might not be so easy. The Browns now have nose tackle Ted Washington, the only defensive tackle in the NFL who can make Bengals counterpart Sam Adams look small.
"I do think he does have Sam on the scale," Bengals right guard Bobbie Williams said with a chuckle. "Hopefully, that?s why I have (center) Richie (Braham) in there, too."
Many of Cincinnati?s problems against Kansas City are explainable.
The Bengals had the lead, and with rain falling coach Marvin Lewis instructed offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski to keep the play-calling conservative. Cincinnati attempted only six passes in the second half.
"I held them back," Lewis said.
Cincinnati also suffered from typical first-game adjustments. Teams show little during preseason games, with the intent of springing surprises in the regular season. On one play Sunday, Kansas City linebackers came up to the line as if they were blitzing. At the snap, they dropped back in coverage. That confused Palmer, whose pass was tipped and almost intercepted.
"They had a couple wrinkles for us, just like every team, just like we did," Palmer said.
But there were also plays that were poorly executed, such as the pass to an open Chad Johnson in the end zone that hit the receiver on a foot.
The bottom line, though, is the offense did enough to win.
"At the end of the year, it doesn?t matter how many yards you had offensively," Palmer said. "As long as you have a ?W? in the win column, that?s all that matters.
"But in saying that, offensively we have a high standard for ourselves. When we don?t go out there and move the ball and score every time, we are a little bit down."
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Dispatch

BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Geathers gets pass from NFL
League says hit on Chiefs QB doesn?t warrant fine

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CINCINNATI ? The NFL announced yesterday that it will not fine Robert Geathers for his concussion-causing hit Sunday on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green.
In a statement by Ray Anderson, NFL senior vice president of football operations, the league said the hit was "unfortunate ? but is not a foul."
Quarterbacks are not allowed to be hit if they slide feet-first in time for a defender to avoid contact. The league concluded that Green slid late and Geathers? hit was altered by a block from behind by Chiefs receiver Eddie Kennison.
"As a result of the block in the back, Geathers was no longer in complete control of his body," Anderson said, adding that Geathers twisted his body to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact with Green.
"I couldn?t have done (anything) differently," Geathers said yesterday, four hours before the announcement.
Around the same time, Bengals players defended Geathers.
"There?s no reason he should be fined," said linebacker David Pollack, a teammate of Geathers at Georgia. "I know Junior (Geathers? nickname) felt terrible. I?ve known Junior for a long time, and I know he felt so bad. It?s not something we wanted to happen. It just comes along with the game."
Quarterback Carson Palmer said, "Robert is not a malicious player. He doesn?t take cheap shots."
Houshmandzadeh hopeful

Receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh expects to play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns after missing the opener because of a bruised heel. He was listed as probable on the injury report, though he did not participate in team drills.
He also was listed as probable the Wednesday before the opener.
"If I were a betting man, and I am a betting man sometimes, I would bet that (I?ll play)," Houshmandzadeh said. "But I would have bet you that, too, last week."
Houshmandzadeh was injured during a preseason game Aug. 28 against Green Bay.
"When it?s something with your legs or feet, it?s hard to get around it," Houshmandzadeh said. "With the position I play, my feet are everything."
Other injuries

Defensive tackle Sam Adams (knee), cornerback Deltha O?Neal (knee) and offensive left tackle Levi Jones (ankle) are listed as probable but did not practice. Rookie defensive tackle Frostee Rucker (shoulder) is questionable, and receiver Antonio Chatman (groin) is out.
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Dispatch

Praise doesn?t alter Smith?s style
Defensive end just keeps working hard, trying to get better

Friday, September 15, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>AL BEHRMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Bengals defensive end Justin Smith, left, had three sacks in the Bengals? win in Kansas City. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>

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CINCINNATI ? Some players in Justin Smith?s situation might use a three-sack game as vindication or impetus for a future financial jackpot.
Smith is a former No. 4 draft pick eligible for free agency in the offseason. Three-sack games, as the Bengals defensive end had in the opener against Kansas City, tend to increase marketability.
Informed that ESPN?s John Clayton, who covered the Bengals-Chiefs game, said Smith had done just that, Smith sloughed it off.
"Everything takes care of itself if you play well," he said. "That?s their job to talk about stuff like that."
Smith can be taken at his word. He is simply a meat-andpotatoes guy, fitting since he grew up the son of a Missouri cattle rancher. He works hard, does his job and doesn?t worry about much else.
"Every dime you give him (in salary), he?s giving you back in work," Bengals defensive line coach Jay Hayes said. "I can?t ask a guy to work any harder than he works."
Smith has taken some knocks because he has not had more than 8? sacks in a season, though he has led the team in that statistic the past two years.
Sacks can be a curious thing. If Kansas City quarterbacks Trent Green and Damon Huard had moved in a different direction or thrown the ball an instant earlier, Smith said, he could have had no sacks.
"There are a lot of variables to getting sacks," he said.
Smith has been solid but not a superstar. The fifth and sixth picks of the 2001 draft were running back LaDainian Tomlinson and defensive tackle Richard Seymour, both perennial Pro Bowlers. Again, Smith doesn?t fret.
"All you can do is go about what you can do, control the things you can control, not what other people want you to control," he said. "You come in here and work hard every day, get as much film and game-planning in as you can and go out and play as hard as you can. That?s what I?ve always done."
Willie Anderson has lined up against Smith in practice for six seasons. The Bengals right tackle believes Smith, 26, is a star in the making.
"It?s a rare combination he has," Anderson said. "He can use both power and speed to get sacks. (Offensive) tackles, he beats them up. He punishes them.
"To me, it?s similar to the first time I blocked Reggie White. After the game, I was so beat up. He didn?t get a sack, but I felt his presence for the next three weeks, and I was 23 then. I?m not saying he?s Reggie White, but he has the ability to use power and speed to get sacks. I think his (sack) numbers will go up."
Anderson said Smith has expanded his moves. Once purely a speed rusher, Smith now bull-rushes and uses spins.
A more well-rounded game and better surrounding cast could make for a career year statistically. He already is off to a great start.
"He has the ability," Anderson said. "I?m not just saying this because of Sunday, but he?s been doing this for years. He has the ability to be a superstar end."
[email protected]

 

[studepaber]

So now Bustin Smith is now on track to make 48 sacks this season , if only every year was a contract year. I'd at least like to see him break his career best 8.5 sacks during his rookie year. My prediction is the Bengal's D-line in general will look much better with Fatboy Adams requiring two linemen to block him.

 

[bearonu]

I still don't think they bring him back next season. He's going to be looking for more than the club can offer, and I feel if they wanted him bad enough he would have had his extension already. You haven't even heard a peep about any contract talks with him.

 

[studepaber]

It will probably come down to signing either Steinbach and Smith at the end of the season and I am pulling for Steinbach (we need to keep our line solid to protect Palmer and help Rudi's running game). I think Geathers, Rucker, Robinson would be suitable replacements for Smith. Then you add to the equation whether or not we run a 3-4 defense next year and what role he would play there.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

BENGALS
Geathers turns loss into a gain

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

</IMG> A . J . MAST ASSOCIATED PRESS Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers didn?t sulk after losing his starting job. He worked harder to show he?s an impact player.


Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers is a reserved guy, not one to seek the spotlight. He wasn?t thrilled that his concussion-causing hit on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green became fodder this week for the national football media.
But as uncomfortable as it might have been, he managed to cope with it.
"I?m a professional," Geathers said Wednesday, hours before the NFL exonerated him. "That?s what comes with my profession. I think I?m handling it all right."
Geathers has had practice handling adversity this year. He started for the Bengals at right defensive end last year after a promising rookie season in 2004. His 2005 season, however, was a disappointment. In some passing situations, he lined up as a tackle, and his performance suffered.
When the Bengals signed defensive tackle Sam Adams, they reconfigured their line, and Geathers lost his starting job.
"Of course, I didn?t like the whole situation, but I had no control over that," he said. "Me going to complain about it or talking about it in the media is not going to solve anything. It?s just going to make matters worse."
So instead of sulking, Geathers was determined to show he could still be an impact player. He lost 17 pounds to improve his quickness, which was obvious in training camp.
Playing in a three-man rotation with Bryan Robinson and Justin Smith against the Chiefs, Geathers had two sacks, which was almost overlooked in all the attention about his hit on Green.
"I don?t care who you are," Robinson said. "You don?t want to lose your job. That kind of fueled his fire to become a complete player. He had an exceptional training camp. It?s carried over to the regular season, as you saw in the first game."
Geathers said the furor over his controversial hit won?t change his game.
"We know what happens in the game," he said. "We?ve been playing this game since we were little kids."
Players downgraded

It looks as though the Bengals could be without left tackle Levi Jones (ankle) and receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel) for the game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Neither player practiced in team drills yesterday. Both were downgraded from probable to questionable.
If Jones can?t play, secondround pick Andrew Whitworth is likely to get the start, either at left tackle or at left guard. The Bengals might choose to have Eric Steinbach move from left guard to tackle so a rookie is not protecting quarterback Carson Palmer?s blind side.
If Houshmandzadeh can?t play, Chris Henry is the most likely candidate to start in his place.
Adams (knee/probable) practiced for the first time this week.
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

Bengals notebook
DT Adams likely to play vs. Browns

BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Defensive tackle Sam Adams returned to practice Friday for the first time this week.
Adams' return probably means he will be on the field Sunday for the Bengals' home opener against Cleveland.
Adams (knee) had been listed as probable during the week. Cornerback Deltha O'Neal (knee) is probable too, and he practiced Friday for the second day in a row.
The Bengals, however, might be without starting left tackle Levi Jones (ankle) and No. 2 wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel). Neither practiced Friday, and both were downgraded to questionable after being listed as probable all week.
Houshmandzadeh missed last Sunday's game at Kansas City. If Houshmandzadeh again is held out, Chris Henry, Kelley Washington and Tab Perry will get increased work offensively, along with No. 1 wide receiver Chad Johnson.
The only other receiver on the 53-man roster, Antonio Chatman, is out for the second week in a row because of a groin injury.
If Jones doesn't play, look for the Bengals to slide left guard Eric Steinbach to left tackle and insert rookie Andrew Whitworth into the left guard spot.
Rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson (hamstring) was downgraded to out for Sunday's game.
OOM, PA-PA: Coach Marvin Lewis was much happier to greet visitors from Munich, Germany, after practice Friday than he was to see beat reporters.
Lewis, after offering no information about injury updates or the team's preparation for the Cleveland game, was introduced to members of the Musikkapelle Gross und Kleinweil, a music and dance group that will lead Chad Johnson in the chicken dance today at the start of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.
BLOOD DRIVE: The Bengals will hold their fifth annual blood drive to benefit Hoxworth Blood Center on Oct. 4 at Paul Brown Stadium.
The drive will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All donors will receive a free Bengals blood drive T-shirt, compliments of Champion Windows and Patio Rooms. The 2005 drive attracted 436 donors; the goal for this year's drive is 600.
Free parking will be available for all blood donors on the east plaza level of Paul Brown Stadium. Call 513-451-0910 or log on to www.hoxworth.org/Bengals for more information.
E-mail [email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Bengals brush off ?lowly Browns? talk
Cincinnati players avoid remarks that could fire up rivals

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




Used to be there was no question about it. The Cleveland Browns were the Cincinnati Bengals? biggest rivals.
Paul Brown founded the Bengals after his firing by Cleveland owner Art Modell. So there was that. The Battle of Ohio aspect of it kept things humming along even after Brown, and later Modell, left the scene.
That?s not to say the matchup today in Paul Brown Stadium is just another game for the Bengals ? or the Browns.
Mike Brown, Paul?s son, runs the Bengals, so the link to the past remains.
"He likes beating the Cleveland Browns," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "It?s an important game for us. It always is and always will be as long as we?re in this division as well. I know he wants to beat the Cleveland Browns all of the time."
But given the disparity in the status of each franchise, one question bandied about this week was whether the Bengals might overlook their state rivals, especially with Pittsburgh next on a schedule front-loaded with elite teams.
This didn?t come from reporters. This came from Browns coach Romeo Crennel. Last December, Cincinnati struggled to beat the Browns 23-20 after an emotional win in Pittsburgh.
"Last year when we came down there, I think that you guys had come off an emotional victory and were riding pretty high," Crennel said in a conference call with Bengals media. "The lowly Browns were coming to town, so I don?t think the guys were at their best for that game.
"It might be a similar situation this time because the lowly Browns are coming to town and I think you have the mighty Steelers after it. I think that might have had something to do with it."
Lowly Browns? The Bengals aren?t falling for that.
"That?s coach-talk, man," Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. "That?s like Marvin-talk. I think that?s what coaches do to try to make their players think we?ll overlook them."
Cincinnati (1-0) is regarded as having clearly superior talent to Cleveland (0-1). But you won?t get the Bengals to denigrate the Browns.
Houshmandzadeh said he considered the Browns one of the better teams the Bengals played last season.
"I think they?ve got good players, and I?m being honest," he said. "I?m not just saying that because it sounds good. I thought they were a good team."
Defensive end Justin Smith was also complimentary.
"We were just watching tape of last year," he said. "It?s a tough, tough game for us to win. You can?t just say, ?They?re the Browns. They?re 0-1.? They?ve got guys on their roster who can make plays. They can?t be overlooked and I don?t think anyone on this team is."
With the Bengals? aspirations set on making the Super Bowl, a loss to Crennel?s "lowly" Browns would be one that could haunt, especially considering it?s an AFC North game.
That?s the true significance of this game for the Bengals. The history between the franchises is only a secondary factor.
"It?s always a big game, I guess, when you play a team in the same state," Houshmandzadeh said. "(But) rivalry? I think every game is a rivalry because everybody gets paid to play football."
Told the Bengals-Browns game used to be a circle-thecalendar game, Houshmandzadeh replied, "If that?s the case, I don?t think it?s a circle-thecalendar game. I don?t really circle any calendars yet."
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