Bengals tidbits

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

It's Peko's time to step up
2006 draft pick called upon to help lead defensive line
Friday, September 12, 2008 3:03 AM
By Scott Priestle


The Columbus Dispatch

Al BehrmanAssociated Press
Given his size and his hair, Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko is difficult to miss.



CINCINNATI -- As a rookie, Domata Peko was as quiet and inconspicuous as a 325-pound man can be, particularly a 325-pound man with an eye-catching puff of hair pouring out of his helmet. He was a fourth-round draft pick playing behind veterans on the Bengals defensive line. Little was expected of him.
Two years and one big contract later, Peko cannot hide from the spotlight, even when he wants to.

Continued......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

NFL
Sloppy play dooms Bengals
Mental, physical mistakes hand victory to Titans
Monday, September 15, 2008 12:01 AM
By Scott Priestle


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

CINCINNATI?Late in the first half yesterday, Bengals running back DeDe Dorsey had a 36-yard catch-and-run that was both entertaining and frustrating. It captured the essence of the team's 24-7 loss to Tennessee and the current state of the franchise.

Dorsey could have stepped out of bounds and stopped the clock on multiple occasions, but each time he chose to push further ahead, weaving between a few more Titans defenders. By the time he was tackled, he was in field-goal range but the clock had expired. All of his fancy footwork was for naught.
It was evidence again that the Bengals still have explosive offensive talent, but what does it matter when they continually undermine themselves with sloppy play? Carson Palmer, Chad Ocho Cinco and company are 0-2 and appear headed toward great disappointment.

Continued.......​

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Bengals notebook
Defense plays well, then gives up big plays

Monday, September 15, 2008 3:15 AM
By Scott Priestle


The Columbus Dispatch

Tom Uhlman | Associated Press
Titans running back Chris Johnson broke a 51-yard run against the Bengals defense.



CINCINNATI -- Twenty-one times yesterday, Bengals defenders stuffed a running play for 2 yards or fewer. One time, Tennessee rookie Chris Johnson burst through the line for 51 yards. It led to an easy touchdown that sent the Titans toward a 24-7 win.
It was similar to last week in Baltimore, when the Bengals generally fared well against the run, save for 42- and 38-yard touchdown runs on gadget plays and a late drive against a fatigued defense.

Continued.....

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Michael Arace commentary: Two losses in, it doesn't appear change is in the wind for Bengals

Monday, September 15, 2008 3:11 AM
By Michael Arace






CINCINNATI -- Flags whipped atop buildings downtown, whitecaps churned in the Ohio River and hundreds of thousands of locals lost power. It was a fierce windstorm that blew through the Queen City yesterday, and if the gusts didn't exactly suck away the Bengals' season, well, the effect was the same. After two games, it's all over.
In Paul Brown Stadium, where hot dog wrappers, napkins and other air-worthy debris swirled about, the Tennessee Titans sat back and waited for the Bengals to make mistakes, which was inevitable. The Titans, after a week spent arguing whether or not their injured starting quarterback was suicidal, waltzed away with a 24-7 victory.

Continued.......

 

[Cambodia]

I was at the game on Sunday, and thanks to the wind I got a brand new hat that blew into my lap.

Other than that, not a good time. This team is going nowhere until the offensive line improves.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Bengals say jump-start all offense really needs

Thursday, September 18, 2008 3:24 AM
By Scott Priestle


The Columbus Dispatch

NICK WASS Associated Press
Receivers Chad Ocho Cinco (85) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh have yet to click with quarterback Carson Palmer this season.



CINCINNATI -- Because the Bengals faced a rookie quarterback and a Baltimore defense they previously exploited, receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh was sure they would win the season opener. When they did not, he was sure their wounded pride would be motivation enough to beat Tennessee in the second game. It was not.
"I'm as confused as every-body else is," Houshmandzadeh said.
Now 0-2 and facing a road game against the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, Bengals players continue to profess confidence based on their past performance, even if the recent past is mostly ugly.

Continued.....

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Rucker emerges; others must follow

Friday, September 19, 2008 2:57 AM
By Scott Priestle


The Columbus Dispatch

CINCINNATI -- Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker was, in the words of coach Marvin Lewis, "on scholarship" his first two seasons in the NFL. The team lacked depth at the position, so coaches were willing to be patient while he sat out with injuries of varying severity.
Scholarships eventually expire, though, so Rucker spent the past offseason in Cincinnati, working with the team's strength and conditioning staff. Now healthy and in better shape, he has emerged as a key player on the defensive line. He started the first two games and was credited with 13 tackles and a forced fumble.

Continued.......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Giants 26, Bengals 23 (OT)
Bengals improved, yet winless
Late drives keep Cincinnati alive before New York wins
Monday, September 22, 2008 3:12 AM
By Scott Priestle


The Columbus Dispatch

Bill Kostroun Associated Press
The Giants' Kevin Boss catches a fourth-quarter TD pass against Marvin White, center, and Bengals defenders.




EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Cincinnati Bengals attacked, improvised, executed and even celebrated at times yesterday. They played with a verve rarely seen since the first preseason game, a performance made more impressive considering it came on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions.
Still, they left Giants Stadium without a win, just as they arrived. The New York Giants drove for a touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, stopped the Bengals' own drive at a field goal that forced overtime, then completed two big pass plays to pull out a 26-23 win.

Continued.......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Notebook: Secondary grows up fast
Inexperienced unit able to hold own for most part
Monday, September 22, 2008 3:14 AM
By Scott Priestle


The Columbus Dispatch

Seth WenigAssociated Press
Bengals safety Marvin White, grabbing the Giants' Steve Smith, was one of a corps of eight young defensive backs that Cincinnati had to go with because of injuries.




EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- David Jones knew his uniform No. 20 might as well be a target. The second-year cornerback was forced to start for the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday because of an injury to Johnathan Joseph, and the New York Giants repeatedly threw at him or rookie Simeon Castille in their 26-23 win.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning struggled at times against the young defensive backs, but in the second half the Giants converted at least six first downs against Jones or Castille, who played often in passing situations as the No. 3 corner.

Continued......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Troubled receiver Chris Henry is eligible for reinstatement Monday, but it is unlikely he will play for the Cincinnati Bengals the following Sunday at Dallas. Per league rules, Cincinnati can apply for a roster exemption for Henry, a move that would allow him to practice without being placed on the 53-man roster; coach Marvin Lewis indicated the team will pursue that option.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Bengals
Perry regaining familiar form
Instincts, vision returning after four-year hiatus
Friday, September 26, 2008 4:30 AM
By Scott Priestle


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

CINCINNATI -- Running back Chris Perry arrived from Michigan with the swagger of an All-American. After four injury-filled seasons, it is returning. As Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said, "He carries himself like a No. 1 pick."
More important, Perry arrived here with the vision and instincts of an All-American, and those, too, are returning. Particularly in the first half last Sunday against the New York Giants, he showed an improved feel for where the holes were opening and when and where he should cut.
It is a skill that eroded in recent years, when Perry was either out because of an injury or being used as a receiver.

Continued.......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

NFL notebook: Bengals rest Palmer's tender right elbow

Saturday, September 27, 2008 3:10 AM



From staff and wire reports

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer did not throw during practice yesterday because of soreness in his right elbow, and he was listed on the injury report as questionable for the game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
He said the soreness was "just from throwing," rather than the result of a hit he took last week, which would suggest fatigue or damage in the ligament. Coach Marvin Lewis said he had "no idea" how or when the injury originated. Player and coach said they expect Palmer to play Sunday.

Continued......

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Bengals defenders look for big plays

Sunday, September 28, 2008 3:36 AM
By Scott Priestle


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Gene Sweeney Jr.Baltimore Sun
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph, left, returned a fumble for a TD against the Ravens.




CINCINNATI -- The Bengals have one sack and no interceptions through three games, a sign they could use another playmaker or two on defense. They have allowed four plays of 30 yards or more and nine plays of 20 yards or more, a sign they could use more consistency on defense.
Beyond the ugly raw numbers, though, are signs of improvement. The Bengals stuffed the Tennessee Titans running game for 2 yards or fewer 21 times. They limited New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs to 35 yards on 14 carries, receiver Plaxico Burress to three catches and quarterback Eli Manning to as many incomplete passes as completions, despite injuries to two starting defensive backs.

Continued..............

 

[Brandon]

Good luck this week Bengal fans, because next week your all but guaranteed a loss when you come to Texas Stadium. If you guys protect Carson(Which shouldn't be a problem since Cleveland's defensive line is far from good) you guys should torch the Browns.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Bengals notebook: Elbow injury keeps Palmer from playing

Monday, September 29, 2008 3:03 AM
By Scott Priestle


The Columbus Dispatch

Al Behrman Associated Press
Bengals quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, being pursued by Browns tackle Shaun Rogers, had a forgettable Bengals debut, with three interceptions and a fumble.




CINCINNATI -- When the Bengals jogged onto the field for pregame warm-ups yesterday, Carson Palmer's teammates got the news he had struggled for three days to accept: His right elbow is worse than he let on, and doctors insisted he not play.
Ryan Fitzpatrick started at quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals and struggled in a 20-12 loss to the Cleveland Browns. He threw three interceptions and also lost a fumble with about two minutes remaining that all but sealed the outcome.
Palmer said he hopes to play Sunday at Dallas, but his body language suggested less confidence. He declined to discuss the severity of the injury. He said it happened on a play against the New York Giants on Sept. 21, when he got hit as he attempted to throw, wrenching his right arm.

Continued........