StooGrimson
He drives around, all over the town...
Maybe, maybe not. I noticed he didn't offer an apology for punching his pregnant girlfiend in the stomach.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/SPT02/512150319
Big Daddy' has change of heart
Angry as a Bengal, he now regrets his 'immaturity'
By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
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"Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson on Wednesday had a cathartic experience worthy of his nickname.
Wilkinson, taken No. 1 overall by the Bengals in the 1994 draft, on Wednesday said he was sorry for anything disrespectful he said or did during his four tumultuous years in Cincinnati.
"I have no negatives or grudges toward the Bengals organization or the city or anything," said Wilkinson, 32, who is in his third season with the Detroit Lions.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to those I've hurt or bothered or made upset or anything else."
The Lions will play the Bengals on Sunday at Detroit's Ford Field.
Wilkinson never lived up to the expectations for a No. 1 overall pick with a $14.4 million contract.
He basically talked his way into a trade to the Redskins on Feb. 26, 1998. Three days earlier, he had called Cincinnati a racist city. In December 1997, Wilkinson said he had always hated the city and called its residents "prejudiced and uptight and stiff."
Fast-forward eight years.
"For me to say, especially coming from Dayton (Dunbar High School) and Ohio State and having so many fans and people that liked me and having so many friends in that area still, that was just blatant ignorance," said Wilkinson, who had turned 21 the month before the '94 draft.
"That's the immaturity I'm talking about as far as some of the things I've said and done. If I had a chance to go back, I would certainly correct some wrongs, and that was just wrong.
"Saying the city is racist ... was bad. As a young man at the time, all I can remember is feeling trapped, that I have to get away from this team. Some of the things I said and done were so out of character for me that it still bothers me today when I think about that stuff."
The Bengals were 25-39 in Wilkinson's four seasons.
He took responsibility for his transgressions. He also took aim at a Bengals organization that, at the time, had defensive line coaches - Joe Wessel, Bobby DePaul and Tim Krumrie - who had no experience coaching that position on any level.
"We had a lot of young players, so how to get a young team heading in the right direction, we didn't have that," Wilkinson said.
"When I was there, we had the worst of everything, from the facilities (Spinney Field), and I thought our coaches were very poor. It just wasn't a true NFL environment, and it wasn't the type of environment that I'm sure Marvin (Lewis) has set there now."
Wilkinson, acquired by the Redskins for two 1998 draft picks that were used to select linebacker Brian Simmons and offensive lineman Mike Goff, played five seasons in Washington. In 2002, his final year there, Lewis was the Redskins' defensive coordinator.
"Well, I coached him," Lewis said of Wilkinson. "Dan's had three years (in Detroit), and he's played well. He's making plays."
Wilkinson has one year remaining on his Lions contract. He said he wouldn't mind returning to the Bengals if the Lions' new coach cuts him. He credits Lewis for the Bengals' turnaround and said Lewis should have had a head-coaching opportunity sooner, particularly in Washington.
"I think they made a great choice in bringing in Marvin Lewis," Wilkinson said of the Bengals. "That's all you have to say. He's stepped in and taken this team and organization to the next level.
"Marvin should have been our (the Redskins') head coach. Actually, Marvin was our head coach. We had Steve Spurrier, but Spurrier didn't have a clue how to train and get an NFL team ready. He just didn't have a clue or understand what all went into it. Marvin did everything. Marvin did everything as a defensive coordinator, but he was able to keep himself humble in the situation and move on after that one year."
The Bengals hired Lewis in January 2003.
Wilkinson has three sacks and 27 tackles in 13 games this season.
"Danny's been tremendous," said Lions interim coach Dick Jauron. "Danny's a tremendous person. He's a great talent, and he's done a real nice job in the middle of that defensive line."
Wilkinson played in Cincinnati with offensive linemen Rich Braham and Willie Anderson, and Anderson said Wilkinson is playing at a Pro Bowl level.
Anderson, like Wilkinson, entered the draft early. He was the No. 10 overall pick in 1996.
"I think neither of us knew anything about winning football and winning tradition and knowing what it takes to go out there and play at a high level," Anderson said.
The Bengals are in the midst of their first winning season since 1990 and need only to win at Detroit Sunday to win the division and earn a playoff berth for the first time in 14 seasons.
"It's great to see them reap their fruits of it," Wilkinson said of Braham and Anderson. "That's a long time to be on a team that's struggling. It just takes so much out of you. But those guys stuck around.
"I'm excited for Cincinnati and that area. I know my family and my friends are still in the area and they're happy with what Marvin has done with the team. I know Marvin waited for a long time, being overlooked as a head coach in this league to finally get his position, and look what he's done with the Bengals.
"I'm happy to see that. I'm looking forward to playing against these guys and seeing how good they really are. I wish them well moving forward into the playoffs."
<TABLE class=sidebar_table cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=photosidebar align=middle></TD></TR><!-- OTHER FEED PHOTOS --><!--RELATED PHOTO GALLERIES--><!-- RELATED MULTIMEDIA ASSETS --><!-- MAIN FACT BOX --><TR><TD class=sidebar_head>DAN WILKINSON AT A GLANCE</TD></TR><TR><TD class=sidebar_body>Age: 32
Height, weight: 6 feet 4, 340
NFL experience: In his 12th season, third in Detroit. Has started each of his 45 games with Lions; has started 179 and played in 182 of a possible 189 NFL games. He has missed only seven games with injuries; signed four-year contract with Lions on Aug. 17, 2003, after his release by Washington.
Statistics: 54 career sacks, 25 with the Bengals from 1994-97; 452 total tackles.
This season: Has made 13 starts for Lions, 27 tackles and three sacks.
Sunday: Plays against Bengals for first time in his career.
Draft: First overall pick by Bengals in 1994 from Ohio State, where he played two seasons.
Traded: To Redskins on Feb. 26, 1998, for first- and third-round picks that the Bengals used to select linebacker Brian Simmons and offensive lineman Mike Goff.
Personal: Dayton, Ohio, native makes home in Potomac, Md.; four children.
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Above: Detroit's Dan Wilkinson (72) helps to bring down Cleveland Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/SPT02/512150319
Big Daddy' has change of heart
Angry as a Bengal, he now regrets his 'immaturity'
By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
<!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE class=sidebar_table cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 border=0><!-- MAIN PHOTO --><TBODY><TR><TD class=photosidebar align=middle></TD></TR><!-- OTHER FEED PHOTOS --><!--RELATED PHOTO GALLERIES--><!-- RELATED MULTIMEDIA ASSETS --><!-- MAIN FACT BOX --><TR><TD class=sidebar_head></TD></TR><TR><TD class=sidebar_body>
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"Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson on Wednesday had a cathartic experience worthy of his nickname.
Wilkinson, taken No. 1 overall by the Bengals in the 1994 draft, on Wednesday said he was sorry for anything disrespectful he said or did during his four tumultuous years in Cincinnati.
"I have no negatives or grudges toward the Bengals organization or the city or anything," said Wilkinson, 32, who is in his third season with the Detroit Lions.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to those I've hurt or bothered or made upset or anything else."
The Lions will play the Bengals on Sunday at Detroit's Ford Field.
Wilkinson never lived up to the expectations for a No. 1 overall pick with a $14.4 million contract.
He basically talked his way into a trade to the Redskins on Feb. 26, 1998. Three days earlier, he had called Cincinnati a racist city. In December 1997, Wilkinson said he had always hated the city and called its residents "prejudiced and uptight and stiff."
Fast-forward eight years.
"For me to say, especially coming from Dayton (Dunbar High School) and Ohio State and having so many fans and people that liked me and having so many friends in that area still, that was just blatant ignorance," said Wilkinson, who had turned 21 the month before the '94 draft.
"That's the immaturity I'm talking about as far as some of the things I've said and done. If I had a chance to go back, I would certainly correct some wrongs, and that was just wrong.
"Saying the city is racist ... was bad. As a young man at the time, all I can remember is feeling trapped, that I have to get away from this team. Some of the things I said and done were so out of character for me that it still bothers me today when I think about that stuff."
The Bengals were 25-39 in Wilkinson's four seasons.
He took responsibility for his transgressions. He also took aim at a Bengals organization that, at the time, had defensive line coaches - Joe Wessel, Bobby DePaul and Tim Krumrie - who had no experience coaching that position on any level.
"We had a lot of young players, so how to get a young team heading in the right direction, we didn't have that," Wilkinson said.
"When I was there, we had the worst of everything, from the facilities (Spinney Field), and I thought our coaches were very poor. It just wasn't a true NFL environment, and it wasn't the type of environment that I'm sure Marvin (Lewis) has set there now."
Wilkinson, acquired by the Redskins for two 1998 draft picks that were used to select linebacker Brian Simmons and offensive lineman Mike Goff, played five seasons in Washington. In 2002, his final year there, Lewis was the Redskins' defensive coordinator.
"Well, I coached him," Lewis said of Wilkinson. "Dan's had three years (in Detroit), and he's played well. He's making plays."
Wilkinson has one year remaining on his Lions contract. He said he wouldn't mind returning to the Bengals if the Lions' new coach cuts him. He credits Lewis for the Bengals' turnaround and said Lewis should have had a head-coaching opportunity sooner, particularly in Washington.
"I think they made a great choice in bringing in Marvin Lewis," Wilkinson said of the Bengals. "That's all you have to say. He's stepped in and taken this team and organization to the next level.
"Marvin should have been our (the Redskins') head coach. Actually, Marvin was our head coach. We had Steve Spurrier, but Spurrier didn't have a clue how to train and get an NFL team ready. He just didn't have a clue or understand what all went into it. Marvin did everything. Marvin did everything as a defensive coordinator, but he was able to keep himself humble in the situation and move on after that one year."
The Bengals hired Lewis in January 2003.
Wilkinson has three sacks and 27 tackles in 13 games this season.
"Danny's been tremendous," said Lions interim coach Dick Jauron. "Danny's a tremendous person. He's a great talent, and he's done a real nice job in the middle of that defensive line."
Wilkinson played in Cincinnati with offensive linemen Rich Braham and Willie Anderson, and Anderson said Wilkinson is playing at a Pro Bowl level.
Anderson, like Wilkinson, entered the draft early. He was the No. 10 overall pick in 1996.
"I think neither of us knew anything about winning football and winning tradition and knowing what it takes to go out there and play at a high level," Anderson said.
The Bengals are in the midst of their first winning season since 1990 and need only to win at Detroit Sunday to win the division and earn a playoff berth for the first time in 14 seasons.
"It's great to see them reap their fruits of it," Wilkinson said of Braham and Anderson. "That's a long time to be on a team that's struggling. It just takes so much out of you. But those guys stuck around.
"I'm excited for Cincinnati and that area. I know my family and my friends are still in the area and they're happy with what Marvin has done with the team. I know Marvin waited for a long time, being overlooked as a head coach in this league to finally get his position, and look what he's done with the Bengals.
"I'm happy to see that. I'm looking forward to playing against these guys and seeing how good they really are. I wish them well moving forward into the playoffs."
<TABLE class=sidebar_table cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=300 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=photosidebar align=middle></TD></TR><!-- OTHER FEED PHOTOS --><!--RELATED PHOTO GALLERIES--><!-- RELATED MULTIMEDIA ASSETS --><!-- MAIN FACT BOX --><TR><TD class=sidebar_head>DAN WILKINSON AT A GLANCE</TD></TR><TR><TD class=sidebar_body>Age: 32
Height, weight: 6 feet 4, 340
NFL experience: In his 12th season, third in Detroit. Has started each of his 45 games with Lions; has started 179 and played in 182 of a possible 189 NFL games. He has missed only seven games with injuries; signed four-year contract with Lions on Aug. 17, 2003, after his release by Washington.
Statistics: 54 career sacks, 25 with the Bengals from 1994-97; 452 total tackles.
This season: Has made 13 starts for Lions, 27 tackles and three sacks.
Sunday: Plays against Bengals for first time in his career.
Draft: First overall pick by Bengals in 1994 from Ohio State, where he played two seasons.
Traded: To Redskins on Feb. 26, 1998, for first- and third-round picks that the Bengals used to select linebacker Brian Simmons and offensive lineman Mike Goff.
Personal: Dayton, Ohio, native makes home in Potomac, Md.; four children.
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[URL="http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20051215&Category=SPT02&ArtNo=512150319&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&MaxH=700&border=0"]http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20051215&Category=SPT02&ArtNo=512150319&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&MaxH=700&border=0[/URL]
Above: Detroit's Dan Wilkinson (72) helps to bring down Cleveland Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer.
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