MiddletownJournal.com

12-Pack: Starting with ex-Bengal Fletcher Smith

By Chick Ludwig | Thursday, May 15, 2008, 09:09 PM

TAKING NO PRISONERS; 12 NOTES OFF THE CUFF

I. MY TELEPHONE RINGS …

On the line is former Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Fletcher Smith, calling from Dallas, Texas, with an update on his situation.

Fletcher Leon Smith, a 6-foot, 178-pounder known for his clothesline tackles, was a member of the “Original Bengals” (modern era), selected in the 1968 AFL Expansion Draft after spending two years with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He’s driving a beat-up Chevy Suburban, working off-and-on in construction — his specialty is mixing, pouring and laying concrete — and searching for an apartment that fits his meager budget.

Fletcher, who turns 65 on Oct. 10, 2008, tells me he’s “getting by, but just barely” on about $1,000 a month, which includes monthly pension checks of less than $200 for six years spent in pro football (1966-67 with the Chiefs, 1968-71 with the Bengals).

He said he got my home phone number from former Cleveland Browns defensive end Joe “Turkey” Jones, a Dallas native, who I last spoke with in 2000. I’m hoping to hook up with “Fletch” and “Turkey” on the Bengals’ trip to Dallas in October.

“If I ever make it back to Cincinnati,” Fletcher told me, “I only want to see one person — you,” he said.

II. I CAN’T WAIT …

Until Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson arrives at training camp.

Imagine the zoo and media circus at Georgetown College?

Chadly can’t afford a $14,000-per-day fine for not showing up.

III. FOR THE RECORD …

If Chad sits, he doesn’t get paid.

His base salary is $3 million, which gets paid out over the 17 weeks of the regular season (16 games plus the bye week).

That’s $176,470.59 per week for 17 weeks (before taxes, of course, and his agent’s fee is 3 percent).

Chadly ain’t about to pass up those rather large chunks of cash.

IV. ABOUT THE REDS …

I refuse to feel anything but apathy for professional baseball’s oldest franchise until GM Walt Jocketty calls outfielder Jay Bruce up to “the show.”

Joey Votto made it. Paul Janish made it. But the best damn player in all the minor leagues still hasn’t made it.

V. DON’T YOU WISH …

Golfer Greg Norman would just go away?

He’s taking up valuable space at the AT&T Classic in Duluth, Ga., this week, and embarrassing himself by kicking it around TPC Sugarloaf.

Greg needs to get off the course and go back to the love of his life, Chris Evert.

Greg dumped Laura, his wife of 26 years, for Chris. Chris dumped Andy Mill, her husband of 18 years, for Greg.

Norman and Evert deserve one another.

Check out their photo and story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?inarticleid=480655&inpageid=1773

VI. I’LL NEVER ROOT …

… for the Boston Celtics.

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever.

My Cincinnati Royals — The Big O, Jerry Lucas, Wayne Embry, Odie Smith and Bob Boozer — gave the Celtics fits. But Boston was always a little bit better.

I’m still upset, after all these years, that ex-Celtic Bob Cousy was hired to coach the Royals only to systematically dissect, dismember and dismantle the Royals so they could be sold and moved.

From Rochester (1945-57) to Cincinnati (1957-72) to the Sacramento Kings … long live Arlen “Bucky” Bockhorn and the Cincinnati Royals.

VII. BACK HOME AGAIN …

… in Indiana,

Then I long for my Indiana home.

VIII. WERE YOU THERE …

At the 1982 Indy 500?

‘LUDWIG AT LARGE’ wants to know.

I covered 16 Indy 500s and 1982 was easily the most memorable, most unforgettable and most regrettable.

I’ll always remember Gordon Johncock’s victory over Rick Mears by 0.16 second.

Re-live the final laps at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piqMiQWMrww

And I’ll never forget Gordon Smiley’s fatal crash in Turn 3 in pole-day qualifications.

I interviewed Smiley just days before his death and we talked about the danger that faces every driver in a race car.

“I’m willing to accept the risk,” Smiley told me.

Here’s Smiley’s crash (Warning: For Mature Audiences Only):

http://www.truveo.com/Gordon-Smileys-fatal-Crash-Indy-500-1982/id/3986842752

IX. LOVED THIS MESSAGE …

From a caller to Paul Daugherty, host of WLW SportsTalk, on Thursday night:

“Chicago Cubs fans are Pittsburgh Steelers fans without the mullets.”

X. THE PERFECT STORM …

Shame on Trotwood-Madison High School for ousting head boys basketball coach Larry Ham.

Ham did a fantastic job in two seasons at the Rams’ helm. His reward was getting kicked to the curb.

Trotwood bills itself as “The Quiet Community.” But that’s not the case with its athletics. When it comes to sports, Trotwood is the most volatile school district in the Miami Valley.

Piloting the Rams’ ship is like navigating a stormy sea with all the turmoil involved with the administration, faculty, staff, parents and students. Patience is not in their vocabulary.

I wish the school board good luck in finding its next victim. I’m sure it won’t be very long until we yell, once again, “MAN OVERBOARD!”

XI. MANY, MANY THANKS …

To Dr. Brian Cron and his bride, Dr. Diana Dornbusch Cron, for their loyal readership of ‘LUDWIG AT LARGE.’

The Crons, who met while attending veterinary school at Ohio State and married in the fall of 1994, own and operate Glenway Animal Hospital on the west side of Cincinnati.

The Ohio State University Marching Band is known as “The Best Damn Band In The Land.”

And I say this without hesitation or reservation …

The Crons are “The Best Damn Vets In The Land.”

Check ‘em out at:

http://www.glenwayanimalhospital.com/586181.html

XII. UNTIL NEXT TIME …

This is “The Chickster” saying, “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”

Contact Chick Ludwig at (937) 225-2253 or email cludwig@daytondailynews.com

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‘Chad should have kept his mouth shut’

By Chick Ludwig | Thursday, May 15, 2008, 02:22 PM

VICTORY FOR MIKE BROWN; DEFEAT FOR CHAD JOHNSON

===LUDWIG AT LARGE appreciates all contributions from NFL fans in general and Cincinnati Bengals aficionados in particular. Here’s my shout out of thanks to Chris in Dayton for alerting me to a story regarding Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson. Chadly made Mike Florio’s “10-pack: The worst moves (and non-moves) of the NFL offseason.”===

Florio, who writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to the Sporting News, writes:

“Chad should have kept his mouth shut.

“The mouth that roared for much of the offseason has fallen eerily silent since the Washington Redskins selected two wide receivers on the first day of the draft. So with the ‘Skins out of the Chad Johnson business and with the Cincinnati Bengals not budging on their refusal to trade him, Johnson presumably is hoping everyone will forget about everything he said from January through April regarding his desire to get out of Cincinnati.

“Why else would Johnson no longer be whining for a trade? The reality is, he knows he has no leverage, and that his only option is to make good on a promise not to play again for the Bengals. And pay back $5 million in signing bonus money.

“If Johnson had merely put a sock in the place where he hangs that golden grill on game days, he wouldn’t be in a position to look so silly when he shows up for training camp and acts like he didn’t act like a complete fool.”

Check out the entire story at:

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=411542

Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com

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Bengals: Face-lift at linebacker

By Chick Ludwig | Thursday, May 15, 2008, 06:19 AM

‘THEY LOOK LIKE LINEBACKERS’

The Cincinnati Bengals linebacker corps is going to look different, much different, in 2008.

My projected starters, from left to right:

Strong side: Darryl Blackstock (“Sam”).

Middle: Odell Thurman (“Mike”).

Weak side: Keith Rivers (“Will”).

The top backups: Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks and Dhani Jones … with Corey Mays, Brandon Johnson and Jim Maxwell fighting for roster spots.

Want to make the team?

You had better be able to excel on special teams, especially kickoff coverage.

This quote from first-year defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is a stunning indictment about last year’s injury-riddled unit:

“We’re trying to improve that position,” Zimmer said. “We’ve got to improve a lot of positions. They look like linebackers. Whether or not, when the games start, they can play … But they’re good-looking guys. They seem to be intelligent.”

CARSON PALMER ON CHRIS PERRY

“He’s such a threat out of the backfield. I compare him to LaDainian Tomlinson or Larry Johnson running the screen routes.”

NEW KID IN TOWN

The Bengals signed rookie long-snapper Tim Bugg of Indiana to a two-year contract. A college free agent, Bugg (6-0, 257) participated in Cincinnati’s May 2-4 rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

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Reading between Carson’s lines

By Chick Ludwig | Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 09:44 AM

‘MISSING VALUABLE TIME’

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said all the right things.

That his frustration level — in the wake of Chad Johnson’s and T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s absence from voluntary offseason workouts at Paul Brown Stadium — is “at zero right now. I’m not frustrated at all. I’m happy and excited to be back on the field myself, whether they’re here or not. I’m excited to be back with these guys, the guys that are here.”

So ….

Was that smoke & steam I saw emanating from Palmer’s ears?

You betcha.

If Johnson and Houshmandzadeh cared about the team, they’d be in Cincinnati — not working out on their own with personal trainers.

If they cared about winning a Super Bowl, they’d be in Cincinnati — and they’d bring their families as soon as their kids get out of school.

If they cared about being leaders, they’d be in Cincinnati — showing the less-experienced veterans and young rookies the way.

But they’re not here.

What does that say about them?

It tells me they’re more concerned about themselves.

“We’re definitely missing valuable time,” Palmer added. “We’ll get to work whenever they get here. But timing and rhythm is something you build over time with repetition.

“We have built it in years past. We’re losing time right now, but the guys that are here are getting work in. It’s giving them a chance to really develop and get some experience.”

‘LUDWIG AT LARGE’ wants to feel confident about the 2008 season.

However … with a new defense being installed and two Pro Bowl wide receivers not on the PBS, trouble lurks around every corner.

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Bengals’ Seen & Overheard

By Chick Ludwig | Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 09:04 AM

HOO-RAYS FOR OTAs

Finally, we’re starting to claw into REAL FOOTBALL.

On location at Bengals’ first OTA on Tuesday, May 13, 2008:

QB Carson Palmer’s over-the-middle pass to Doug Gabriel was tipped and intercepted by safety Chinedum Ndukwe.

LB Ahmad Brooks took only five snaps. He’s frustrated because his 2007 groin injury is still causing him problems.

Eric Henderson, who spent 2007 on Injured Reserve, is a defensive end again after giving outside LB a shot last year.

WR Bennie Brazell surfaced in the locker room. He was preparing to get a physical exam and hoping to sign a contract.

Brazell would become the 13th wideout on the offseason roster. Insurance is needed in case Chad Johnson sits out.

QUESTION FOR LOYAL ‘LUDWIG AT LARGE’ READERS:

Is the Bengals’ wide receiver corps (or is it CORPSE?) strong enough to withstand Chadly’s absence if he sits out all year?

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Bengals’ RBs, WRs brace for game of ‘survivor’

By Chick Ludwig | Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 02:46 PM

ONLY STRONG WILL SURVIVE

Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski calls it a game of “survivor” for the running backs and wide receivers.

Looking good in the first on-field coaching session at Paul Brown Stadium on Tuesday, May 13: Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry.

Rudi is determined to play at 225 pounds and become the Jerome Bettis-style hammer between the tackles that he once was.

Perry practiced for the first time since fracturing and dislocating his right ankle at Cleveland on Nov. 26. 2006, and looked terrific.

Looking bad: Linebacker Ahmad Brooks. He took only five reps and is admittedly extremely frustrated for two reasons: One, he’s still not completely healthy from the groin injury that wrecked his 2007 season. Two, he’s playing a position — strong side linebacker — he’s never played before.

Change of scenery: Eric Henderson has moved back to defensive end from outside linebacker.

He’s baaaack: Wide receiver Bennie Brazell surfaced in the locker room. He was headed to the doctor for a physical exam and was hopeful about being signed later in the day.

Missing in action: Middle linebacker Odell Thurman, who is in Georgia for the funeral of his grandmother.

Here’s the transcript of the media’s interview with Bratkowski:

Q. How did Chris Perry look?

A. It was good to see him out here. I went over at one point and told him, ‘It’s really good to see you out here.’ To me, with him, it’s going to tell over time how he handles the wear and tear of going every day. But he got off to a real good start today.

Q. What does Perry mean to the offense?

A. If you go back to the last year he played healthy, he gave us a lot of catches, close to 50 receptions. His run-average per carry was real high. He was a nice change of pace to Rudi. He was a very important part. He had some big plays for us. If we can get that back, it’s certainly going to make us a better offense.

Q. Could you tell anything about the way Perry is moving around?

A. From what I saw, he looked good. Now we’ll have to just continue to go through this. See how he handles it and how everything comes out over time, day after day of doing things. But I thought he got off to a great start.

Q. Chris said his body feels fine. He just has a long way to get back to football shape. Do you agree?

A. It’s been awhile since he’s played, and that takes time. It’s one thing to do all the conditioning, but the unexpected changes in direction that you get on a football field, the different angles on the routes you have to take … those things take awhile. To a good athlete, they come along pretty quick.

Q. Does Perry have good hands for a running back?

A. Oh, he’s got excellent hands. He made a couple of one-handed catches out here today. He’s got, not above average, but excellent hands.

Q. Rudi looks thicker. Would you agree?

A. Rudi’s worked really hard in this offseason. He’s got a great attitude and really approached it as a professional, and that’s a very positive sign.

Q. It looks like a crowded house in the backfield. You’ve also got 12 wide receivers. What do you make of the competition?

A. It’s kind of like a survivor course. Who’s going to manage to do things over time and make it through the battles. It’s going to be very competitive.

Q. With your running backs, will you have a good sense by the end of camp, health-wise, where guys are at? Or will you cross your fingers till the start of the season?

A. By the time we get through training camp, we’ll know where we’re at. You obviously have the unforeseen things that happen after that. But we’ll know where we’re at as we get to the end of training camp.

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Bengals legend nearly loses right leg

By Chick Ludwig | Monday, May 12, 2008, 09:17 PM

THE IMMORTAL REGGIE WILLIAMS

It’s equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming.

It’s a story about how former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Reggie Williams nearly lost his right leg after knee-replacement surgery went haywire with a bone infection that ultimately led to his resignation as an executive at Walt Disney World.

Written by New York Times sportswriter George Vecsey and published on May 12, 2008, the story details Williams’ lengthy hospitalization, his rescue by a medical “cavalry,” his relentless battle to regain his health, his dogged determination to walk again, and the fact that he has “no regrets” about playing football.

NFL fans see only the glamorous side of a brutal sport. They never see the pain these athletes endure.

It’s time for all of us to pause, reflect and visit with Reggie.

Please see:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/sports/football/12vecsey.html?ref=sports

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