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Most Wanted (11/26/08)
Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > September
September 2008
Bengals: ‘Redeemers R Us’
HEY, CED, WELCOME
TO THE ‘NATI, HOME
OF ‘BENGALIZATION,’
WHERE PLAYERS MUST
EARN THEIR STRIPES
BENSON WENT LOOKING
FOR A 2ND CHANCE; HE
CAME TO THE RIGHT PLACE
===LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to ask loyal readers: Do you believe the Cincinnati Bengals are doing everything in their power to win? Has management hired the right coaches, scouts and players? Fans have certainly shown good faith by selling out Paul Brown Stadium. Has the club shown good faith in return? Just curious.===
Seriously, folks, I thought the Cincinnati Bengals signing of running back Cedric Benson was a joke.
A gag.
A fun & simple prank to break the monotony of an “off” day.
That’s what Tuesdays are supposed to be — off.
Heck, Mitch Albom wrote a book — Tuesdays with Morrie — because he had Tuesdays off.
But things are different on the Cincinnati Bengals beat.
There are no days off.
Why?
Because every day is Armageddon.
So when Bengals PR director Jack Brennan called to alert me that the news release was on its way, I had to be sure he was serious. I had to be sure it was no joke.
I discovered …
He was serious and it wasn’t a joke
Yes, it is real. Benson is the newest Bengal.
A star with the Texas Longhorns, a bust with the Chicago Bears.
And two alcohol-related arrests — one in May, the other in June — led to his dismissal on Monday, June 9, 2008.
Here’s what Bears GM Jerry Angelo told the Chicago media after dropping the guillotine nearly four months ago:
“Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate. You have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions. When individual priorities overshadow team goals, we suffer the consequences as a team. Those who fail to understand the importance of ‘team’ will not play for the Chicago Bears.”
But they will play for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Odell Thurman. Chris Henry. Jason Shirley. Reagan Maui’a. Cedric Benson.
Yes, they will play for the Cincinnati Bengals.
In case you missed it, from Dec. 15, 2005, to June 18, 2007 — a span of 19 months — 10 Bengals players were arrested in a total of 15 incidents.
Please allow me to reprise this quote from Bengals president Mike Brown at the club’s annual pre-training camp luncheon on July 22, 2008, in the East Club Lounge at Paul Brown Stadium.
Brown was asked about “turning the corner” on the club’s character issue. THIS WAS AFTER THURMAN AND HENRY WERE RELEASED. HENRY WAS RE-SIGNED ON AUG. 19, 2008.
IN MIKE BROWN’S WORDS:
“The world is divided up between redeemers and non-redeemers. I happen to be a redeemer. I believe people can be made better and right. If that’s a fault, so be it. These guys misstep. They’ve paid prices for it that have been verging on ruinous. But that doesn’t mean I dislike them. Personally, I like them as people. I regret what’s happened to them, and I regret that they’re no longer here. Things just conspired to undo them.
“We don’t want that kind of behavior. We’ve tried to be more conscious of the guys we bring in than maybe we were before. We’re going forward and will try to go forward with the kind of guys we can count on, who are not just good players, but good citizens.”
Now that the Bengals have a Benson, the roster could use a Hedges.
That would make for a good laugh.
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Bengals sign TB Cedric Benson
BENSON HAS TALENT;
HE ALSO HAS HISTORY OF
OFF-FIELD PROBLEMS
BENGALS GIVING
EX-CHICAGO BEAR
ANOTHER CHANCE
In a shocking move to help jump-start the offense, the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday signed free agent tailback Cedric Benson and placed tailback DeDe Dorsey on the Injured Reserve list with a right hamstring injury.
Benson, who has a history of off-the-field problems, was cut by the Chicago Bears on June 10 after two alcohol-related arrests in a month span.
But he was cleared of all charges stemming from the arrests for drunken driving and drunken boating in Texas. He’ll try to resurrect his NFL career in Cincinnati, where “Redeemers R Us.”
Benson, a 5-foot-11, 220-pounder, is a fourth-year NFL player from the University of Texas. He was Chicago’s first-round selection in the 2005 draft (No. 4 overall) after a career with the Longhorns that included 5,540 rushing yards and the third-most touchdowns (64) in NCAA history.
Benson played in 35 games with 12 starts for the Bears from 2005-07, rushing for 1,593 yards on 420 carries (3.8) with 10 TDs. He also had 26 receptions for 180 yards.
He had an additional 104 rushing yards with a TD and 24 receiving yards in the 2006 postseason, as Chicago advanced to Super Bowl XLI against Indianapolis.
Last season, though missing five games with an injury, he posted career highs for rushing yards (674), receptions (17) and receiving yards (123).
He started Games 1-11, but suffered a season-ending ankle injury on Nov. 25 against Denver and was placed on the Bears’ Injured Reserve list on Nov. 27.
“Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate,” Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement when Benson was released in June. “As I said this past weekend, you have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions.”
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Has Marvin become ‘Bengalized?’
WHEN ALL THE LIFE GETS
SUCKED OUT OF YOU …
YOU’RE ‘BENGALIZED’
I’ve noticed this a lot in my 12 years as Cincinnati Bengals beat writer for the Dayton Daily News, especially since Paul Brown Stadium opened in 2000:
When you first walk into the building as a new employee — coach or player — you’re full of energy, enthusiasm and excitement.
You realize you’re in the NFL — the highest football loop in the land — and you feel immortal, invincible and impenetrable.
You’re driven to succeed.
You are strong.
And then some time goes by — a year or two or three — and suddenly you don’t feel like running through a wall anymore.
You start feeling stale, lethargic and tired.
Slowly, sadly, all the life gets sucked out of you.
Your intensity wanes.
You become weak.
Has this happened to you?
If so …
You’ve become “Bengalized.”
Willie Anderson, Takeo Spikes, Peter Warrick … just to name a few …
All were “Bengalized” and had to get out before they went insane.
Now I’m wondering if head coach Marvin Lewis has become “Bengalized.”
My Dayton Daily News colleague, Sean McClelland, fired me an E-mail late Monday afternoon.
“I just heard this on ESPN from Chris Mortensen,” Sean wrote.
Said Mort:
“I don’t know that Marvin wouldn’t welcome a dismissal.”
Congrats, Marv.
You’re officially “Bengalized.”
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Sing it: ‘Carson, don’t be a hero … ‘
CALLING ALL CINCINNATIANS:
REMEMBER ‘THE HEYWOODS?’
CHICKSTER DEDICATES THIS SONG
TO CARSON PALMER & HIS ELBOW
===LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to see a show of hands (in the form of comments on his blog): OK, how many of you FiftySomethings (like me) have seen Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods in concert in and around the Cincinnati area? I’d like to reprise their hit, “Billy Don’t Be A Hero,” by subbing the word “Carson” in place of “Billy.” Feel free to relay your most famous “Heywoods” story.===
This dedication goes out to Carson Palmer, who’s trying to be too much of a hero with his bum elbow:
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Source: WR Henry will play at Dallas
WHO GETS ‘KNIFED’ WHEN
HENRY RETURNS? COATS,
HOLT TOP 2 CANDIDATES
A source within the Cincinnati Bengals organization tells LUDWIG AT LARGE that wide receiver Chris Henry will play against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is at 4:15 p.m.
Henry is on a one-week roster exemption, meaning he can practice this week without counting against the club’s 53-man active roster.
I believe tailback DeDe Dorsey will be placed on the Injured Reserve list with a right hamstring injury, and that tailback James Johnson will be promoted off the practice squad to fill Dorsey’s roster spot.
But the question remains: Who gets “knifed” when Henry gets activated?
My top two candidates: Tight end/fullback Daniel Coats and wide receiver Glenn Holt.
Coats is a third-string tight end behind Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht. The presence of fullback Reagan Maui’a is a double whammy that makes Coats expendable.
If Holt leaves, it’s a sign that rookie Andre Caldwell is ready to assume the role of No. 1 kickoff returner.
I’d hate to see either guy get released because they’re both princes in gym shoes, but somebody has to go to make room for Henry.
If the club is hellbent on Henry playing at Dallas, a roster move must be made by Saturday at 4 p.m. (Eastern time) to clear a spot for Henry.
What makes Henry so valuable? He’s a deep threat with outstanding size and top-end speed who will stretch defenses, forcing the safeties to play back, opening up more room for T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Ocho Cinco and Ben Utecht.
I’ve been hard on Henry, whose five arrests have caused me numerous migraines. But the dude is talented. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of impact he’ll have on the offense, which has been nothing short of awful.
We knew the young defense would be a work in progress under new coordinator Mike Zimmer. But nobody had a clue the veteran offense would be this lousy.
I lay the blame for 0-4 at the feet of the club’s management, coaches, scouts and players … especially Bob Bratkowski’s offense, which is too predictable, too lethargic and too hard on the eyes.
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No deception in ‘ElbowGATE’ fiasco
IF ‘FITZ’ IS THE MAN,
FANS WILL SEE MORE
‘OUT OF POCKET’ PLAYS
TO SUIT HIS STYLE
===LUDWIG AT LARGE exonerates Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis regarding Carson Palmer’s “ELBOW-GATE.” By the time Palmer let the coaches know something was wrong with his elbow, and doctors let the coaches know the extent and severity of the injury, the staff had to hustle to get backup Ryan Fitzpatrick ready. I’ve been vilified for my support of Fitzpatrick, the Arizona-born, Harvard-educated stud backup. Fans need to know this: The game plan against the Browns was set up for Palmer. If Fitzpatrick is the man this week, you’ll see more out-of-pocket plays to suit his style.===
The Cincinnati Bengals issued this news release on Friday at 12:15 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; FRI., SEPT. 26, 2008
FROM CINCINNATI BENGALS PUBLIC RELATIONS
PALMER ON INJURY REPORT
QB Carson Palmer will be added to the Bengals’ Injury Report today, rated as questionable for Sunday’s game against Cleveland.
During the practice week, Palmer has experienced soreness in his right elbow (throwing arm).
“Carson has told us he’s going to be ready to play, but he developed some carryover soreness from last week’s game,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “We are backing him off a little in practice today, so he has to be listed on the report.”
===========
Naturally, I was shocked to learn that quarterback Carson Palmer had surfaced on the club’s Injury Report. After all, he told us on Wednesday, in his weekly news conference prior to practice: “I feel good.”
Fast forward to Sunday when he was placed on the shelf — designated the “third quarterback” — for the Bengals-Browns game at Paul Brown Stadium.
I asked Marvin Lewis, point blank, on Monday: “Why the deception regarding Palmer’s status?”
His response:
“There’s no deception on Carson. The decision was made (to sit him) on Saturday morning. I talked with Carson at length Saturday evening and told him what I thought was the best thing for him, because at that point he was still adamant that he wanted to play. So there is no deception. The doctors expressed their concern to him on Thursday, as he told you and I told you. There was no deception.”
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Bengals QB Carson Palmer: ‘I’ve already made up my mind, I’m playing (at Dallas)’
CARSON PALMER’S INTERVIEW
IN MONDAY OPEN LOCKER ROOM
BENGALS QUARTERBACK ADMITS
IT WAS ‘CONFUSING WEEK,’ CLAIMS
‘NO DESPAIR’ AMONG TEAMMATES
Q. Do you anticipate sitting out this week again?
A. Oh, no. I’ve already made up my mind, I’m playing. I’m going to do what I can in practice and do what they let me do, but I’m 100 percent expecting to play going into this game and planning on playing. I’ll probably be limited in practice, but do what I can.
Q. Do the doctors decide if you play?
A. The doctors are always the ones, no matter what the injury is. but I’m expecting to play, I’m planning on playing, to start, to finish the game, until I get word from the doctors that whatever the situation is. if they don’t want me to play, I won’t play.
Q. What happened last week?
A. It was kind of a confusing week. Some stuff happened that possibly shouldn’t have happened. Just confusing. I felt like I wanted to play and I prepared all week like I did, Then it came down to a deal on Sunday where the doctors just said no.
Q. Exactly what’s wrong with the elbow?
A. I’m not going to go into exactly what’s going on. All that needs to be said is it’s not correct, It’s not 100 percent. and when I’m close to 100 percent, I’ll get the nod to play. Hopefully, that’s this week.
Q. Did you not say anything to the team until Thursday about the elbow?
A. Uh, it was brought up on Wednesday, and we moved on from there.
Q. Is the elbow getting better?
A. It’s definitely getting better. They’ve got me on a good rehab program to get it strong and get everything that’s going on to calm down.
Q. What’s the mood in the locker room?
A. Definitely no despair. It’s a lot worse on the outside of the locker room than it is on the inside. Guys are still hungry and feel desperate for a win because we’re not used to this and this isn’t us. but in no way will this team give up. It seems bleak from everything you hear in the media and people on the outside of the locker room, the way they’re talking. But in no way is this team going to give up or take any team lightly or not prepare the right way, whatever the case may be. We’re going to get ready to go into Dallas and win.
Q. Boomer Esiason said on CBS’s pregame show you need surgery. Was that premature?
A. Yes.
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NFL confirms Bengals get 1-week roster exemption for WR Chris Henry
DROP-DEAD DEADLINE
TO ACTIVATE HENRY
OR RELEASE HIM IS
NOW OCT. 6, 2008
PLACING DORSEY ON INJURED RESERVE
WOULD CLEAR ROSTER SPOT FOR HENRY
The Cincinnati Bengals applied for — and received — a one-game roster exemption for wide receiver Chris Henry, whose four-game, league-mandated suspension ends today, Monday, Sept. 29, 2008.
It means that Henry can practice and participate in full team activities this week without counting against the Bengals’ 53-man roster.
NFL spokesman Corry Rush confirmed the one-game exemption for Henry in an E-mail to the Dayton Daily News on Monday morning.
Rush said that if the Bengals want Henry to play at Dallas on Sunday, Oct. 5, their deadline to activate him to the 53-man roster is Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
If the Bengals choose NOT to play Henry at Dallas, their roster exemption on Henry expires on Monday, Oct. 6.
When the exemption ends, the Bengals have a choice to activate him to the 53-man roster, release him or — if he gets injured in practice this week — place him on the season-ending Injured Reserve list.
For Henry to get activated and play in a game, the Bengals must clear a roster spot for him.
The logical move? Placing third-string tailback DeDe Dorsey on Injured Reserve. Dorsey suffered a right hamstring injury in a 20-12 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday that will keep him sidelined indefinitely.
The Bengals, against head coach Marvin Lewis’ wishes, signed Henry on Tuesday, Aug. 19, The fourth-year veteran rejoined the team after being released by Cincinnati on April 3 of this year.
He played in 35 games with 11 starts for Cincinnati over the 2005-07 seasons, with 88 receptions for 1370 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Henry opened the season on a four-week NFL suspension due to violation of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.
His suspension began on Mon., Sept. 1, the start of the practice week for Cincinnati’s Sept. 7 regular season opener at Baltimore.
During the suspension, Henry was held out of practices as well as Games 1-4. He resumes full activities today — Monday, Sept. 29 — the start of the practice week for Game 5, on Oct. 5 at Dallas.
A player with a history of off-field problems, Henry was released by the Bengals this spring after being charged with assault following an incident in Cincinnati. But charges against Henry were dropped after a trial resulted in a hung jury, with six of eight jurors voting to acquit him. Henry has no further matters pending in the courts.
The NFL placed Henry on indefinite suspension following the assault charge, but the suspension was subsequently revised to four games.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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They said it & meant it …
QB DEREK ANDERSON
OWES ANTWAN ODOM
A HUGE ‘THANK YOU’
===LUDWIG AT LARGE is your voice of reason when it comes to the Cincinnati Bengals. If you want to vent, you’ve come to the right place.===
From Brad Johansen, play-by-play “Voice of the Bengals” on the Bengals radio network: “God have mercy on Bengals fans for the remainder of the year.”
The Chickster’s take: “I second that emotion.”
From Hugh Malay, coordinating producer of Monarch Productions in Newport Beach, Calif.: “Chick: You deserve hazard pay for covering the sad excuse of a NFL franchise. I feel badly for the people of Cincinnati, who have put up with that ineptitude the last 18 years. FREE CARSON PALMER so he can experience what a REAL NFL team is all about.”
The Chickster’s take: “Hugh, you’re a prince in gym shoes and a true stud at the microphone. If you’re like me, you miss carrying “doubles” (two sets of golf clubs) up No. 17 hill at Western Hills Country Club!”
From Ed Andrews in Dayton: “There are always ways for losing teams to lose. Antwan Odom comes in to rush passer on third down. He jumps offsides for no reason except trying to make a play and destroys an interception by David Jones and saves Derek Anderson’s job. I wonder if Anderson thanked him after the game? Also, I believe the Bengals should shut Carson Palmer down for the year. The season is over anyway. Play the young guys and see what we have and need — not that we will draft what we need.”
The Chickster’s take: “Derek Anderson owes Odom a thank you. Anderson also owes Brady Quinn a thanks for holding out his rookie season. Otherwise, Quinn would be the Browns starter today. Quinn, like Akili Smith, destroyed his career with a rookie season holdout. He’ll never be able to make up that lost time, which is precious for a quarterback.”
From Sam Wyche, former Bengals quarterback and head coach, in Pickens, S.C.: “Chick. Thanks for this Web site. You are doing a great job and a tremendous service for alumni and fans.”
The Chickster’s take: “Sam Wyche, in addition to being a great coach and master motivator, is a great person. I’d hire him as Bengals offensive coordinator in a New York Minute. Like all Bengals alumni players, Sam will always be special to me.”
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Bengals, Browns — By the numbers
EVEN THE NUMBERS
TELL A SAD TALE
OF BENGALS WOES
5 — Bengals’ turnovers in 20-12 loss to the Browns.
4 — Fumbles (2 lost) by tailback Chris Perry in 2008.
34:02 — Browns’ time of possession (Bengals: 25:58).
42-43 — Marvin Lewis’ record as Bengals head coach.
5-16 — Romeo Crennel’s record in division games.
261 — Browns’ total yards (Bengals limited to 211).
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Bad news for the Bengals: Things are gonna get worse, a lot worse, before they get better; Palmer’s hurt, team’s in disarray
BENGALS ARE A CALAMITY,
WRAPPED IN A DISASTER,
TUCKED INSIDE A TRAGEDY
===LUDWIG AT LARGE claims it’s not the end of the world. It’s just the end of the Cincinnati Bengals’ season. And it could very well be the end of quarterback Carson Palmer’s season if he has to go under the knife to fix his ailing right elbow.===
Brad Johansen — who is also known as Brad So Handsome — came up with the line of the day after the Cincinnati Bengals, and their season, were laid to rest by the Cleveland Browns, 20-12, at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday:
“God have mercy on Bengals fans for the remainder of the year.”
Brad can’t find a victory on the schedule.
I can’t either.
Houston? Forget it. After Hurricane Ike, Texans fans are dying to play at home…and when they do, woe is their opponent.
New York Jets? Yeah, right. They scored 56 points on Sunday. That’s more than the Bengals have scored (52) in four games.
Kansas City? Hey, the Chiefs just clobbered previously-undefeated Denver.
The way the Bengals are playing, they couldn’t beat Xavier University’s Club Team right now.
And, folks, I hate to say this, but I will. THINGS ARE GOING TO GET A LOT WORSE BEFORE THEY GET BETTER.
That’s like saying American Idol star Clay Aiken is gay.
Not exactly a scoop, now, is it?
I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to all Cleveland Browns fans. I predicted the Browns would be the first AFC North Division team to implode.
I was wrong.
Dead wrong.
The Bengals are the first AFC North Division team to implode and I’m confident they’ll continue to ride the implosion throughout the 2008 season.
Yes, the Browns are bad. They’re lousy. They stink. They’re terrible. Even horrible.
But the Bengals are worse.
Much worse.
The Bengals are a calamity wrapped in a disaster tucked inside a tragedy.
And, sadly, it’s everywhere … from the offensive and defensive lines … all the way to quarterback.
Quarterback Carson Palmer has an inflamed right elbow that prevented him from playing in Sunday’s debacle against the Browns, and he’ll likely be held out of next week’s game at Dallas.
Palmer wanted to play, but a 20-mule team of Bengals’ doctors, trainers and head coach Marvin Lewis said no.
Holding Palmer out against his wishes was a precautionary measure. But Palmer’s refusal to disclose results of an MRI scan speaks volumes that the injury is more serious than the club is willing to allow.
Palmer was hurt in the first quarter against the New York Giants when he got sacked by cornerback Corey Webster, who pulled Palmer’s arm as it was going forward, causing damage to his elbow.
Backup Ryan Fitzpatrick had moments of productivity against the Browns, rushing for a team-high 41 yards and passing for a TD.
But he had ball-security issues and was too erratic He threw three interceptions, got sacked three times and fumbled on a sack by Cleveland linebacker Alex Hall as the Browns (1-3) kept the Bengals (0-4) winless — along with St. Louis, Detroit and Houston — and evened the “Battle of Ohio” series at 35-35.
Fitzpatrick has to play a smarter, more efficient game to pull off an unlikely upset of the very, very angry Dallas Cowboys (3-1), who are licking their wounds after a 26-24 loss to the visiting Washington Redskins.
Now Dallas is licking its chops at the thought of feasting on the Bengals without Palmer.
The Bengals have more issues than Wall Street.
They play neither hard nor smart; litter the field with mistakes; commit too many stupid penalties; and everything from their game management to clock management to time-outs management is absolutely brutal.
Sunday’s game wasn’t a carnival of color, sound, action and fury. It was a 2-hour, 57-minute root canal.
I needed more caffeine than usual to stay awake in the press box.
The Bengals are gonna have to hustle to be as good as 2-14.
“God have mercy on Bengals fans for the remainder of the year.”
You damn right.
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FINAL SCORE: Browns 20, Bengals 12
UGLY GAME ON
BOTH SIDES, BUT
BENGALS WERE
MUCH UGLIER
Derek Anderson’s 4-yard TD pass to Braylon Edwards and Jamal Lewis’ 1-yard plunge led the Cleveland Browns to a 20-12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Cleveland improved to 1-3 while the Bengals are 0-4 for the first time since 2002.
Bengals backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who played the entire game in place of injured Carson Palmer (right elbow), threw three interceptions and fumbled the ball away with 2:04 to go on a sack by Cleveland’s Alex Hall to seal the Browns’ victory.
The Bengals led 6-3 after three quarters, but the Browns erupted for 17 points in the fourth quarter.
CLEVELAND BROWNS 17, CINCINNATI BENGALS 12
Cleveland Browns 3 0 0 17 — 20
Cincinnati Bengals 0 6 0 6 — 12
FIRST QUARTER
Cleveland — Dawson 25 FG; 9:29 to go. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards. Browns lead, 3-0.
SECOND QUARTER
Cincinnati — Graham 42 FG; 10:22 to go. Drive: 13 plays, 68 yards. Score tied, 3-3.
Cincinnati — Graham 45 FG; 0:08 to go. Drive: 7 plays, 17 yards. Bengals lead, 6-3.
THIRD QUARTER
No scoring.
FOURTH QUARTER
Cleveland — Edwards, 4 pass from Anderson (Dawson kick); 13:05 to go. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards. Browns lead, 10-6.
Cleveland — Lewis, 1 run (Dawson kick); 11:06 to go. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards. Browns lead 17-6.
Cincinnati — Ocho Cinco, 4 pass from Fitzpatrick (Pass failed), 7:46 to go. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards. Browns lead 17-12.
Cleveland — Dawson, 29 FG, 0:32 to go. Drive 4 plays, 7 yards. Browns win, 20-12.
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26 starting QBs in Bengals history
RYAN FITZPATRICK BECOMES
BENGALS’ 26TH STARTING QB
Here are the 26 “starting” QBs in Cincinnati Bengals history
1968 — Dewey Warren, John Stofa and Sam Wyche.
1969 — Greg Cook.
1970 — Virgil Carter.
1971 — Ken Anderson.
1974 — Wayne Clark.
1975 — John Reeves.
1979 — Jack Thompson.
1983 — Turk Schonert.
1984 — Boomer Esiason.
1987 — Adrian Breen, Dave Walter.
1991 — Erik Wilhelm, Don Hollas.
1992 — David Klingler.
1993 — Jay Schroeder.
1994 — Jeff Blake.
1998 — Neil O’Donnell and Paul Justin.
1999 — Akili Smith.
2000 — Scott Mitchell.
2001 — Jon Kitna.
2002 — Gus Frerotte.
2004 — Carson Palmer.
2008 — Ryan Fitzpatrick.
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Stop the presses: Carson Palmer’s out (3rd QB) for big game against the Browns
PALMER’S SORE ELBOW
HAS HIM ANCHORED
TO THE SIDELINES
Carson Palmer is out.
And that’s not a misprint.
Soreness in his right elbow prevents Palmer from starting and playing in today’s game against the visiting Cleveland Browns.
Ryan Fitzpatrick becomes the 26th player to start a regular season or playoff game at quarterback for the Bengals.
Palmer was the only NFL quarterback in 2007 to take every offensive snap for his team, but the streak ended in a Week 2 loss (24-7) to the Titans when Fitzpatrick played the final series (no pass attempts).
Fitzpatrick was placed on high alert on Friday when Palmer was listed as questionable on the Injury Report with a tender elbow in his right throwing arm.
Palmer alerted the coaches and trainers he was experiencing some discomfort during practice on Wednesday and Thursday, so he was limited in practice on Friday.
Here’s the list of inactives for both the Bengals and Browns.
BENGALS PRE-GAME INACTIVES
OUT FOR TODAY’S GAME
QB Carson Palmer is the designated third quarterback. (Folks, that’s not a misprint!)
CB Johnathan Joseph
SS Dexter Jackson
TB Kenny Watson
FS Herana-Daze Jones
WR Andre Caldwell
DT Pat Sims
DT Jason Shirley
LINEUP CHANGES
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in place of Carson Palmer.
LCB David Jones starts in place of Johnathan Joseph.
SS Chinedum Ndukwe starts in place of Dexter Jackson.
BROWNS PRE-GAME INACTIVES
OUT FOR TODAY’S GAME
QB Ken Dorsey (designated third quarterback)
WR Donte Stallworth
SS Sean Jones
LB Willie McGinest
LB Beau Bell
RG Ryan Tucker
OL Scott Young
TE Martin Rucker
LINEUP CHANGES
WR Syndric Steptoe will start in place of Donte Stallworth
LOLB Alex Hall will start in place of Willie McGinest
SS Mike Adams will start in place of Sean Jones
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His dad caused ‘The Fumble’ in Browns lore
SIMEON CASTILLE’S ‘POPS’
JEREMIAH RESPONSIBLE FOR
‘THE FUMBLE’ IN BROWNS LORE
LESSON? ‘THE LORD
ANSWERS PRAYERS’
===In case you missed it in the Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, editions of the Dayton Daily News, here’s my story on Bengals rookie cornerback Simeon Castille, whose father — immortal Denver Broncos cornerback Jeremiah Castille — caused “The Fumble” in Cleveland Browns lore===
http://www.journal-news.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2008/09/27/ddn092708spbengals.html
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Fitzpatrick on high alert
Backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick remains on high alert in case he’s needed in relief of starter Carson Palmer, who is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the visiting Browns with a tender elbow in his right throwing arm.
Palmer alerted the coaches and trainers he was experiencing some discomfort during practice on Thursday, so he was limited on Friday.
Palmer was the only NFL QB in 2007 to take every offensive snap for his team, but the streak ended in a Week 2 loss to the Titans when Fitzpatrick played the final series (no pass attempts).
There’s plenty of concern at cornerback, too.
With LCB Johnathan Joseph (ankle) doubtful and backup David Jones (knee) questionable, the team will lean on rookie Simeon Castille and journeyman Jamar Fletcher for support.
Fletcher, an eight-year veteran who played for the Dolphins (2001-03), Chargers (2004-05), Lions (2006) and Texans (2007), was signed earlier in the week to shore up the depth at corner.
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Bengals-Browns: 4 areas to watch
RUNNING GAME
This is the game TB Chris Perry breaks the 100-yard barrier because of his ability to bounce outside and get to the perimeter, where the Browns are most vulnerable. Inside? You can pretty much forget it because DL Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams are formidable run-stuffers. Bengals C Eric Ghiaciuc will need help from LG Andrew Whitworth and RG Bobbie Williams getting leverage against the Browns monsters in the middle. That’s where FB Reagan Maui’a comes in. He’ll be the lead blocker for Perry, who is doing a much better job of staying patient and following his blocks. Perry’s strength, quickness and speed will serve him well against the Browns, who are struggling at OSLB.
PASSING GAME
Now that his No. 1 nemesis — CB Leigh Bodden — is gone, traded to the Detroit Lions, Bengals five-time Pro Bowl WR Chad Ocho Cinco is salivating at the thought of going against inexperienced Brandon McDonald and the Browns’ suspect secondary. Ocho Cinco (8 catches, 88 yards) is due for a breakout game, and should be able to get it as long as the Bengals OL can keep QB Carson Palmer protected. Enemy defenses are double- and triple-teaming Ocho Cinco, allowing WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Antonio Chatman to excel in single coverage. If the Bengals can run the ball effectively, and they believe they can, look for Palmer to go deep.
THE BLITZ
The Browns will try and confuse Palmer with numerous looks in the 3-4 scheme in an attempt to keep him off-balance and guessing. and bait him into throwing into coverage, which could yield an interception or two. They’ll mix things up with a variety of blitzes, but they’ll be careful, too, because a QB as experienced as Palmer will burn them if they become reckless. The Bengals yielded six sacks against the Giants, an inexcusable amount for an OL with this much talent and experience. LT Levi Jones struggled last week, getting whistled for two false starts and giving up two sacks. Jones must seal off the edge and RT Stacy Andrews has to keep an eye on the very dangerous OLB Kamerion Wimbley blitzing off the corner.
IN THE RED ZONE
The Bengals charged into the red zone four times against the New York Giants only to come away with one TD and three field goals. So there’s a major emphasis in practice this week to finish with TDs. They’ll attempt to stay balanced with TB Perry and WR Houshmandzadeh causing the most concern for the Browns because of their elusiveness. Perry has explosive quickness through the line of scrimmage and Houshmandzadeh has a knack for getting open in traffic. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals put more speed on the field and utilize TBs Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey in close because of their ability to reach the pylon quickly.
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Bengals-Browns: 4 reasons to watch
ONE
With the Browns and Bengals preparing to collide at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium with identical 0-3 records on Sunday, Sept. 28, the losing coach is a candidate to be fired as early as Monday, Sept. 29. Neither team plays hard all the time and both squads have dramatically underachieved. The pressure on Cleveland’s Romeo Crennel and Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis to win and get their seasons turned around has never been more intense.
TWO
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, since the NFL instituted its current playoff format in 1990, only three of 90 teams that started a season 0-3 have gone on to qualify for the postseason. They are the 1992 San Diego Chargers, the 1995 Detroit Lions and the 1998 Buffalo Bills. The Bengals-Browns winner will have an opportunity to become playoff qualifier No. 4 after stumbling out of the starting gate at 0-3.
THREE
A year ago in a Week 2 shoot-out (Browns 51, Bengals 45), QBs Carson Palmer (6) and Derek Anderson (5) combined for 11 TD passes in a game that featured 1,085 yards of total offense. Can the fireworks be repeated? It’s doubtful, considering both QBs have thrown more INTs than TD passes. The Bengals are averaging 13.3 points a game to the Browns’ 8.7.
FOUR
Bengals rookie CB Simeon Castille, who made the active roster as a college free agent from Alabama, is the son of former Denver Broncos star Jeremiah Castille, who stripped Earnest Byner near the goal line in the AFC Championship Game (Jan. 17, 1988), causing what has become known as “The Fumble” in Browns lore, helping Denver reach the Super Bowl.
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1980 rewind: Take it from Rutigliano, Brown-Modell hatred was very real
FINAL GAME OF 1980 SEASON
SENT BROWNS TO PLAYOFFS;
BUT SET TONE FOR BENGALS’
1981 SUPER BOWL SEASON
===LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to thank the Cleveland Browns and Steve King, who covers the Browns for ClevelandBrowns.com … This story is reprinted with permission from the Cleveland Browns.===
By STEVE KING
ClevelandBrowns.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been perceived for quite some time now as the Browns’ biggest rivals.
That’s probably true.
However, that was never really the case for the original Browns franchise — or at least the team’s owner, Art Modell. For him, the club’s biggest rival was the Cincinnati Bengals. And for the Bengals, the biggest rival was the Browns.
Modell fired Browns founding head coach — and Pro Football Hall of Famer — Paul Brown after the 1962 season after they had disagreed on a number of issues. Brown was out of football for the next five seasons and then helped bring pro football to Cincinnati with the Bengals in 1968. That was the year after he had enshrined in the HOF.
He served as their founding head coach, too, for eight years, through the 1975 season, before stepping down to assume full-time duties as general manager until his death on Aug. 5, 1991.
To say Modell and Brown did not like each other is like saying Cleveland and Cincinnati are both located in the state of Ohio. That is, it’s obvious.
MODELL FIRED BROWN & GREGG
Modell wanted to beat the Bengals more than any other team. And Brown wanted to beat the Browns — the club named for him — more than any other team.
Former Browns head coach Sam Rutigliano tells a story that epitomizes how Modell viewed the rivalry.
It occurred Dec. 21, 1980 — the Kardiac Kids year — as the Browns were getting ready to play the Cincinnati Bengals that afternoon at Riverfront Stadium in the season finale.
The Browns were 10-5 after having lost 28-23 to the Minnesota Vikings the previous week on a Hail Mary pass from Tommy Kramer to Ahmad Rashad on the game’s final play. The Browns could have clinched a playoff berth with a win, but as a result of the stunning loss, they now could not get in as a wild card. They had to win the AFC Central title to make it, and to do that, they had to defeat the Bengals.
It was very simple: Either win or go home.
A LITTLE CHAT ON THE BUS
The Browns had won the first meeting between the teams 31-7 at Cleveland a month earlier, but they knew it would be much tougher this time. The Bengals had been out of contention for a while, and at 6-9 had guaranteed themselves of a third straight losing season. But they were set to give the Browns all they wanted. Brown and Bengals first-year head coach Forrest Gregg, who was fired as head coach of the Browns with one game left in the 1977 season, would see to that.
On the morning of the game, the Browns were boarding the team bus at the hotel in Downtown Cincinnati for the short ride of just a few blocks to Riverfront. You could cut the tension with a knife. The importance of the game was not lost on anyone with the Browns.
“I was sitting in the front seat of the bus when Art got on,” Rutigliano recalled. “When he saw me, he patted me on the back.
“He said to me, ‘Sam, no matter what happens today, I want you to know that this season has already been a big success. You’ve turned the team around in your three years here, and we set an attendance record this season. Everything is looking up.’
‘ART! YOU’RE FULL OF IT!’
“He started to say something else, and I stopped him in mid-sentence. I told him, ‘Baloney, Art! You’re full of it!’
“He looked at me kind of stunned that I would talk to the owner of the team like that, but I didn’t care.
“I said to him, ‘Look, the owner of that team we’re playing today is Paul Brown. You fired him, remember? And the head coach of that team is Forrest Gregg, You fired him, too, remember? Those two guys would like nothing better than to win today and deny the Browns — but especially you — a chance to go to the playoffs.
” ‘And in turn, you know you want to go to the playoffs by beating them more than you love life itself. So don’t give me all that junk about this season already being a success no matter what happens out there today.’
“With that, he smiled, chuckled a little bit and then sat down. He knew full well that I was right.”
As it turned out, the Bengals did rise up and play a whale of a game. It was a classic, in fact.
The Browns fell behind 10-0 right away and then went ahead 24-17 midway through the third quarter on two Brian Sipe TD passes to little-used wide receiver Ricky Feacher, the self-proclaimed “Hollywood Dude” who was playing for the injured Dave Logan.
The Bengals rallied to the game 24-24 later in the third quarter, though, and then Don Cockroft kicked the game-winning 22-yard field goal with 1:25 left in the game.
KREIDER ‘PINNED’ TO GROUND
But it wasn’t over yet. The game ended with Browns cornerback Ron Bolton tackling — and then pinning down — Steve Kreider in bounds at the Cleveland 14 after the wide receiver had hauled in a 21-yard pass from Ken Anderson, who was hurt but was inserted into the game by Gregg as he pulled out all the stops to win.
The Bengals, out of time-outs, rushed down the field to try to set up for another play, but were unable to do so before the final gun sounded.
The win gave the Browns their first division title in nine years, and their first playoff berth in eight seasons, and made 1980 an unqualified success in every way, shape and form in everybody’s eyes.
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QB Carson Palmer surfaces on injury report with soreness in his right elbow
LISTED AS QUESTIONABLE
VS. BROWNS ON SUNDAY
MARVIN LEWIS CLAIMS CARSON
IS ‘GOING TO BE READY TO PLAY’
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer was added to the club’s Injury Report on Friday, Sept. 26, because of soreness in his right elbow.
He’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Cleveland.
The Bengals reported in a news release that Palmer has experienced soreness in his right elbow (throwing arm) during practice this week.
“Carson has told us he’s going to be ready to play, but he developed some carryover soreness from last week’s game (against the New York Giants),” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “We are backing him off a little in practice today, so he has to be listed on the report.”
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‘The Hit:’ Darden’s crushing tackle of McInally is defining moment in rivalry
KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS,
McINALLY CAME BACK TO
CATCH TD PASS IN 1980
PLAYERS, COACHES, FANS
‘THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD’
===LUDWIG AT LARGE was watching the game at home with his mom, dad, brothers and sisters. If you’re old enough to remember, you’ll never forget where you were when Thom Darden delivered the devastating “HIT” on Pat McInally.===
Cincinnati’s Pat McInally and Cleveland’s Thom Darden.
You can’t mention one without the other.
“The Hit” the Browns free safety delivered on the Bengals wide receiver and punter on Dec. 21, 1980, in Cincinnati is regarded as the most memorable play in the “Battle of Ohio” series — the moment that defined the intensity of the rivalry.
Knocked out by Darden’s vicious hit on the Bengals’ first series, McInally — who was unconscious for 30 minutes — returned in the second quarter and caught a 59-yard TD pass from Jack Thompson late in the game.
The Browns won, 27-24, but McInally earned a prominent place in Cincinnati folklore for his heroic and courageous performance.
Many in the crowd of 50,058 at Riverfront Stadium thought McInally was paralyzed by “The Hit.”
“He almost got decapitated,” Bengals guard Dave Lapham said.
“We thought he was dead,” Browns receiver Dave Logan added.
The Bengals had spread the field with four wideouts and McInally was lined up in a three-receiver cluster to the left. While the other two sped downfield, McInally released to the inside, over the middle, where Darden was waiting.
“I ran into both of his forearms,” McInally said.
Darden said he remembers the play “like it was yesterday.
“We had a coverage designed for that specific play where I would fake like I was going deep-middle, then I would come up in the linebacker area,” Darden said. “As fate would have it, they ran the exact play we were looking for.
“McInally comes underneath. Jack doesn’t even see me. I creep up inside and I have a decision to make. Do I go for the ball or do I go for him because we’re both coming at the same angle. I decided I was going for him because I couldn’t get to the ball.”
Darden was called to league headquarters in New York and fined by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Darden, from the University of Michigan, said he’s never spoken to McInally since “The Hit.”
“The first thing I’d say to him is that I’m glad he was OK, then I’d be mad at him because he came back and caught a touchdown pass,” Darden said.
McInally lives in the Southern California city of Corona del Mar. He created the “Starting Lineup” toy line of action figures for Kenner and runs a company, “Good Sports for Life,” which helps parents with young athletes.
Darden is president of The Darden Group, Inc., in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a management and investment company that handles mortgage back securities.
Chick Ludwig asks that you please send all Bengals alumni information to cludwig@daytondailynews.com or (937) 225-2253
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No real biggie if Bengals lose
BENGALS ARE JUST ‘DOIN’
WHAT COMES NATUR’LLY’
WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES
IS TOO MUCH OF A HASSLE
So what happens to the Cincinnati Bengals if they lose to the Cleveland Browns at Cincy’s Paul Brown Stadium?
Well, let’s face it: They’ll have to board an airplane bound for Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 4, with an 0-4 record.
And likely return home 0-5 as they prepare for a return trip to New York for an Oct. 12 game against the Jets.
Losing to the Browns would give the Bengals their first 0-4 start since 2002 when Dick LeBeau’s squad went 2-14.
I, for one, won’t be shocked if the Browns knock off the Bengals.
The Bengals struggle at home. Their best home mark under head coach Marvin Lewis is 5-3. They’re 0-1 at PBS this year, courtesy of the Tennessee Titans, who scored a wind-aided 24-7 victory on Sept. 14, a game that featured a 50-to-80 mph breeze that had debris swirling in the football yard.
LUDWIG AT LARGE believes there ain’t no shame in losin’ for the Bengals.
Why? Because winning is a hassle.
Winning causes too much commotion. There’s too much fan excitement. Too much merchandise to sell. The waiting list for season ticket buyers gets too long. The demand for tickets gets too out of control. The local restaurants & taverns do too much business.
Going 2-7 at the Nov. 9 bye would be much better. Then the focus can shift to college basketball and Cincinnati sports fans can eagerly await Reds Spring Training.
And Bengals fans can start looking forward to 2009 free agency and the NFL Draft.
Seriously, folks, I won’t be surprised at all if the Bengals lay down like a dormat and have Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Jamal Lewis, Jerome Harrison, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow pull their tiger tails.
After all, like my favorite song in the musical Annie Get Your Gun, the Bengals are just “Doin What Comes Natur’lly.”
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Stebbins’ Ron Coleman, breast cancer survivor, to be honored at PBS Sunday
STEBBINS’ ADMINISTRATOR
MORE THAN JUST A COACH
AND FRIEND; HE’S MY HERO
I like to call Ron Coleman “coach.”
I also like to call him a man for all seasons.
He’s seen a lot and done a lot.
He was Central State University’s men’s basketball coach.
He was the color analyst for Wright State University men’s basketball on the Raiders radio network.
He was head boys basketball coach at Stebbins High School in Dayton.
Nowadays, he’s an assistant principal at Stebbins and the father of Ohio State football player Kurt Coleman, a star safety for the Buckeyes.
Of all the things he’s seen & done, Ron’s greatest accomplishment is his fighting spirit, dogged determination and positive attitude as a breast cancer survivor.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, breast cancer afflicts men, too.
Ron and other breast cancer survivors will be honored by the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 28, prior to the Bengals-Cleveland Browns game as part of the Cincinnati Bengals Breast Cancer Survivor Event, sponsored by National City.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and Bengals cornerback Leon Hall are heavily involved in this event, and I applaud the Bengals for their commitment to this most worthy project.
Congratulations, Ron, on being selected from over 450 nominated survivors to take part in this event to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
Ron, you’re a prince in gym shoes and I’m not afraid or ashamed to call you something else.
My hero.
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Bengals: 3 keys to success
PROTECTION FOR CARSON PALMER
The Bengals have already yielded nine sacks this year. They’re on pace to give up 48, nearly triple their 2007 total when they set a franchise record for pass protection with only 17 sacks allowed. The line, tight ends and backs are all responsible for Palmer getting pummeled. If the protection doesn’t improve, the losses will continue to mount.
CONTAIN THE RUN (SLOW DOWN JAMAL)
Browns tailback Jamal Lewis has been a one-man wrecking crew against Cincinnati during his career. In 13 games against the Bengals for Baltimore and Cleveland, Lewis averages 119.3 rushing yards per game (1,551 total). He ripped through the Bengals’ porous defense for 308 yards in two games (216, 92) in 2007. The defense’s goal is to gang-tackle Lewis and keep him under 100 yards. By creating some third-and-long opportunities, the Bengals have a chance to add to their pitiful total of one sack in three games.
SPECIAL TEAMS MUST BE SPECIAL
Kickoff returner Glenn Holt (24.9 average) and punt returner Antonio Chatman (10.5) have been pleasant surprises in the return game so far. Both have come extremely close to busting home runs and it’s a credit to the blocking scheme orchestrated by the tireless work ethic of special teams coach Darrin Simmons. Holt and Chatman are fast, quick players who do a good job of communicating with their blockers and darting through openings in the coverage. Their continued progress is a key factor in setting the table for an offensive explosion.
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Chickster’s bleary-eyed look
UP LATE, UP