Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth still was in a sparring mood Wednesday, three days after being ejected for fighting against Oakland.

Whitworth called a few of the Raiders “cowards” for their role in the fracas that broke out after Lamarr Houston threw Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton to the ground after a play had been whistled dead for a false start.

“I grabbed (Houston) and we tussled. That could have easily been stopped,” Whitworth said. “The punches their guys threw – the other guys, not him – the punches they were throwing was what really escalated the fight.”

In addition to the punches, Whitworth said Oakland players were clawing at his face under the pile. He pointed to mark under his right eye as evidence.

“Guys were trying to eye-gouge me, all that stuff,” he said. “I don’t know (who it was). Like I said, I haven’t watched the film. If I watch it, I’ll go find those people, so I really don’t want to know.”

“I thought it was pretty cowardly,” he said. “Those guys know who they are. It doesn’t shock me. A team that’s had the season they’ve had and then they’re frustrated and a lot of big guys that haven’t done a lot that get talked about a lot for being big and talented but they don’t do anything, they play that way sometimes.”

It’s doubtful Whitworth will be suspended, but he’s likely facing a fine, along with several members of the Raiders who can been seen on the tape throwing punches and reaching inside Whitworth’s facemask.

Whitworth, who also was ejected for fighting in a 2008 game against Jacksonville, said he has received a lot of support from other players and fans after sticking up for Dalton.

“I haven’t been able to go anywhere without somebody saying something to me,” Whitworth said. “Different guys I know across the league were texting me and stuff. So guys love it, they support it.”

C’ing a difference

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and linebacker Rey Maualuga found something extra in their lockers Sunday morning prior to the Raiders game.

Their jerseys had been affixed with the letter ‘C’ for captain, the first time a Bengals player has worn such a designation since 2008.

“It just came to me one morning running that I should go ahead and put the C’s on their jerseys and make it known that way and continue to empower them to do the things I’ve asked them to do,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. “But make it physical now, where everybody sees it. I didn’t tell them about it. I just did it.”

Maualuga said it was a welcome surprise.

“I usually grab my shoulder pads, put them on the ground, put all my clothes lined up, see what I’m going to wear, then I saw it,” he said. “I took a second to sit there. I was in awe. It was a blessing and an honor.”

Hawaii hopefuls

A.J. Green remains the leading among wide receivers in the most recent Pro Bowl voting.

With 406,780 votes, Green is well ahead of Indianapolis’ Reggie Wayne (316,254) for the top spot in the AFC. The New York Giants’ Victor Cruz leads NFC receivers with 352,611 votes.

The only other Bengals player appearing in the top five at his position is defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who ranks second behind Baltimore’sHaloti Ngata. Atkins has 196,813 to Ngata’s 219,581.

Food drive

The Bengals’ annual canned food drive held Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium brought in 7,893 pounds of food and $16,600 in cash. Donations help the Freestore Foodbank distribute food to more than 25,000 people in the Tri-State area.