Bengals tidbits

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

7/24/06

Bengals DT charged with resisting arrest

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->CINCINNATI - Officers trying to arrest Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Matthias Askew after a parking violation used a Taser to subdue him and charged him with resisting arrest.
The 24-year-old Askew struggled with officers trying to handcuff him Saturday evening and broke away before he was shocked, police spokesman Lt. Tom Lanter said. Askew ignored an officer's warning to move his illegally parked car and then refused to give his identification, Lanter said.
Askew, also charged with obstructing official business, was released on his own recognizance and was scheduled to appear in court Monday, a jail official said.
The 6-foot-5, 302-pound lineman was a fourth-round draft pick in 2004 from Michigan State. He played in five games as a rookie, but was active for only one game last season.
Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said Sunday morning he could not confirm Askew's arrest and had no other information.
The arrest came about a week after Bengals owner Mike Brown issued a statement to reassure fans the team has standards for its players. Three other Bengals have been charged with criminal offenses in recent months.
"We want our fans to know that we share their concerns regarding the recent off-field conduct of several Bengals players," Brown said in the statement. "We expect our players to be good citizens, as most are, and we hold them accountable for their conduct under team and league rules."
Last month, second-year receiver Chris Henry pleaded not guilty in Covington, Ky., to charges that he provided alcohol to three underage females. He also faces a drunken driving charge in suburban Cincinnati, and is scheduled for trial Aug. 21 in Florida on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
A.J. Nicholson, a fifth-round pick in April, was charged last month with burglarizing the apartment of a former Florida State teammate. He also faces grand theft and vandalism charges in Florida.
Also last month, defensive end Frostee Rucker was charged with two counts of spousal battery and vandalism in Los Angeles. The third-round pick has denied the allegations.
<!-- end body-content -->

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

7/24/06

Top 10 issues facing the Bengals in 2006

If Palmer can't start the season, backups need to be ready to run the offense.

By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer

Sunday, July 23, 2006

In honor of the Cincinnati Bengals' 10th training camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College, here are the top 10 issues facing the club in 2006:
1 Getting quarterback Carson Palmer completely healthy and into the flow of the offense. Palmer, whose left knee was reconstructed Jan. 10, has progressed much quicker than expected. He must reach the point where he's totally comfortable and confident in the strength of his knee so that he's not thinking about it when he steps onto the field.

2 Backup quarterbacks Anthony Wright, Doug Johnson and Erik Meyer must grow in their knowledge of the offense in case they're needed. "We keep preparing the other guys as though (Palmer) won't be there, but chances are he will be," head coach Marvin Lewis said.

3 Two free agents — defensive tackle Sam Adams (Bills) and strong safety Dexter Jackson (Buccaneers) — must emerge as leaders for the 28th-ranked defense to improve. Adams is a massive run stuffer. Jackson is an enforcer with good range.

4 If they can communicate well, Jackson and free safety Madieu Williams have a chance to be one of the top safety tandems in the NFL. Both are intense, aggressive ballhawks and run defenders with excellent speed and tackling technique.

5 Left linebacker David Pollack needs an impressive camp to prove himself worthy as a 2005 first-round draft pick. He missed his entire rookie camp as a holdout, and nagging knee and foot injuries have impeded his progress. Pollack has the speed, quickness, power and smarts to become the club's first double-digit sack artist since 1992 — if he stays healthy.

6 With middle linebacker Odell Thurman facing a four-game suspension, linebackers coach Ricky Hunley must get his starting unit of Pollack, Brian Simmons and Landon Johnson in sync quickly while developing newcomers Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks and A.J. Nicholson.

7 The most intriguing position battle should take place at wide receiver with Kelley Washington trying to hold off Antonio Chatman and Tab Perry for the No. 3 role behind Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Washington has size and strength, but Chatman is blessed with more speed and quickness. Chris Henry is out of the picture because of a knee injury and numerous off-field problems.

8 Aging right cornerback Tory James and left cornerback Deltha O'Neal, who underwent an offseason knee scope, will get pushed to the limit by a pair of swift, athletic youngsters in Keiwan Ratliff and rookie first-round pick Johnathan Joseph.

9 Keep an eye on rookie wideout Reggie McNeal. His expertise as a runner, passer and receiver has earned him the nickname "Slash." The club has installed a special play package for him so it can take advantage of his triple-threat skills.

10 Backup tailback Chris Perry, who had a knee scope in April, will be limited. That means more snaps for Kenny Watson, Quincy Wilson, DeDe Dorsey and Terrence Whitehead behind starter Rudi Johnson.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

7/25/06

Bengal pleads not guilty



Bengals defensive tackle Matthias Askew pleaded not guilty to charges of resisting arrest, obstructing official business and two parking violations.

Police charged the 6-foot-5, 302-pound lineman Saturday, saying the 24-year-old struggled with officers trying to handcuff him and broke away before being shocked with a stun gun. He had ignored an officer’s warning to move his illegally parked car and refused to give his identification when asked for it, police said.

Yesterday, Askew’s lawyer disputed that version of events, saying officers shocked Askew at least three times.
"They are trying to make this look like it was all Matthias’ fault … so they could justify the use of force," attorney Ken Lawson said.

[BuckNutty]

Lewis: Palmer's knee more worrisome than players' legal issues


By The Associated Press
Tuesday, July 25, 2006


CINCINNATI (AP) - Carson Palmer's knee injury, not the legal problems of four Bengals players, made this offseason more difficult for Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis.
"It's not been any more trying other than the questions about Carson's health. I don't think anything else has been different than we've dealt with the other offseasons," Lewis said in an interview with The Cincinnati Enquirer for Tuesday's editions.

Palmer had reconstructive surgery Jan. 10 to repair damage caused by Kimo von Oelhoffen, who slammed into the quarterback's left knee during the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff victory in Cincinnati.

Since then, the Bengals' image has been hurt by criminal cases involving wide receiver Chris Henry, linebacker A.J. Nicholson, defensive end Frostee Rucker and defensive tackle Matthias Askew.

Henry faces the most problems off the field as the Bengals prepare to begin training camp Saturday in Georgetown, Ky.

Last month, the second-year player pleaded not guilty in Covington, Ky., to charges that he provided alcohol to three underage females. He also faces a drunken driving charge in suburban Cincinnati, and is scheduled for trial Aug. 21 in Florida on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

Lewis said he planned to have Henry on the team once he is cleared to play. Henry is recovering from a knee injury suffered in the playoff loss to the Steelers.

"He should have no problems once he is medically cleared. But he has some things pending. We'll see how that all comes down for him," Lewis said.

Asked by the newspaper whether Henry was worth a roster spot considering his legal difficulties, Lewis said, "It's not clear ... let's see what trouble he is in. Don't prejudge him. You can't prejudge him."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_463293.html

[tibor75]

Considering that Palmer has more talent than Henry, Askew, Rucker, and Nicholson combined, it's a fair assessment. I'm willing to bet that the only one Lewis is worried about is Odell Thurman. If he's gone, Brian Simmons has to play the middle and only stupid Bengal fans on message boards think he is any good.

[I hunt manatees]

I wouldn't be so fast on cutting Henry... The kid's got talent, too bad he's a jackass. If he does get cut, I see a Koren Robinson-like situation in his future.