Bengals tidbits

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/16/06

FOOTBALL

Lewis saying go, Palmer saying no

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CINCINNATI — Marvin Lewis said the final decision on when Carson Palmer returns to game action rests with the quarterback and that Palmer is physically ready to play.
Palmer said the Bengals coach has the final say and that he’s not ready.
Friction in Bengals land? Palmer said no.
"We’re on the same page," he said.
At a news conference yesterday, Lewis said Palmer had been given medical clearance to play on his reconstructed left knee.
"The doctor’s telling me he’s fine and he’s ready to go," Lewis said. "When he feels like he’s ready to go, unwrap him. But it’s up to him. There’s nothing medically, one way or another, that’s going to make a difference this week, next week, or two weeks from now." Five hours later, Palmer was asked whether he felt ready. "Not yet," he said. That would seem to indicate there is little chance of him playing in the team’s second preseason game, Friday in Buffalo. But Palmer wouldn’t make that judgment. "Marvin’s call," Palmer said. "Marvin will tell you. Ask him." Told that Lewis had deferred the final decision to him, Palmer replied, "I’ve since talked to Marvin, and it’s his decision. He’ll answer any questions on that." Such back and forth could lead to speculation that coach and quarterback have differing opinions.
Palmer said that would be incorrect.
"In the last week, we’ve had four or five discussions," Palmer said. "We’ve ended the talks with a handshake. Everything’s been fine. We’re not sure where this is coming from. We’re on the same page, and we know where we’re headed."
The controversy — if that’s what it is — began with comments analyst John Madden made Sunday night during the preseason opener. Madden said Lewis told him the Bengals would have to "fish or cut bait" in deciding whether Palmer would play in the Sept. 10 regular-season opener against Kansas City.
"If we’re going to fish," Madden quoted Lewis as saying, "then I want him to play in the preseason game (in Buffalo) next week."
Lewis was vague yesterday about what he told Madden.
"I didn’t say it with that kind of context," Lewis said. "If I did, I’m sorry I did put it that way."
He added that it was not necessary for Palmer to play against the Bills to start against the Chiefs. But Lewis said Palmer wouldn’t start against the Chiefs if he didn’t see any preseason action.
"He continues to progress physically," Lewis said. "He wants to get in and have that game action. He’s looking forward to running, sprinting, sliding and doing all the things you do at quarterback that he hasn’t had an opportunity to do as much of yet.
"We want him to feel comfortable when it’s time. He’s doing it in training, but he wants to do it on the football field and feel good about it.
"At some point, you have to take that leap of faith and do it. That’s what he is looking forward to."
Palmer said the first day of training camp that the earliest he believed he could return was Aug. 28 in the third preseason game against Green Bay. "That was the goal, to come back for Green Bay, and we’re still looking at that goal," Palmer said. "I can’t predict the future and tell you if it’s for sure or not. I’m not going to know until that week."
brabinowitz@dispatch.com

Dispatch

8/16/06

BENGALS NOTEBOOK

Tackle’s injury could put Palmer’s return on hold

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CINCINNATI — If there was any question about the wisdom of Carson Palmer making his return Friday, a look at Levi Jones probably dispels it.
The left tackle sprained an ankle Sunday night in the preseason victory over Washington and is wearing a large boot on his right foot.
Jones had little to say about the severity of the injury.
"All injury questions have to go through coach (Marvin) Lewis," Jones said. "He ain’t told me yet what it is."
In practice yesterday, second-round draft pick Andrew Whitworth lined up as Jones’ replacement. Left guard Eric Steinbach also could move to that spot.
The idea of having a patched-up offensive line against the Buffalo Bills, especially with a rookie left tackle, wouldn’t be the best situation for Palmer’s return.
Palmer expressed confidence in any of Jones’ potential replacements, but he also knows the hazards of risking injury in a preseason game.
"That’s the last thing Marvin wants to do, this organization wants to do, that I want to do," Palmer said. "This organization has invested a lot of me in the future. They’re not going to risk it for one preseason game in August over hopefully a 10- to 15-year career."
Thurman returns

Odell Thurman practiced for the first time. The second-year middle linebacker, who has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games after violating its substance-abuse policy, had been limited to conditioning work during training camp in Georgetown, Ky.
"I’m ready to go," Thurman said. "I just can’t wait to get back out on the green. I’m going to work hard until I can get back on the field and do everything I can do until then.
"I feel great. I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in."
He said he weighed 235 pounds.
Linebackers coach Ricky Hunley gave him a solid early review.
"It’s like he hasn’t missed a beat," Hunley said. "He was real attentive in meetings, taking good notes."
He said Thurman was carrying himself as someone who wanted to gain the respect of his teammates.
Askew cut

The Bengals waived defensive tackle Matthias Askew, a fourth-round pick out of Michigan State in 2004.
"He wasn’t going to make our football team at this point," Lewis said, "so it’s better to give Matthias an opportunity to catch on with another team."
Askew added to the Bengals’ off-the-field woes in late July when he was Tasered by Cincinnati police after a parking incident. Askew was charged with obstructing official business. Askew’s lawyer has said the police were at fault.
Center Jesse Boone, an undrafted rookie, also was waived. The Bengals signed defensive tackle Daniel Watts as an international practice-squad player.
brabinowitz@dispatch.com

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/17/06

BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Esiason brushes aside Palmer worries
Former QB says flap over return date overblown

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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CINCINNATI — Before there was Carson, there was Boomer. And when Boomer Esiason talks, people in Cincinnati still listen.
Esiason, now a CBS analyst, was at the Bengals facility yesterday to conduct a previously scheduled interview with quarterback Carson Palmer.
As a quarterback familiar with media firestorms, Esiason was amused by the supposed controversy regarding Palmer’s return. Coach Marvin Lewis said Tuesday that Palmer had been cleared medically to play and that the timing of his return was up to the quarterback. Palmer said he didn’t feel ready and that Lewis had the final say.
Despite the contrasting words, Palmer said he and Lewis were in agreement about his status. Esiason agreed.
"The story hasn’t changed since I came out here in January after he got his surgery to when I interviewed him three months ago and then I did today," Esiason said. "The story has always been the same. The story is when he is 100 percent they’ll be ready to put him in there. I don’t think Marvin has deviated from that. I don’t think Carson has deviated from that."
Esiason took a playful jab at the NBC television crew for stirring up a story he doesn’t believe really exists. Analyst John Madden said that Lewis told him the Bengals had to "fish or cut bait" by Friday’s exhibition game at Buffalo in deciding whether Palmer would start the regular season.
Though Lewis wouldn’t say after yesterday’s practice whether Palmer or Anthony Wright would start Friday, Palmer said he wouldn’t play.
"They left a little wake in their trail after they left the city, but the story hasn’t changed one bit," Esiason said. "When Carson is finally out on the field, all of this garbage will be over with and everyone will be happy."
Esiason said he just wants to make sure Palmer doesn’t rush back. He cited the example of New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington, who played through a bad shoulder and now is fighting to hold on to his job.
"This should be a 10-year, Hall of Fame, couple Super Bowl career," Esiason said of Palmer, "and I think that’s what we’re all expecting. He’ll get out there when he’s ready, and that’s the way it should be."
Esiason is confident Palmer will be back good as ever.
The proof?
"I drafted him first in my fantasy league," Esiason said.
Chatman returns

Receiver Antonio Chatman, signed as a free agent from Green Bay, has returned to practice after missing most of training camp because of a pelvic strain.
Chatman had expected to be a leading contender for the third receiver spot, but his injury and Chris Henry’s strong play have made that almost impossible. Chatman still could become the team’s primary punt returner.
"Very frustrating," Chatman said. "Every day I was out there telling them I want to go, but I knew I couldn’t. The game against Washington, coach Lewis was teasing me, saying I could suit up but not play."
He said he’s still working through the injury.
"It’s getting there," Chatman said. "It’s not fully there."
Adams not buffaloed

Defensive tackle Sam Adams’ three years with the Buffalo Bills ended on a sour note. He started only one game the second half of last season. Part of that was attributable to a sore ankle, but there were also reports of friction with the coaching staff.
"I’m going to leave that in that house," Adams said about the reasons for his departure.
Adams has been nursing a sore leg, and Lewis said it’s doubtful Adams will play Friday.
brabinowitz@dispatch.com

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Cincy

8/17/06

It's official: Palmer to sit

BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->Once and for all, Carson Palmer said, he will not play Friday night in the Bengals' second preseason game at Buffalo.
Palmer on Tuesday hinted he would sit out the game. But that did not stop the barrage of questions about the health of his surgically reconstructed left knee and speculation about when he finally would return to play.
Coach Marvin Lewis smiled after the team's second practice Wednesday and said he was not going to announce who would start at quarterback Friday.
Look for Anthony Wright to start and play the first half, as he did in last Sunday's preseason opener against Washington.
Wright, who threw for 101 yards and one touchdown against the Redskins, needs as much work as possible to prepare for a possible start in the regular-season opener Sept. 10 at Kansas City.
Palmer practiced on the field Wednesday morning but worked out inside during the afternoon practice.
Between practices, during yet another conversation about his knee, Palmer was asked why he answered questions about his playing status so honestly.
"I'm not going to cover anything up. I've got nothing to hide," Palmer said. "I'm not going out there until I'm 100 percent. And I don't feel like I have to hide anything about that. If I was going to go out there and do something silly and try to play at 85 percent, then that's not the best thing for me or the organization. This organization wants me to be 100 percent."
Palmer has said all along he is targeting the Bengals' third preseason game, Aug. 28 at home against Green Bay, for his return.
Doug Johnson and rookie Erik Meyer are likely to play the second half at quarterback against Buffalo.
E-mail mcurnutte@ enquirer.com
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Cincy

8/17/06

Adams iffy in Buffalo return
Bengals notebook

BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->Sam Adams spent three successful seasons with the Buffalo Bills.
The first-year Bengals defensive tackle was a Pro Bowl player after 2004 and an all-star game alternate last season.
Adams, though not physically cleared for the second preseason game Friday night at Buffalo, has fond memories of his stay there.
"Yeah, but I'm going to leave that in that house," Adams said of his stay in Buffalo. "I'm going to handle it as professionally as I can. I wish those guys luck and hope they have good careers, and we're going to move on."
Adams suffered an ankle injury toward the end of the season in Buffalo but came back to play. He has not been medically cleared to practice or play, but Bengals coach Marvin Lewis left the door open for the Adams to play against the Bills.
Will Adams play?
"You have to ask Marvin that," he said.
BOOMER'S VIEW: Boomer Esiason, a CBS Sports NFL analyst and former Bengals quarterback, was at Paul Brown Stadium to interview Carson Palmer.
Esiason was asked about Palmer's return Wednesday and the apparent conflict Palmer has with coach Marvin Lewis about his return.
"It's been blown out of proportion because (John) Madden rolled in here and (sideline reporter) Andrea Kremer asks him a question that he's unprepared for, meaning Carson, and (analyst) Jerome Bettis had a little firestorm going on here," Esiason said in reference to the NBC Sports telecast of the Bengals' preseason opener Sunday.
"They left a little wake in their trail after they left the city, but the story hasn't changed one bit. Did some of the language, some of the semantics of the discussion change? Sure, but that's because we're right here.
"I'm telling you, when Carson is finally out on the field, all of this garbage will be over with and everyone will be happy."
10-YEAR CLUB: Five Bengals veterans - center Rich Braham, right tackle Willie Anderson, cornerback Tory James and defensive linemen Bryan Robinson and Adams - have been given reserved parking spaces closest to the door in the players' parking lot at Paul Brown Stadium. Each of the five is in at least his 10th NFL season.
BOOK CLUB: Several players discussed the new Chad Johnson biography, by Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty, Wednesday morning after practice.
"Is it fiction?" safety Madieu Williams asked of "Chad: i Can't Be Stopped."
"We've got to get a copy of that and pass it around," Williams said. "I'm not going to Barnes & Noble and spend $20 on it."
"Dawg," wide receiver Kelley Washington said, "you can buy it at Walgreen's."
DOG DAYS: Several players missed one or both of the practices Wednesday: left tackle Levi Jones (ankle), safety Kevin Kaesviharn (back spasms), wide receiver Antonio Chatman (pelvis), Anderson (rest), Palmer (knee) and linebacker Brian Simmons (knee).

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

8/18/06

Bengals to pay close attention to special teams

Friday, August 18, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

<!--PHOTOS--><TABLE class=phototableright align=right border=0><!-- begin large ad code --><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle></IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>MIKE MUNDEN DISPATCH </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>The Bengals’ kickoff coverage team was burned by the Bills’ Terrence McGee late last season after Cincinnati had clinched the AFC North title. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle></IMG> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


CINCINNATI — For special teams coach Darrin Simmons, it’s the one game he doesn’t like pulling out of the Bengals’ 2005 catalog.
Fresh off clinching the AFC North championship, the Bengals suffered a major letdown in a 37-27 upset by the Buffalo Bills, their preseason opponent tonight.
Nowhere was the letdown bigger than on special teams. The Bengals allowed Terrence McGee to return a kickoff for a touchdown and allowed another long return on a reverse to open the second half. Buffalo also recovered an onside kick.
It’d be foolish to suggest that the Bengals’ special teams are seeking revenge tonight. It’s only the preseason. But Buffalo should provide a decent gauge for measuring Cincinnati’s progress in that area.
For the Bills, the performance against the Bengals was no fluke. According to The Dallas Morning News’ comprehensive special-teams ratings, the Bills had the best kicking game in the league last year. Cincinnati was 16 th.
"They’re the best," Simmons said. "It’s something we’re aspiring to. To be the best you’ve got to beat the best. We haven’t done that yet."
Simmons’ task is complicated because he’s not sure who’ll end up on his units. Most of the core special-teams players are backups, and they’re fighting for roster spots. For many of them, the best way to distinguish themselves is on special teams.
"There are several spots that are still very up in the air," Simmons said. "We have to get a look at these guys in these games (to decide) whether they stay or not."
The Bengals could get their first look at Antonio Chatman, projected to take over puntreturn duties when he signed as a free agent from Green Bay. Chatman missed most of training camp because of a pelvic strain.
Simmons should feel secure with his two kickers. Shayne Graham has established himself as a reliable field-goal kicker. He has made 77 of 88 kicks as a Bengal and made the Pro Bowl last season.
The one chink in his game has been short kickoffs. But last week against Washington, three of Graham’s four kickoffs went into the end zone, two for touchbacks.
He attributes his increased length to workouts he began after he pulled a groin muscle early last season.
"It’s a little stronger and feels good," Graham said. "I think it’s paying off because it’s translating into my kicking."
Although Graham’s roster spot was always secure, that wasn’t the case for punter Kyle Larson. The Bengals signed Danny Baugher, who had an NCAA Division I-high 47.5-yard average for Arizona last year before suffering a knee injury. But the competition never materialized. Baugher was the first cut of training camp, and Larson has had an excellent camp. He boomed several punts during an intrasquad scrimmage and set up a safety against the Redskins with a punt downed at the 2-yard line.
"On film last year, coach Simmons and I saw that my stride was a little bit too big," Larson said. "By shortening my steps, it allowed me to be more consistent. I really focused on that in the offseason, and it’s really paid off."
brabinowitz@dispatch.com

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

8/18/06

BENGALS NOTES
Bengals' Adams has no problem being former Bill

By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Sam Adams likes Buffalo ... in his rearview mirror.
The 13-year NFL veteran, who spent the past three seasons with the Bills, signed with the Bengals in April.
"I'm going to handle it as professionally as I can," Adams said about tonight's Bengals preseason game in Buffalo. "I wish those guys (Bills) luck and hope they have good careers and we're going to move on."
Adams admires Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes, who played for the Bengals from 1998-2002. Spikes suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the third game of 2005, but has returned to the starting lineup.
"We did a lot for each other," Adams said. "That's what a band of brothers does for each other on the field. If they can get that concept down there, they'll be successful."
Do the Bengals have that band-of-brothers chemistry?
"Yeah, we've got that here," Adams said. "We just have to eliminate mental mistakes and grow up a little bit. We're going to be all right."
Jump start
Bengals kicker Shayne Graham made his NFL debut for Buffalo in the 2001 season, converting six of eight field-goal attempts (.750) with a long of 41 yards.
Graham called it the turning point in his career because it gave him the exposure he needed. He replaced Neil Rackers as the Bengals' kicker in 2003. Rackers (Arizona) and Graham were Pro Bowlers in 2005.
"(Graham) got an opportunity here when Neil was in between whatever was going on with him and his mind," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He seized the opportunity and the moment, and he's never looked back. He's done nothing but get better."
Simply Peerless
Bills wide receiver and Dayton native Peerless Price has returned to Buffalo, where he played from 1999-2002 after the Bills' made him their second-round draft pick (No. 53 overall) in 1999.
The former University of Tennessee star from Meadowdale High School spent 2003-04 with Atlanta and 2005 with Dallas.
In his last season with the Bills, Price recorded 94 receptions for 1,252 yards and nine TDs.
Quick hitters
• Bengals right offensive tackle Willie Anderson trains with Spikes in the offseason in Atlanta. They were teammates at Auburn.
"It's always good to see Takeo," Anderson said. "I'll be more happy to see him on the field because I know how hard he's worked this offseason to come back."
• The Bengals lead the Bills 5-4 in preseason play with the visitors controlling the series. The Bengals are 3-1 at Buffalo; the Bills are 3-2 in Cincinnati.
• Buffalo wide receiver Martin Nance and Bengals safety John Busing were teammates at Miami University.

DDN

8/18/06

Visit to Buffalo brings back bad memories

Bills ruined home finale for playoff-bound Bengals last season behind two big plays by cornerback Terrence McGee.

By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The last time the Bengals and Bills hooked up, it wasn't a pleasant day for Cincinnati.

Go back to Christmas Eve 2005, when Buffalo cornerback Terrence McGee turned Paul Brown Stadium into his personal playground in a 37-27 Bills victory, spoiling the Bengals' regular-season home finale.
With a 99-yard kickoff return in the third quarter and a 46-yard interception return with 35 seconds remaining, McGee became the first player in NFL history to return a kickoff and interception for touchdowns in the same game.
Bengals cornerback Patrick Body wore goat horns. He failed to contain his outside lane in kickoff coverage and whiffed attempting to tackle McGee, who sailed up, then down, the left sideline.
"I took a gamble," Body said. "Instead of hitting the guy in front of me, I felt I got down there fast enough so I could get around him and make the tackle. When I got around him, (McGee) was already exploding up past me. So I couldn't hit him clean and I missed."
Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons still has nightmares about the play. It's the only kick return — punt or kickoff — the Bengals have yielded for a TD in the Marvin Lewis era, which began in 2003.
"That's the worst play we've had since I've been here and the worst play I can possibly fathom," Simmons said. "It's a lot different than a turnover because of the emotion that goes with it. It's such a game-changing play. It's hard to overcome those. Obviously, I never want that to happen again."[quote]