Bengals tidbits

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DDN

8/22/06

Bengals notes
Bad preseason rush stats don't concern Lewis


By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer

Tuesday, August 22, 2006


CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals fans, concerned about the team's poor preseason rushing totals, got some reassuring news Monday.
"We'll be fine," head coach Marvin Lewis said, "when it's time to be fine."
The Bengals have rushed 59 times for 198 yards, a 3.4 average, and one touchdown. Within those ugly numbers are Rudi Johnson's unsightly statistics — six carries for minus-5 yards. Quarterback Doug Johnson has the team's only rushing TD.
"We want to make sure we're on track and blocking the right way," Lewis said. "That's our most important role and that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to look at our players in different situations and not really worry about the schematics of 'what' and 'how.' We just want to see 'who.' "
Johnson isn't worried.
"We're trying out some new plays, something we haven't done in the past," he said. "Fans shouldn't be worried. I'm not."
Henry's trial
Wide receiver Chris Henry's trial date in Orlando, Fla., hasn't officially been set. But the two-week trial window started Monday in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He's charged with possession of a concealed firearm stemming from his Jan. 28 arrest.
He's back
Wide receiver Antonio Chatman finally returned to practice after suffering a pelvic strain late last month.
"I'm about to go crazy," he said. "I'm tired of watching. I want to get out there and make some plays like my teammates. I'm trying my best to get all my rehabs in and come back strong."
Tale of two tackles
Right offensive tackle Willie Anderson was asked to critique the play of Andrew Whitworth and Stacy Andrews, who started at left and right tackle at Buffalo.
"They played well," Anderson said. "The big thing is you always want to make sure that the quarterback doesn't get killed. Our quarterbacks (Anthony Wright and Doug Johnson) didn't get killed."
'A little greedy'
Cornerback Keiwan Ratliff had nobody to blame but himself after getting burned by Bills wide receiver Lee Evans for a 46-yard TD.
"He ran a double move, and I got a little greedy," Ratliff said. "I went for the pump-fake and I should have just played the receiver instead of the quarterback.
"It takes a short memory to be a corner. Once you start erasing those negatives and keep 'em all positive, then you're on the right track."
Perry fallout
Lewis said tailback Chris Perry was "just frustrated" when he criticized the Bengals medical staff Sunday.
"Maybe he said a little bit more than he should say," Lewis said. "But he's injured. He's working his butt off to get himself back and, hopefully soon, he'll be healthy."
Season ends
Cornerback Rashad Bauman was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve because of a torn patella tendon in his left knee.

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Cincy

8/23/06

Secondary is survival of fittest
Bengals notebook

BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->Injuries are weeding out the competition, at least for now, in the Bengals' defensive secondary.
A day after the Bengals lost cornerback Rashad Bauman for the season to a knee injury, safety Anthony Mitchell was placed on the injured-reserve list Tuesday because of a serious foot sprain and also was lost for the season.
Mitchell was hurt in the preseason opener against the Redskins.
Bauman suffered a torn patella tendon toward the end of the second preseason game at Buffalo. He underwent surgery Monday but visited the team's locker room and training room Tuesday between practices. He said he would stay in Cincinnati to rehabilitate.
The Bengals also waived rookie tailback Terrence Whitehead as an injured player. He hurt his toe at Buffalo last week.
If he clears waivers, Whitehead would revert to the Bengals, on their injured-reserve list.
In addition to losing Mitchell to injury, the Bengals had waived Tony Bua, leaving them with six safeties.
Behind starting free safety Madieu Williams on the depth chart are Kevin Kaesviharn and rookie seventh-round draft pick Ethan Kilmer.
The starter at strong safety is Dexter Jackson, with Herana-Daze Jones and John Busing behind him. Busing is a rookie free agent who played linebacker at Miami University.
THE RETURNS: The Bengals held their last two-a-day practice session of the preseason Tuesday.
Linebacker David Pollack (hamstring), left offensive tackle Levi Jones (ankle) and wide receiver Chris Henry (hamstring) returned to practice.
Henry, after sitting out the Buffalo game, said he is hoping to return for the Green Bay game Monday.
The second-year receiver said he thinks he hurt his hamstring because he was compensating for a weakened knee, which he has rehabilitated. Henry suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury in the playoff loss to Pittsburgh last January.
Quarterback Carson Palmer participated in the morning practice but, in keeping with his training regimen, worked out indoors with strength and conditioning coaches during the afternoon.
TOPS: After two preseason games, the Bengals lead the NFL in points (63) and point differential (plus-29).
FOUR IN A ROW: Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is attempting to become the first NFL receiver since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to win four consecutive receiving yardage titles.
Johnson last season won his third AFC receiving yards title in a row, joining former Raiders receiver Tim Brown (1993-95) as the only AFC players to accomplish the hat trick. Former 49ers great Jerry Rice won three NFC receiving yards titles the same years as Brown.
Before the merger, Packers receiver Don Hutson won four receiving yards titles in a row, from 1941 to 44.
OMEN DEPARTMENT: The Bengals are 2-0 in the preseason and shooting to be the first Bengals team since the 1988 AFC champions to post a winning preseason record.
The past 10 Super Bowl champions have compiled a .707 preseason winning percentage with a combined 29-12 record.
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com
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DDN

8/23/06

Rookie looks like more than 5th string

Bengals tailback Dorsey hopes two big preseason outings earn him a job.


By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer


Wednesday, August 23, 2006


CINCINNATI — Pacing the sideline, Cincinnati Bengals tailback DeDe Dorsey is a bundle of nervous energy.
"There's always the questions, 'Am I ready? Can I play with them?' " he said. "But once you get past all the hype, it's just playing football."
The undrafted rookie from Lindenwood University (an NAIA school in St. Charles, Mo.) is fifth string on the depth chart behind Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson, Chris Perry and Quincy Wilson. But his performance in two preseason games is proof the NFL hasn't overwhelmed him.
Dorsey (5-foot-11, 196 pounds) rushed six times for a team-high 68 yards — all in the final 7:21 — of the Bengals' 19-3 victory over Washington. Then he generated 102 all-purpose yards (80 receiving, 22 rushing) in a 44-31 triumph at Buffalo.
"When I'm on the sideline, Jeremi Johnson and Rudi Johnson are talking to me, telling me to just calm down and play my game," said Dorsey, who leads the squad with 90 yards rushing in 12 attempts for a 7.5-yard average. "Those are my veteran mentors. They keep me grounded, keep me sane, keep me ready to go.
"I'm trying to earn a job. Every time you step on the field, you have to prove yourself. It was good to show that first game wasn't a fluke. It was good to show that, yes, I can do it consistently."
On his first carry against the Redskins, Dorsey dashed 46 yards off right tackle. Later, he burst off left tackle for 20 more. In the fourth quarter at Buffalo, he caught a middle screen from Doug Johnson and dashed 59 yards to the Bills' 4.
"I just run away from the bad guys," Dorsey said.
Right guard Bobbie Williams loves watching Dorsey run.
"He's got the wheels, man," Williams said. "He can motor. That's what you want your back to do because it's such a good asset to the team."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253
or cludwig@daytondailynews.com

DDN

8/23/06

BENGALS NOTES
Pollack must earn way back into starting lineup


By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer


Wednesday, August 23, 2006


CINCINNATI — Strong-side linebacker David Pollack will have to earn his way back into the starting lineup.
Finally healthy after suffering a pulled hamstring in the Aug. 4 intrasquad scrimmage at Georgetown College, Pollack returned to practice on Tuesday only to discover he's behind Rashad Jeanty, who started the first two preseason games.
<!--endtext--><!--endclickprintinclude-->"He's got competition now, and everybody knows that," defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said about Pollack. "He's stayed up on it mentally. I never worry about him mentally. He's a gym rat. He's a film rat. But he needs to get reps on the field, and that's what he's doing now.
"We're not going to throw him back in and get him 85 reps the first day. He's going to work his way back — and earn his way back into it."
• Backup right offensive tackle Stacy Andrews is his own toughest critic. He started at Buffalo on Friday night.
"There's a few technical issues I've got to get tightened up," he said. "Even though I felt I held my own, I've got to do better and clean up some things. Then it'll be smooth sailing."
• Strong safety Anthony Mitchell was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He suffered a severely sprained foot in the preseason opener against Washington.
• Rookie tailback Terrence Whitehead was waived after sustaining a toe injury during the game at Buffalo. If he clears waivers, he'll be placed on injured reserve.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@daytondailynews

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DDN

8/24/06

BENGALS NOTES
Johnson lets the quotes pour out


By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer


Thursday, August 24, 2006


CINCINNATI — Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson — Mr. Golden Hair Surprise — can keep quiet for only so long.
Then he speaks. And everything that emanates from "No. 85" is, well, quotable.
You name it — his botched end zone celebration in Buffalo; his blond Mohawk hairdo; his quarterback, Carson Palmer; and his rivalry with Green Bay cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson — Johnson touched 'em all as he prepared to face the visiting Packers in a nationally televised preseason game on Monday night.
Surely, he's eager to see Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
"No," Johnson said. "I'm excited to see Al and Charles. It's going to be a good one. I'm going to be talking."
So what happened after your 9-yard TD catch at Buffalo?
"I was playing around when I scored," he said, "I was asking the ref to celebrate with me, but I really didn't have anything planned. It's preseason. I can't waste the material. Monday I might do something."
The game marks the season debut for Palmer, who had left knee surgery on Jan. 10.
"We will put on a show for his return," Johnson said. "He won't talk like that, but I'll talk like that for him. He's a lot better than last year, a lot smarter. He's in a comfortable stage right now — with the system and the receivers. With the people he has around him, Big Willie (Anderson) and the line, us, it makes his job easy."
Johnson said the fan response to his golden locks has been phenomenal.
"They love it," he said. "There are shirts being made right now (that) I'm sure everyone's going to grab. They look real nice. The last home game, they had some shirts that are all black. Black and gold (hair) and gold (teeth) is all you see."

Cincy

8/24/06

Injury opens door for Jeanty
BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->One of the few pluses of a preseason injury to a starter is the opportunity it might provide a newcomer to show what he can do.
When Bengals strong-side linebacker David Pollack suffered a pulled hamstring Aug. 4 in an intrasquad scrimmage, Canadian Football League veteran Rashad Jeanty received hundreds of practice snaps and two preseason starts.
And he made the most of the face time with his coaches.
"He has done a fantastic job," Bengals linebackers coach Ricky Hunley said. "He is a real pro. ... He has played through toe and groin (injuries) and just kept going."
Jeanty is poised to become one of the season's pleasant surprises. He appears to be headed for heavy duty on special teams and on defense in a situational role - rushing the passer. He had eight sacks in 14 games for the CFL's Edmonton Eskimos in 2005.
That said, the 22-year-old rookie from Central Florida is a work in progress.
"When you take a guy who played with his hand down (defensive end) and stand him up (at linebacker), he is going to have to adjust to the pass scheme," Hunley said.
Jeanty, signed in February after three seasons in the CFL, has seven defensive tackles and a half-sack through the Bengals' first two exhibition games. He leads special teams with two solo tackles.
Jeanty is no ordinary NFL rookie. He played only two years of college ball and signed his first pro contract in Canada at age 19.
He has a firm grasp of his abilities, and there's a maturity and seriousness to him. He believes he can have an impact for the Bengals.
"Pass rushing, just for the pure fact I've been doing that my whole life," he said of the area he can contribute most quickly. "I want to improve on every part of my game. I want to be good against the run, drop in coverage (and) play special teams well. I'm just not satisfied with being here."
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com
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Dispatch

8/24/06

NAIA standout makes solid run at job with Bengals

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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DeDe Dorsey has a simple running philosophy.
"Run from the bad guys," he said with a smile.
The bad guys the Cincinnati Bengals running back is running from these days are a lot bigger, faster and stronger than he’s used to.
It’s a big jump from even the Ohio States of the college world to the NFL. Imagine the leap Dorsey is trying to make coming from an NAIA school, Lindenwood (Mo.) University.
So far, Dorsey has adjusted well. He is Cincinnati’s leading rusher through two exhibition games with 12 carries for 90 yards, including a 46-yarder on his first carry in the opener against Washington.
"It was kind of a relief," Dorsey said. "There’s always the question, ‘Can I play? Am I going to do it?’ To come in and your first run to break one, it was off my back and then it was just playing."
He also is the Bengals’ thirdleading receiver thanks to a 59-yard gain on a short pass against Buffalo.
"He’s making plays, and that’s what this game is about," running backs coach Jim Anderson said.
A native of Broken Arrow, Okla., Dorsey said Big 12 colleges recruited him until he suffered a broken ankle and dislocated shoulder as a high school senior. He enrolled at Ottawa (Kan.) University and followed coach Patrick Ross to Lindenwood.
Dorsey played his first three seasons at safety, earning NAIA All-America honors as a junior. Late that season, he switched to running back when injuries hit the offensive backfield. As a senior, Dorsey ran for 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns to earn All-America honors again.
"He’s got height, weight and quickness," Anderson said of the 5-foot-11, 196-pound Dorsey, who has run a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. "All the things he’s showing us on the field he showed at the workout. He’s just young and inexperienced at our level. But every week he gets better and better."
Dorsey remains a long shot to make the team. The Bengals will likely keep three halfbacks. Rudi Johnson is the starter and Chris Perry the backup, though Perry could land on the physicallyunable-to-perform list. If that happens, Dorsey would have to beat out third-down back Kenny Watson or Quincy Wilson, who has also been impressive. If Dorsey doesn’t make the final 53-man roster, he would be a strong candidate for the practice squad.
brabinowitz@dispatch.com