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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 > May
May 2008
Q & A with WR Jerome Simpson
‘I’M GOING TO PRODUCE EARLY’
A question and answer session with Bengals rookie wide receiver Jerome Simpson, the club’s second-round draft pick from NCAA Division I-AA Coastal Carolina University, which is located in Conway, S.C., near Myrtle Beach:
Q. What are your expectations coming into your rookie season?
A. My expectations coming in are just earn a spot and play. That’s what everybody’s coming here to do — get a spot and play.
Q. How was rookie minicamp?
A. It really wasn’t too difficult. I’m just learning different formations and getting used to a more up-tempo style of play.
Q. Your fans in North Carolina and South Carolina were pretty vocal about you deserving to be a second-round pick.
A. I have a lot of loyal fans in my hometown of Reidsville, N.C., Myrtle Beach and Conway, S.C. I don’t think that I was a reach. I think I got picked where I was supposed to be at. As a I-AA guy, you just go out there and work hard. It doesn’t matter if you go to a small school or big school. if you’ve got talent, they’re going to find you.
Q. Did quarterback Carson Palmer call you after the draft?
A. He called me on Sunday or Monday. He said he’s ready to go to work with me and help me learn. He knows it’s a different experience for me. He told me, ‘Just come to me with any questions,’ and he’ll be willing to help. He seems like a really nice guy. His brother (Jordan) is really nice, too. I’m pretty sure it runs in the family.
Q. What was it like to finally work with Carson in the first OTA?
A. Every route I ran, that ball was right there where it needed to be. He’s just a great quarterback, man. I’m gonna love playing for him. I do see why he’s a great quarterback. When you come in, you just hear the talk. But I’m actually seeing why he’s one of the top-rated passers in the league.
Q. How are you progressing?
A. I feel my progress is going good. I’ve been in that playbook, so I know my plays a lot better. I’m flying around and having fun. I’m a lot more comfortable. I know the playbook a lot better.
Q. Have you met T.J. Houshmandzadeh?
A. I got to talk to T.J. a little bit at the rookie premier in Los Angeles. I got his (telephone) number and asked him a few questions. He’s a good guy. I’m just ready to take some of his stuff out of his arsenal and use it in my game and learn a lot from him, too.
Q. Last week (May 28), you stayed on the field an extra half hour after practice and worked with Carson and Jordan. How did that go?
A. It went well. I was just getting a little extra work in. I’m just trying to get better every day. I working on getting a little lower in my stance, exploding out better and getting crisper in my routes, and just getting a knack for coming out of those routes faster. This is a different level (than college) and those DBs know that when you’re routes aren’t as crisp, they break on them a lot better.
Q. You played against Corey Lynch (Bengals’ sixth-round pick from Appalachian State). What kind of player is he?
A. He’s a great safety, man. I remember one time he gave me a good little lick. I remember him from that. He got two interceptions against us, but they weren’t thrown to my side. If they were thrown to my side, he wouldn’t have gotten ‘em.
Q. What are you like off the field?
A. I’m a country guy. Oh, yeah, I’ll hit the beach. I went surfing a couple times, and body-boarding. I’m pretty laid-back.
Q. Are the expectations bigger for you by being a second-round pick?
A. Most people say those guys want to come in here and produce early. I’m going to do that. I’m going to come in here and produce early. Every draft pick should want to come in here and work hard.
Q. Do you feel pressure to perform?
A. Yeah, but it’s welcome. I’m up for the challenge. I’m going to do everything I can. I’m going to go 110 percent all the time and prove to people that I’m worth their draft pick.
JEROME SIMPSON’S FAVORITES:
Favorite NFL player growing up: Wide receiver Jerry Rice. (“He’s the best.”)
Favorite college stadium other than Brooks Stadium at Coastal Carolina: Michigan (“That’s just one of the stadiums I just always like seeing on TV. That crowd … that blue and gold.”)
Favorite meal: Chicken wings, corn and green beans. (“I love wings. I like ‘em naked, barbecued … just about any way. I love corn and chicken, but it has to be wings.”)
Favorite restaurant: Pete’s Burgers & More, 727 S. Scales St., Reidsville, N.C. 27320. Check it out at http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-13052372R-petesburgers_more-i
Favorite actor: Denzel Washington.
Favorite book: The Harry Potter series.
Favorite movie: Napoleon Dynamite (2004).
Favorite music & artist: Rap/Lil Boosie.
Favorite late-night snack: Vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone.
Favorite Hobby: “I like NASCAR, following it and just watching the races. Jeff Gordon’s my favorite driver. Just seeing the cars go ‘round and ‘round, it’s just an adrenaline rush. I know the drivers have an adrenaline rush just racing those cars that fast.”
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Is T.J. Alvin Harper waiting to happen?
===LUDWIG AT LARGE needs a question answered from loyal readers: Should the Cincinnati Bengals attempt to re-sign wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to a long-term contract or let him walk in free agency next spring? The four-year, $12 million contract T.J. signed in 2005 expires after the 2008 season.===
WORKING HARD ON HIS OWN
It’s not like T.J. Houshmandzadeh is sitting on his couch eating chocolate covered bon bons, playing video games all day and getting fat.
The eighth year veteran is working his tail off … and that includes his rear end along with his pony tail hairdo.
It’s just that he’s chosen to work out near his Los Angeles home and not in Cincinnati, where all but a few of his teammates are working.
As much as the Bengals want him in Cincinnati and need him in Cincinnati during these precious and few OTAs, T.J. prefers being with his immediate family — wife, Kaci, and their daughters. Karrington and Kennedi — in SoCal and sweating it out with a personal trainer.
After all, these offseason workouts are, ahem, ‘VOLUNTARY.”
Folks, let’s face it … the absence of Pro Bowl receivers Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson is a double-edge sword.
T.J. and Chad are missing out on building chemistry with quarterback Carson Palmer, who preaches timing and rhythm like a passing professor.
At the same time, young thoroughbreds Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell are gaining valuable experience by getting numerous reps.
LUDWIG AT LARGE PREDICTION …
… The Bengals let T.J. walk after the season because the young studs are going to be ready to take control.
T.J. is going to demand big bucks in the $5 million-per-year range, and — in the Bengals’ eyes — that’s way, Way, WAY too expensive for a No. 2 receiver.
And, yes, T.J. is a No. 2.
He’s the second banana to Chad just like Alvin Harper was the second banana to Michael Irvin in Dallas.
Harper lived off Irvin, then bombed as Tampa Bay’s No. 1.
A BOMB WITH THE BUCS
In Harper’s final year with Dallas (1994), he caught 33 passes for 821 yards (a whopping 24.9-yard average) and 8 TDs with a long gain of 90 yards.
In Harper’s first year with Tampa Bay (1995), he caught 46 passes for 633 yards (13.8), two TDs and a long gain of 49.
In ‘96, Harper’s numbers dived again … 19 receptions, 289 yards (15.2) and 1 TD.
Without Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh is Alvin Harper waiting to happen.
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Schlemmer ‘On The Mark’ with Reds’ predictions
NEXT TO GO? ENCARNACION
Mark Schlemmer’s friends keep text-messaging him with these four words:
“We are not worthy.”
Schlemmer, co-host with Flash Minor on WONE radio’s SportsTalk 980 show, made two correct predictions regarding the Cincinnati Reds long before they happened. Jay Bruce’s call-up and Josh Fogg replacing Matt Belisle in the starting rotation.
Now Schlemmer — I call him “Skip” because of his baseball managerial experience — has pulled the trigger on a third prediction … Edwin Encarnacion’s demise.
But first things first.
While the Reds were getting swept in Los Angeles, Schlemmer said Jay Bruce would get the call on ON MEMORIAL DAY.
‘PUT THE NAIL IN IT’
“It was during the Dodgers’ series when I said, ‘Look for him to be up Monday,’ ” Schlemmer said. “Mainly because this team was struggling. The Reds needed to give their fans something to get excited about. This team needed a shot of energy. The kid did everything in Triple-A he could possibly do. At that point, you’re pretty much wasting him in Louisville.
“(Corey) Patterson was struggling. They could not keep sending him to center field going oh-fer. It had to happen. The fans were getting impatient. You had to do it. You had no choice. Plus, the kid (Bruce) deserved to be here. Patterson’s oh-for-8 (at San Diego) just put the nail in it.”
On Wednesday, the day after Bruce’s stunning 3-for-3 Major League debut, Schlemmer said Josh Fogg will rejoin the rotation as the club’s fifth starter because Matt Belisle would be sent down.
Boom. It happened.
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE …
“For my next trick, since I’m on a roll of predicting Reds moves, Edwin Encarnacion will either be traded for prospects or sent packing by the end of next week,” Schlemmer said. “Watching the game (Thursday) night, if you looked at him in the dugout, he sat and sulked, had the long face like he’s had the last five years just before they sent him out.
“He comes up to pinch hit, he takes a borderline 3-1 pitch that’s called strike two, and then he gave the ump that dog-face look and dragged the bat around. Even (Jeff) Brantley made the comment, ‘You just don’t do that.’ Next pitch, down the middle, maybe it was a little low, the ump rings him up. He just stands there with the long face and drags his butt back to the dugout like he couldn’t have cared less.
“His body language to me says they’re tired of it. If (Jeff) Keppinger gets healthy in a week or two, he’s got to play third base because shortstop’s going to be too demanding on that knee recovery, plus Jerry Hairston Jr. and Paul Janish are playing well. Putting Andy Phillips in ahead of Encarnacion on Thursday night … I don’t think it was to give Edwin a day’s rest because he’s now hitting .230. I think it was a message, saying, ‘Hey, son, have a chair.’
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
“If they can find a taker for (Encarnacion), he’s one more cancerous piece that they’re going to get rid of. You can’t wait five years on a guy. How many times can you ship this dude to Louisville before you finally say, enough is enough? I understand you give a guy a day off when he’s struggling. But this guy has struggled for five years. How much longer do you put up with his attitude? You don’t.”
Dayton area sports fans can hear Schlemmer and Minor on WONE-AM radio (980) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. starting Monday, June 9.
For more on Schlemmer, go to:
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Where does LB Ahmad Brooks fit in?
‘NOWHERE MAN’
A pressing question inside the Bengals domain:
Where, exactly, does linebacker Ahmad Brooks fit in?
The answer … Nobody’s quite sure and everybody’s attempting to find out.
Right now, Brooks is the Cincinnati Bengals’ version of “Nowhere Man.”
INJURY PRONE
Brooks has been banished from middle linebacker, the position he’s played his entire football life.
He’s been ordered to learn outside linebacker, a position he’s never played before.
With his injury history — he’s played in only 13 of a possible 32 games in two seasons — Brooks is not only behind a slew of other guys, he’s behind the 8-ball.
Interpretation: The 6-foot-3, 259-pound behemoth better get his act together or he’s going to get cut.
A LOT TO PROVE
I don’t see Brooks as a starter.
I see him as a third-down pass rusher.
I envision the Bengals lining up Brooks on the right side with Antwan Odom or the left side with Robert Geathers, and letting him do what he does best … RUSH THE QUARTERBACK!!!
As one coach told me this week, “First, he must prove he can play NFL football.”
That means getting and staying healthy, learning the outside linebacker spot and using all that athleticism that he has bottled up inside his Tarzan-like body.
MUST PLAY SPECIAL TEAMS
My advice to Brooks: Get to know special teams coach Darrin Simmons.
Brooks must develop into a wrecking ball in kick coverage on special teams and emerge as a pass-rushing force in the nickel defense.
If he can’t, Bengals fans won’t see Brooks on the roster this fall.
And if Brooks is gone, will Keith Rivers take over Brooks’ coveted uniform No. 55?
Stay tuned.
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Bengals sign ex-Springfield South star Gaines
GAINES IN, GABRIEL OUT
The Cincinnati Bengals’ roster just got spiced with a little local flavor.
Rookie cornerback Jerrid Gaines, a former prep star at Springfield South High School, was signed by the Bengals on Thursday, May 29.
Gaines, a 5-foot-11, 189-pounder from Miami of Ohio, went undrafted in April. He was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as college free agent, but got released by the Browns on May 4.
To make room on the club’s offseason roster, the Bengals terminated the contract of wide receiver Doug Gabriel, releasing him to free agency.
GOOD SIZE, SLOW SPEED
Gabriel, a fifth-year NFL player, was signed by Cincinnati as a free agent on April 8.
Gabriel did a good job of learning the offense and brought size to the wide receiver position, but lacked the speed necessary to be a factor as a kick-returner and a gunner in coverage on special teams.
BROWNS HURTING AT CORNER
As for the Browns, they’re in desperate need of cornerbacks.
Since March, they’ve traded cornerback Leigh Bodden to Detroit, released Kenny Wright following an arrest and lost Daven Holly — a potential starter — to a season-ending knee injury.
Second-year players Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald are at the top of the Browns’ depth chart.
BODDEN’S DEPARTURE CELEBRATED
Cleveland recently signed veteran Terry Cousin to bolster its depleted secondary
The Bengals are happy for two reasons.
Number one, they snap up Gaines, who has the potential to be a solid cover corner and help on special teams.
Number two, ex-Browns star Bodden is out of the AFC North Division.
Bodden was the only cornerback in the division who could consistently cover Bengals’ five-time Pro Bowler Chad Johnson.
Johnson should be thrilled that Bodden is gone. So far this offseason, Johnson has yet to surface in Cincinnati for the club’s voluntary offseason workout program.
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Jay Bruce’s ‘Welcome to the Bigs’ moment
‘UNFORGETTTABLE…THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE’
In case you missed it, here’s Jay Bruce’s “Welcome to the Majors” moment.
During his post-game interview with FSN’s Jeff Piecoro on REDS LIVE, Bruce was re-living the greatest day of his baseball life when catcher David Ross sneaked up behind him and smashed two cream pies in Bruce’s face … to the cheers of the fans.
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Bruce said just before the double-barrel, in-your-face, pies-to-the-eyes rookie orientation.
Piecoro: “What’s the last 24 hours been like?”
Bruce: “It just got a little better.”
Here it is, captured on video:
Welcome to the Bigs, Mr. Bruce
KEEP YOUR DAY JOB
The “Bruce” video is a lot better than Mariah Carey’s “pitch” in Japan.
Check it out:
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P-Dub hooks on with Montreal of CFL
WARRICK HEADS NORTH OF BORDER
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and punt returner Peter Warrick has signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
Memo to loyal readers of LUDWIG AT LARGE: What kind of impact do you think Warrick will make in the CFL?
Check out the story at:
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=239015
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Chad Johnson delinquent on taxes
OCHO OUCH-O
As it turns out, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver has more on his mind than just football.
Between his tax woes and his being named in a 2007 comedy club lawsuit, no wonder Ocho Cinco wants out of the Queen City.
Chadly owes more than $13,000 in taxes on his Walnut Hills condominium, according to tax records at the Hamilton County Auditor’s Office.
His total bill is $13,063.35 and most of it is delinquent.
Property records indicate he purchased the condo for $252,000 in 2004.
It’s just the latest problem for Johnson, who was named in a 2007 lawsuit by the Funny Bone Comedy Club at Newport on the Levee.
The lawsuit claims Johnson didn’t deliver on his promise of a new Lexus, Super Bowl tickets and trips to winners of a charity raffle hosted at the Funny Bone.
See what attorney Eric Deters, who represents the plaintiffs, had to say at:
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=4a8433cf-13cc-4771-8840-13f9a9b84bac
See the rebuttal by Johnson’s attorney, Jeff Mando, at:
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/08/18/lawsuit-against-chad-johnson-is-allowed-to-move-forward/
Johnson’s tax issues remind me of a song.
http://www.lyricsdomain.com/2/beatles/taxman.html
THE BEATLES — “TAXMAN” LYRICS
Let me tell you how it will be;
There’s one for you, nineteen for me.
‘Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
Should five per cent appear too small,
Be thankful I don’t take it all.
‘Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
(if you drive a car, car;) - I’ll tax the street;
(if you try to sit, sit;) - I’ll tax your seat;
(if you get too cold, cold;) - I’ll tax the heat;
(if you take a walk, walk;) - I’ll tax your feet.
Taxman!
‘Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
Don’t ask me what I want it for, (ah-ah, mister Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more. (ah-ah, mister heath)
‘Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
Now my advice for those who die, (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes. (taxman)
‘Cause I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.
And you’re working for no one but me.
Taxman!
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Am I right or just plain stupid?
===LUDWIG AT LARGE believes Carson Palmer is the best quarterback in the NFL. I’m asking loyal readers: Am I right or should I plead insanity and be taken away in a straightjacket by men in white coats and admitted to a hospital’s psychiatric ward?===
The question came at the tail end of ESPN’s “NFL Live” on Wednesday night.
What single ingredient makes for a successful head coach in the NFL?
Mark Schlereth babbled about “consistency” — that an NFL coach must first win the respect of his players, then be consistent with his treatment of them.
Point well taken, but Cris Carter’s analysis was more succinct and much better.
What makes a successful head coach?
“A quarterback,” Carter said.
Clubs that have good quarterbacks reach the playoffs.
Teams that don’t … well, they don’t make the postseason.
That’s what’s so puzzling and disturbing about the Bengals.
In my estimation, Carson Palmer is the best quarterback in the league …
… and the Bengals have reached the playoffs only ONCE in Carson’s four seasons as a full-time starter.
I’ll be the first to admit that Carson tried to do too much last season and it got him, and the team, into trouble.
There were too many forced passes, too many errant throws and too many interceptions. (Didn’t help much that Ocho Cinco ran a few wrong routes.)
The running game was weak because of injuries to tailbacks Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry; musical chairs on the O-line; and poor blocking by the wide receivers.
Oh, yeah, and a pillow soft defense.
Here’s what I’d like to see in the fall of 2008.
A disciplined, physical, attacking defense; a stronger pass rush that will create more sacks and interceptions; and a balanced offense that enables Carson to simply spread the ball around, allowing the playmakers to make plays.
SPEAKING OF ‘NFL LIVE’ …
It’s great to see Carter in studio (with Schlereth and host Trey Wingo) instead of the maniacal Sean Salisbury.
Carter is classy, intelligent, intuitive, introspective and smooth. Salisbury was too egotistical, too belligerent and too over-the-top opinionated.
I’m sure glad ESPN made the change.
Salisbury thanked ESPN for his opportunity …
http://sportswrap.berecruited.com/2008/02/26/sean-salisbury-out-at-espn-cris-carter-in/
Then Salisbury ripped ESPN for holding him back …
http://sportswrap.berecruited.com/2008/02/27/sean-salisbury-rips-espn/
His words are sour grapes like so many of his passes during his days as a Minnesota Vikings backup QB.
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Mighty Mo on the radio
AGREE & DISAGREE
I’m a huge fan of Mo Egger, the sports talk show host from 9 a.m. to noon on WCKY-AM radio (Homer, the Sports Animal).
He said something Wednesday that I agree with … that the Moon Deck is the place to be at GABP. Cheap seats. Great view. You can badger the right fielder. You can enjoy a brat and a beer. And you can chase Adam Dunn home runs.
Then he said something I disagree with … that the current Reds lineup isn’t built for 2008. It’s built for the future.
Folks, the future is NOW. (Hey, that’s the Bengals’ slogan for 2008!)
Jay Bruce and Joey Votto aren’t saviors. But they sure know how to energize the team, the fans and the city.
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Eric the Wedge needs wake-up call
BELONGS ON HOT SEAT
From where I sit and from what I’ve observed, Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge will be lucky to be employed at the All-Star break.
The Tribe isn’t just falling from grace. It’s fading fast with a 2-8 record in its past 10 games.
The Indians’ slow death started in Cincinnati with a Reds’ sweep … and Wedge’s poor handling of his pitching staff and lineup.
Cleveland has too much talent to be failing this miserably. The manager must be held accountable.
The drum beat I’m hearing from Northeast Ohio is Wedge walking The Green Mile.
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10 Questions with WR Jerome Simpson
GETTING BETTER EVERY DAY
It took awhile, but “LUDWIG AT LARGE” finally sat down with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jerome Simpson, the club’s 6-foot-2, 199-pound second-round draft pick from Coastal Carolina, during Wednesday’s open locker room period.
Simpson stayed on the field an extra half hour after practice, working with quarterbacks Carson and Jordan Palmer.
“Just getting a little extra work in,” Simpson said. “I’m just trying to get better every day. I’m working on getting a little lower in my stance, exploding out better and getting crisper in my routes, and just getting a knack for coming out of those routes faster.
“This is a different level (than college) and those DBs know that when your routes aren’t as crisp, they break on them a lot better.”
Simpson wears an orange and black-striped bracelet — “Rome-Bengals-89” — on his right wrist.
Safe to say that “Rome” — decked out in uniform number 89 — is burning.
10 QUESTIONS WITH Jerome Simpson
Favorite NFL player as a kid: Wide receiver Jerry Rice. (“He’s the best.”)
Favorite college stadium other than Brooks Stadium at Coastal Carolina: Michigan (“That’s one of the stadiums I just always like seeing on TV. That crowd … that blue and gold.”)
Favorite meal: Chicken wings, corn and green beans. (“I love wings. I like ‘em naked, barbecued … just about any way. I love corn and chicken, but it has to be wings.”)
Favorite restaurant: Pete’s Burgers & More, 727 S. Scales St., Reidsville, N.C. 27320. Check it out at http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-13052372R-petesburgers_more-i
Favorite actor: Denzel Washington.
Favorite book: The Harry Potter series.
Favorite movie: Napoleon Dynamite (2004).
Favorite music & artist: Rap/Lil Boosie.
Favorite late-night snack: Vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone.
Favorite Hobby: “I like NASCAR, following it and just watching the races. Jeff Gordon’s my favorite driver. Just seeing the cars go ‘round and ‘round, it’s just an adrenaline rush. I know the drivers have an adrenaline rush just racing those cars that fast.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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‘The Essex Express’
TINY (BUT POWERFUL) DANCER
Before there was Emmitt Smith, before there was Barry Sanders, before there was James Brooks, before there was Dante Hall … there was Essex Johnson.
In Bengals lore, he was, is and always will be “The Essex Express.”
The 5-foot-9, 200-pound tailback from Grambling would plant, cut and spin, dart and dance, slash and crash … and keep right on motoring.
ANCHORED IN INGLEWOOD
Nowadays, Essex, who turns 62 on Oct. 15, 2004, is a real estate broker and developer who owns the Essex Realty company in Inglewood, Calif.
“I still play tennis,” he told me, “but that’s about the extent of it.”
Back in his heyday with the Bengals (1968-75), he was one of the most exciting running backs in professional football.
He had a thousand moves and it was tough for defenders to get a clear shot on him.
FROM BENGALS TO BUCS
Essex is a great trivia question.
Which player was part of two expansion franchises?
Essex, of course. Picked by the Bengals in the sixth round of the 1968 AFL Draft, he played eight seasons in Cincinnati before shipping off to the 1976 expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Essex’s departure from Cincinnati was essential to make room for Ohio State’s two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, who came aboard as a Bengals’ first-round draft pick in ‘76.
SELDOM A FLUSH HIT
Essex played for the Bucs during their inaugural 0-14 season, then retired … 112 games played, 3,236 yards rushing (a 4.5 average), 1,742 yards receiving (an 11.9 average) and 31 touchdowns … 5.7 yards every time he touched the ball.
“Backs like Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders and Essex Johnson, their whole mentality is: ‘If I take a flush hit, shame on me,’ ” said Dave Lapham, the ex-Bengal offensive lineman and analyst on the Bengals radio network. “It should always be a glancing blow because I’m quicker and I can make ‘em miss. Essex very rarely took a slobberknocker hit. It was always a glancing-type blow. J.B. (James Brooks) was the same way.”
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Bengals have a tiger in former Buckeye ‘Tank’
MEET THE BENGALS’ “RUDY”
Just as Notre Dame had long-shot legend Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, Ohio State had one of its own in Tyler “Tank” Whaley.
And now “Tank” is a Cincinnati Bengal — of the non-drafted college free agent variety — ready to bulldoze his way onto the field and into the hearts of Bengals fans, who are going to love this kid.
Ruettiger was the inspiration for the movie, “Rudy,” and Whaley’s story is so inspiring that it has been made into a book that’s due out Sept. 1.
Authored by Columbus Dispatch Buckeyes beat writer Ken Gordon and published by Cardinal Publishers Group of Indianapolis (http://www.cardinalpub.com/), the 150-page paperback details the life and times of Whaley, who grew up in Ironton, walked on at Ohio State, was finally awarded a scholarship and earned every nickel of it with his gritty, gutty, robust play.
MUD, SWEAT & CHEERS
In Ken Gordon’s words:
“It’s a compelling story about a short (5-foot-11) kid from the small, economically-depressed town of Ironton, Ohio, who despite being his team’s best two-way lineman got no Division I college offers.
“He pulled some strings and walked on to Ohio State, enduring indignities like taking a job working maintenance at Ohio Stadium for $7 an hour.
“Eventually, his hard work gets noticed, and he works his way to backup center, where he snaps for Heisman winner Troy Smith. He gets put on scholarship, proposes to his fiancee at the 50-yard line, gets switched to fullback in 2007 and ends up playing well and playing a lot, including a key role as Ohio State wins an old-fashioned “mudder” at Michigan to clinch a Big Ten title.
“He’s on the field for the final kneel-down, and he celebrates the pinnacle of an unlikely career.”
‘AN ABSOLUTE BULLDOG’
Gordon said his work has “a lot of history of Ironton and its tradition of producing tough people and its football heritage (the Ironton Tanks, a semi-pro team in the 1920s, beat several NFL clubs). Also, there’s his family background, overcoming layoffs and health scares, etc.
“This kid is an absolute bulldog,” Gordon said. “I’m telling you, don’t count him out.”
I met Tank at Bengals rookie minicamp and was immediately struck by his on-field intensity and off-the-field demeanor. He’s as personable and approachable as he is coachable.
Tank told me it was a “dream come true” to accomplish his goals at Ohio State and to have an opportunity to play in the NFL.
“I’m just trying to show the coaches that I can pick up the system as fast as possible,” Tank said. “I’m going to be a guy that’s going to come in and work hard and try to pick up the system the best I can, and give it my all on the field.”
RISING FROM THE ASHES
The 5-foot-11, 252-pounder is a leverage machine because of his strength, power and low center of gravity. His goal is to sift through the line of scrimmage and whack linebackers in an effort to open holes for the tailbacks.
“That’s what I loved to do in college and that’s what I want to bring here — knowing my assignments and then getting after it, and just trying to run over somebody.”
Like a Phoenix reborn from ashes, Whaley has risen from college walk-on to a potentially promising NFL backup.
“It just shows I’m going to be willing to do whatever they ask of me,” he said. “I’m used to hard work. That’s what I plan on bringing here. I’ll do as much as I can do, and I’ll go as hard as I possibly can. I’m very excited and just want to make the most of this opportunity.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Carson’s little bro’ hanging tough in the ‘Nati
CARSON PALMER, RYAN FITZPATRICK
RUNNING 1-2; BUT WHO’S NO. 3?
===LUDWIG AT LARGE has a question for loyal readers: Which player will win the job as the Cincinnati Bengals’ No. 3 quarterback — Jeff Rowe, the club’s fifth-round draft pick in 2007 from the University of Nevada, or Jordan Palmer, who was signed as a free agent on Jan. 30. Palmer, a former UTEP star, was a sixth-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins in ‘07. He played in one preseason game before being waived on Sept. 1.===
When the 2007 NFL Draft rolled around, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer was rooting hard for his younger brother, Jordan, to get selected … by anybody EXCEPT the Cincinnati Bengals.
It wasn’t because Carson didn’t like his little brother or didn’t want him as a teammate. Carson simply wanted Jordan to have an opportunity to play and start in the NFL, and that wasn’t going to happen in Cincinnati, where Carson is entrenched as the starter.
GIMME SHELTER
Things change, of course. When you’re on the street looking to put a roof over your head, you’ll take shelter wherever you can find it. And wherever you’re welcome.
Jordan found it in Cincinnati. He’s here to learn offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski’s system and help his older brother in any way he can. In the process, he’s helping himself with his size, strong arm and leadership ability.
“Seriously,” Jordan said, “I’ve been here for a while now and I haven’t seen even the smallest negative come from us being on the same team.
“I can’t predict anything that’s going to happen in the future, but I haven’t seen one thing (negative). From the day I got here, guys treat me like Jordan Palmer, the quarterback from wherever who did whatever.
‘I’M JORDAN PALMER’
“It’s not, ‘Hey, here’s little C.P. or whatever.’ I haven’t had an ounce of that. Coaches treat me like a man. This is a business. It might be different if it was college because it’s more fun. I got that (good-natured kidding) in high school when I was a bat boy. This is a business.
“I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but I’m grateful that all the guys around here — the vets and new guys and coaches — just treat me like I’m Jordan Palmer and I’m here and I play quarterback, competing for a job. My brother happens to be the starter.
“There’s positives and negatives. I really haven’t seen any negatives yet. Obviously, there’s positives in getting feedback. At the same time, he’s (Carson) not really doing anything for me that he’s not doing for Ryan (Fitzpatrick) or Jeff, and I think Ryan and Jeff know that.
SENSE OF URGENCY
“He’s not helping me out in meetings, whispering stuff or sliding me stuff. He’s got his job to handle. He’s got the whole franchise on his shoulders. I’m trying to get back in the league. So we’re not only two different people, we’re really in two different situations.”
Jordan said Carson feels an intense “sense of urgency. This is his sixth year. Hopefully, he’ll win a playoff game. He’s got a sense of urgency. He wants to win some games. If that means they need rookie help or whatever’s going on with trades, he has a definite sense of urgency, and he wants to win. He doesn’t have enough time to worry about me.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Sherrill Headrick battling cancer
‘CHIEF’ BENGAL
Linebacker Sherrill Headrick played only one season for the Cincinnati Bengals (1968), but was good enough to start at middle linebacker, and left a lasting impression as a tough, smart, aggressive defender.
Headrick, a member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ “Ring of Honor” who was selected by the Bengals in the AFL Expansion Draft, is battling cancer.
This just in from Ange Coniglio, who runs the Web site:
“American Football League fans and former players:
“Sherrill Headrick’s wife informs me that even though his liver, adrenal and lung cancer has now spread to his hip, he keeps his spirits up, and likes to hear from fans.
“She has given me an e-mail address where he can be reached:
mrzydotes@aol.com
“How about dropping him a line to show your appreciation for his hard-nosed play in the AFL?
Regards,
Ange Coniglio
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Bengals Alumni: Where are they now?
===LUDWIG AT LARGE is passionate about Cincinnati Bengals alumni. Feel free to ask about your favorite former Bengals player(s) in the “comments” portion of this blog. I promise to keep the alumni updates coming===
5 CINCINNATI BENGALS ALUMNI UPDATES
(ROMAN NUMERAL STYLE…
…LIKE THE SUPER BOWL)
I. JOHN STOFA
It’s only fitting we start with quarterback JOHN STOFA, the original Cincinnati Bengal.
Stofa, who turns 66 on Thursday, May 29, 2008, is retired from Medical Mutual of Ohio, where he served as vice president.
He worked in the health insurance business for 23 years. He lives in the Columbus, Ohio, suburb of Blacklick and can now turn his full attention to his hobbies, golf and fishing.
II. BOB JOHNSON
The first draft pick in Bengals history, center BOB JOHNSON (1968-79) is a highly successful businessman. He’s prospering as director of the industrial adhesives group for Henkel Technologies, a Germany-based corporation with annual worldwide sales of $15 billion.
III. GARY BURLEY
Defensive end GARY BURLEY (1975-83) is the founder of Pro-Start Academy, based in Atlanta and Birmingham, which “gives student-athletes a competitive advantage by building a bridge to success on and off the field of play.”
Gary was married to Bobbie Knight on June 24, 2007. She is vice president of public relations for Alabama Power, a Southern Company subsidiary which provides electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state.
“We celebrated our honeymoon in Cancun at the Spa Palace, which I highly recommend for Bengals alums,” Burley said.
Visit Gary’s Web site at:
IV. MARVIN COBB
Safety MARVIN COBB (1975-79) was at the heart of the “Long Beach Walk” for the American Diabetes Association last fall, serving as “Interim Walk Manager” for the ADA’s fund-raising walk in Long Beach, Calif., which attracted more than 1,000 participants.
“I worked with the ‘team captains’ who recruited walkers who raise money and contribute it to the ADA for diabetes research and education,” Marvin said. “I also worked with some of the local businesses in Long Beach who sponsored exhibitor booths and/or mile markers. I got to meet a lot of good people, and help raise funds for a good cause.”
http://main.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=OUT_homepage
V. BOOBIE CLARK
A Bengals fullback from 1973-78, MR. CHARLES LEE “BOOBIE” CLARK died on Oct. 25, 1988, at the age of 38 in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla.
The 8.9 acre Sherwood Forest Playground was rededicated Charles Boobie Clark Park and Pool. It’s located at 8793 Sibbald Road in Jacksonville.
http://apps2.coj.net/parksinternet/parkdetails.asp?parkid=49
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Oh-for-8 Eddie (Milner) has company
HOLY BATMAN, COREY!
NO HITS FOR PATTERSON
IN 17 INNINGS IN SAN DIEGO
This comes courtesy of Cincinnati Reds crack publicist Rob Butcher:
The Reds’ director of media relations came up with a mind-boggling number on Sunday, May 25, in the wake of Corey Patterson’s 0-for-8 day.
The last Red to go 0-for-8 in a game was Eddie Milner, who accomplished the lowlight in June 1983 in a Reds’ 6-5 victory over the Giants at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.
Congratulations, Corey.
This Rolling Rock is for you.
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Dear Reds: Please Make Way for Jay
TIME TO GO BALLISTIC
===LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to know: Does anybody, and I mean ANYBODY, give a rat about Ken Griffey Jr.’s 600 home run milestone?===
If the Cincinnati Reds don’t call up Jay Bruce on Monday, May 26, LUDWIG AT LARGE is going to pull a Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch) from the 1976 movie classic “Network.”
I’m going to scream — “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!!!” — out the window of the Miamisburg War Room.
Corey Patterson went oh-fer (0 for 7, yes, SEVEN) at San Diego on Sunday.
Left-handed hitters are batting .400 against Reds Southpaw Bill Bray.
Ryan Freel dived for a ball in the outfield and whiffed — again.
The Reds kept taking leads and the Padres kept tying the score.
Cincinnati needs a spark, and Mr. Bruce is the answer.
If the Reds make way for Jay, Jay will make hay for the Reds.
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A Date With The Bengals
MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS
===LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to know which training camp site Bengals fans prefer — Georgetown College or Wilmington College? The 41-year-old Bengals trained at Wilmington for 29 years (1968-1996) before moving to Georgetown in 1997.===
Attention all Cincinnati Bengals fans.
It’s time to get ready for the club’s 12th summer training camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College.
The Bengals arrive on Sunday, July 27, with the first practice scheduled for Monday, July 28. The team breaks camp on Friday, Aug. 15.
Check out a list of Georgetown area hotels at:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=Uw4&q=georgetown+KY+hotel&btnG=Search
BENGALS PRESEASON (day, date, opponent, time)
Mon., Aug. 11, at Green Bay (ESPN), 8 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 17, DETROIT, 7:35 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 23, NEW ORLEANS, 7:35 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 28, at Indianapolis, 7 p.m.
CHICK LUDWIG TRIVIA
Chick Ludwig became the Cincinnati Bengals beat writer on July 22, 1997. This marks his 12th training camp at Georgetown College, meaning he’ll have spent roughly one year of his life in beautiful central Kentucky.
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The Long Beach State … Dirtbags?
DIRTBAGS, ANTEATERS & BANANA SLUGS
===LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to know which nickname you like the best: The Long Beach State Dirtbags, the UC Irvine Anteaters or the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs (http://www.goslugs.com/)===
Cincinnati Reds play-by-play announcer Marty Brennaman was incredulous when a reference to the Long Beach State “Dirtbags” flashed on the scoreboard at PETCO Park in San Diego on Sunday, May 25.
Marty’s son, Thom, said the nickname was real.
Marty called the nickname “sickening” and later said, “The Long Beach State Dirtbags. That’s something to be proud of.”
Long Beach State’s official nickname is the 49ers, but its sports teams are also known as “The Dirtbags” and “The Beach.”
Long Beach State competes in the Big West Conference with UC Davis, Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, Cal State Northridge, Pacific, UC Riverside, Cal Poly SLO and UC Santa Barbara.
For LBS fans, there is a “Dirtbags” Web site. Check it out at:
http://dirtbagsbaseball.blogspot.com/
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My top 5 concerns about the Bengals
‘MOTHER GIBRALTAR’ ON LIST
My five biggest concerns about the Cincinnati Bengals two months before training camp.
1. The center position. No player is under more scrutiny than starter Eric Ghiaciuc. Bengals fans are having nightmares over what Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers might do to him. Lift him up and push him back? Who knows? Ghiaciuc needs to improve and have a strong season if the Bengals are going to make the playoffs. Backups Dan Santucci and Nate Livings have very little experience. Bengals fans are crossing their fingers.
2. The health of offensive tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson. Levi missed all of training camp, but fought back to start the final 13 games at left tackle. Look for Stacy Andrews to start at right tackle — folks, he’s not getting paid $7.455 million to stand on the sidelines — but the club needs Big Willie. After all, he’s “Mother Gibraltar” — a combination Mother Teresa and The Rock of Gibraltar.
3. The defensive tackle position. Domata Peko and John Thornton are the incumbents, and the jury is out on their ability to get the run stopped. Draft picks Pat Sims and Jason Shirley provide depth, but both will endure their share of growing pains. Veteran Michael Myers has plenty of experience, but he’s not much of an impact player. Jonathan Fanene has the ability to play both end and tackle. Will we see a “Samoan Connection” with Peko and Fanene? Stay tuned.
4. A Chad-less wide receiver corps. If Chad Johnson sits out, it’s a lose-lose situation for everybody. He’ll miss out on a big paycheck, and the team will miss his enormous talent. T.J. Houshmandzadeh will be the one getting double-teamed, leaving rookies Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell to help carry the load. Know this: Doug Gabriel looks very impressive in workouts. He has a great shot at winning a roster spot.
5. The tailback position. Can Rudi Johnson return to his bulldozing form after his 2007 season was wrecked by a hamstring injury? Can Chris Perry stay healthy? If Rudi struggles, the trio of Kenny Watson, Perry and DeDe Dorsey will carry the load with a “tailback by committee” concept. Look for Kenny Irons to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. There are lots of questions that will be answered over time.
Oops, I didn’t mention Carson Palmer’s left knee. That’s always a concern. And there are plenty of others, too, such as the linebackers, the secondary and special teams. The list goes on and on.
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Memorial Weekend’s healthy obsession
TURN ON, TUNE IN
===LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to thank all loyal readers for the 150,000-plus page views generated over the past three months. As an expression of my appreciation, I want to let all studs & studettes know that I’ll be blogging on the Cincinnati Bengals through Memorial Day.===
My top five goals this Memorial Day Weekend.
Finish cleaning “The Miamisburg War Room.” (My football “museum’ in the basement is getting a severe makeover & face-lift. Yup, I’m sprucing up the joint.)
Listen — that’s right, listen — to the Indianapolis 500. I’m a radio JUNKIE all the way, and the only way to truly enjoy the race is to pop open a beverage, clean & wax the car, and crank up Indy on the radio. Speaking of radio, I’d much rather listen to THE REDS ON RADIO (Marty Brennaman, Jeff Brantley and Thom Brennaman) than watch on TV. The Reds, who resemble the Bad News Bears, are UN-WATCH-ABLE. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine a Dusty Baker-managed team would perform this poorly in the field and at the plate.
Watch the Spurs beat the Lakers, and the Pistons beat the hated, Hated, HATED Celtics. My biggest fear is that the league will insist on a Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals, and that the Spurs and Pistons will get screwed by the refs for the sake of the almighty dollar — TV ratings.
Blog about the Bengals. You’ll read my “Top 5 Concerns” heading into training camp. You’ll love the Bengals’ undrafted rookie fullback Tyler “Tank” Whaley (pssst! He’s the Bengals’ version of Notre Dame’s “Rudy.” And, hopefully, you’ll voice your comments on LUDWIG AT LARGE.
Remember our fallen military servicemen and servicewomen who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Have a great, safe Memorial Weekend!
Sincerely
Your healthy obsession
LUDWIG AT LARGE
cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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No excuse for Willie, Levi & Deltha
===LUDWIG AT LARGE salutes all Cincinnati Bengals veterans who are participating in the club’s voluntary offseason workout program, and spanks those who are not.===
ALL VETS SHOULD BE HERE …
… BUT THEY’RE NOT…
They can run, but they can’t hide.
I’m talking about the Cincinnati Bengals trio of offensive tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones, and cornerback Deltha O’Neal.
All three are missing significant time by skipping voluntary offseason workouts — including valuable OTAs (Organized Team Activities) — at Paul Brown Stadium, and deserve getting spanked by the media.
I’ll admit I’ve been a harsh critic of wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh for staying away until the June 12-14 mandatory minicamp.
CAN’T ESCAPE CHICKSTER’S WRATH
The media glare on Chadly’s and T.J.’s absence has been so severe that it’s overshadowed the Anderson-Jones-O’Neal trifecta. But, believe me, none of the three deserve to be exonerated for missing the workouts, no matter how great their lofty status on the squad.
Anderson (181), Jones (84) and O’Neal (116) have played a combined 381 NFL games in their careers. Sure, they’ve had their share of injuries along the way, but that doesn’t excuse their absence.
“You’d hope that a guy like Chad and a guy like T.J. would be here helping guys out and trying to make the team better in that way,” quarterback Carson Palmer said. “But they’ve got to handle their own business themselves, too, and also rookies need to learn on their own, too, and they need to figure out how they fit in — not how T.J. or how Chad does it and then try to duplicate that, because you can’t duplicate those two guys.
“You’ve got to learn on your own and figure out how your certain talents, your specific gifts and abilities, fit in with your position and your role on the team.”
The same goes for Willie, Levi and Deltha.
‘THERE’S A REASON WE’RE DOING IT’
“Obviously, you want everybody to be here,” Palmer added. “And you want everybody to be healthy and to work because these practices are important. There’s a reason we’re doing it. It’s not like we were 20-0 last year and don’t have much to work on. We’ve got a lot to work on.”
THE BOTTOM LINE
If Willie, Levi and Deltha — plus Chad and T.J. — are true team leaders, then they need to be here, bonding with teammates and showing the young players the way … like how to use better technique and how to be better pros.
But they’re not here and that’s a crying shame.
I wounder if they know head coach Marvin Lewis’ slogan for 2008.
It’s not tomorrow or next week or next month or next season.
It’s … ‘NOW”
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Hangin’ with Dhani Jones
RENAISSANCE MAN
Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Dhani Jones is fast becoming one of my favorite players on the team.
Why? Because he’s a renaissance man.
He plays rugby. He wears bow ties. He rides his bicycle to the stadium.
And he has very interesting friends.
After practice on Wednesday, May 21, he spoke eloquently about how much he appreciates the Bengals signing him to a three-year contract this offseason, about his maturing as a player just as he’s maturing as a person, and about his “no-limits” philosophy — at age 30.
RIDE THE WAVE, RACE THE WIND
Jones then brought up a name to us — Marcello Duarte. He’s a professional adventure racer … a man Jones admires and emulates.
“I think some teams always look at a certain age as being a low point,” Jones said. “But I look this guy (Duarte) who lives in my neighborhood in California who is 47 years old that I work out with sometimes.
“He’s the type of guy that will wake up in the morning and ride 100 miles. He’ll run 26 miles and then he’ll go to the gym and work out and then he’ll get into his ocean kayak and paddle five miles.
“He’s an adventure racer. I look at a guy like that and I look up to him because I wish the football world could understand that when you get older you become more mature and you become more hard-driven and hard-wired into what you do and your workouts. You don’t peak as a man until you turn 30 or older so I appreciate the confidence and I admire the Bengals for the things that they do and I thank them.”
MARCELLO ‘DUCT TAPE’ DUARTE
Jones said he can’t keep up with Duarte despite being 17 years younger.
“He beats me every time we work out,” Jones said. “We always compete and we talk — his name is Marcello Duarte — and he’s on the other side of adventure racing from guys like Laird Hamilton (a surfer) and Mike Powell, a mountain biker. Those guys I look up to them because every year that goes by in football you have to set your goals and set your standards to someone you look up to.
“As you pass the age of those that have come before you and those that are behind you and are looking at you, you have to look towards something else, so now all of a sudden I’m looking towards those guys, those adventure racers that are doing so many different sports that are keeping themselves in such great shape.
“You talk about a guy in adventure racing and it’s seven days with maybe only two hours of sleep each night where one guys is running and all of a sudden the skin of his heel falls off and they Super Glue it and duct tape it and they Super Glue it again so it can slide into his shoe and he’s still running.
“It’s that type of thing. Or a guy goes down and you have a wheel barrel kind of thing and you carry the guy out. That’s something where the guys are so committed regardless of what their age is against the expectations that someone might just rest on their laurels or take a seat on the couch. I see that and I press ahead.”
After listening to Dhani, I got the distinct feeling that if I offered him a vanilla flavored Hav-A-Tampa cigar, he’d no doubt turn it down.
Compared with adventure racing, football seems like a Sunday stroll around the block.
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My “Core 5” Bengals
A ‘FAB FIVE’ WORTH KEEPING
You requested it. So here it is …
My FIVE core Cincinnati Bengals … my cornerstones … guys worth building around out into the future.
Sadly, you won’t see any offensive linemen. Many smart NFL scouts have told me: Give me five quality players — a quarterback, two offensive tackles and two cornerbacks — and you’ll win. I couldn’t agree more. But Levi Jones wants out, Willie Anderson is nearing retirement and Stacy Andrews is headed to free agency next spring because of his refusal to sign a long-term deal. Stacy isn’t a core player because he’ll be gone this time next year.
Drum roll, please:
THE CHICKSTER’S CORE FIVE
- QB CARSON PALMER. This one’s a no-brainer. To me, he’s the best quarterback in the NFL. Better than Manning. Better than Brady. Better than everybody. Too bad his talent is getting wasted by the lack of a supporting cast. It’s a crime that the Bengals have reached the playoffs just once in Palmer’s five seasons. He’s a sixth-year vet this year. My, how time flies.
2. WR CHAD JOHNSON: Shocked? Don’t be. The five-time Pro Bowler is SIGNED THROUGH 2011. I can’t pick T.J. Houshmandzadeh because he’s gone to free agency after this season. Chad is a No. 1 receiver. T.J. is a clear-cut No. 2. T.J. has made a living on Chad’s double- and triple-teams. The only people who can stop Chad are the Hall of Fame voters who will only remember his touchdown celebrations, not his greatness as a receiver.
3. DE ROBERT GEATHERS: A fourth-round steal in the 2004 NFL Draft, “Junior” is a proven pass-rusher, the club’s first double-digit sack master (2006) since Alfred “The Condor” Williams in 1992. I can’t pick Antwan Odom here because he’s new — a free-agent signee from the Tennessee Titans. I have high hopes for him. He’ll make everyone forget Justin “The Workout Warrior” Smith. I laugh every time I think of Smith lining up in a four-point stance at right end. By the time he rose up from his crouch position, he was engulfed by the left offensive tackle.
4. CB LEON HALL: Hall, the club’s No. 1 pick in 2007, is a great player and class act. (Yes, it hurts me to say that about a Michigan guy, but it’s true nonetheless.) He has speed, quickness, toughness and GREAT HANDS. I’d include Johnathan Joseph on my list if his hands weren’t made of stone. I predict Hall will BREAK Deltha O’Neal’s single-season club record for interceptions (10) THIS YEAR!
5. LB KEITH RIVERS: Before he takes his first NFL snap, he’s already the best linebacker on the roster. It’s like the NFL gods placed Bill Bergey, Jim LeClair, Steve Tovar, Kevin Hardy, Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes in a blender … and came out with Rivers. Big, strong, tough, fast and quick, Rivers is the man.
My “next five” CONSOLATION PRIZE WINNERS: Odom, Joseph, Pat Sims, Jerome Simpson and Shayne “Moonlight” Graham in a close call over Andrew Whitworth, Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe. The Bengals MUST sign Graham, who becomes a free agent next spring. He’s the closest thing to Mr. Automatic since Jimmy Breech.
Now it’s your turn. Lay your “FAB FIVE” on me and feel free to shoot mine down.
UNTIL NEXT TIME …
This is “The Chickster” saying, “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at (937) 225-2253 or email cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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No mercy for Odell Thurman
‘NO BIG DEAL’
I couldn’t detect a trace, not even a hint, of empathy or compassion in Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis’ voice for axed linebacker Odell Thurman.
And rightfully so.
It’s one thing to go to your grandmother’s funeral in Georgia.
It’s quite another to be gone for a week and lose contact with your team, especially after you’ve missed TWO FULL SEASONS for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy.
Thurman was already standing on a cliff, struggling with his footing.
His absence from three straight OTAs (on-field practice sessions) last week gave the Bengals license to push him off the edge.
He was the 11th and last linebacker on the squad and couldn’t afford to miss any more time.
So why did the team ax Thurman?
“We made the statement, and Odell is no longer on this football team,’ Lewis said after practice on Wednesday, May 21.
But Thurman’s advisor (Safarrah Lawson) said you’d told him that Odell had not been around enough.
“That’s not true,” Lewis said.
Then what is the truth?
“I kind of said in the statement we’re going without him. He has not played football in two years. And we have people who will be better for our football team,” Lewis added.
Lawson said he was disappointed the club cut Thurman after his grandmother died.
“His grandmother’s been buried for quite awhile,” Lewis said. “Don’t get into his whole family structure. We’ve been patient enough with Odell, and he’s no longer here. No big deal.”
After the exchange between Lewis and the media, I got the distinct feeling that Thurman won’t be missed by the Bengals.
Thurman is the poster child for N(ot) F(or) L(ong).
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Shed no tears for Cleveland Browns
Bengals fans aren’t about to shed any tears for the Cleveland Browns, who lost starting cornerback Daven Holly to a serious knee injury on Wednesday, May 21.
Back when the free agency period started, the Bengals had a deal in place for Detroit defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, but the trade got nixed by the league.
Suddenly, the Browns swooped in and stole Rogers in exchange for cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round draft pick.
With Bodden gone and Holly likely out for the year, the Browns’ season is about to go up in smoke. (Oh, yeah, and Kellen Winslow is tougher to find that Carmen Sandiego!)
Good thing the Browns re-signed Jereme Perry after his recent release by the Miami Dolphins. Perry, the client of Dayton agent Ron Todd, is best remembered for recovering a Michael Vick fumble to steal a 17-13 Browns victory at Atlanta in 2006.
Gotta feeling the Browns — a single sheet of loose leaf paper thin at cornerback — will be dialing up Philadelphia seeking a trade for Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard sometime very soon.
Let’s crank up Boz Scaggs:
Lido, whoa-oh-oh-oh….
He’s for the money, he’s for the show
Lido’s a-waitin’ for another go
Lido, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh….
He said, “one more job oughta get it”
“One last shot, we quit it”
“One more for the road”
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Roger Almighty Strikes Again
Back on April 30, 2008, I blogged a post-NFL draft item stating that a whole crop of college players with troubled backgrounds — call ‘em thugs, if you wish — are headed to new cities.
I asked the question: Should the league be responsible, liable or — at the very least — held accountable if a problem player terrorizes his new city?
What’s more, should players with arrest records be certified or registered as potential risks to their new cities?
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gave the answer after Tuesday’s league meeting in Atlanta. The league isn’t responsible. Individual teams are.
Goodell said he’ll begin fining teams whose players are suspended for violating the Personal Conduct Policy.
“We want to continue to emphasize personal conduct and personal responsibility,” Goodell said. “One way to do it is to hold teams responsible for the conduct of their players.”
Like THAT’S going to do any good!
Teams are punished enough by losing the players who are suspended. Those players are suspended without pay. What’s next … stripping teams of draft picks if numerous players are suspended?
The Bengals wouldn’t have any draft picks if that were the case.
Bengals president Mike Brown’s reaction to Goodell’s edict?
“He (Brown) doesn’t make a habit of commenting on things the commissioner says,” Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan said.
I’m just wondering who died and made Goodell God?
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Blog name change?
After receiving this E-mail from a sportswriting colleague in Charlotte, N.C., LUDWIG AT LARGE may consider changing its name.
To, you know, something a little more, well, sexy.
“They finally got you and Hal to blog,” writes Darin. “Nice. The more the better. Of course, you’d probably get more Web hits and page views if you called it ‘Hot Chick Action.’ “
I’m not sure how my bosses would react to that name change.
But I like it, and it’s sure worth considering.
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Matt Maupin ‘Dog Tags’ Now Available
FALLEN SOLDIER, AMERICAN HERO
===LUDWIG AT LARGE salutes Bengals kicker Shayne Graham for his involvement with the Yellow Ribbon Support Center. Graham has created commemorative Sgt. Matt Maupin dog tags to honor the Clermont County soldier whose remains were found in Iraq.===
Here’s the information EVERYBODY has waited for.
The SSG Matt Maupin Official Memorial Dog Tags Benefiting The Yellow Ribbon Support Center and Fallen Heroes are now available with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Yellow Ribbon Support Center.
The dog tags read:
SSG MATT MAUPIN
CAPTURED 9/4/04
RECOVERED
21/3/08 KILLED
IN CAPTIVITY
TO EVERYONE
I AM NOW HOME
THANK YOU FOR
NOT FORGETTING
724 TRANS
Package includes:
(2) stainless tags embossed
(1) 24” stainless beaded chain (normally worn around the neck)
(1) 4” stainless beaded chain
(2) black rubber silencers
Price:
$15.00 (includes shipping) Checks payable to:
Yellow Ribbon Support Center
Mail payments to:
Yellow Ribbon Support Center
700 S. Eastgate Blvd. Suite 430
Cincinnati, OH 45245
Please allow 7-10 Business Days
The tags can also be purchased at The Army Store on Route 4, Dixie Highway, in Fairfield, OH.
THE FOLLOWING STORY RAN IN THE APRIL 21, 2008, EDITIONS OF THE DAYTON DAILY NEWS:
BENGALS KICKER HONORS MATT MAUPIN
By Chick Ludwig
Staff Writer
This is a departure from all the negative press involving the Cincinnati Bengals.
It’s a feel-good story, born from a tragedy, authored by Bengals placekicker Shayne Graham. Many Bengals players are committed to community service, which too often goes unnoticed — until now.
Graham is creating commemorative Sgt. Matt Maupin dog tags to honor the Clermont County soldier whose remains were found in Iraq.
Maupin was captured April 9, 2004, after his fuel convoy was ambushed west of Baghdad.
Graham said the dog tags will be sold nationwide with proceeds going to the Yellow Ribbon Support Center and dispersed into the “Let Us Never Forget” Matt Maupin Scholarship Fund.
“Now that Matt’s home with his family, he gets to rest in peace and his parents can rest their minds,” Graham said. “Can you imagine, every night they go to sleep for four years, they’ve wondered, ‘What’s happened to our son? Where is he?’
“And every morning they wake up, it’s the same thing. Every day, over and over. It had to be pure hell for them. Now they have, at least, a little bit of closure.”
Graham is sending Maupin’s parents, Keith and Carolyn, on a vocation of their choice. More importantly, the dog tags will preserve the legacy of one of America’s fallen heroes.
“I was talking to Keith and he said, ‘I’ve met so many great people that I probably would’ve never met had this not happened, and so many people have been made more aware,’ ” Graham said. “To see the positive feedback coming from a man who just lost his son, and to see the influence you have on people you meet, are just priceless.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
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Open season on ‘The Chickster’
HANGIN’ TOUGH IN DAYTON-CINCY CORRIDOR
This goes out to “John,” “Hindsight” and all loyal readers of LUDWIG AT LARGE who have taken offense at my bold, but wrong, predictions.
I predicted Odell Thurman would be the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting middle linebacker in 2008. I was wrong.
I predicted the Bengals would select an offensive tackle with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. I was wrong.
Heck, I even predicted Brian Gregory was going to become the head coach at Marquette University.
When I’m wrong, I should, must and will say I’m wrong. It’s called holding oneself accountable.
But that’s not going to stop me from walking the plank, going out on a limb or sticking my neck out so that it can get chopped off.
Everything I do, I do for you … my loyal readers.
The NFL’s “offseason” lasts from post-Super Bowl in February until training camps open in late July.
In between is the Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, NFL free agency, NFL Draft, NFL voluntary workouts, rookie and full-squad minicamps.
It’s known as the “speculative” part of the NFL season.
Bengals beat writers only have access to the team ONE DAY A WEEK right now, so there’s a lot going on that we’re not privy to.
All I know is that I spend nearly every waking hour preparing, researching, writing and THINKING about my job — the Bengals beat.
Just as I hold Mike Brown, Marvin Lewis and the Bengals players accountable for their actions, it’s only right that loyal readers of LUDWIG AT LARGE hold me accountable.
All I can say is I’m doing the best I can to inform, entertain and persuade you during the “speculative” part of the season as well as the “real football” part of the season.
Chris Henry and Odell Thurman put countless gray hairs on my noggin and took a few years off my life.
I’m not complaining because I love what I do, and I count myself lucky, honored and blessed to be the Bengals beat writer for the Dayton Daily News.
CHICK LUDWIG TRIVIA
Several folks have e-mailed, wanting to know my various “titles.”
Here goes:
Sportswriter (NFL/Cincinnati Bengals beat), Dayton Daily News
Member, 40-person Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee
Chairman, Cincinnati Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America
Chairman, Birmingham Americans Ring Restoration Committee
Author, “The Legends, Cincinnati Bengals: The Men, The Deeds, The Consequences” (Orange Frazer Press, 2004)
Author, “Ludwig At Large” blog at DaytonDailyNews.com
Contributor, Sporting News
Contributor, Cincinnati Gentlemen Magazine
Language Arts Tutor, Miamisburg (OH) City Schools
Advisor, Pursuit Newspaper, Centerville (OH) High School
Motivational Speaker
Frequent guest, WCKY, WLW and WING radio stations
cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Five simple words explain Thurman’s exit
===LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to wish former Cincinnati Bengals Odell Thurman and Chris Henry well in their future endeavors. The team finally owned up to its mistake of drafting both players in 2005 by sending them packing. This is one time it doesn’t hurt to say goodbye.===
Why was linebacker Odell Thurman released on Monday, May 19, 2008?
It boils down to five words.
He could not be trusted.
On the football field, the ball seemed to find him. Four of his five interceptions came on pass deflections in 2005.
Off the field, trouble seemed to find him, too.
Talk about bad timing …
The date was Sept. 25, 2006. The Bengals are 3-0, just coming off an incredible victory at Pittsburgh.
Thurman is a week away from being reinstated from a four-game suspension when he’s stopped at an East End DUI checkpoint and charged with DUI.
He is driving Reggie McNeal’s vehicle, and McNeal and Chris Henry are passengers. Thurman gets suspended until training camp 2007, then gets slapped with another year’s suspension.
And the Bengals haven’t been the same since.
JUST WONDERING …
If Bengals management considered sending Eric Ball, the club’s director of player relations, or any other team representative, with Thurman to Georgia for the funeral of Thurman’s grandmother.
Had Thurman had a team representative with him, maybe, just maybe, he’d have made it back to Cincinnati in time for Tuesday’s OTA.
I’ve covered the team for 12 years and I can honestly say the Bengals are woefully lacking in player services (SEE CHICK LUDWIG TRIVIA BELOW).
ARREST TALLY …
Of the “CINCINNATI 10” — the 10 players arrested since December 2005 — seven are no longer with the team.
LONG GONE: Thurman, Henry, McNeal, A.J. Nicholson, Matthias Askew, Eric Steinbach and Quincy Wilson.
STILL HERE: Frostee Rucker, Deltha O’Neal and Johnathan Joseph.
AWESOME E-MAIL …
From Daniel Matthews: “Hey, Chick. While I was eating dinner tonight, I was thinking. Yeah, weird I know that I would be thinking about the Bengals during an evening meal in May. But anyway…
“I was thinking of when exactly things started to spiral downhill for this team. A lot of people point to the ‘06 Wild Card game vs. Pittsburgh and the second-half collapse. However, I think the collapse started after the ‘06 regular season started and Game No. 3 at Pittsburgh. The Bengals beat the Steelers by two scores in a game where T.J. was the star and kicked off the new season to a promising 3-0 start.
“But the next day is when it all started. I remember like it was yesterday: I woke up at 6 a.m. and turned on the radio and heard the news that Thurman and Henry were pulled over. Thurman getting a DUI and Henry puking out the car door. From that point on, Thurman was suspended for the rest of the season and Henry benched by Marvin the following week vs. New England, a game in which the Bengals got demolished. Then the bye week, and the pitiful loss at Tampa Bay. The Bucs were 0-fers at the time.
“That, to me, was the beginning of the end for Marvin’s era as head coach of the Bengals. But I hope I’m wrong.”
Ludwig At Large: “Well said, Daniel. Now you know why I sleep with one eye opened and my bags packed every night. And why I like to say that it’s ‘Armageddon every day’ on the Bengals beat.”
CHICK LUDWIG TRIVIA
Back in 2000, then Bengals fullback Clif Groce approached me in the locker room, and asked me this question:
“Do you know where I can get my car fixed?”
I asked him the make and model, and Groce told me he had a Chevy SUV that needed some work.
I wrote down the toll-free number for Rose Chevrolet in Hamilton and told Groce to call and ask for Dan Larkin.
“Dan will take care of you,” I told Clif.
A week later, Groce approached me in the locker room again, and thanked me for the advice.
Dan Larkin took care of Clif like I knew he would.
Instead of approaching a club employee, Clif came to a sportswriter for help.
How badly do the Bengals need more help in the player services department?
Very.
p.s. Dan Larkin, a University of Dayton grad, devout Bengals fan and close friend of the team for many years, died in May 2006. I miss him dearly.
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Odell Thurman cut by Bengals
COMEBACK NEVER MATERIALIZED
Odell Thurman’s career with the Cincinnati Bengals is over.
The troubled second-year linebacker from the University of Georgia was released on Monday, May 19, at 11:15 a.m.
Thurman’s attempted comeback from a two-year suspension for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy never materialized.
“The NFL provided Odell the opportunity to earn his way back onto our team, but we have not seen the right steps taken by him,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said today. “With our offseason work in progress and new talent added at our linebacker position, we’ve determined it’s best to keep moving in a direction that does not include Odell.”
The Bengals cut Thurman less than a month after the league reinstated him and he was added to Bengals’ offseason roster (April 21, 2008).
He was not on the Bengals roster in 2006 or 2007.
Thurman’s only season was the club’s 2005 playoff year (an 11-5 record) after he was selected in the second round (No. 48 overall) of the NFL Draft.
He had a remarkable rookie season, generating a team-high 148 tackles. He also led the squad in forced fumbles (4), and his five interceptions led NFL rookies while tying the Bengals rookie INT record.
The Bengals could afford to release Thurman because of the additions they’ve made at linebacker this offseason.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Odell Thurman’s Troubled Time Line
HISTORY OF PERSONAL PROBLEMS
April 23, 2005 — Drafted in the second round (No. 48 overall), joining David Pollack (No. 17) and Chris Henry (No. 83) as Bengals’ first-day picks.
• Jan. 1, 2006 — Finishes rookie season with team-high 148 tackles and 4 forced fumbles. His 5 INTs leads NFL rookies.
• Sept. 25, 2006 — Already serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, Thurman is charged with DUI and suspended by the league until training camp 2007.
• Oct. 4, 2006 — A present for Thurman arrives in the equipment room — a white helmet with the inscription, “Howie Long’s Tough Guys.”
• Feb. 21, 2007 — Pleads no contest to the driving drunk charge and tells judge he is undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse.
• June 1, 2007 — The judge suspends all but 6 days of a 90-day sentence, and orders Thurman to serve those 6 days at a treatment center.
• June 8, 2007 — Two Georgia men, who had accused Thurman of kicking and hitting them at a party, drop their complaint. Case is dismissed without charges filed.
• July 26, 2007 — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell denies Thurman’s petition for reinstatement. Thurman must sit out a second straight season.
• Jan. 26, 2008 — Cleared by the NFL to train at Paul Brown Stadium facilities while he pursues reinstatement.
• April 21, 2008 — Thurman is reinstated by the league and added to Bengals’ offseason roster.
• May 13, 2008 — Attended funeral of his paternal grandmother, Betty Thurman, in Monticello, Ga. Mrs. Thurman raised Odell in a household of 17 in rural Georgia.
• May 18, 2008 — Bengals release Thurman. “We have not seen the right steps taken by him,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said.
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Can Chad pull off a Kobe?
===LUDWIG AT LARGE has a question for loyal readers: Can Chad pull off a Kobe? As one of the NFL’s elite receivers, Chad certainly has the talent to help the Bengals get to the playoffs. But does he have the desire, the selflessness and the leadership to accomplish it?===
THE ICE MAN
Isaac Curtis, the original “85”, told me on Sunday, May 18, at the Marvin Lewis Golf Classic that he hopes Chad will be in stripes this season.
“I’ve met Chad,” Curtis said. “Chad’s really a nice guy. He’s a good guy. Hopefully, he can get this behind him and, whatever the beef is, they get it settled and straightened out and get him back here because he has a great personality. If he can come back here, he can fit right in. He’ll come in and work hard. He’s a player.”
‘HUGE’ JACKSON
I asked Hue Jackson, the Bengals former wide receivers coach now serving as the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach, point-blank: Can Chad become Kobe?
Hue’s response: “I think he can if that’s what his focus is and that’s what he wants to do. My dealing with Chad has always been positive. I’m not here, so it’s hard for me to comment on what’s going on and what’s happening. But I just know this: He’s a tremendous football player. When he’s focused and he wants to play, he can play with anybody in the National Football League.”
But can he, and will he, play for the Bengals in 2008?
My take on this:
With the influx of so much young talent, wide receiver is shaping up as the most competitive position battle on the Bengals’ roster.
The arrival of second-, third- and seventh-round draft picks Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Mario Urrutia sends a strong message to perennial Pro Bowler Chad, who is demanding a trade and promising to sit out … The club is prepared to move on with or without him.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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A Sunday morning with Marvin & NFL’s immortals
‘CLASSIC EVENT’ FOR A GREAT CAUSE
Sunday, May 18, 2008, was the kind of day where, for a couple of hours, I wish everyone could be me.
It’s not everyday you get to shake hands and rub shoulders with Pro Football Hall of Famers, current and former Cincinnati Bengals’ players and coaches, and retired NFL greats. But this day was one of ‘em.
The Marvin Lewis Golf Classic, presented by Cincinnati Bell, at Shaker Run Golf Club in Lebanon, Ohio, was a Who’s Who of NFL celebrities.
I interviewed Hall of Famers Anthony Munoz, Leroy Kelly and Elvin Bethea; chatted with former Pittsburgh Steelers L.C. Greenwood, Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd and Rod Woodson; hugged my former Ohio State classmate Pete Johnson; did a shoulder-bump with Bengals quarterbacking legend Ken Anderson, now serving as Steelers quarterback coach; and mingled with former Bengals stars Isaac Curtis, Louis Breeden, David Fulcher, Eric Thomas, Jim Breech, Max Montoya, Tom Dinkle, John Simmons, Eric Ball and Cris Collinsworth.
TIME FOR ‘GIVING BACK’
All of them spoke of the importance of “giving back” to the community, which is the purpose of Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis’ foundation.
The national perception is that half the current Bengals are in jail or in trouble with the law. The reality is that most of them are actively involved in the community, raising funds that benefit the less fortunate.
And Lewis spearheads the team’s effort in the community.
“Coach Lewis is a great guy,” Greenwood said. “He really is. I’ve been to a lot of these charity golf tournaments, and I don’t know of any other coach who does as much to promote the team as well as impact the community. This event is absolutely great. Plus, it’s good for raising money for those that are less fortunately.
“As a person, I think it’s important to give back,” Greenwood added. “Whether we’re players or just people. We have to, and should, think about and want to give something back.”
SETTING AN EXAMPLE
Thirteen high school students received college scholarships to the schools of their choice at the Golf Classic Post Play Party. Last year, eight students received scholarships and 15 students total have received college scholarships from the Marvin Lewis Community Fund. The students must meet a number of requirements and are only selected after a personal interview with Coach Lewis.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” Lewis told me during a “time-out” before Sunday morning’s shotgun start at Shaker Run. “The support we’ve gotten from all the local businesses as partners, working alongside us, we’re able to raise a lot of money and do a lot with it. The 15 children we have in school right now, and another 13 scholarships we’ll give out today, and the research grant we’ve done with MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and all the local charities we’re supporting in the region, we’re just grateful to be able to that, help young people and hopefully show them a better way.”
PLAYERS ARE ‘REAL’
In addition to being the Bengals’ head coach, Lewis is the club’s king of community service, setting the example for his players to follow.
“I’ve tried to push it, and our guys have taken the lead and done it,” Lewis said. “Leon (Hall) had his football camp on Saturday and Brad St. Louis has one coming up. Herana-Daze Jones was involved in an event on Saturday. John Thornton and his support of autism is great. Each and every guy has done and gone about it in his way, and done good things. This year, (Eric) Ghiaciuc is involved with Special Olympics. So hopefully the guys keep growing and it gives them something to look forward to. I think that’s the thing they found more than anything is by going out and getting involved in something, it gives them something else to look forward to other than football.
“We’re very fortunate to have the opportunities we have. And when you to have an opportunity to give back and touch somebody else’s life, that’s what it’s all about. Young people look up to these guys and so they look forward to being around them, and touch them, and see them, and see that they’re real.”
CHICK LUDWIG TRIVIA
Chick Ludwig is honored to serve on the 40-person Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. When I told Houston Oilers defensive end Elvin Lamont Bethea, a North Carolina A&T alumnus, that I voted in favor of his induction for the Hall of Fame Class of 2003, he looked me all serious.
“You were in that room?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said.
His eyes got misty.
“Thank you,” he said. “Thank you so much.”
It’s rewarding to know, that in a small way, I helped change Bethea’s life … from NFL legend to pro football immortal.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Odell Thurman, Chad Johnson & other issues
ISSUES & ANSWERS
Wherever I go, whatever I do, no matter if it’s business or pleasure, I usually get asked the same three questions regarding the Cincinnati Bengals:
One: “Chick, do you get free tickets?”
Two: “Chick, can you get me an autograph?”
Three: “Chick, what do you do in the offseason?”
My answers are: “No, no and there is no offseason.”
MORE ON ALL THREE BELOW …
Nowadays, however, I’m bludgeoned with two popular questions.
“Chick, what do you think will happen with Chad Johnson?”
“Chick, can Odell Thurman return to form after a two-year suspension?”
ABOUT ODELL THURMAN …
If anyone can come back and be an effective player after two years off, it’s Odell Thurman.
He’s THAT talented an athlete.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 100 times: Odell has the best hand-eye coordination I’ve seen from a Bengals linebacker in the 12 years I’ve covered the club.
Better than Takeo Spikes, my favorite player.
I’m not worried about Thurman’s ability to bounce back physically. But I am worried about him mentally and emotionally.
Thurman’s mother died in a 1993 car crash. His father died from liver and kidney failure in 2003. Now Odell is dealing with the death of his grandmother.
Only time will tell if Odell can emerge as the impact player he showed in 2005.
LUDWIG AT LARGE wants to know how Bengals fans feel about Odell.
From Brian Burton: “How is Odell handling all this and what is the team doing to help him through this time? The loss of a loved one is tough on anybody, but when you are a recovering alcoholic, things can be even tougher. I hope someone on the team, whether a coach or player, is helping him get through this. A lot of my fellow fans are concerned about this and it would be a good subject for your next blog.”
Ludwig At Large: “The Bengals — from president Mike Brown to coach Marvin Lewis to Eric Ball (director of player relations) to Odell’s teammates — are doing everything they can to help Thurman. The media’s next access to the team is Wednesday, May 21. Hopefully, Odell will be there so we can speak to him.”
ABOUT CHAD JOHNSON …
Chad will show up at some point because he wants to get paid. I wouldn’t be surprised if he invades Cincinnati for the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp (June 12-14). If not then, then training camp in July at Georgetown College.
ABOUT CALEB MILLER …
From Kevin Gallagher: “If the Bengals are looking for depth at linebacker, then why didn’t they bring back Caleb Miller? I understand his injury issues, but haven’t we learned that guys who are versatile, can play special teams (see Kevin Kaesviharn), and who can impact from multiple positions are the kind of guys that should be in stripes?”
Ludwig At Large: “For the record, Miller spent four years with the Bengals, playing in 39 of a possible 64 games with 11 starts. He was undersized (at 225 pounds) and often injured. Bottom line: He was an OK player when healthy, but couldn’t be trusted to stay healthy. No way were the Bengals going to spend nearly a million bucks on a fifth-year guy who spent more time in the tub than on the field.”
TICKETS, AUTOGRAPHS …
The NFL prohibits the media from getting player autographs. It’s against rules set forth by the NFL and the Pro Football Writers of America.
As for tickets, I’m like anybody else. If I want ‘em, I gotta pay for ‘em and go through the proper channels (like the ticket office) to obtain them. There are no freebies.
Oh, and one other thing. The NFL is a year-round, 24-7-365 business. There is no offseason.
HEY, CLEVELAND INDIANS FANS …
Remember when the Tribe signed pitcher Wayne Garland to a 10-year, $2.3 million contract in 1977?
Garland was coming off a 20-7 season for the Baltimore Orioles, and the Indians snapped him up in the first season of large-scale free agency in Major League Baseball.
Garland was a major bust, going 28-48 with Cleveland. He was waived five years into his contract after the 1981 season.
The mere mention of Garland’s name is enough to make Indians fans cringe … and spew venom.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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12-Pack: Starting with ex-Bengal Fletcher Smith
TAKING NO PRISONERS; 12 NOTES OFF THE CUFF
(Roman Numeral Style, just like the Super Bowl)
I. MY TELEPHONE RINGS …
On the line is former Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Fletcher Smith, calling from Dallas, Texas, with an update on his situation.
Fletcher Leon Smith, a 6-foot, 178-pounder known for his clothesline tackles, was a member of the “Original Bengals” (modern era), selected in the 1968 AFL Expansion Draft after spending two years with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He’s driving a beat-up Chevy Suburban, working off-and-on in construction — his specialty is mixing, pouring and laying concrete — and searching for an apartment that fits his meager budget.
Fletcher, who turns 65 on Oct. 10, 2008, tells me he’s “getting by, but just barely” on about $1,000 a month, which includes monthly pension checks of less than $200 for six years spent in pro football (1966-67 with the Chiefs, 1968-71 with the Bengals).
He said he got my home phone number from former Cleveland Browns defensive end Joe “Turkey” Jones, a Dallas native, who I last spoke with in 2000. I’m hoping to hook up with “Fletch” and “Turkey” on the Bengals’ trip to Dallas in October.
“If I ever make it back to Cincinnati,” Fletcher told me, “I only want to see one person — you,” he said.
II. I CAN’T WAIT …
Until Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson arrives at training camp.
Imagine the zoo and media circus at Georgetown College?
Chadly can’t afford a $14,000-per-day fine for not showing up.
III. FOR THE RECORD …
If Chad sits, he doesn’t get paid.
His base salary is $3 million, which gets paid out over the 17 weeks of the regular season (16 games plus the bye week).
That’s $176,470.59 per week for 17 weeks (before taxes, of course, and his agent’s fee is 3 percent).
Chadly ain’t about to pass up those rather large chunks of cash.
IV. ABOUT THE REDS …
I refuse to feel anything but apathy for professional baseball’s oldest franchise until GM Walt Jocketty calls outfielder Jay Bruce up to “the show.”
Joey Votto made it. Paul Janish made it. But the best damn player in all the minor leagues still hasn’t made it.
V. DON’T YOU WISH …
Golfer Greg Norman would just go away?
He’s taking up valuable space at the AT&T Classic in Duluth, Ga., this week, and embarrassing himself by kicking it around TPC Sugarloaf.
Greg needs to get off the course and go back to the love of his life, Chris Evert.
Greg dumped Laura, his wife of 26 years, for Chris. Chris dumped Andy Mill, her husband of 18 years, for Greg.
Norman and Evert deserve one another.
Check out their photo and story at:
VI. I’LL NEVER ROOT …
… for the Boston Celtics.
Never, ever, ever, ever, ever.
My Cincinnati Royals — The Big O, Jerry Lucas, Wayne Embry, Odie Smith and Bob Boozer — gave the Celtics fits. But Boston was always a little bit better.
I’m still upset, after all these years, that ex-Celtic Bob Cousy was hired to coach the Royals only to systematically dissect, dismember and dismantle the Royals so they could be sold and moved.
From Rochester (1945-57) to Cincinnati (1957-72) to the Sacramento Kings … long live Arlen “Bucky” Bockhorn and the Cincinnati Royals.
VII. BACK HOME AGAIN …
… in Indiana,
And it seems that I can see
The gleaming candlelight, still shining bright,
Through the sycamores for me.
The new-mown hay sends all its fragrance
From the fields I used to roam.
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,
Then I long for my Indiana home.
VIII. WERE YOU THERE …
At the 1982 Indy 500?
‘LUDWIG AT LARGE’ wants to know.
I covered 16 Indy 500s and 1982 was easily the most memorable, most unforgettable and most regrettable.
I’ll always remember Gordon Johncock’s victory over Rick Mears by 0.16 second.
Re-live the final laps at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piqMiQWMrww
And I’ll never forget Gordon Smiley’s fatal crash in Turn 3 in pole-day qualifications.
I interviewed Smiley just days before his death and we talked about the danger that faces every driver in a race car.
“I’m willing to accept the risk,” Smiley told me.
Here’s Smiley’s crash (Warning: For Mature Audiences Only):
http://www.truveo.com/Gordon-Smileys-fatal-Crash-Indy-500-1982/id/3986842752
IX. LOVED THIS MESSAGE …
From a caller to Paul Daugherty, host of WLW SportsTalk, on Thursday night:
“Chicago Cubs fans are Pittsburgh Steelers fans without the mullets.”
X. THE PERFECT STORM …
Shame on Trotwood-Madison High School for ousting head boys basketball coach Larry Ham.
Ham did a fantastic job in two seasons at the Rams’ helm. His reward was getting kicked to the curb.
Trotwood bills itself as “The Quiet Community.” But that’s not the case with its athletics. When it comes to sports, Trotwood is the most volatile school district in the Miami Valley.
Piloting the Rams’ ship is like navigating a stormy sea with all the turmoil involved with the administration, faculty, staff, parents and students. Patience is not in their vocabulary.
I wish the school board good luck in finding its next victim. I’m sure it won’t be very long until we yell, once again, “MAN OVERBOARD!”
XI. MANY, MANY THANKS …
To Dr. Brian Cron and his bride, Dr. Diana Dornbusch Cron, for their loyal readership of ‘LUDWIG AT LARGE.’
The Crons, who met while attending veterinary school at Ohio State and married in the fall of 1994, own and operate Glenway Animal Hospital on the west side of Cincinnati.
The Ohio State University Marching Band is known as “The Best Damn Band In The Land.”
And I say this without hesitation or reservation …
The Crons are “The Best Damn Vets In The Land.”
Check ‘em out at:
http://www.glenwayanimalhospital.com/586181.html
XII. UNTIL NEXT TIME …
This is “The Chickster” saying, “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at (937) 225-2253 or email cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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‘Chad should have kept his mouth shut’
VICTORY FOR MIKE BROWN; DEFEAT FOR CHAD JOHNSON
===LUDWIG AT LARGE appreciates all contributions from NFL fans in general and Cincinnati Bengals aficionados in particular. Here’s my shout out of thanks to Chris in Dayton for alerting me to a story regarding Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson. Chadly made Mike Florio’s “10-pack: The worst moves (and non-moves) of the NFL offseason.”===
Florio, who writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to the Sporting News, writes:
“Chad should have kept his mouth shut.
“The mouth that roared for much of the offseason has fallen eerily silent since the Washington Redskins selected two wide receivers on the first day of the draft. So with the ‘Skins out of the Chad Johnson business and with the Cincinnati Bengals not budging on their refusal to trade him, Johnson presumably is hoping everyone will forget about everything he said from January through April regarding his desire to get out of Cincinnati.
“Why else would Johnson no longer be whining for a trade? The reality is, he knows he has no leverage, and that his only option is to make good on a promise not to play again for the Bengals. And pay back $5 million in signing bonus money.
“If Johnson had merely put a sock in the place where he hangs that golden grill on game days, he wouldn’t be in a position to look so silly when he shows up for training camp and acts like he didn’t act like a complete fool.”
Check out the entire story at:
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=411542
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Bengals: Face-lift at linebacker
‘THEY LOOK LIKE LINEBACKERS’
The Cincinnati Bengals linebacker corps is going to look different, much different, in 2008.
My projected starters, from left to right:
Strong side: Darryl Blackstock (“Sam”).
Middle: Odell Thurman (“Mike”).
Weak side: Keith Rivers (“Will”).
The top backups: Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks and Dhani Jones … with Corey Mays, Brandon Johnson and Jim Maxwell fighting for roster spots.
Want to make the team?
You had better be able to excel on special teams, especially kickoff coverage.
This quote from first-year defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is a stunning indictment about last year’s injury-riddled unit:
“We’re trying to improve that position,” Zimmer said. “We’ve got to improve a lot of positions. They look like linebackers. Whether or not, when the games start, they can play … But they’re good-looking guys. They seem to be intelligent.”
CARSON PALMER ON CHRIS PERRY
“He’s such a threat out of the backfield. I compare him to LaDainian Tomlinson or Larry Johnson running the screen routes.”
NEW KID IN TOWN
The Bengals signed rookie long-snapper Tim Bugg of Indiana to a two-year contract. A college free agent, Bugg (6-0, 257) participated in Cincinnati’s May 2-4 rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
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Reading between Carson’s lines
‘MISSING VALUABLE TIME’
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said all the right things.
That his frustration level — in the wake of Chad Johnson’s and T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s absence from voluntary offseason workouts at Paul Brown Stadium — is “at zero right now. I’m not frustrated at all. I’m happy and excited to be back on the field myself, whether they’re here or not. I’m excited to be back with these guys, the guys that are here.”
So ….
Was that smoke & steam I saw emanating from Palmer’s ears?
You betcha.
If Johnson and Houshmandzadeh cared about the team, they’d be in Cincinnati — not working out on their own with personal trainers.
If they cared about winning a Super Bowl, they’d be in Cincinnati — and they’d bring their families as soon as their kids get out of school.
If they cared about being leaders, they’d be in Cincinnati — showing the less-experienced veterans and young rookies the way.
But they’re not here.
What does that say about them?
It tells me they’re more concerned about themselves.
“We’re definitely missing valuable time,” Palmer added. “We’ll get to work whenever they get here. But timing and rhythm is something you build over time with repetition.
“We have built it in years past. We’re losing time right now, but the guys that are here are getting work in. It’s giving them a chance to really develop and get some experience.”
‘LUDWIG AT LARGE’ wants to feel confident about the 2008 season.
However … with a new defense being installed and two Pro Bowl wide receivers not on the PBS, trouble lurks around every corner.
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Bengals’ Seen & Overheard
HOO-RAYS FOR OTAs
Finally, we’re starting to claw into REAL FOOTBALL.
On location at Bengals’ first OTA on Tuesday, May 13, 2008:
QB Carson Palmer’s over-the-middle pass to Doug Gabriel was tipped and intercepted by safety Chinedum Ndukwe.
LB Ahmad Brooks took only five snaps. He’s frustrated because his 2007 groin injury is still causing him problems.
Eric Henderson, who spent 2007 on Injured Reserve, is a defensive end again after giving outside LB a shot last year.
WR Bennie Brazell surfaced in the locker room. He was preparing to get a physical exam and hoping to sign a contract.
Brazell would become the 13th wideout on the offseason roster. Insurance is needed in case Chad Johnson sits out.
QUESTION FOR LOYAL ‘LUDWIG AT LARGE’ READERS:
Is the Bengals’ wide receiver corps (or is it CORPSE?) strong enough to withstand Chadly’s absence if he sits out all year?
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Bengals’ RBs, WRs brace for game of ‘survivor’
ONLY STRONG WILL SURVIVE
Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski calls it a game of “survivor” for the running backs and wide receivers.
Looking good in the first on-field coaching session at Paul Brown Stadium on Tuesday, May 13: Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry.
Rudi is determined to play at 225 pounds and become the Jerome Bettis-style hammer between the tackles that he once was.
Perry practiced for the first time since fracturing and dislocating his right ankle at Cleveland on Nov. 26. 2006, and looked terrific.
Looking bad: Linebacker Ahmad Brooks. He took only five reps and is admittedly extremely frustrated for two reasons: One, he’s still not completely healthy from the groin injury that wrecked his 2007 season. Two, he’s playing a position — strong side linebacker — he’s never played before.
Change of scenery: Eric Henderson has moved back to defensive end from outside linebacker.
He’s baaaack: Wide receiver Bennie Brazell surfaced in the locker room. He was headed to the doctor for a physical exam and was hopeful about being signed later in the day.
Missing in action: Middle linebacker Odell Thurman, who is in Georgia for the funeral of his grandmother.
Here’s the transcript of the media’s interview with Bratkowski:
Q. How did Chris Perry look?
A. It was good to see him out here. I went over at one point and told him, ‘It’s really good to see you out here.’ To me, with him, it’s going to tell over time how he handles the wear and tear of going every day. But he got off to a real good start today.
Q. What does Perry mean to the offense?
A. If you go back to the last year he played healthy, he gave us a lot of catches, close to 50 receptions. His run-average per carry was real high. He was a nice change of pace to Rudi. He was a very important part. He had some big plays for us. If we can get that back, it’s certainly going to make us a better offense.
Q. Could you tell anything about the way Perry is moving around?
A. From what I saw, he looked good. Now we’ll have to just continue to go through this. See how he handles it and how everything comes out over time, day after day of doing things. But I thought he got off to a great start.
Q. Chris said his body feels fine. He just has a long way to get back to football shape. Do you agree?
A. It’s been awhile since he’s played, and that takes time. It’s one thing to do all the conditioning, but the unexpected changes in direction that you get on a football field, the different angles on the routes you have to take … those things take awhile. To a good athlete, they come along pretty quick.
Q. Does Perry have good hands for a running back?
A. Oh, he’s got excellent hands. He made a couple of one-handed catches out here today. He’s got, not above average, but excellent hands.
Q. Rudi looks thicker. Would you agree?
A. Rudi’s worked really hard in this offseason. He’s got a great attitude and really approached it as a professional, and that’s a very positive sign.
Q. It looks like a crowded house in the backfield. You’ve also got 12 wide receivers. What do you make of the competition?
A. It’s kind of like a survivor course. Who’s going to manage to do things over time and make it through the battles. It’s going to be very competitive.
Q. With your running backs, will you have a good sense by the end of camp, health-wise, where guys are at? Or will you cross your fingers till the start of the season?
A. By the time we get through training camp, we’ll know where we’re at. You obviously have the unforeseen things that happen after that. But we’ll know where we’re at as we get to the end of training camp.
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Bengals legend nearly loses right leg
THE IMMORTAL REGGIE WILLIAMS
It’s equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming.
It’s a story about how former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Reggie Williams nearly lost his right leg after knee-replacement surgery went haywire with a bone infection that ultimately led to his resignation as an executive at Walt Disney World.
Written by New York Times sportswriter George Vecsey and published on May 12, 2008, the story details Williams’ lengthy hospitalization, his rescue by a medical “cavalry,” his relentless battle to regain his health, his dogged determination to walk again, and the fact that he has “no regrets” about playing football.
NFL fans see only the glamorous side of a brutal sport. They never see the pain these athletes endure.
It’s time for all of us to pause, reflect and visit with Reggie.
Please see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/sports/football/12vecsey.html?ref=sports
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Somebody likes the Bengals
‘FAB FIVE?’
Somebody out there likes the Cincinnati Bengals.
He’s national sports columnist Randy Hill.
Hill includes the Bengals (7-9 in 2007) among his “five teams that could get over playoff hump” in 2008.
The others are the New Orleans Saints (7-9), Philadelphia Eagles (8-8), Carolina Panthers (7-9) and Denver Broncos (7-9).
Check it out at:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8107036/Five-teams-that-could-get-over-playoff-hump
MORE ON SHAUN
Wanna make the NFL playoffs?
You had better be able to run the football, which the Bengals weren’t able to do consistently in 2007.
Clifton Brown of the Sporting News believes ex-Seattle tailback Shaun Alexander has enough gas in his tank to help a team.
That team could be the Bengals.
Check it out at:
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=408172
REGARDING BOB JOHNSON:
From Richard Scott: “Dear Chick: Although I followed the Bengals early on, I didn’t follow the draft that closely. I was wondering why the Bengals chose a center (Bob Johnson) with the first pick of the 1968 draft as centers generally aren’t chosen until about Round 3. Are we to believe that Johnson, at that time, was equal to today’s young tackles coming out in the top 5 picks every year?”
The Chickster’s Response: “Hi Rick: The only true center the Bengals got in the expansion draft was John Matlock (Jets) of Miami, Fla. The team desperately needed a center and Bob Johnson of the University of Tennessee was the best. He was immediately installed as team captain, which tells you about his leadership skills. Matlock lasted just one season. Johnson was needed to team with QB John Stofa and be the offensive line’s anchor. Johnson played from 1968-79, taking every offensive snap until he fractured his left ankle at Houston on Nov. 17, 1974.
BRUTAL SCHEDULE
The AFC North Division (Cincinnati, Cleveland, Baltimore and Pittsburgh) faces the NFC East and AFC South this season.
I believe 9-7 will win the division.
Cleveland is the favorite on paper, but I don’t believe the Browns will win the division.
My picks: Pittsburgh (9-7), Cincinnati (8-8), Cleveland (7-9), Baltimore (6-10).
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Bunch o’ wimps (and it’s not the Bengals)
BIG DREAD MACHINE
Is there a bigger bunch of wimps than the Cincinnati Reds?
Losers of 23 of their first 38 games, the Reds’ pitching is poor, their hitting is worse and their game management leaves a lot to be desired.
For crying out loud, they can’t even bat IN ORDER!
Yes, the Reds did the unthinkable in an 8-3 loss to the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on Sunday, May 11.
Cincinnati batted out of order in the ninth inning — after a double switch — with David Ross coming to the plate in the No. 8 spot instead of Corey Patterson. Ross flied out to right, but the out was charged to Patterson. Ross batted again and singled.
It was the worst brain cramp since former Reds manager Ray Knight either fell asleep or wasn’t paying attention in the dugout once upon a time.
The Big Dread Machine is seven-and-a-half games out of first place in the NL Central, and the only reason they’re still breathing is the fact that St. Louis is 5-5 in its last 10 games.
Worse than the Reds’ win-loss record is the fact that they’re not playing hard or smart.
Ryan Freel gets picked off first base — again.
The only thing Freel is good for is a washing machine, which cleans the soot-covered front of his grass-and-dirt-stained jersey.
Freel’s an erratic hitter, a terrible base runner and his diving attempts at his misplays of fly balls in the outfield are comical.
It’s astounding to me that Reds fans keep mentioning him in the same breath with Pete Rose.
PLEASE … STOP! Freel is nothing more than a part-time utility player. Rose is the HIT KING!
Sure, Freel’s a hustler. But I can’t wait for him to take his pool stick & cue ball to another club.
DID YOU HEAR MARTY?
During the “Ask Marty” portion of Sunday’s radio broadcast, Reds play-by-play announcer Marty Brennaman said that when he retires, he’s going to wear an earring and ponytail.
WHAT’S UP, DOC?
Darrell “Doc” Rodgers’ performance as host of Reds’ “Extra Innings” show on WLW radio is enough to send even the most die-hard fan in search of a pillow. Hey, Doc, gimme some emotion. Don’t put me to sleep. Z-z-z-z-z.
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10 delicious notes (Bengals & more)
===LUDWIG AT LARGE spoke with wide receiver Maurice Purify at Cincinnati Bengals rookie minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. The former Nebraska star participated on a tryout basis, then signed a two-year contract on Thursday, May 8. Here’s a transcript of the Ludwig-Purify chat:===
I. MIGHTY MAURICE
“It was real tough not getting drafted. Real tough. The Bengals called my agent and invited me to camp. Now I’m here, trying to make the team.
“I’m trying to show that I’m competitive. I can make plays. I know how to learn the system. I can learn the system. I’m here to do whatever they need me to do. I’m just trying to show it all.
“(Quarterback) Jordan Palmer makes us look good, putting the ball right on the money. I thank him for a lot of my catches.
“This is a great opportunity for me. I’m very thankful for the Bengals letting me in here, giving me a chance to play football again. I’m just trying to show what I can do.
“This is a fresh start for me. It means that I’m in here and now I need to do everything right to stay in here.”
II. KEEP AN EYE ON …
Non-drafted rookie cornerback Simeon Castille of Alabama.
He’s the son of a famous father — Jeremiah Castille, the Denver Bronco who stripped the ball from Cleveland Browns tailback Earnest Byner in a play forever known as “The Fumble” in the 1987 AFC title game.
Simeon fell out of the draft because of his 4.6 and 4.7 speed, but he sure knows how to make plays on the ball.
If he doesn’t make the Bengals’ 53-man roster, he’s definitely a candidate for the eight-man practice squad.
III. TORN ABOUT SHAUN
I’m still torn about the prospects of ex-Seattle Seahawks star tailback Shaun Alexander joining the Bengals roster.
If he longs to be the featured back, then the Bengals aren’t for him.
If he’s content to be a complementary back to Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson, then I’m all for him.
Bottom line: I think Alexander would be an outstanding addition.
The mere fact the Bengals brought him in for a visit is a sign they’re very concerned about their running game.
Alexander can no longer grind it 20-25 times a game, but he sure would be a nice 1-2-3 punch with Rudi and Kenny.
IV. NOTRE DAME PARODY
Notre Dame fans aren’t going to like this. But anybody who roots against the Fighting Irish will love it.
It’s titled, “Fake Men of Genius — Here’s to you Mr. Delusional-Irrational-Hopelessly Pathetic-Irish-Fan.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1780723
V. ATLANTA HAWKS DANCE TEAM
I love the Atlanta Hawks Dance Team. Members are known as the “A-Town Dancers.”
Check ‘em out at:
VI. ARE YOU A DANGEROUS GOLFER?
Then this Web site is for you.
http://www.dangerousgolfer.com/
VII. SPEAKING OF GOLF
The only hole more intimidating than the par-3 No. 17 “Island Green” at TPC Sawgrass is the par-3 No. 12 at Augusta.
Tom Weiskopf found Rae’s Creek five times in the opening round of the 1980 Masters. His “13” remains the highest score ever taken on a hole in Masters play.
VIII. INDY 500
The most dangerous part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway isn’t the track. It’s Pit Row.
Personally, I’ve had my fill of Danica Patrick and Sarah Fisher.
Neither can touch Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James as race car drivers.
IX. PARTY OF TWO
The only reason I listen to the Cincinnati Reds on radio is because of broadcasters Marty Brennaman and Jeff Brantley.
They inform, entertain and persuade.
They are the best. The very best.
X. WHEN I THINK OF ‘CLASS’ …
I think of Anthony Munoz, Isaac Curtis, Dave Lapham, Carson Palmer, Takeo Spikes, Willie Anderson, Bobbie Williams, John Thornton, Jon Kitna, Brian Simmons, Madieu Williams and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
THE CHICKSTER is proud to be host Ken Broo’s guest on WLW Sportstalk at 11:05 a.m. on Sunday, May 11.
Happy Mother’s Day to studettes EVERYWHERE!!!
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
This is “The Chickster” saying, “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at (937) 225-2253 or email cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Can Bengals ‘Purify’ Maurice?
PROMISING PRO HAS TROUBLED PAST
The Maurice Purify Story reads like a Chris Henry novel — only worse.
Here’s the four-step Cliffs Notes version:
Purify’s best friend at City College of San Francisco was shot and killed in 2005; Purify’s brother was shot and killed in 2007; Purify’s girlfriend died in a car crash in 2007; Purify was arrested twice in 2007 — for assault and resisting arrest, and later for suspicion of DUI.
The Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t save Henry. LUDWIG AT LARGE wonders if the Bengals can save Purify, who signed a two-year contract on May 8.
From Steven M. Sipple, Lincoln Journal Star:
What Purify would do to erase his well-documented off-the-field issues. “I talked to every single team after the draft,” said Gary Glick, Purify’s agent. “I don’t want to say it’s off-the-field problems, because it’s more like off-the-field perceptions. Each individual thing that’s happened, in itself, is really minor. But I think people have added it all up and taken it in totality. I had four teams tell me they took him off their (draft) board altogether.” I talked to Purify on Monday. Although he appears set to sign a free-agent deal (he’s headed to Cincinnati’s mini-camp this week), he was feeling hurt. He recalled that November day in Kansas, when he kept beating KU cornerback Aqib Talib, a first-round pick. “If he’s first-round, what am I?” Purify asked in a stern voice that hammered home the draft’s harsh reality.
A portion of Purify’s bio, courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com:
Never one to embrace academics, Purify failed to qualify for a major college scholarship coming out of Eureka High School, enrolling at the City College of San Francisco in 2004. He became a two-sport star, excelling in football and basketball.
As a sophomore, Purify received a call the day after Christmas, informing him that his basketball teammate and best friend, Terrell Anderson, the team’s best player, was shot and killed outside a San Francisco night club. Purify was promoted to the starting lineup, replacing his fallen friend who had persuaded him to play basketball for the Rams.
Arriving at Nebraska, all went well for Purify during the 2006, but after his first year with the Huskers, he went through a bit of a tailspin that led to two arrests and an eventual team suspension. In May 2007, he was charged with two counts of assaulting a man and woman at a bar in downtown Lincoln. The media reported that Purify assaulted a doorman of a bar after the doorman had denied him and acquaintance admittance into the bar.
Police say Purify threw a punch at the man and also assaulted the man’s girlfriend when she intervened. When police arrived, they say Purify didn’t comply with their orders. Purify was taken to jail and was let out on bond. He was also authorized to participate in a pre-trial diversion program.
Five weeks later, Purify was again arrested in early June on suspicion of drunken driving. A State Patrol trooper stopped Purify after midnight, at the intersection of Cornhusker Highway and North First Street in Lincoln. Purify was observed driving 53 mph in a 40 mph zone and failing to use his turn signal, patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said. The 21-year-old Purify was taken to the Lincoln Detoxification Center after being ticketed on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Purify was suspended from the team for the 2007 season opener, but his off-field issues continued. While in August camp, his 29-year-old brother was shot and killed in Oakland, California. Purify left the team to travel home, returning after the funeral. In early October, just before the Missouri game, Purify’s girlfriend, Reja Shapiro, died in an automobile wreck.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
The beauty of being a Cincinnati Bengal
It can be summed up in one word — freedom.
Just ask linebacker Dhani Jones, the Bengals’ international man of mystery who re-signed with Cincinnati this offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
“It’s definitely good to be back,” Jones said. “You can have great experiences here. You’re allowed to be who you are. One thing I’ve always looked for in a team is to be able to be who you are.
“The thing about us during the season: You have to be able to direct that energy toward winning, and I think that’s the area where we have the most to work on. Because a lot of people … they’re allowed to be who they are, but when it comes down to the work week, to the team you’re going to play, you have to concentrate all that ‘who you are’ into the plays and into winning — whoever’s out there. It has to be everybody across the board.”
That’s a polite way of saying the Bengals are underachievers.
DID YOU KNOW …
Jones took up rugby in London in February when he was on assignment for the Travel Channel.
Yup, he joined the scrum for Blackheath in a match against Launceston.
“I just like to travel and try new things,” Jones said. “Rugby’s incredible. It’s a great sport. When you go overseas, rugby players are admired to the Nth Degree. A lot of NFL players should try it.”
Jones also owns Five Star Ties, a New York-based company specializing in bow ties. He simply keeps adding to his resume as a renaissance man.
“The bow-tie business is not going to pay my mortgage,” he said. “But it’s going well up to this point. It’s just a matter of where do I go from here? As things work themselves out, you kind of find out what direction you want to go.”
CHRIS HENRY …
Don’t get me started on the former Bengals wide receiver.
He says all the right things about really being a good guy and needing a fresh start. Then once he leaves the shelter and safety of the locker room, he does all the wrong things.
With five arrests in three seasons, he has trouble written all over him. His next team is in for a lot of headaches.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Should WR Chris Henry be given another chance?
HE’S BACK (SORT OF)
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry is back in the news.
See: Read the story
Henry, cut by the Bengals on April 3, 2008, in the wake of his fifth arrest in three years, apparently will be released from house arrest so he can try out for an NFL team.
It’s proof, once again, that the NFL is a business. Despite a player’s legal issues, if he can get in the end zone, then he’ll continue to draw interest from NFL teams.
LUDWIG AT LARGE would like to know how readers feel about Henry. Two questions: Should he be allowed to try out for an NFL team? If you were an NFL owner, would you bring him in for an interview, physical exam and tryout?
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There’s one in every crowd
===LUDWIG AT LARGE appreciates the support of its loyal readers, even those who take cheap shots like Matt, who claims that “poker matters.” I am well aware that the cheapest Reds seat at Great American Ball Park is $7 in the Kroger bleachers. So for one Bengals ticket ($59 per game for a season ticket holder; $64 for a single game, if available), YOU CAN ATTEND 8 OR 9 REDS GAMES AS A BLEACHER BUM. I asked a hypothetical question if fans would rather dole out their hard-earned cash to watch ONE Bengals game or THREE Reds games at $19 each in the terrace outfield. It wasn’t meant to create a bias toward the Bengals. Thanks, Matt. As the saying goes, “There’s one in every crowd.===
Here’s the skinny on Bengals & Reds tickets
BENGALS:
http://www.bengals.com/tickets/
REDS:
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/ticketing/singlegame.jsp?c_id=cin
BENGALS TICKET PRICES FOR 2008 SEASON
(Paul Brown Stadium)
SEASON TICKET PRICES (per game)
Zone EE (North End Zone, Club Level): $59
Zone J (Corners, Canopy Level): $59
Zones D, E (Corners / End Zone, Field Level): $69
Zones F, G, H (Sidelines, Canopy Level): $67
Zones A, B, C (Sidelines, Field Level) $77
Zone CC (Convertible Club, Club Level) $77
SINGLE GAME TICKET PRICES (if available)
Zone EE (North End Zone, Club Level) $64
Zone J (Corners, Canopy Level) $64
Zone D, E (Corners / End Zone, Field Level) $74
Zones F, G, H (Sidelines, Canopy Level) $72
Zones A, B, C (Sidelines, Field Level) $82
Zone CC (Convertible Club, Club Level) $82
REDS TICKET PRICES FOR 2008 SEASON
(Great American Ball Park)
NON-PREMIUM SEATING
(Regular Games Only)
Dugout Box $67
Infield Box $42
Field Box $34
Meijer Family Section 139 $22
View Level Box $22
Mezzanine $22
Sun/Moon Deck $22
Terrace Outfield $19
View Level $14
Kroger Bleachers $7
PREMIUM SEATING
Diamond Seats $230
Scout Seats $77
Lower Club $67
Club Home $67
Club Seating $52
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Young WRs put pressure on the vets
2008 FINAL SEASON FOR T.J.?
The Cincinnati Bengals are not going to be caught short of wide receivers this spring, summer and fall.
The addition of Travis Brown on Tuesday, May 6, pushes the number of wideouts on the Bengals roster to 11.
They are veterans Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Antonio Chatman, Glenn Holt, Doug Gabriel and Marcus Maxwell; rookie draft picks Jerome Simpson (second round), Andre Caldwell (third round) and Mario Urrutia (seventh round); and non-drafted rookies Clyde Logan and Brown.
Logan (6-3, 202; Idaho State) was signed on Sunday after participating in rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
Brown (6-3, 202; New Mexico) was acquired off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.
Brown was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection as a junior and a senior. His 182 career receptions rank third in New Mexico school history, and his 2,196 receiving yards rank fifth.
He was signed by Seattle on April 29 and was waived on Monday, May 5.
With Johnson demanding a trade and promising to sit out the season if he isn’t moved to another club, and with Houshmandzadeh entering the final year of his contract, the Bengals have sent a message that it’s time to reload the wide receiver position.
Bengals fans should see the proverbial “handwriting on the wall.” It reads: The 2008 season will likely be Houshmandzadeh’s last in a Bengals uniform.
Houshmandzadeh, an eighth-year veteran who turns 31 on Sept. 26, is going to be seeking a monster contract extension. The club will no doubt make him a series of offers, but they’re not going to overpay for a “Thirtysomething” No. 2 receiver.
That’s why they’ve brought in so many young studs with fresh legs and promising futures.
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Can Bengals capture Queen City from Reds fans?
BENGALS OR REDS?
LET DEBATE BEGIN!
LUDWIG AT LARGE has two questions for loyal readers.
The first: With the Cincinnati Reds struggling mightily in the NL Central Division, can the Cincinnati Bengals recapture the city like they they did in 2005 when they finished 11-5 and scored their first playoff berth since the 1990 season?
The Bengals had a golden opportunity to win over Ohio during the Cleveland Browns’ three-year hiatus (1996-98), but the Bengals blew it with records of 8-8, 7-9 and 3-13.
Now that the Browns are back, the Bengals can forget about winning the state. But the door is definitely open to winning over the Queen City.
The second: If you had to make a choice with $59 in your pocket, would you spend it on ONE Bengals ticket (59 bucks is the cheapest seat at Paul Brown Stadium in the north end zone club level and corner canopy level) OR would you spend it on THREE Reds tickets ($19 each in the terrace outfield) at Great American Ball Park.
Remember: There are 81 Reds home games, and only 10 Bengals home games (2 preseason, 8 regular season).
READERS WANT TO KNOW
The Cincinnati Bengals’ record under team president Mike Brown.
Answer:
Since club patriarch Paul Brown’s death on Aug. 5, 1991, at the age of 82, the Bengals are 94-162 (.367) on Mike Brown’s watch.
The following is a list of year-by-year records:
1992: 5-11
1993: 3-13
1994: 3-13
1995: 7-9
1996: 8-8
1997: 7-9
1998: 3-13
1999: 4-12
2000: 4-12
2001: 6-10
2002: 2-14
2003: 8-8
2004: 8-8
2005: 11-5
2006: 8-8
2007: 7-9
UNTIL NEXT TIME, this is “The Chickster” saying: “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
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Things that make Marvin go, ‘WOW’
SING-A-LONG WITH MARVIN
My first thought was …
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has just turned into Frankie Valli, lead singer of the “Four Seasons.”
Sherry, Sherry baby
Sherry, Sherry baby
She - e - e-e-e-e-ry baby
She - e - rry, can you come out tonight
Lewis simply couldn’t hide his excitement about rookie (Bengal) cat Matt Sherry, the club’s sixth-round tight end from Villanova.
Lewis said he was impressed with all 10 draft picks, but …
“I thought Matt Sherry, as things went along, really made me go, ‘Wow’ with some one-on-one stuff that we did with the linebackers and safeties going against the tight ends and backs. That made me go, ‘Wow.’
“I thought the receivers, (Jerome) Simpson and (Andre) Caldwell, did a great job that way. Corey Lynch made a couple of plays on the football as a safety. I think the two defensive tackles (Pat Sims and Jason Shirley) have an opportunity to continue (to improve) as they get down footwork and stances and weight distributions, things that we spent a lot of time on these last three days. They’re going to be able to help us for a while. I feel good about that.
“One of the guys we signed after the draft, (Alabama’s) Simeon Castille, a cornerback, came in and handled himself real well and did a great job. Anthony Hoke is trying to make the transition from defensive end at UC over to linebacker here and did a good job.”
MORE ‘WOW’ FACTOR
Interviewing players at the NFL Combine, meeting them on their college campuses and bringing them to Paul Brown Stadium for visits gives coaches a feel for players.
“But you don’t really see if they can handle a 5-practice installation,” Lewis said. “Secondly, the speed of playing football. Timed 40 speed is one thing, but actually playing football at football speed, 11-on-11, is a big difference. That matters.
“A guy’s strength and how much man he has to him — (offensive tackle) Anthony Collins would be an example. When he places his hands on somebody, his hands are on them. Or Jason Shirley. When they lay hands on you, they have hands on you. I think those are some things you don’t get a chance to see how much man is in that punch. In that group is Pat Sims as well. Those three big guys are big strong men. That’s the thing I came away impressed with.
“The length and strength of Angelo Craig, he needs to improve a lot, but he’s got some toughness to him and some fight. He’s out here battling for five practices with Anthony Collins. To me, that shows a lot.
“Keith (Rivers) probably had the easiest transition because he was doing things he’s been doing, but I really was impressed with how we were able to draft and what they were able to show and how it’s going to equate to playing NFL football, and having a chance to make our team and making us a better team.”
BORN LEADER
You could see that in Rivers right away.
“Some of the things he showed are innate, by gathering the group, and every time he’s not in a meeting, he’s watching tape. I think that has impressed me about him. He already gets it.”
INJURED GUYS
Free safety Ethan Kilmer, who didn’t play a down in 2007 because of knee, hamstring and quadriceps problems, “should be ready to go,” Lewis said, for the club’s first OTA (organized team activity, a fancy expression for on-field coaching session) on Tuesday, May 13,
Tailback Chris Perry is also expected to fully participate in OTAs, but tailback Kenny Irons is not. Irons suffered a torn left ACL in the preseason opener at Detroit on Aug. 9, 2007, and needs more time to recover.
BENNIE BRAZELL
From Devin: “I just read your article that briefly mentioned Bennie, and I was hoping you could clear up this mystery for me. I remember Bennie being one of the stars of camp — blistering speed and catching everything in sight — until he got injured. I’d hoped he’d be in the mix when he returned, but he seems to have disappeared. What happened?”
LUDWIG AT LARGE: “Brazell, the Bengals’ seventh-round draft pick in 2006 from LSU, is no longer with the club. His practice squad contract expired when the 2007 season ended, and he hasn’t been signed to the 2008 offseason roster. He spent the entire 2006 season on Injured Reserve after suffering a knee injury in the third preseason game against Green Bay. In 2007, he played in preseason games 1-2, catching five passes for 43 yards. But he suffered another knee injury in pregame warm-ups Aug. 28 at Atlanta (Preseason Game 3). Brazell was waived on Sept. 1, signed to the practice squad on Sept. 2 and placed on the Practice Squad/Injured list on Sept. 11. Brazell was a star in two straight training camps at Georgetown College, but couldn’t stay healthy. Bennie is a jet, but as brittle as a Porcelain plate.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Hep Cronin, Paul Weidner & Elder H.S. memories
===LUDWIG AT LARGE congratulates Harold “Hep” Cronin and Paul Weidner, the newest members of the Sorrento’s Hamilton County Sports Hall of Fame. Chuck Harmon (Cincinnati Reds) and Bob Trumpy (Cincinnati Bengals) will also be honored at the 7 p.m. induction ceremony on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at St. Patrick’s K of C Hall, 7500 Fairpark Ave. off Vine Street in Carthage. Tickets are $25.===
He is Harold “Hep” Cronin, longtime basketball coach at Covington Catholic, Roger Bacon, Oak Hills and LaSalle high schools; scout for the Atlanta Braves; and father of University of Cincinnati head basketball coach Mick Cronin.
He is Paul Weidner, the former UC basketball player and former teacher at Elder High School who is entering his 23rd season as an NFL head linesman.
Together, Cronin and Weidner will be inducted into the Sorrento’s Hamilton County Sports Hall of Fame during the Hall’s 47th annual Awards and Induction Ceremony at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at St. Patrick’s K of C Hall, 7500 Fairpark Ave. off Vine Street in Carthage.
Former Cincinnati Reds player Chuck Harmon, the first African-American player in franchise history, will receive this year’s Special Award.
Former Cincinnati Bengals tight end and noted broadcaster Bob Trumpy will receive this year’s Nostalgia Award.
Tickets are $25.
For more information, E-mail Hall of Fame executive committee member Kevin Goheen at kgoheen@fuse.net.
St. Patrick’s K of C Hall seats 300. For directions, call (513) 821-0027.
CHICK LUDWIG TRIVIA I
Paul Weidner was my freshman typing teacher at Elder High School during the 1968-69 school year. I teased him OFTEN about being a bench-warmer on the UC Bearcats basketball team. I see him occasionally in airports during our NFL travels in the fall.
Hep Cronin is a high school basketball coaching icon. I was Paul “Hans” Frey’s basketball student manager at Elder High School, and the Panthers’ battles with Hep’s teams were legendary. I introduced myself to Hep a few months ago at a high school basketball tournament game at Xavier University’s Cintas Center.
“I know who you are!” Hep boomed.
Gosh, it’s great to be remembered.
CHICK LUDWIG TRIVIA II
I was in a class of 432 at Elder, an all-boys school in the Greater Catholic League, and I wasn’t good enough to make the freshman basketball team.
So I set my sights on being a student manager.
Five guys wanted to be managers, but freshman coach Tom Bushman — a University of Dayton grad — could only keep three.
On a Friday afternoon, varsity coach Paul “Hans” Frey told the five prospective managers: “Practice tomorrow at 7 a.m.”
Me and two other guys showed up, and we became the managers.
Folks, that’s how tough the competition was in those days.
At Elder, even student managers got cut.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Fond memories of Omar Williams
MENTOR TO MANY, FRIEND TO ALL
===LUDWIG AT LARGE is deeply saddened by the death of longtime WDTN Sports Director Omar Williams. I’d like to extend my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Mr. Williams’ family.===
The sports world has lost a dear friend and the broadcasting industry has lost a true pioneer, a giant, an icon, a legend.
Omar Williams, who died at the age of 83 in Marco Island, Fla., was one of a kind. He had a pleasant, unmistakable voice to go with that brush mustache, and wherever there was a sporting event in the Miami Valley, he was there.
As a kid growing up in Cincinnati. I first saw Omar’s face and heard his voice on Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason telecasts. He handled the sideline reporting.
When I landed at the Dayton Daily News in June 1979, just before my 25th birthday, I finally met Omar, and I began to see him everywhere. Football, basketball and baseball games. Golf tournaments. Dayton Gems hockey games. And, of course, one of his true loves — the Indianapolis 500. I covered 16 Indy 500s. Omar was at every one.
Anchored at WDTN, Omar was like your best friend, visiting your home every night with sports news, features and opinion. I treasure his friendship and value his professionalism. He was a mentor to many, a friend to all.
As great a sportscaster as he was, he was an even finer gentleman. A true prince in gym shoes.
Rest easy, ol’ friend.
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Seen & Overheard at Bengals minicamp
‘WHOLE FRANCHISE ON HIS SHOULDERS’
—-Quarterback Carson Palmer is a two-time Pro Bowler. His brother, Jordan, cut by the Redskins in 2007, is fighting for a job.
“We’re not only two different people, we’re in two different situations,” Jordan said. “He’s got the whole franchise on his shoulders. I’m trying to get back in the league.”
—-Offensive tackle Anthony Collins looks like a Day 2 draft steal.
“He’s an athlete,” said Dave Lapham, analyst on the Bengals radio network. “To see him play, it’s hard to believe they got him in the fourth round.”
—-Linebacker Keith Rivers, who wears No. 58, is negotiating with Ahmad Brooks to get the “55” he wore at USC.
“I’ve got another month to work on him,” Rivers said.
—-Has wideout Jerome Simpson’s instant popularity made him a cult figure?
“Unfortunately, no,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “It doesn’t affect what occurs. But I think Jerome will show well as he goes forward in his career.”
—-Rivers, Simpson and Andre Caldwell got head starts on the rookie class. All three “were FedEx’d packages overnight (after the draft),” Lewis said.
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Greg Moore Q & A from Bengals rookie minicamp
===LUDWIG AT LARGE sat down with Greg Moore, the former University of Cincinnati tailback from Trotwood-Madison High School, who is competing at Cincinnati Bengals rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. Moore (6-1, 222) won the Brig Owens Award as UC’s top back as a junior in 2006 when he rushed for 709 yards and four TDs. His production dipped to 450 yards and two TDs in 2007 as part of the Bearcats’ “Four Horsemen” attack that included Jacob Ramsey, Butler Benton and Bradley Glatthaar. Moore never complained about sharing the ball.===
For more on Greg Moore, go to
http://gobearcats.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/moore_greg00.html
Q. How’s minicamp going so far?
A. It’s going pretty good. I’m learning a whole lot. I’m just getting down in the playbook.
Q. When did you graduate from Trotwood-Madison?
A. I graduated from Trotwood in 2003. It was Coach (Maurice) Douglass’ first winning season. I had to throw that in there.
Q. What would it mean to you to be able to play in the NFL?
A. It would mean a lot. It would give me something to talk about when I get older. It’ll help me be able to tell some of the kids back in Trotwood how to be successful in life.
Q. How long are your odds to come in here and earn a contract as a tryout guy?
A. I don’t know. I just come out here and work hard every day like everybody else. Do my best to put my best foot forward and try to do what’s best for the team.
Q. What are you trying to show the coaches?
A. I’m just trying to show them my best by putting my best foot forward, and trying to show them I can be a part of this team and help this team win.
Q. What do you bring to the table?
A, A good personality, a good attitude and a desire to win.
Q. Obviously, you’re trying to stand out?
A. Yes, sir. That’s what I came in here to do. I’ve been doing it since I was six years old playing running back for the Trotwood Wee Rams.
Q. Was it difficult to be in a four-man rotation at UC with Butler Benton, Jacob Ramsey and Bradley Glatthaar?
A. Not really. It wasn’t tough to stand out. I came from a high school where there were a lot of backs that were pretty good. We rotated in high school, too, so I was kind of used to it.
Q. Are you confident in your ability to catch the ball and block as a complete back?
A. After coming out of coach (Brian) Kelly’s program at UC, we did a lot of catching. I feel confident catching the ball. I’m trying to show them the full package that a running back should have.”
Q. How does it feel to be here?
A. It feels good. It’s now how you got here. It’s what you do once you get here in order to stay. I feel good and I’m just confident about everything I do. And I’m just happy to have this opportunity to be out here with the Bengals.”
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Tale of two rookie defensive tackles
THE ‘S’ MEN (SIMS & SHIRLEY)
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis went on and on about rookie defensive tackle Pat Sims, the club’s third round draft pick out of Auburn.
Lewis praised Sims’ work ethic and conditioning, along with his “high energy” and “good burst.”
Lewis then unloaded on fifth-round DT Jason Shirley, whose technique is flawed.
Shirley told me he wants to drop 15 pounds from his 340-pound frame so he can play “sideline to sideline.”
“Jason has a lot to learn but I think that is something he’s going to have to do through the process,” Lewis said. “But he will be a willing learner.
“He’s a big, big strong man, so we’ll get him to learn to get into the correct stances that we want, and be faster and quicker with his hands and allow him to use all that big man that he’s got there. Because right now he’s wasting about two-thirds of it.
“We’ll hope that when he leaves here Sunday afternoon that he’ll have a good understanding of what is expected of him when he comes back and into the off-season and training camp.”
Clearly, Shirley has a choice to make.
He can blossom into a John Randall or Bryant Young (his two favorite players).
Or he can deteriorate into a Matthias Askew or Kenderick Allen, a pair of monsters who wasted their talent.
P.S. Askew is attempting to resurrect his career with the Washington Redskins, who re-signed him on March 17, 2008, after cutting him on Sept. 1, 2007.
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First impressions of Bengals rookies at minicamp
NO EXPENSIVE CARS…AT LEAST NOT YET
Walking across Central Avenue from the practice fields to locker room at Paul Brown Stadium, here’s what I saw at high noon on Friday, May 2 after the Cincinnati Bengals’ first minicamp practice:
A man, clutching an infant daughter in his arms, manages to intercept Bengals rookie linebacker Keith Rivers for an autograph. Rivers obliges without hesitation.
Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer making small talk about the morning’s proceedings.
Tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes grabbing and pushing tight end Dale Thompson — a rookie from Southern Cal here on a tryout basis — in an attempt to show him some blocking technique.
How can you tell it’s rookie minicamp?
By the cars in the parking lot.
I saw a lot of mid-sized sedans and modest trucks. There are no GMC Denalis, Cadillac Escalades or Hummers — at least not yet.
All the rookies have temporary metal dressing stalls in the middle of the locker room.
Why am I wearing a sport coat & tie?
The Cincinnati-area Bengals alumni players will be arriving at 5:30 p.m. for a reception in the press box. I want to make a positive impression when I meet them in the players’ parking lot at PBS.
My first impressions:
LB Keith Rivers — Great speed; did a nice job of fighting through traffic and flowing to the ball.
WR Jerome Simpson — Fluid with outstanding speed. He said that when he arrived, he went over and checked out the lockers of Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. “I want one of those lockers,” he said.
DT Pat Sims — Showed the eye of the (Auburn) tiger, saying he wants to make an immediate impact. First things first. He must improve his upper-body strength and reshape his body by getting rid of those rounded shoulders.
WR Andre Caldwell — Has a mesmerizing Southern drawl to go with his 17 tattoos. His latest tattoo — “Born To Fly” — in emblazoned across his chest between a pair of wings that decorate his breast plates.
OT Anthony Collins — A very, Very, VERY large man. I’m going to stand next to him when I need some shade.
DT Jason Shirley — Big and tough. He said he knows he’s under a microscope because of his DUI arrest. Looking forward to a fresh start.
FS Corey Lynch — Showed good awareness roaming the middle of the defensive backfield.
TE Matt Sherry — Smart and agile. Flip-flopped from the left to right sides on the line of scrimmage.
DE Angelo Craig — Showed good speed and quickness rushing off the edge.
WR Mario Urrutia — Looking forward to overpowering DBs at the goal line on alley-oop patterns. “That’s what I do,” he said.
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Rivers deserves uniform number “55,” not Brooks
RIVERS THE NEXT JIM LeCLAIR
My friend, Debbie Schoborg, a lifelong Cincinnati Bengals fan and season-ticket holder, has a great idea.
Make Ahmad Brooks give uniform number 55 to first-round draft pick Keith Rivers.
Rivers will wear the number with HONOR, just like he did at the University of Southern California, where “55” is the Trojans’ Holy Grail, worn only by the best of the best, such as Junior Seau. Willie McGinest, Chris Claiborne … and Rivers.
Brooks doesn’t deserve “55.” He smeared the Bengals’ image with his recent arrest.
“I love Keith Rivers!” Debbie writes. “He is not going to be pushed around. I can’t wait to see him play. I think the Bengals should make Brooks give him 55 to wear. After all, Rivers would do honor to the number, the same as my favorite Bengal of all time, Jim LeClair.”
Amen, Debbie. I’m with you.
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Arrested development in the ‘Nati
PARADISE LOST
Slow news day? Are you kidding me?
On the Cincinnati Bengals beat, there is never a dull moment.
I say “It’s Armageddon every day” for a reason.
Because it is.
First, I blogged about rookie minicamp, which unfolds Friday through Sunday, May 2-4.
Then, I blogged about the Bengals pink-slipping linebacker Anthony Schlegel, leaving the roster with ZERO Buckeyes. (Psst! The Bengals haven’t drafted a Buckeye since 1994 when Big Daddy Wilkinson and Jeff Cothran were taken in rounds 1 and 3.)
AGONY VS. ELATION
Then I find out about former Ohio State coach Cooper getting elected to the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008 along with Lou Holtz.
I dial up Cooper at his home in Columbus, and I find him in pieces. Equal parts elation and agony. Elation for reaching the pinnacle of his career. Agony because one of his Ohio State players, Dayton’s Derrick Foster, was charged with shooting two Columbus police officers during a drug raid.
Then I discover that former Seattle Seahawks star Shaun Alexander has a visit scheduled for Monday in Cincinnati with the Bengals.
BROOKS DUE IN COURT
Finally, I learn that Bengals linebacker Ahmad Brooks stands accused of punching a woman in the face last month. Brooks has been ordered to appear June 6 in Boone District Court in Northern Kentucky. Based on a complaint, prosecutors have charged Brooks with fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor that carries up to a year in prison.
If you’re the Bengals, what do you do?
Do you sign Alexander, the Seahawks’ career rushing leader, who turns 31 on Aug. 30? I say no, no, a thousand times no. Alexander is a prince in gym shoes, but he’s reached the magic age (30) when NFL running backs reach full-throttle free-fall. It’s time Shaun moves on and finds his life’s work.
Do you release Brooks, who was arrested May 17, 2003, for marijuana possession, who played three seasons at Virginia before being kicked off the team, who has accomplished very little in two seasons since being taken in the third round of the July 2006 NFL Supplemental Draft? Or do you give him another chance.
‘BLOODSHEDDER’
All I can do is utter the immortal words of WONE’s Mark Schlemmer.
“It’s another day in paradise,” Schlem tells me.
When I spell-check “blogosphere,” three words pop up as alternatives:
Bookshelves, bloodsucker and bloodshedder.
I like “bloodshedder” the best.
It describes this Bengals beat writer to a T.
SMELL OF 6-10 LINGERS
I smell a trend with the Bengals.
From 11-5 in ‘05 to 8-8 in ‘06 to 7-9 in ‘07 … to 6-10 in ‘08.
I promise loyal LUDWIG AT LARGE readers this:
I’ll keep my helmet on and chin strap fastened.
24/7.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Schlegel cut; Bengals roster has ZERO Buckeyes
WHERE HAVE ALL THE BUCKEYES GONE?
The Cincinnati Bengals waived linebackers Anthony Schlegel (Ohio State) and Roy Manning (Michigan) today, May 1, 2008.
Now that Schlegel is gone, the Bengals roster is void of Ohio State Buckeyes.
BUCKEYES-BENGALS TRIVIA
Here’s some trivia for loyal “LUDWIG AT LARGE” readers:
Q. Who was the last Buckeye drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals?
A. Fullback Jeff Cothran, a third-round draft choice in 1994 — the same year the Bengals made Ohio State defensive tackle Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson the No. 1 overall pick of the draft.
More trivia:
Q. In 10 seasons (1999-2008), four Buckeyes have played for the Bengals. Can you name them?
A. Cornerback Ty Howard (‘99), quarterback Craig Krenzel (2005), center Alex Stepanovich (2007) and linebacker Anthony Schlegel (2007).
Schlegel, a third-year NFL player, was acquired off waivers from the New York Jets on Sept. 2, 2007. He played in 13 games for the Bengals last season with five starts, and had 34 tackles on defense with four special teams stops.
Manning is a fourth-year NFL player from Michigan. He played in five games for Cincinnati last season and had seven special teams tackles.
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Method to Marvin Lewis’ madness
PATIENTLY WAITING FOR FRUITS OF THE 2008 DRAFT
I’m looking forward to seeing seven players at the Cincinnati Bengals minicamp, which unfolds Friday through Sunday, May 2-4, at Paul Brown Stadium.
They are linebacker Keith Rivers, defensive tackles Pat Sims and Jason Shirley, and free safety Corey Lynch, plus the wide receiver triumvirate of Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Mario Urrutia,
The Bengals did a good job of addressing the perimeter of their defense the past two years with first-round cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph (2006) and Leon Hall (2007), and the 2008 free-agent acquisition of defensive end Antwan Odom.
But they needed to improve their defense up the middle, front to back, and they did just that in draft. What good is a middle linebacker if he’s not protected by a couple of monster DTs? Rivers gets the protection he needs in Sims and Shirley, and he gets support behind him in the ball-hawking Lynch.
Head coach Marvin Lewis won a Super Bowl ring as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens with DTs Sam Adams (in his prime) and Tony Siragusa, plus a middle linebacker named Ray Lewis.
Finally, in his sixth season as Bengals head coach, there is more strength up the middle. Whether or not it translates into another Super Bowl ring for Lewis before his contract runs out after the 2010 season remains to be seen.
But I am encouraged that the Bengals’ D can become a top-15 unit, not a bottom feeder.
What does it mean to have three more competent receivers in the offensive arsenal?
Of course, the trio will help the passing game. More importantly, the trio will ignite THE RUNNING GAME!!!
How?
By spreading the field. That’s how.
Opposing defenses won’t be able to crowd the line of scrimmage with “eight in the box” and tackle tailback Rudi Johnson 4 yards deep in the backfield.
Spreading the field with three and four wideouts will create running lanes for Rudi, Kenny Watson, Chris Perry and DeDe Dorsey.
By running the ball better from a spread formation, the Bengals will be able to throw the ball better, too.
One hand washes the other.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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