Fatal crash in Clark County
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2008 OSU vs. Michigan
2008 Ebony Fashion Show
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 > July
July 2008
What’s cookin’ Thursday afternoon
HERE’S WHAT’S COOKIN’:
CHAD SHADOW DANCIN’
—-Studs not practicing (but, hey, they’re on the field in shorts & T-shirts): Rudi Johnson, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Kenny Watson on offense; and Deltha O’Neal and Herana-Daze Jones on defense.
—-NFL head linesman and Cincinnatian Paul Weidner — I’ll go ahead and call him P-Dub — is part of an officiating crew that’s working today’s practice, Friday morning’s practice, Friday night’s Intrasquad Scrimmage and Saturday’s Black-Orange Mock Game.
Weidner was inducted into the Sorrento’s Hamilton County Sports Hall of Fame along with Harold “Hep” Cronin, Chuck Harmon and Bob Trumpy on May 10.
Weidner was The Chickster’s freshman typing teacher at Elder High School in Cincinnati (1968-69). This marks his 23rd season as an NFL ref.
I bumped into Paul in the lobby of the hotel when he checked in on Thursday afternoon. Yes, we hugged at the front desk.
—-Chad Johnson spent several minutes shadowing cornerback David Jones in pre-practice workouts. Chad’s getting closer to being ready to practice.
—-It’s overcast, but sunny, and I see a blue sky amidst the clouds.
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Don’t make me laugh — uncontrollably
===LUDWIG AT LARGE congratulates Bob Thiem for his correct answer to the Bengals’ trivia question. WHO AM I? I’m Bengals’ first-year linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald. Says Fitz: “I feel calm and comfortable traveling at a high rate of speed.”===
Every year on draft day, I hear the Bengals’ first-round pick say they want to be in training camp on time. And I immediately stick my right hand over my mouth to muffle the laughter.
What I should be doing is sticking my index finger in my open mouth in a mock-gagging gesture.
This year, it was USC linebacker Keith Rivers’ turn to utter those words.
I wanted to tell Keith: DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH … UNCONTROLLABLY.
Since I started covering the club in 1997, the only two first-round picks who were here from Day 1 were WR Peter Warrick (2000) and QB Carson Palmer (2003).
I warned Bengals fans that negotiations were not going to be easy with 2010 possibly being an uncapped year.
If there’s a strike in 2011, I’d love to cover Piqua-Troy, Central State-Lincoln U. or Dayton-Butler. Even better, the MAC with Marion Local, St. Henry and Coldwater.
Love going to Butler. Love Hinkle Fieldhouse. Love the Butler Bowl.
Only thing better is a Friday night in Mercer County.
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Spanking Carson & The Chickster
THIS SIPPIN’ ‘HATE-ORADE’
SIMPLY NEEDS TO STOP
===As the nuns at St. William School in Price Hill used to say, “SOME PEOPLE’S CHILDREN!!!…”
THIS JUST IN …
From Kris Garrison in Greenville, OH-IO: “Chick. I know you’re the Dayton Daily News’ leading cheerleader for the Bengals, and so, you have to try to defend Carson Palmer’s anti-Ohio State comments as “all in good fun.” BULL CRAP ! Palmer meant exactly what he said, ala John Rocker, Don Imus, Jesse Jackson, Jimmy The Greek … It was only after public outrage did any of these guys try to “apologize” for their remarks. Palmer is a mediocre quarterback on a team with a ton of internal problems, coached by a weak leader and destined to finish .500 or worse again. Palmer shot off his West Coast mouth to cover up his lack of talent on the field. Too bad you were obligated to try to defend this moron!”
—-Chick Ludwig’s take: Kris, have you ever listened to a Marvin Lewis news conference on WCKY-AM (1530 Homer, The Sports Animal)? I try to ask the tough questions fans want the answers to. You’re a typical fanatical Ohio State fan. That’s fine. I graduated with Archie Griffin in 1976 and I was present for the last two OSU Rose Bowl victories (1974 and 1997). I learned a long time ago that you can’t reason with a fanatic, so I’m not gonna try. Just sit back, relax, take a chill pill and keep root-root-rootin’ for Runner-Up U. Go Bucks!
From Donald Moeller in Miamisburg, OH-IO: “Chick Ludwig concluded his column on July 28 on the Bengals, Palmer and Chad Johnson, quoting Palmer, with this: ‘We’re teammates and we’ve been a great tandem, and hopefully we’ll continue to be a great tandem for years to come. There’s nothing to stand between he and I.’ Call out the grammar police or the grammar editing overseer. If that is actually a quote from Palmer and he is that lacking in knowledge of proper grammar, couldn’t you at least add a ‘sic’ after the quote to show the editors aren’t equally lacking in knowledge of good grammar? I hope you do understand that ‘between he and I’ correctly should be ‘between him and me.’ P.S. I was unable to locate Ludwig’s email address.”
—-Chick Ludwig’s take: It’s a wonderful and beautifully sad feeling to know you have absolutely nothing better to do with your time than write a letter to the editor, pointing out such a life-and-death matter as a very minor grammatical error. Don, IT WAS A DIRECT QUOTE! Feel free to transcribe all my taped interviews, clean up the quotes and write my stories for me. Sound good? Man, it would save me a lot of work. If I had your kind of time, I’d put it to good use by pointing my Web browser to www.worldwildlife.org/adopt … and I would adopt a polar bear. I’m very serious. Have a good day. P.S. My email address is cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Bengals Trivia: WHO M I?
WHO AM I?
—-I am a coach in the National Football League.
—-I am a part-time offseason instructor for the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
—-I spent Memorial Day Weekend at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, doing ride-alongs.
—-Race fans spend $100 to ride with me for a two-and-a-half-lap “qualifying run” at 160-165 mph.
—-My street car is a 2004 BMW M3 (333 horsepower), pewter with a black interior.
WHO AM I?
Answer will be posted at noon today, July 31, on LUDWIG AT LARGE
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Jason’s Revenge … sort of
SHIRLEY STOUT AT GOAL LINE;
HAS ‘MILLION MILES TO GO’
When I watched the play from the stadium’s plaza level at Georgetown (Ky.) College, the first thing I thought of was a horror flick:
Friday the 13th … Jason’s Revenge.
The Bengals were practicing goal-line offense and defense on Wednesday night, and there was rookie fifth-round defensive tackle Jason Shirley penetrating and blowing up rookie tailback James Johnson for what looked to be about a 3-yard loss.
Shirley was the guy who was driven backward 12 yards a day earlier by right offensive tackle Stacy Andrews. So this was Jason’s revenge.
“I was just using the technique my coaches showed me and it came through for me,” Shirley said.
And then I approached defensive line coach Jay Hayes for his take. Hayes gave Shirley zero sugar, zero praise, zero love.
“He didn’t get blocked,” Hayes dead-panned. “They (the offensive line) didn’t block him. so let’s not get too excited. He’s a young guy. He’s got a million miles to go. He’s not anywhere close to being an NFL player. One day, he will be.”
SHIRLEY’S TAKE ON THE OKLAHOMA DRILL:
“I take everything in stride. Stacy’s a vet. He’s been here for a while. and I’m trying to make a name for myself. It happens sometimes. You lose some, you win some. I don’t take any shame losing to a veteran like Stacy. I just watch the film, take it and get better from it. Next time we line up, it might be a different story.”
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Who is that number 39?
JAMES JOHNSON ON PATH
TO WINNING ROSTER SPOT
LUDWIG AT LARGE hears the whispers from the crowd…
They go something like this…
WHO IS THAT NUMBER 39?
Well, folks, he’s tailback James Johnson, a non-drafted rookie free agent from Kansas State.
You heard it here first:
JAMES JOHNSON IS GOING TO MAKE THIS TEAM (barring injury, of course).
Here’s a quick Q & A with the 5-11, 202-pound tailback from Kansas State by way of his hometown — Port Arthur, Texas.
Q. What are you trying to show your coaches and teammates?
A. I’m just trying to do everything I can to make the team. I’m just trying to do anything I can for the team, the special teams and the offense.
Q. What qualities do you feel you bring to the table?
A. I’ve got great vision and great hands out of the backfield. Another one of my assets is my speed.
Q. You seem to have a good opportunity here despite not being drafted.
A. It was very disappointing, not getting drafted, but it just makes you more hungry.
Q. How critical is the weekend scrimmage and mock game for you?
A. It’s very critical to show the coaches what I’ve got, and that’s my vision, my hands and my speed.
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Camp insider: Up-close & personal
RAIN, SMOOTHIES & COLD TUBS;
A ROOKIE COPES WITH PRESSURE;
CHICKSTER’S LITTLE BIT OF SOUL
===”Yours is the only blog I’ve got bookmarked. When I go to DaytonDailyNews.com and read ‘The Chickster’s’ prose, I dim the lights, pour myself some chardonnay and cuddle up by the fire.” — Tim Carley, public relations liaison, PlayersRep Sports Management===
I’m standing underneath the stadium grandstands at Georgetown (Ky.) College on Wednesday morning — wet but not soaked — and this is what I’m doing after the first of two Bengals’ workouts:
I’m interviewing outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks; I’m watching one of the national writers give some man-love to quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese; and I’m seeing players get handed “Smoothies” by the training staff on their way to the locker room.
There were two kinds of “all natural, no preservatives” Smoothies available — strawberry-banana and strawberry-mango. The strawberry-banana went “like hotcakes,” one of the trainers told me, leaving only the strawberry-mango.
Bengals VP Troy Blackburn sprint-walks by and I ask him if we can expect “white smoke” today with a Keith Rivers signing, and he shakes his head (NO!).
Moving on underneath the grandstands, as I’m dodging the drip-drip-drip of the raindrops, I snag linebacker Jim Maxwell and quarterback Jordan Palmer for quick interviews, and then I stumble on four players in cold tubs.
Rookie offensive tackle Anthony Collins (Kansas), rookie guard Justin Britt (Alabama), defensive end Eric Henderson (Georgia Tech) and linebacker Rashad Jeanty (Central Florida).
Cold tubs cool the body down after a hot, sweaty practice, and helps players recover quicker from the aches & pains, and the bumps and bruises, caused by football.
I’ve never interviewed a cat in a cold tub before. But I leaned over the edge and stuck my tape recorder near Britt, who said he’s coping well with the mental and physical strain of his first training camp.
“It’s hard,” Britt said. “That’s why I’m blessed with having a brother in the NFL (Wesley Britt is a four-year offensive tackle for the New England Patriots; a fifth-round pick (No. 167 overall) in 2005).
“I call him just about every other night. He gives me the right tips. He helps me out a lot.”
As I prepare to exit from underneath the grandstands, a double-row gauntlet of media studs line the pavement, safely out of the rain.
“You know what this reminds me of?” I ask ‘em.
No, what?” they say.
“SOUL TRAIN.”
I do an extremely weak dance featuring arm & hand movement, body gyration and hip rotation — I pinch my nose like I’m doing “The Swim” — and somebody calls me a name.
“CHICK CORNELIUS,” a reference to Don Cornelius, the host of “Soul Train” from 1971-96.
I take it as a compliment.
As Mr. Cornelius always said in parting, “We wish you love, peace and soul!”
Same thing I wish to all loyal LUDWIG AT LARGE readers.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MORNING WORKOUT
—-T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chris Perry and Willie Anderson chilled. Just call it “preventative maintenance.”
—-During a blitz period, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer hurled his visor to the floor, angry that his secondary was pillow-soft in coverage.
—-Veteran tailback Rudi Johnson got stripped by safety Chinedum Ndukwe, causing running backs coach Jim Anderson’s temper to erupt.
—-Non-drafted tailback James Johnson (Kansas State) continued to show why HE WILL MAKE THIS TEAM. He’s fast, quick, tough, has good hands as a receiver out of the backfield, and is blessed with good vision.
—-SIRIUS NFL radio studs Jim Miller and Solomon Wilcots were on the sidelines, watching before they took to the airwaves. For a quarterback who has endured 14 surgeries, Miller gets around pretty good.
Here’s wishing you love, peace and soul, my brothers & sisters.
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Rivers’ ridiculous holdout must end
SOMEBODY TELL RIVERS
OKLAHOMA DRILL’S OVER
Now that DT Sedrick Ellis has signed a five-year deal with the New Orleans Saints — FOX Sports’ Alex Marvez reports the deal includes $19.5 million guaranteed — it shouldn’t take long for Jaguars DE Derrick Harvey and Bengals LB Keith Rivers to get their deals finalized.
It’ll be a CRIME if Rivers isn’t on the field for the Bengals’ evening practice (7-9 p.m.) today.
LUDWIG AT LARGE’S message to Rivers: Now that you’ve missed the Oklahoma Drill, and you won’t embarrass yourself against a veteran in front of the team, it’s safe to come into camp and start earning your millions.
But what do I know? It’s only practice.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/saints/2008-07-30-ellis-signs_N.htm?csp=34
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Much ado about ‘Big Willie’
‘MOTHER GIBRALTAR’
MUCH TOO VALUABLE
TO BE SECOND STRING
===LUDWIG AT LARGE calls Willie Anderson “Mother Gibraltar” because he’s a combination leader and humanitarian (Mother Teresa), plus a mammoth fortress-monument-mountain (Rock of Gibraltar).===
You’ve got a 13-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler who happens to be the best leader in the locker room who happens to be one of the greatest players at his position in the NFL and who happens to be one of the most revered players in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 41-year history.
And he’s here at training camp running with the second team … for two reasons.
Stacy Andrews is the franchise-tagged player, making $7.455 million a year.
And Andrews, AKA “Big Country,” just happens to be an outstanding player.
If you’re head coach Marvin Lewis, wha-cha-gonna-do?
You simply let this starting-right-offensive-tackle thing sort itself out … as time goes by.
“As I said in the springtime with Willie, we really didn’t know where Willie Anderson was (health-wise),” Lewis said. “Willie came in and proved that he was in a pretty good spot. So we have a good issue to deal with as we go forward.
“We have a good young player in Stacy, and we have a guy who’s been as good a player as there has been in the NFL at right tackle in Willie Anderson. So we’re blessed.”
The Bengals better not even THINK about cutting Big Willie. He’s too great a player, too great a leader, too great a person, too great a mentor, too great a presence and influence to be let go.
In fact, I look for him to start … at right tackle … with “Big Country” at right guard … Bobbie Williams at center … Andrew Whitworth at left guard … and Levi Jones at left tackle.
Ta-dah!
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Andrews ‘wins’ Oklahoma Drill
TRUE TEST OF MANHOOD
IS THE OKLAHOMA DRILL
The Oklahoma Drill was made famous by Sooners coach Charles Burnham “Bud” Wilkinson.
Remember him?
He was the architect of Oklahoma’s dynasty, guiding the Sooners on a 47-game winning streak from 1953-57.
The Oklahoma Drill, ALSO KNOWN AS THE NUTCRACKER, is a one-on-one test of manhood — a blocker and defender smashing into one another while a running back takes a handoff and barrels between two dummies that set the boundaries eight-to-nine feet apart.
The highlight at Bengals’ practice on Tuesday came when right offensive tackle Stacy “Big Country” Andrews manhandled rookie defensive tackle Jason Shirley.
Andrews (6-7, 342) blew up Shirley (6-5, 338) with technique. “Big Country” kept his pad level low, burst into Shirley and drove him 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage with the entire team circled around the grassy stage.
The offensive raced over to congratulate Andrews with a rompin’, stompin’ exhibit of hugs and shoulder-pad slapping.
It was a victory for the offense.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
—-Tight end Ben Utecht sent linebacker Ahmad Brooks’ helmet flying, but Brooks held his ground with no hat.
—-Rookie wide receiver Andre Caldwell pushed cornerback Johnathan Joseph backward.
—-Fullback Daniel Coats hammered middle linebacker Dhani Jones.
—-Tight end Reggie Kelly lit up outside linebacker Rashad Jeanty.
—-Linebacker Jim Maxwell got the best of running back Bradley Glatthaar.
—-Safety Herana-Daze Jones’ skirmish against feisty rookie wideout Maurice Purify sent fists up … but both were corralled before any punches got thrown.
BEST PART OF THE DRILL?
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was right in the thick of it, encouraging, slapping and yelling at his defenders.
Ahh, the Oklahoma Drill.
There’s absolutely nothing like it.
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‘Shep’ and his ‘Limelites’
DIAPER DANDIES ABOUND
IN GEORGETOWN, KAY-WHY
===LUDWIG AT LARGE’S TAKE: First things first, studs & studettes. Diaper dandies Pat Sims and Jason Shirley look good — in jerseys and shorts, playing “underwear football.” We’ll certainly know more come 3-5 p.m. today when THE HITTING starts and the bruises, coupled with the bleeding, begins. Know this: The “SS” tandem of Sims and Shirley is hungry to make an impact. Sims sees himself as the reincarnation of Warren Sapp, and Shirley is a good guy to stand next to when you need a lil bit o’ shade.===
Now … about the No. 3 wideout:
Folks, it’s wide open. How wide? Spread your arms as far apart as possible. Yes, THAT WIDE.
Somebody has to replace Chris “Slim” Henry. Whom shall it be?
Marcus Maxwell, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell and Glenn Holt are all in the mix.
“It’ll be a big deal because Slim brought a lot to our offense,” T.J. Houshmandzadeh said.
And don’t forget tight end Ben Utecht.
His catches are going to eat into Chad & T.J.’s touches & numbers.
“I don’t care about having fewer catches,” T.J. said. “Of course, I want to get as many as I can. And of course, I would love to lead the league. But if you win games and I can get to the playoffs, I’m cool with that because in the playoffs, I’ll make a bigger name for myself.
“I don’t mean to say, “Make a name for myself.’ But when you get into the playoffs, the better you do as a team, obviously, the individual players play a part in that. The offensive line probably does the most work, but they don’t get the most glory. That’s’s just how it is.”
Yes, folks, Bengals players are still talking about how much they miss THE GUY who’s not here.
CHRIS HENRY!
He may be out of sight, but not out of mind.
MORE FROM BENGALS WIDE RECEIVERS COACH MIKE SHEPPARD ON SIMPSON & CALDWELL:
“Both those kids work hard,” Sheppard said. “They both have nice attitudes. They’re good kids to coach. They want to play well. It’s important to ‘em and that’s a great starting point. If we didn’t think they had the ability, we wouldn’t have taken ‘em that high (second & third round).”
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Gentlemen, start your (hitting) engines
LET’S GET READY
TO, AHH, RUMBLE
===LUDWIG AT LARGE’S TAKE: One of the coolest things about practice at training camp is watching the interaction between players and coaches. For every great play the offense or defense turns in, the coaches of the opposite unit GO BERSERK with anger. Hey, it’s all part of helping both units improve, and it’s awfully fun to witness.===
This afternoon’s workout from 3-5 p.m. at Georgetown (Ky.) College marks the Cincinnati Bengals’ first practice in full pads at Training Camp 2008.
I’m eager to see if head coach Marvin Lewis unleashes the “Oklahoma drill” — a brutal one-on-one, man-to-man combat that separates the wolves from the lambs.
It’s the defense’s chance to assert itself as a more physical unit.
So far in camp, even wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh notices the physicality of the defense engineered by coordinator Mike Zimmer.
“I heard him tell somebody (a defensive back), ‘I can get somebody out of the crowd to cover like that,’ ” Houshmandzadeh said with a smile.
“Just the way he talks … I like it. Talking to the guys on defense all off-season, they like it, too. Just seeing it out there, it’s different. I look forward to seeing what it does all year.”
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Lovin’ spoonful of Simpson’s ‘tude
ALL SIMPSON WANTS
IS TO SILENCE CRITICS
I don’t like wide receiver Jerome Simpson’s attitude.
I love it.
That’s not a chip on his shoulder. It’s a boulder. He wants to knock it off.
“A lot is expected of me,” the rookie from Coastal Carolina said. “I want to prove everybody wrong that they drafted me too early. I’m here to show them that they drafted me where I’m supposed to be at, the second round (No. 46 overall).”
That stigma of playing in Conway, S.C., for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers of the Big South Conference just won’t go away, eh?
“No, no it won’t,” Simpson said. “I’m still angry that people think they drafted me too early. I’m going out here to prove them wrong. I still have that chip on my shoulder.”
Judging by the diving catch he made of a low-and-outside fastball on a comeback route near the right sideline on Monday night — with outstretched arms, he hauled that baby in with his huge hands — Simpson is on his way to proving the doubters wrong.
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A severe case of ‘Fat-osis’
Cincinnati Bengals fullback Jeremi Johnson is in deep doo-doo.
He’s sinking like an anchor that just got tossed off a boat.
Maybe that’s a little too strong.
Let’s just say he’s in quicksand up to his waist.
He’s listed on the Bengals roster at 270 pounds, but seriously, folks, he’s at least THREE BILLS, and even that’s conservative.
Jeremi didn’t practice on Monday because he’s on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list — a fancy expression for HUMONGOUS.
“He’s not in the condition he needs to be to practice football at this time,” head coach Marvin Lewis said. “He’s battling a lot of things.”
Johnson’s not fighting for a STARTING job. He’s battling for a ROSTER spot.
“Yes, he’s battling for his job,” Lewis said, “There’s no question about it. He’s battling for a spot on this football team. Guys are asked to report at a certain level and be there. We’ve got to move forward, so we’re going to move on.
“Hopefully he can catch up and earn a spot. Unfortunately, I’ve been talking about this for too long. So I don’t like spending a lot of time talking about guys that aren’t practicing. So I kind of stated my case there.”
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Triple scoop of bad news
ODOM HURT, CHAD CAN’T RUN
& RIVERS STILL HOLDING OUT
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis called it “a good start. A good first practice.”
Oh, yeah? Please, PUH-leeeze, come again.
Let’s just say it certainly could’ve been better (DON’T-YOU-THINK?) considering …
—-Starting right defensive Antwan Odom is out indefinitely with a left foot and ankle injury. Dude’s on crutches with a protective boot on his left ankle.
—-Wide receiver Chad Johnson (right ankle), fullback Jeremi Johnson (obesity) and backup tailback DeDe Dorsey (hamstring) can’t run. Johnson and Dorsey on the Physically Unable to Perform /Active list. It means as soon as they can pass a physical, they’ll practice.
—-First-round draft pick Keith Rivers, the projected starter at weakside linebacker, is unsigned and not on the Georgetown College premises. But he’s close by.
Here are Lewis’ comments from his news conference:
Q. Can you give us an update on Odom?
A. “I cannot, but Antwan, they took in and they’ll do some scans and so forth on his (left) foot and see what it is. I have an idea what it is, but we’ll wait until we get some things confirmed.”
Q. What’s the status of Rivers’ contract negotiations?
A. “They keep going back and forth a little bit. It’s a shame, because I think Keith would benefit (being here) and we’re well above where we need to be (offer-wise) and I think in a good spot. It’s something that ought to be very quickly finished and easily finished. We just need to get the other side to engage and say, ‘Let’s get this done.’ I do know where he is and he would be able to get here very quickly.”
Q. What’s the deal with Chad Johnson?
A. “He’s got to go ahead and go through and pass a physical progression of things that we ask all the players to do. When he’s able to do that, he’ll have the opportunity to practice. Right now while he’s on that Physically Unable to Perform list he cannot practice with us. He’ll continue to work with our trainers and our conditioning coaches until we get him to the point where he can work through functional ability to play and demonstrate that to them and then obviously, later on to me.
“This is no distraction for our team. He’s like anybody else that isn’t up to it physically. There is no timetable, it’s when he can prove he’s ready to practice and play football, then he’ll have an opportunity to. I wish he was 100 percent healthy, but he’s not.”
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Odom hurt at morning workout
Defensive end Antwan Odom ended up on crutches with his left foot encased in a mobilizing boot after he suffered a foot and ankle injury at the Cincinnati Bengals opening practice of training camp at Georgetown College.
The media will get an update on Odom and Keith Rivers during head coach Marvin Lewis’ 11:40 a.m. news conference.
The contract status of Rivers, the unsigned rookie top draft-pick, will be discussed.
Odom was carted off the field about 10:30 a.m. and practice was cut short at 10:50 — 20 minutes early — because of rain.
Morning highlights:
—-Placekicker Shayne Graham converted 15 of 16 field goal attempts, topping out at 52 yards. His only miss was a 41-yarder from the left hash.
—-Holder Kyle Larson pulled off an impressive fake field goal, rolling to his right and competing a pass to fullback Daniel Coats.
—-Quarterback Carson Palmer completed two impressive passes — a deep ball down the right sideline to rookie wideout Andre Caldwell and an intermediate, down-the-middle route to tight end Nate Lawrie, who was open in the seam.
—-Backup right cornerback had a nice pass deflection on a perfectly-thrown Palmer pass to an unidentified receiver.
—-Tailback Chris Perry looked quick, fast and strong the entire workout. “I graduated from hungry and made it to greed,” he said.
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Pollack out; Chad not cleared to practice
EARLY INJURY REPORT:
CHAD & JEREMI SIDELINED
ALONG WITH DORSEY
===INJURY UPDATE: Wide receiver Chad Johnson (ankle), tailback DeDe Dorsey (hamstring) and fullback Jeremi Johnson (weight) were not cleared to practice by the Bengals medical staff on Monday morning. All three attended the opening practice, but weren’t allowed to participate.===
David Pollack still hasn’t retired. Maybe now he’ll inch closer to that final decision.
The outside linebacker, whose rehab from a devastating neck injury is ongoing, was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list on Monday morning, a half hour before the Cincinnati Bengals took the field at Georgetown (Ky.) College on opening day of training camp.
The move allowed the Bengals to sign rookie cornerback Jonathan Zenon to a one year deal.
Zenon, a non-drafted college free agent from LSU, originally signed with the New York Jets, who waived him. He becomes the 80th man on the roster.
Placing Pollack on a reserve list is believed to be strictly procedural since head coach Marvin Lewis told the media in the offseason that Pollack’s intention is to retire, and that the team was moving on without Pollack in their plans.
The only player not here is first-round draft pick Keith Rivers, who is slated to be the Bengals’ starting weakside linebacker.
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Tossing a lit match on gasoline
CARSON JUST CAN’T HELP HIMSELF
WHEN IT COMES TO BASHING OSU
It’s the story that won’t go away. And I have to admit: I’m gonna ride this pony till she drops.
It’s great stuff. Carson Palmer & his love for the University of Southern California Trojans vs. The Ohio State University Buckeyes.
More intrigue came on check-in day at Bengals training camp when Carson turned a cold shoulder on the Buckeyes and tossed another log on the fire in the brewing rivalry that’s building toward the Sept. 13 climax when the Buckeyes and Trojans collide at the L.A. Coliseum.
Carson started it all when he told an L.A. radio station, “I cannot stand the Buckeyes.”
He took a step back and dealt the respect card a couple days later. On Sunday, he stepped forward — again.
“It was an interesting week,” Palmer said. “I got home (to Cincinnati) and there was Jim Tressel’s book (‘The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life’) . One of my neighbors left a copy of his book on my doorstep. I didn’t have a chance to read it. I don’t know if I’ll ever get around to it. It was a funny gesture.”
At the pre-training camp luncheon last week, Bengals president Mike Brown — speaking to Palmer through the media — reminded Carson that his father, Paul Brown, was head coach at Ohio State from 1941-43, guiding the Buckeyes to the 1942 national title and two straight victories over the Trojans.
Has Palmer heard from Mike yet?
“I haven’t talked to him about it,” Carson said. “But Sept. 13, Mike and I have a lot of business to take care of before that game. I’m sure we’ll have a little bit of dialogue and he’ll try to explain why his team will come out with a victory, and I’ll try to explain why my team will come out with a victory. We’ll see what happens on the the 13th.
Is Palmer surprised that Buckeye fans went berserk over his comments?
“Yeah. I was surprised, but the Buckeye fans are just as passionate as the SC fans,” he added. “They have a lot of pride in their school, a lot of pride in their university and their team, and vice-versa. Same thing in L.A. We have a lot of pride in our university and I can’t wait until the 13th. It’ll be exciting.”
Any worry you’ll get booed at Paul Brown Stadium … or, worse, get hurt?
“I don’t care. If people are going to take it that serious, that’s up to them. It was all in good fun,” Palmer said. “I live in Ohio and it doesn’t mean I have to be a Buckeye fan. I went to the University of Southern California and I’m going to cheer for them and have pride in my school, just as they have pride in their school.
“People take a lot of things too seriously, and it’s just another thing that got blown out of proportion. I’m going to keep having fun with it. If people are still going to be upset about it, that’s their decision. I’m going to keep having fun with it and hopefully celebrate on the 13th.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Anti-Bucks law firm of C.P & C.P.
USC & MICHIGAN:
A COMBINED EFFORT
After Carson Palmer’s message to Ohio State fans — “Fight on!” (the title of USC’s fight song) — he was reminded that his Bengals teammate, Michigan man Chris Perry, doesn’t like Ohio State, either.
“I don’t blame him,” Palmer said.
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Beat writers’ ‘Battle of the Bands’
A LITTLE BIT O’ FUN
SPELLS R-E-L-I-E-F
Kevin Goheen, formerly of The Post in Cincinnati, holds degrees from Bowling Green State University and Northern Kentucky University.
Joe Kay of The Associated Press is an Ohio University Bobcat.
C. Trent Rosecrans of Clear Channel (Cincinnati) Communications, Inc., is a University of Georgia Bulldog.
Mark Curnutte of The Enquirer is a Miami University RedHawk.
Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News is an Ohio State University Buckeye.
And so in honor of the Ohio State-Southern Cal feud fueled by Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, We, The Writers, who cover this club, amused ourselves in the press box on Sunday by cranking out Fight Songs in a “Battle of the Bands” competition in the late afternoon hours of check-in day at Georgetown (Ky.) College.
Covering the Bengals is “Armageddon Every Day,” but we try to have a Lil Fun along the way.
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A creature of habit —- DENIED!
THE CHICKSTER SHUT OUT;
TWENTY MINUTES TOO LATE
I’m a creature of habit. My first stop — EVERY YEAR AT TRAINING CAMP, after checking into my hotel room — is the Subway sandwich shop, attached to the Shell gas station, in Georgetown, Ky.
I’m dying for my annual steak ‘n’ cheese sub with pickles, lettuce, banana peppers, a dash of pepper and a splash of hot mustard.
Umm, I could almost taste it on the drive down from “Lil D” — Dayton, Ohio.
Departure from Dayton on Saturday: 8 p.m.
Arrival in G-town on Saturday: 10 p.m.
Wheel into Shell station, 10:20 p.m.
Then the fatal announcement: “Sorry, Subway’s closed.”
WHAT? YOU’VE GOTTA BE KIDDIN’ ME?
How can Subway be OPEN ALL NIGHT during the week and be closed at 10 p.m. on a Saturday?
Folks, that’s what we’re fightin’ down here!
Had to settle for a double cheeseburger and large chili — take-out, of course — at the Waffle House.
It wasn’t all bad.
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Check-in day: Chad quiet, Rivers holds out, Whitworth deal ‘done’
PALMER STILL ‘HAVING FUN’
AT OHIO STATE’S EXPENSE
As expected, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson didn’t speak to the media on check-in day at training camp at Georgetown College on Sunday.
First-round draft pick Keith Rivers officially became a holdout; quarterback Carson Palmer got a couple more digs in on Ohio State; and left guard Andrew Whitworth confirmed he’s agreed to a contract extension.
Whitworth’s deal tops out at $30 million and keeps him with the club through 2013.
“It’s done. I just haven’t signed it yet,” Whitworth told the Dayton Daily News.
Extending Whitworth and DT Domata Peko ($30.3 million through 2014) are positive signs that the club is focused on keeping its nucleus of young, talented, good-character players intact.
“It’s great,” Whitworth said. “It’s a commitment on their part, and a commitment by me. It’s just a real exciting opportunity to be here even longer.
“Some of the young guys we’ve gotten here the last couple of years are really good guys on and off the field … exciting young talent. It’s really promising for what we have in our future.”
AND NOW … before I delve into the Alan Cutler Memorial Ice Box in the press box at Georgetown College for a refreshing bottle of Gatorade, here are some highlights from check-in day:
—-The only player who isn’t here is Rivers. Bengals negotiators put the finishing touches on a four-year deal with third-round pick Andre Caldwell, but couldn’t come to terms with Rivers by the 1 p.m. check-in time.
—-Wide receiver Chad Johnson breezed into his dorm room, carrying a pillow, Xbox 360 and a couple of plastic bags from K-mart … and didn’t utter a word to anybody.
—-Palmer had this message for Ohio State Buckeyes football fans: “Fight on!” That’s the USC Trojans’ rallying cry and the title of the school’s fight song. When Palmer arrived from California, a present was waiting for him: “The Winners Manual: For the Game of Life,” authored by Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.
“One of my neighbors left the book on my doorstep,” Palmer said. “I didn’t have a chance to read it. I don’t know if I’ll ever get around to it. but it was kind of a funny gesture.”
Palmer, who said he “cannot stand the Buckeyes” in a recent interview on an L.A. radio station, said he’s not worried about a few boos from Buckeyes fans at Paul Brown Stadium.
“I don’t care,” he said. “If people are going to take it that serious, that’s up to them. It was all in good fun. Like i said, I live in Ohio. It doesn’t mean I have to be a Buckeye fan. I went to the University of Southern California and I’m going to cheer for them. I have a lot of pride in that school just as they have pride in their school.
“People take a lot of things too seriously and it’s just another thing that kind of got blown out of proportion. I’m going to keep having fun with it. if people are going to be upset about it, that’s their decision. But I’m going to keep having fun with it and hopefully celebrate on the 13th (of September when the Buckeyes and Trojans collide).”
—-Does Carson have any pranks set up for his younger brother, Jordan, who is trying to make the squad as the third-string quarterback? Jordan was drafted last year by the Washington Redskins, but got released before the season opener.
“He doesn’t think he’s a rookie,” Carson said. “I’ve tried to stress to him that he is a rookie because he doesn’t have an accredited year yet. It’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds. I’m going to figure out something to do. I’m not going to let you guys know because you guys will spoil the surprise. But they’ll be some good stuff going on in the quarterback room.”
—-A reporter told Palmer that Chris Perry — Bengals running back from Michigan — doesn’t like Ohio State either.
“I don’t blame him,” Palmer said.
—-T.J. Houshmandzadeh brought only the necessities. “A comforter, another pillow, toiletries and a change of clothes,” he said.
Any special shampoo for his long, black hair? Nope.
“Water comb and a brush is all I need,” he said.
—-Why is FOX Sports Net (FSN) following Bengals strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe around camp?
Well, FSN is televising four training camp shows, plus a season preview show.
“It’s called Bengals Camp ‘08 and one of our segments is with Chinedum as our host,” FSN producer Brian Hunterman said. “That’s what we’re doing today.”
—-Wide receiver Andre Caldwell was relieved to get his four-year contract done.
“I want to get here on time and get me a position,” Caldwell said.
How much did he sign for?
“Enough,” he said.
—-Defensive end Antwan Odom climbed out of his BMW and lugged a flat-screen TV into his dorm.
“I’ve got to have a TV to watch,” he said.
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The ‘Toilet Bowl Killers’
THE CHICKSTER’S FIRED UP
ON CHECK-IN DAY AT CAMP
I’m sitting at the desk of my second floor hotel room in Georgetown, Ky., cranking out this memo to loyal LUDWIG AT LARGE readers on Sunday morning, July 27.
I’m scheduled to go on WLW radio with Ken Broo at 10:15 a.m., then I’ll head over to Georgetown College’s East Campus Athletic Complex for the Cincinnati Bengals’ check-in day at training camp.
I love check-in day for three reasons.
One … it’s a loose and relaxed atmosphere as the players prepare for the blood, sweat & cheers that begin Monday with practices from 9-11 a.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Two … it’s the only day of training camp where the media gets to hang out by the players’ dormitories. We have great access to players and coaches here. But after today, interviews with players outside their dorms are a No-No.
Three … we get to re-live the “TBK MYSTERY” — again. Offensive linemen Levi Jones, Willie Anderson, Bobbie Williams and Stacy Andrews are the “Toilet Bowl Killers.” They share a quad in the G-town dorms. At least once each training camp, the toilet gets clogged. The sneaky culprit never gets caught.
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
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Packin’ up the Chevy, but first…
A FEW CHOICE WORDS
ABOUT FOUR STUDS
CHRIS HENRY
Let’s not kid ourselves here.
Bengals president Mike Brown wanted him back.
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis didn’t want him back.
Lewis won the battle.
“The world is divided up between redeemers and non-redeemers,” Brown told the media at the Bengals’ pre-training camp luncheon at Paul Brown Stadium. “I happen to be a redeemer. I believe people can be made better and right. If that’s a fault, so be it.”
According to Carlos “Big C” Holmes, proprietor of the BigCProFootball.com Web site, Brown stayed in constant touch with Henry’s agent, Marvin Frazier, throughout Henry’s recent legal battle.
When Henry’s assault charge was dropped in Hamilton County court, the Bengals nearly took him back.
“That’s the skinny,” Big C says.
Big C should know. He works the underground like Dies Drear.
Look for Henry to surface in Baltimore because his former wide receivers coach in Cincinnati — Hue Jackson — is the quarterbacks coach for the Ravens.
Baltimore has strong veteran leadership in the locker room.
What do the Bengals have?
Guys gone Hollywood.
CARSON PALMER
Don’t look for the “I cannot stand the Buckeyes” controversy to blow over anytime soon.
LUDWIG AT LARGE appreciates this blog post by Dayton Daily News colleague Dave Larsen.
Larsen penned the gem — Ohio State’s Gee tackles Carson Palmer issue — on Wednesday, July 23.
Earlier that day, Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee visited with the Dayton Daily News editorial board and was asked about Palmer’s biting comments:
“It shows how powerful we are, when you love to hate us,” Gee said. “Now, of course, I will be interested to see how he survives in Ohio over the next season. The biggest complement you can have is when people get outraged about how much support you have and how good your teams are.”
Larsen wrote that Gee said there are 11 million Ohioans “and every one of them is a Buckeye on Saturday afternoon.”
“Everybody,” wrote Larsen, “but Palmer, that is.”
Check out:
KEITH RIVERS
As of this writing, Rivers — the Bengals’ first-round draft pick who is penciled in as the starting weakside linebacker — joins third-round wide receiver Andre Caldwell as the only two rookie draft picks who haven’t reached agreement on contracts.
Second-round wide receiver Jerome Simpson, third-round defensive tackle Pat Sims, fourth-round offensive tackle Anthony Collins and sixth-round free safety Corey Lynch are expected to sign when they arrive at Georgetown College on Sunday, July 27.
Bengals negotiators Katie and Troy Blackburn, and Paul H. Brown, are trying to hammer out deals with Rivers and Caldwell in an attempt to get them on the field by 9 a.m. Monday.
If Rivers holds out, it’ll mean more snaps for backup WLBs Brandon Johnson and Jim Maxwell.
Susan Pearson — Maxwell’s aunt in Charlotte, N.C. — has to love hearing that news.
CHICK LUDWIG
As soon as I hit I-75 south near the Dayton Mall, I will crank UP the volume on the CD player in my Chevy.
Batting lead-off: Eric Carmen and The Raspberries’ “Go All The Way.”
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2393
Why? Because that song instantly transforms me to 1972, my freshman year at The Ohio State University,
I had a great four years as an Evans Scholar. Four straight Rose Bowls, but only one win — 42-21 over the USC Trojans on Jan. 1, 1974.
I WAS THERE!!! … with my roomie, Steve “Tizzy” Hewitt.
GET ‘EM, SCHOLARS!
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3 guys I feel sorry for
DUNGY’S CUT-THROAT
JUST LIKE ALL THE REST
SNEAKY COLTS STRIKE AGAIN
ONE — KENNY IRONS
The second I met him at rookie minicamp