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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 > November > 10 > Entry
Monday wrap: Brees almost a Bengal
LOTS OF FOOTBALL TO CONSUME
ON A MANIACAL MONDAY MORN
I love watching New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees pitch the pig down the field.
With 2,985 passing yards through nine games, the 6-foot, 209-pound stud is on pace for 5,307 yards this season, which would shatter Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084 set in 1984.
Brees
But the ultimate measure of a quarterback is wins and losses, and the Saints’ 4-5 record doesn’t cut it.
Bengals owner & president Mike Brown told me several years ago he wanted to draft Brees in 2001, but couldn’t afford to because the Bengals already had too much money tied up in Akili Smith.
So the Bengals drafted DE Justin Smith No. 4 overall.
The next two picks were TB LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers) and DT Richard Seymour (Patriots). Later in the first round, DT Marcus Stroud went to the Jags at No. 13 and DT Casey Hampton went to the Steelers at No. 19.
When it comes to the draft, the Bengals are better off throwing darts blindfolded.
THE MANNING BROTHERS
Peyton Manning’s 50th career game with 3 TD passes gave the Colts their first win at Pittsburgh since 1968, snapping a 12-game road losing streak against the Steelers.
Peyton Manning
Eli Manning threw for 191 yards and two TDs in the Giants’ 36-31 victory at Philly. The Giants rolled up 401 yards of total offense and held the ball for 39 minutes, 10 seconds to the Eagles’ 20:50.
WHO? WHAT? HOW?
Who is the world is BenJarvus Green-Ellis?
Green-Ellis
He’s New England’s 23-year-old rookie tailback signed as a non-drafted college free agent from Ole Miss.
All he did on Sunday was rush 26 times for 105 yards and a TD in the Patriots’ 20-10 victory over the Bills.
The Bengals should’ve known about him. After all, he played his freshman and sophomore years at Indiana University before surfacing at Mississippi.
DR. DOOM
Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe is an aggressive, hard-hitting player with good speed and range. The best part of his game is the fact that he’s a willing run defender who brings a physical style to the field.
Ndukwe
But the area that needs the most improvement is pass coverage.
Ndukwe is held in high regard by coaches and teammates because he’s one of the brightest, classiest and most well-spoken players on the squad.
The 253rd overall selection in the 2007 draft, he was two picks away from being “Mr. Irrelevant.” Through hard work and determination, he’s blossomed into a leader and future captain.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW …
The dude who caused the fumble on Glenn Holt’s kickoff return against Jacksonville was Chad Nkang, a rookie linebacker from Elon (N.C.) University.
Nkang was the 41st pick in the seventh round of the 2007 draft … No. 251 overall.
Ndukwe was taken by the Bengals two picks later at No. 253 overall.
Had either guy been taken at No. 255, he’d have earned the title of “Mr. Irrelevant.”
That honor went to Ramzee Robinson, a DB from Alabama taken by the Lions with the draft’s final pick.
SURVIVAL IN MORGANTOWN
The University of Cincinnati’s Kevin Huber is the best punter in the nation.
I can’t believe he was asked to step out of the end zone for a safety with 1:11 remaining to cut the Bearcats’ lead to 20-9 over West By God Virginny.
The Mountaineers scored 13 points in a buck eleven to force overtime, then took a 23-20 lead on Pat McAfee’s 27-yard field goal on their first possession of OT.
But Tony Pike’s 2-yard TD pass to tight end Kazeem Alli won it for the Bearcats, who are now bowl eligible. UC can win the Big East if it sweeps Louisville, Pitt and Syracuse.
FLYER FAITHFUL
Congrats to coach Rick Chamberlain and the Dayton Football Flyers, who stopped the Butler Bulldogs, 28-21 in overtime, at the Butler Bowl in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Redshirt freshman QB Jeff Pechan, filling in for injured Rob Florian, completed 23 of 42 passes for 242 yards and two TDs, including the 15-yard game-winner to Justin Millio. Pechan also ran 15 times for 53 yards, including a 35-yard TD in the third quarter.
UD improved to 9-1 overall and 6-0 in the Pioneer Football League. The Flyers return home for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 15, when Morehead State — the last PFL team to beat UD — visits Welcome Stadium. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
MUSKETEER MANIA
How about those Xavier Musketeers?
They clobbered Marquette, 37-6, on Saturday at Withrow High School to earn their second straight Midwestern Club Football Conference Championship.
Coach Tom “Tower Of” Powers guided the Muskies to a 6-1 (3-0) record. He’s breathing life into a program that deserves consideration as an NCAA varsity sport after it was tragically killed off in the early 1970s.
BEARCATS NEXT COACH
With Brian Kelly being mentioned for the University of Tennessee job and every other opening from sea to shining sea …
Coombs
… I’d like to nominate UC defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs (University of Dayton, Class of ‘83) as the Bearcats’ next head coach.
Coombs, who built Colerain High School into a powerhouse, is one guy WHO WILL STAY IN TOWN!
LIFE AFTER MARVIN?
If Marvin Lewis doesn’t survive as Cincinnati Bengals head coach, I’d like to nominate Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett as the next head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Garrett
Garrett would give the club a fresh look on offense and help resurrect Carson Palmer’s career, which is currently being wasted.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
November 10, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
I can imagine Drew Brees waking up in a cold sweat, screaming until he’s hoarse, from nightmares of Mike Brown actually making that pick. And really Chick, what did Jason Garrett ever do to you to wish the Bengals’ head coaching job on him?!? I wouldn’t wish that job on my worst enemy ;-).By Big Play
November 10, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Kinda sickening to see so many quality players not in bengals jerseys…..”it is what it is”….By THTYGR
November 10, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Jason Garrett is already in line to take over the Cowboys, next year at the earliest, and most probably after their performance this season. Why would he select the opportunity to fail with his hands tied in Cincinnati over the opportunity to succeed with an owner who invests in the franchise……surrounded by people who know football instead of just how to make money ????? 100 out of 100 people given those options would choose Dallas……hands down.By John
November 10, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
ML will be here as long as he wants to, or until the stadium seats are empty on game day; whichever comes first! But, you’re right Chick, an OC should be the next Bengals head coach, whenever that change comes.By T Loth
November 10, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
In regard to “missing” on draft day with Justin Smith, sometimes it’s not who you draft, but how you develop the player. Who’s to say that Seymour, or Hampton would be the stars they are if they were drafted by the Bengals?By Brian
November 11, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
I still think the Bengals were so fixated on taking Leonard Davis that when they Cardinals nabbed him their panicked response was to draft the guy who got a sack on Davis, Justin Smith. There wasn’t enough time to call Lance McAlister and ask if they could borrow his draft guide to look for alternatives before their pick was up…