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By Tom Archdeacon, Staff Writer 12:02 AM Monday, November 9, 2009

CINCINNATI — It was the only time all day when — no matter how hard he tried — he just couldn’t come up with the play.

“I’ve got that quote right here, you gotta read it,” Chris Crocker said as he began a postgame rummage through the clothes and loose notebook pages scattered in his locker.

The Cincinnati Bengals veteran safety wanted to give you a better idea of the rude treatment his team had just given the Baltimore Ravens in a 17-7 victory, Sunday, Nov. 8 at Paul Brown Stadium.

Specifically he wanted you to read some published comments Ravens receiver Derrick Mason had made before the game.

“I got it right here,” Crocker said with some exasperation as he grabbed one paper after another. “Where’d I put it? ... Man, I can’t find it.”

Finally he shrugged: “Aaah, Google it. . . . He said no one can cover him one-on-one. That it hasn’t been done in 13 years.”

Crocker’s grin underscored the fact that Mason had been a nonfactor, catching just three balls for 31 yards. The Ravens other starting receiver, Mark Clayton, had just one catch

The Bengals also picked off two passes by Joe Flacco and sacked the Ravens quarterback three times in a row to end the game. Meanwhile, Bengals running back Cedric Benson had 117 yards and a score and third-string running back Brian Leonard treated the swaggering Ray Lewis like a scrub, spinning off the groping Ravens linebacker for an 11-yard gain late in the game.

This was the second time this year Bengals had beaten the Ravens, who for years had been bullies of the AFC North.

When that was brought up, Crocker cut the question short ... “Are they bullies now? You answer. If I do Zim (defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer) will get mad at me.”

No Bengals player actually called it a changing of the guard, but a few got close.

“Every team has a window of opportunity and then that window shrinks and their time is past,” said veteran defensive tackle Tank Johnson. “I’m not saying their window’s past, but it’s shrinking.”

And the Bengals’ is opening wider.

“We have a defense that thinks they can shut out anybody ... and an offense that wants to score 45 points every time we step on the field,” Carson Palmer said.

Receiver Chad Ochocinco called it a statement game for the rest of the league and Crocker agreed:

“People say, ‘These guys aren’t that good. They got the same guys (from last year’s 4-win team), the same coordinator, same head coach.’ But they look like fools if they really believe that now.”

Yet there are a lot of the same guys, so what’s different?

Crocker said the best lessons were learned last season.

“Guys have been through a lot,” Tank Johnson said. “Pure and simple, we like each other.”

And you saw that point in a private exchange minutes later.

Leonard was headed out of the dressing room when the tackle waved him over with a “Come here, Buddy.”

Johnson wrapped an arm around Leonard, hugged him tightly and gave him an affectionate pat on the head.

He never said a word.

You didn’t need a conversation — or Crocker’s piece of paper — to see what was going on here.

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Sorry i was muult=tasking meant to spell wins

chase
4:13 PM, 11/10/2009

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I would first like to say that this game is going to be great. Whoever whens the turnover battle whens the game. I will not go as far as blindly with **** for my team make a prediction. Couple notable points though:
1. First game no Polamalu,if you dont think that matters your nuts.
2. Mendenhall didnt play last game b/c of some growing up he had to do.
3. If you are a Bengals fan u know Chris Henry always was a thorn in the steelers side, big loss him not there
In closing go Steelers

Chase
4:11 PM, 11/10/2009

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All teams need to stay healthy to win throughout the year and make the super bowl. It is not just Cincy and Palmer, what about Manning, Brees, Ben, Brady, or any starting QB. It goes for every team not just Cincy. Who Dey will finish 12-4 with a first round bye. I think they should acquire Larry Johnson, he could help through cold late season games.

whoDeywho?
7:19 PM, 11/9/2009

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Everybody said the Ravens would want revenge on the Bengals and look what happened to the Ravens. Last year you needed 11 wins to get a wild card in the AFC. Remember the Steelers beat the Vikings so the Bengals will most likely need this win over the Steelers to win the division. No matter what happens at least the Bengals are competitive this year and are much improved over the past coulpe of seasons. It could be worst and they could have been the BROWNS over the last 5 years, lol.

dale1
2:40 PM, 11/9/2009

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The steelers get their revenge this week and the upper hand on the division title ... but both teams should make the playoffs .... carson needs to stay healthy for the Bengals to make the playoffs, his left hand better heal better before the weather gets cold or handin off to Benson will be a challenge ....

Willie
2:27 PM, 11/9/2009

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