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Odom’s injury a tough blow to Bengals

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By Tom Archdeacon, Staff Writer 12:09 AM Monday, October 19, 2009

CINCINNATI — For five weeks they cavorted across the NFL high wire like some fearless circus aerialist whose daredevil, last-second moves brought four wins in five games.

And then Sunday, Oct. 18, the Cincinnati Bengals fell.

The most sobering image from the plummet wasn’t that game-ending scoreboard that burned with Houston’s 28-17 upset victory.

It was the sight of Antwan Odom — the heart and soul of the Bengals defense, the veteran pass rusher who came into the game as the NFL’s co-leader in sacks with eight — lying crumpled on the Paul Brown field, his season over because of a ruptured right Achilles tendon.

You sensed the gravity of the situation as soon as you saw Odom at his locker, leaning heavily on a set of silver crutches, a padded blue walking boot on his foot.

His tendon shredded, his spirit certainly crushed, he was briefly comforted by line coach Jay Hayes, who was shaken.

When approached by two writers, Odom whispered: “I really don’t feel like it ... I hope you understand.”

As he moved slowly toward the training room, several teammates watched and from the far corner — where several linebackers sat — someone blurted out a loud expletive of frustration.

A couple of hours after the game, head coach Marvin  Lewis admitted Odom would be lost for the season.

The Bengals may be able to correct many of Sunday’s problems. The tight ends will either start hanging onto the ball or they could go the way of jettisoned long snapper Brad St. Louis.

And maybe the brain trust will run Cedric Benson — who came into the game the NFL’s leading rusher — more than four times in the second half as was the case Sunday.

Plus, there won’t be another emotional week like the one past when the team rallied around grieving coach Mike Zimmer, whose wife Vikki — a great friend to the players — had died suddenly.

As for Odom, there’s no replacing him.

On Houston’s fifth offensive play, he chased quarterback Matt Schaub out of the pocket and into an incompletion. On the next play, he blocked Kris Brown’s 28-yard field goal attempt.

But on the next possession, he was hurt when blocked on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Schaub to Owen Daniels.

He lay on the field — surrounded by players from both teams — until a motorized cart appeared to take him away.

“Any time you see a cart come out, it’s never a good thing,” said Bengals defensive tackle Tank Johnson. “It’s tough to watch.”

Without Odom — and defensive tackle Domata Peko, also hobbled — the Bengals were unable to pressure Schaub, who completed 28 of 40 passes for 392 yards and four TDs.

As Johnson put it: “We fell back down to earth today.”

Whether the team can overcome a ruptured Achilles tendon and get back up, that’s the question.

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Joe you are an idiot!!!!!!!!!!

michelle
1:22 PM, 10/21/2009

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I think the Texans are very underrated..Thats why there is 16 games in the regular season. They will be back to it sunday against the bears..With Zimmer on the D's butt they will prevail...

chris
2:06 PM, 10/20/2009

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It's only one loss, we are still 3-0 in the division (with 2 wins coming on the road) and in first place. Most teams lose games during the season. Odom's injury is tough to overcome, but Michael Johnson looks ready. He is tough and all over the place when he is on the field. Give the kid more playing time. His size warrants that. As for TE, Coats and Foschi need to see their time reduced. If Coffman is not ready, then let's sign a veteran TE who can catch and not fumble, they are out there.

Tony
11:22 AM, 10/19/2009

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Joe - doesn't know a single thing about football and I bet has never played on a football team. It doesn't matter what Joe thinks so don't listen to him. How many other people go to other team's blogs just to act stupid? This should say enough about the type of person Joe is and he doesn't really even like football.

dale1
11:12 AM, 10/19/2009

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Well, at least they will have an excuse now when they don't make the playoffs again. Texans are an average team at best an they man handled the bungles.

jeff
10:05 AM, 10/19/2009

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