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Bengals notes
Jeanty points to strong finish in bid for playoffs
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
CINCINNATI — It's not a brutal stretch like games against Hamilton, Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
But the Bengals do have a challenging six-game schedule in a bid to return to the playoffs.
Extras
"It was pretty much the playoffs after Week 8 in Edmonton," joked Bengals linebacker Rashad Jeanty, a three-year veteran of the Canadian Football League's Eskimos. "It's kind of a challenge right now, but we're looking forward to it."
Jeanty, a diamond in the CFL snow, knows a strong finish is needed to make the playoffs.
At 5-5, the Bengals' AFC postseason dreams may hinge on a 5-1 finish in games at Cleveland, home against Oakland and Baltimore, at Indianapolis and Denver and home vs. Pittsburgh.
"All the games throughout (the rest of) this year are going to be the Super Bowl game," Jeanty said. "We kind of dug ourselves in a hole."
Jeanty can look for inspiration from his Edmonton days. The Eskimos won two Grey Cups in his three seasons.
Drawing a long line
The injuries to center Rich Braham, guard Bobbie Williams and tackle Levi Jones have pushed Eric Ghiaciuc, Stacy Andrews and Andrew Whitworth into the starting lineup.
The offense has found a good rhythm lately despite that.
"The other guys who have been steady performers like Willie Anderson, Eric Steinbach and Reggie Kelly, are helping these other guys feel comfortable," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "It happens as much on the practice field and meeting room as it does on Sunday."
Going forward, depth on the O-line is a valuable resource.
"My job, my role might change if Rich Braham comes back," Ghiaciuc said. "If the coaches on the team feel it's better for him to play, then so be it. I want to win games, flat out, we all want to win games."
Jumping into position
No Bengal was surprised that Ethan Kilmer brought back a Drew Brees interception 52 yards for a score.
While he didn't play football in high school, Kilmer was a 6-foot-8 high jumper and 23-foot long jumper before walking on for football at Penn State.
"Everyone on our sideline knew it was a touchdown," Lewis said. "We knew no one on their team could catch him.
"Everybody sees how hard he works and they've seen the plays he's made all year. We see how he practices each and every day."
Kilmer impressed his new teammates early this spring.
"I'm sure when we drafted him and the veteran guys showed up for mini-camp, they had no idea who he was," Lewis said. "He established his presence when he dunked a basketball two-handed, standing flat-footed, in sandals."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
