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BENGALS
Defense gunning for more big plays
Pressuring the Ravens' offense led to turnovers, something Bengals aim to repeat.
Friday, September 14, 2007
CINCINNATI — Bengals middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks mangles words like he mangles running backs. He invents words, such as "distruction."
As soon as Brooks uttered it, he was asked if he meant "disruption" or "destruction."
Extras
"Both," he said. "Sometimes I pronounce words wrong. Disruption and destruction. It's all the same thing. As long as I do that, I do my job."
Early in training camp, Brooks said the Bengals have a good, young, fast linebacker "corpse." He meant "corps." Numerous times, he's said he likes to "wreck" havoc in the "background." Translation: "wreak" havoc in the "backfield."
Brooks and his defensive teammates want to wreak havoc in Cleveland and wreck the Browns' offense Sunday — similar to Monday night when the Bengals forced six turnovers in a 27-20 victory over Baltimore.
"As a linebacker, you love it when the defensive coordinator calls for a blitz," Brooks said. "It allows me to get penetration and cause confusion in the backfield. That's how we won the game — getting turnovers and putting our offense in good field position. I'm ready to do it again."
Linebacker Landon Johnson and defensive end Robert Geathers made key contributions against the Ravens. Johnson returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown and generated a team-high 11 tackles.
"I was just running, doing my job, and (Geathers) hit the quarterback," Johnson said. "I just happened to be there to catch it and run with it. I had the easy job. (Geathers) had the hard job."
Geathers had four tackles, a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
"It's not going to mean nothing if I don't go out and perform on Sunday," Geathers said. "It was a good performance, but that's behind me. It's time to move on to Cleveland.
"We've got the potential to make big plays and cause turnovers. If we can keep applying pressure like we did on Monday night, we'll be all right for the season."
Battle of Ohio
Who: Bengals (1-0) at Browns (0-1)
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7), WONE-AM (980)
TV: WHIO (CBS, Ch. 7)
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
