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Offense finds game as Rivers loses time
Sunday, August 03, 2008
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — The offense got some revenge against the defense as the starting unit rolled to a 44-22 victory over a squad comprised of backups in the Cincinnati Bengals' Black-Orange Mock Game in front of 6,400 spectators at Toyota Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 2.
"I thought (the offense) was a little bit sharper," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said the day after the defense dominated a scrimmage. "We'll get another picture, another look at it, against Green Bay (in the preseason opener Aug. 11)."
Marvin missing
Subbing for Marvin Lewis, who arrived late because he was out of town attending a funeral, assistant head coach Paul Alexander said "the team responded pretty well" after (Friday's) hard-hitting scrimmage. "I didn't see a lot of mental errors. I saw pretty good enthusiasm, pretty good work."
Calling Keith
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer wants first-round draft pick Keith Rivers' holdout to end. Today marks the linebacker's eighth day as an absentee.
"It's starting to get old now," Zimmer said. "He's starting to lose a lot of time. A lot of the install we're doing, he hasn't been through yet. He's got a lot of catching up to do."
Roger's plan
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, visiting before heading back to Canton for the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies, wants 17 regular-season games and three in the preseason instead of 16 and 4.
"I've been quite clear publicly and with our membership that the quality of the preseason is not up to NFL standards," he said. Modifying the ratio of 20 games "is a better reflection on the quality of our game."
Rule change
The NFL's most glaring rule change of 2008: Teams that win the coin toss have the opportunity to defer until the second half.
Head linesman Paul Weidner of Cincinnati said referees "absolutely" expect to hear "defer" often. Why? "The wind factor," he said.
"It's just like college now. Same deal."
