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AFC NORTH NOTES
Perry facing perfect situation versus Browns
COMMENT: Who will win the Battle of Ohio?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
This is the game Cincinnati Bengals tailback Chris Perry could crack the 100-yard rushing barrier because of his ability to bounce outside and use his speed and acceleration to break away.
The Browns are vulnerable on the perimeter because they're so thin at outside linebacker. Inside? Perry can forget it because the Browns' monster in the middle, nose tackle Shaun Rogers, is a formidable run-stuffer.
Look for Bengals fullback Reagan Maui'a to play an important role as the lead blocker for Perry, who is doing a much better job of staying patient and following his blocks.
"As we continue to get the right hats on the right guys, and Chris continues to have the time back getting used to carrying the football and receiving the football, he's going to be more productive," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said.
"He's shown some of the explosiveness to run away from guys, explosiveness that we know he has. All it's going to do is give him more confidence."
Browns Mighty Quinn
Look for Browns coach Romeo Crennel to name quarterback Brady Quinn the starter as early as today, Sept. 24, because Derek Anderson's confidence is shot.
Cleveland scored 402 points in 2007. After three games this year, they have a league-low 26 (an 8.7 average). The Browns need a spark, and Quinn's their man.
"What happened last year is last year," Crennel said. "This is a totally different year. So far, we're not as efficient as we need to be, or can be."
Wide receiver Braylon Edwards (eight catches, 73 yards) hasn't been the same since suffering a foot laceration in the preseason and fellow wideout Donte Stallworth hasn't seen the field because of a quadriceps injury. Their health and confidence need to be restored for Quinn to succeed.
If the Browns lose at Cincinnati, Crennel could be searching for a new job on Monday.
Ravens Manage the game
The Baltimore Ravens have basically told quarterback Joe Flacco: You don't have to win the game, just don't lose it.
In other words, the rookie doesn't have to hoist the team on his shoulders and carry it. The defense and running game will do that. All Smokin' Joe has to do is manage the offense and be a forceful leader in the huddle.
"The kind of game plan we have around here now for this offense is a good formula," said offensive tackle Willie Anderson, an ex-Bengal. "Run the football, be efficient in the passing game and the defense is going to be defense. We as players can continue to make it work."
Steelers Parker, Hampton out
The Ravens, Browns and Bengals owe a debt of gratitude to the Philadelphia Eagles for beating the Steelers 15-6 and tightening up the division race. All four AFC North teams are separated by 21/2 games.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked eight times by Philly and exited with a hand injury that isn't serious. He's been sacked 12 times for 65 yards, proof the Steelers' offensive line is vulnerable.
Tailback Willie Parker (sprained left knee) and defensive end Casey Hampton (strained groin) have been ruled out for Monday night's home game against Baltimore. Rookie tailback Rashard Mendenhall gets his first start for the Steelers under the lights at Heinz Field for a national audience on ESPN.
AFC North weekend schedule
(HOME team in CAPS)
Cleveland (0-3) at CINCINNATI (0-3), 1 p.m. Sunday
Baltimore (2-0) at PITTSBURGH (2-1), 8:30 p.m. Monday (ESPN)
Week 3 Stars
Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs 2 sacks vs. Cleveland
Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh 12 catches for 146 yards and 1 TD at the N.Y. Giants.
Week 3 Goats
Bengals LT Levi Jones had 2 false starts and yielded 2 sacks; Browns QB Derek Anderson was 14-of-37 passing for 125 yards, 1 TD and 3 INTs.
Quote of the Week
"The thing we have to do is evaluate what we've done so far and who can give us the best chance to win. I've told Quinn all along that he's one play away. He prepares himself every week like he's the starter and like he's going to get playing time." — Browns coach Romeo Crennel
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@coxohio.com
Comments
By ma685zda
November 12, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
c845t
By edge
September 26, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Both teams have black coches? Hmmm
By jim m.
September 26, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
THE BROWNS will WIN becuase cincy defense sucks and they won’t be ready for brady and he will come out and light em’ up!how many championships do the bengals have…the answer is 0! plain and simple at least the browns have before the nfl merger
By Tom
September 26, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Dave,
You don’t have to blame affirmative action for Marvin Lewis. (That’s called racism, by the way). Mike Brown hasn’t hired a good coach, white or black, in how long? Oh wait, he never has.
Marvin Lewis is the best coach the Bengals have had in a long time. He might even be considered a good coach if his boss would have let him do his job.
By Captain John
September 25, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
The Bengals and Browns are two pretty poor teams. I think the Bengals will win because they are at home and Anderson is really having a bad year. I do think that the Bengals have to do something about Levi Jones. He looks terrible! Not sure what his problem is, but I hope they get it fixed quick! The Bengals are in for a long season, but a win here would be nice. I don’t see too many opportunities for wins down the road, so they need to get this one at home agains the Browns.
By Dickybird
September 25, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Marvin should have been fired when he let Chad run the show. He lost the respect of the other members of the team and fans.
By Dickybird
September 25, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Both coaches strink!The game will end in a 0-0 tie.
By anal
September 24, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Benagls will anal bang the browns…if its brown flush it down
By Michael j
September 24, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
It’s going to be a tight one but the Bengals are the better team and the better team will win.
By J-rock
September 24, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
In response to Boy George, you’re an idiot! The browney-hounds haven’t scored 4 touchdowns this year and you think they’ll beat cincy’ by 4 touchdowns? This is gonna be a frieking blood-bath! Enjoy Chad’s first endzone celebration, not to mention Perry running wild in your lousy secondary! Last year was clearly a fluke for the mistake on the lake so you can once again get comfortable being the door mat of the afc north! Why so upset with Carson? Because he accurately predicted USC would kill OSU
By brownstains
September 24, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
hey chas,
superbowl is different than a championship that is not part of the current NFL, if the championship was important to even the NFL it wouldn’t be called the Superbowl now would it?
talk about living in the past, how many years ago was that? wow
By Chas
September 24, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Ryan, The Super Bowl wasn’t always named the Super Bowl!! Check your history books and you’ll see how many Championships the Browns have won!! Go 1980’s Forty-Niners.
By dave
September 24, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Sorry I forgot the question! Bengals 35-17.
By dave
September 24, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
The horrible start to Cincy/Cleveland seasons are well deserved. How can you expect anything more when they both have overrated affirmative action coaches at the wheel? Even though neither of which drops passes or fumbles, both teams would be competitive with the rest of the league if the owners hired the best man for the job from the start. The talent is there but the control and leadership is not. Sorry but it’s true in many fans eyes.
By george
September 24, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
I predict the Browns will win going away! Probably by 4 td’s. I mean the Bengals have 1 winning season since big mouth Palmer has been there HAHA!
By VietVet
September 24, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Does it really matter? Both teams will have losing seasons and neither will have a playoff berth. Both are a long way from being competitive. Both teams have mediocre coaches. The Bengals have poor ownership, and both teams seem not to be able to develop talent. Ohio, at this time, doesn’t have a competitive pro football team.
By Trenton
September 24, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Well I guess you didnt hear the lastest…Anderson is in for another bout…about to go down that is! I predict 4 sacs in the first half and 2 interceptions…from our SECONDARY! All Carson needs is some breathing room and were on our way to ruling Ohio.
By i told you so
September 24, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
we should have kept deltha!
By Howie Feltersnatch
September 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
See Brady’s profile on I like Dudes .com
By Michael
September 24, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
I think the Bengals will win this one, but they both are headed for a frustrating season. The big question is: which coach gets fired first?
By Ryan
September 24, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Hey BrownClown, how many Super Bowl’s has your awful team ever played in? ZERO And it’s going to be that way for a LONG time! 0-4 should be a great thing for the organization, city, and fans after this week?
By Brian
September 24, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
The only place Brady Quinn is leading the Browns is to the toilet bowl at the bottom of the AFC North when the Bengals whip his little pretty boy butt on Sunday!
By BrownsClown
September 24, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Brady Quinn will lead the Browns to the Super Bowl.