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Cincinnati to bring back Watson
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
CINCINNATI — The Bengals plan to re-sign backup tailback Kenny Watson to the 53-man roster after he was released on Saturday, a move that created a roster spot for wide receiver Chris Henry.
Watson missed Game 4, a 20-12 loss to Cleveland, with a strained hamstring.
"He was healthy on Friday," head coach Marvin Lewis said at his news conference on Monday, "but he wasn't going to play in the game (at Dallas), so we released him to have the extra (roster) spot. But we plan to sign him back."
To make room for Watson, backup fullback Reagan Maui'a is a candidate to be released. Maui'a didn't play at Dallas.
Vote of confidence
Tailback Cedric Benson could see more playing time because starter Chris Perry (5 fumbles, 3 lost) has become a liability with his lack of ball security.
"As Cedric learns more about this offense and understands where he needs to go, his role has an opportunity to expand," Lewis said.
Protecting the ball
Will Perry's carries decrease?
"We have to take care of the football," Lewis said. "I'm not going to sit here and explain how we are going to handle that situation. We want Chris to take care for the ball and do that just like everybody else who handles the football on this team is asked to do.
"He has to just keep working on it. We have to do a better job in practice, making sure we are going for the ball all the time. But the hard part about doing it in practice is, you don't want a lot of guys tangled up going after the ball like you might want to do in training camp."
Palmer's elbow 'fine'
Quarterback Carson Palmer suffered no further damage to his right elbow.
"His elbow is fine," Lewis said. "We'll see where he is Wednesday. But he came through the game fine."
Palmer threw for 217 yards and two TDs, and showed good accuracy except for a wild overthrow to Perry while scrambling out of the pocket.
"He was on the move," Lewis added, "and I'm sure he wishes he had it back."
Failed 2-pointer
Lewis said Palmer's failed 2-point conversion pass to tight end Ben Utecht in the left corner of the end zone "came from the game plan. That's the play that was called."
The Cowboys shifted most of their coverage toward wideouts T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco, both of whom were lined up on the right side.
"We had single coverage with a safety vs. our tight end," Lewis said. "We thought it was a pretty good matchup."
Bengals' Blunders
Three major mistakes in Sunday's loss:
1. TE Reggie Kelly whiffs on QB Carson Palmer's first pass and it's intercepted by LB Greg Ellis at 14:46 of first quarter, leading to a field goal and 3-0 Dallas lead.
2. A holding penalty on WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh nullified TB Chris Perry's 17-yard TD run at 1:02 of the second quarter. Shayne Graham kicked a 31-yard FG as the Bengals trailed at halftime, 17-6.
3. After the Bengals recovered Graham's onside kick, Cincinnati was driving for the go-ahead score when Perry fumbled at Dallas' 37. Two plays later, Dallas QB Tony Romo hooked up with WR Terrell Owens for a 57-yard TD and 24-16 Dallas lead with 11:46 to go.
