NOTEBOOK
Blake plans complete game
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerSo what happens if the Bengals don't get anything going in the first three series or so under QB Jeff Blake Sunday in Pittsburgh? Does Bruce Coslet turn to Boomer Esiason?
''I won't let that question enter (Coslet's) mind,'' Blake said Friday.
Asked if that meant he plans to play well enough to stay on the field, Blake said, ''Right. I won't let it happen. I'm not worried about it.''
Blake was the last player to leave Spinney Field Friday, spending about 30 minutes on his daily post-practice regimen that includes weight training for his biceps and abdomen.
''I put in my time, but some people still want me out of here,'' said Blake of the calls for Esiason. ''That's OK. For everyone against me, I've got three or four for me.''
Radio rookie
Rookie center Rod Payne, who majored in sports management and communications at Michigan, did a broadcast bit Friday with rookie RB Corey Dillon Friday.Payne: ''I know that coach Coslet was reluctant to start you earlier based on your blitz pickups.''
Dillon: ''Since the Oilers' game I'm doing extremely well. I've had no problems. I've done picked up every blitz possible.'' Payne: ''Has the offensive line been receptive?''
Dillon: ''Oh man, they're loving me like I was their little brother. They say, 'Run, kid.' ''
Payne: ''Has Ki-Jana Carter been helpful with your starting role?''
Dillon: ''Yes he has. He tells me to get in there and do what I have to do.''
Payne: ''So there's no animosity?''
Dillon. ''No sir. Not at all.''
Payne: ''Do you feel this team coming together?''
Dillon: ''Over the past two games, we've been playing as a team for four quarters.''
Payne: ''Thanks a lot, Ki-Jana Carter.''
Load of Dillon
Before the Steelers lost to the Bengals last month, Coslet planned to pound Pittsburgh with Dillon's 25 carries. That blew up when Dillon hurt his knee almost immediately. Now after 41 carries in the last games, Dillon expects to get plenty of work.Dillon has 80 carries through 10 games. If he averages 20 carries per game, he'll finish with 200 carries. That's only the fourth time in the 1990s the Bengals' leading rusher would have 200 or more carries.
He needs 584 yards to reach 1,000, while Carter needs 593 as they bid to become the first Cincinnati 1,000-yard rushers since Harold Green in 1992.
Kelly fan
Esiason thinks the Buffalo Bills took their QB spot for granted when they replaced Jim Kelly with youngsters Todd Collins and Alex Van Pelt:''They went into the season thinking that the two young guys would be good enough to take them to the next level,'' Esiason said. ''They devalued the position after they had such a valuable player there for 10 years.''
Paul ailing
CB Tito Paul spent Friday getting fluids for dehydration after taking ill. He's expected to play Sunday. Inactive for the game are DE Ramondo Stallings, NG Kimo von Oelhoffen, C Rod Payne, LB Canute Curtis.
