''I learned when in certain situations, if you don't like the call, suggest something else,'' said a smiling Blake Sunday after Esiason schooled Jacksonville 31-26 in the Bengals' first game not started by Blake in the last 52.
Blake watched as Esiason and coaches traded observations and opinions during a 327-yard day, with Esiason apparently having the last word on a few calls. Blake has never felt that comfortable, pretty much going with the coaches' plays.
Asked if he might suggest plays when he gets back in, Blake laughed and said, ''I'm going to give it a try.''
Esiason credited Blake with one of his touchdown passes, an 11-yarder to wide receiver Darnay Scott that was set up by a pump fake to tight end Tony McGee in the second quarter and gave the Bengals a 28-7 lead. After Esiason conferred with Blake, Esiason told Scott to be ready even though he was the third option on the play.
''We had run the play earlier, and Darnay had been wide open on the back side,'' Blake said. ''So I told him the next time to look for Darnay and there he was. (Esiason) was all for it. And he looked at Tony all the way.''
On a day that could have been bitter for Blake and sweet for Esiason, both men shared the same thoughts. Lewanna Blake, Jeff's wife, who became close to the Esiasons when both played with the Jets, high-fived Esiason as he came off the field and into the locker room runway.
In the last few minutes of the game the Cinergy Field crowd was chanting, ''Boo-mer, ''Boo-mer,'' the way they chanted ''Blake, Blake,'' three Novembers ago, Lewanna Blake remembered.
''Boomer was so good to us in New York and he's been so good to Jeff now,'' she said. ''He told him that the same people cheering for him (Esiason) are probably the same people who wanted him out (in 1992). This will make Jeff stronger.''
Then Jeff Blake told Esiason in the locker room, ''I'm really happy for you and I love you.''
''That,'' Esiason said, ''meant more to me today than probably the game itself. It shows we have a great relationship.''
Asked if he had mixed emotions about the day, Blake said, ''Mixed emotions about winning? No. I'm not mad, confused or upset. I'm 26 years old, man, I got a long way to go.''
Game story
Boomer plays for crowd of one Paul Daugherty column
Could Boomer be the future? Tim Sullivan column
Pickens' season may be over
Family shares Boomer's big day
Defense bends but doesn't break
Notebook
Game statistics
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