SAN DIEGO - Bruce Coslet felt bitterly disappointed when quarterback Boomer Esiason bolted for ABC, but he thinks Jeff Blake can do the job for the Bengals.
The Bengals' coach hasn't changed much since he benched Blake for Esiason last Nov. 19. Coslet maintained then that Blake was Cincinnati's quarterback of the future. The future didn't arrive as everybody hoped it would. But Coslet's ready to face it, aware that a lot of work lies ahead.
''He has to re-prove himself,'' Coslet said of Blake. ''I have to re-prove myself.''
Coslet reiterated the faith that he clung to while Blake struggled and the Bengals went 3-8 last year.
''I think he's fine,'' said Coslet, one of several NFL coaches here for today's Super Bowl. ''He's still just 27 years old. He has a strong arm. He's still very competitive. We just have to keep surrounding him with better people.
''We have to solidify that line in front of him, like it was in front of Boomer. We have to run (Corey) Dillon to take some of the pressure off Blake and get 'Pick' (wide receiver Carl Pickens) back. So, we're not destitute. We'll go on.''
Coslet hasn't eliminated the possibility of pursuing a veteran free-agent quarterback to compete with Blake. The Bengals would have an easier time finding a competent backup. ''I can't tell you how it's going to shake out right now,'' Coslet said.
Coslet does know he wants Blake to relax, which is what he told his quarterback - as Blake indicated last week - in a telephone conversation after Esiason left the team.
''I don't want him to think he has to take it all upon himself. That's what I hope he learned from (being benched),'' Coslet said. ''He has to rely on his offensive linemen, rely on his running game, know that his receivers are going to be in the right spot and just play football.
"When things aren't going right, he can't try to make the big play time and time again all by himself. It just won't happen.''
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