BENGALS NOTEBOOK Two starters injured after preseason loss Monday, August 10, 1998
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals, at least temporarily, face the unenviable position of having to replace two injured starters, fullback Brian Milne and nose tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen.
Milne aggravated a back injury early in Saturday night's 24-17 preseason loss to the New York Giants, while von Oelhoffen reinjured his left groin muscle during pregame warmups and didn't play.
Bengals trainer Paul Sparling said Sunday that Milne, who has had a herniated disc since college and has endured lingering symptoms from the ailment off and on, could be sidelined for as much as "several" weeks. Asked what that meant, Sparling said "we're going to leave it at that" until Milne's condition is evaluated further. Sparling said Milne is taking stronger anti-inflammatory medication to combat the injury.
Milne's absence creates opportunities for LaSalle High School graduate Ty Douthard, who made a key block on Ki-Jana Carter's 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter; seventh-round draft pick Marcus Parker, and tight end Steve Bush, who lined up as a fullback against the Giants and used his 6-foot-3, 258-pound build to his advantage.
Sparling said von Oelhoffen initially was estimated to miss up to two weeks. Without him, the Bengals could try Andre Purvis, third-round draft choice Glen Steele or Mike Thompson, who started against the Giants.
First impressions
Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons, who'll probably be linked as long as both perform for the Bengals, drew common praise from coach Bruce Coslet for their efforts against the Giants.
Spikes and Simmons, the pair of rookie inside linebackers drafted in the first round, played capably, making five tackles apiece. Despite their shared inexperience, they frequently were on the field together.
"They made some errors, but they showed they're obviously players," Coslet said. "I wouldn't say they're in top form yet, but they did OK. There are some techniques they have to work on, but they did pick up some things that normally younger players don't, and that's good. They have such great athletic ability."
Each accepted an above-average share of responsibility. Spikes started at right inside linebacker alongside Tom Tumulty, while Simmons relayed defensive signals during his stint. Back to basics Coslet said players at various positions abandoned fundamentals and precise execution of their tasks.
Citing tackling, offensive linemen's footwork, pass patterns and defensive backs' coverage techniques as areas that were shoddy, Coslet said mistakes weren't limited to reserves or rookies. Without mentioning Carl Pickens or Darnay Scott by name, Coslet pointed out that "receivers one and two" were among those who ran incorrect patterns or made faulty adjustments.
"One of the keys to the game that I told the players (was) just do it like you do in practice," Coslet said. "Then, for whatever reason, we reverted to techniques that were -- unusual, I guess, is the kindest word I can say."
Trial continues
Auditions for the kickoff and punting roles remained open after NFL novices Jay Kirchoff and Brad Costello handled those chores, respectively, against the Giants.
Kirchoff planted the opening kickoff in the end zone for a touchback and knocked his next to the 1-yard line. His third kick went only to New York's 22, though he again reached the end zone with his final try. Coslet called the hang time on Kirchoff's kicks "decent." Costello averaged 39.2 yards per punt on five attempts. "He has punted better in practice, quite frankly," Coslet said.
Coslet indicated that veterans Lee Johnson and Doug Pelfrey will receive chances to kick off in upcoming preseason games.
Back to work
Players had Sunday off while coaches studied film of the Giants game at the team's Spinney Field training complex. Training-camp workouts resume today at Georgetown (Ky.) College with a one-hour skills session at 11 a.m., followed by a 3 p.m. practice.
