BENGALS NOTEBOOK Braham out 4-6 weeks Friday, August 14, 1998
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
GEORGETOWN, Ky. -- Left guard Rich Braham could miss four to six weeks with surgery for a broken bone under his big right toe, but trainer Paul Sparling believes the injury can be treated conservatively enough that he won't miss much time.
Braham broke a sesamoid bone in Wednesday's morning practice, but didn't realize it until Thursday morning, after he had practiced Wednesday afternoon.
"It didn't bother me until it swelled up in the morning and that's when we got the X-ray," Braham said. "I think I can play with it, but I have to see. I can't play if it doesn't let me do my job, but we'll see how I can stand it."
Sparling believes taping the injury and special arch supports inserted into his shoe should carry the day. The Bengals plan to get a more definitive word from a foot specialist this morning, but Sparling is optimistic that with a few days off he'll be fine.
If Braham can't go, Rod Jones moves from backup left tackle to starting left guard.
Scott Brumfield, who partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee early in camp, said he will try to return in two weeks. He said he has been told it could be 3-4 weeks until he returns.
Sargent sign-up
The Bengals could be close to finishing off a long term deal for left tackle Kevin Sargent. The club's brain trust huddled Thursday after getting another proposal from agent Mark Bartelstein.
"Our proposal is pretty close to what they had out there, so we'll have to wait," Bartelstein said. "I think we've got a shot at getting something done because we're talking."
Look who's No. 1
There has been talk about the run at right cornerback, fueled by the drafting of the University of Cincinnati's Artrell Hawkins and the free-agent signing of former Giant Thomas Randolph.
But five-year veteran Corey Sawyer is still No. 1 after the exhibition opener and shows no signs of giving it up after starting just 12 times in 57 NFL games.
"Maybe I am the forgotten guy. I can be silent but deadly," Sawyer said. "I feel I've earned it this year. I felt I earned it last year. If they decide to make a change, it won't be because of my play."
Sawyer was second on the team in passes defensed with 13 even though he made just two starts. Yet some with the club are scared of his 5-foot-11, 177-pound frame and worry he can't be an every-down corner for 16 games.
Sawyer points to small NFL corners like Tyrone Poole and Jimmy Hitchcock and says, "I'm not too far from them, but they've had the opportunity. All I'm asking for is a chance to start 16 games. If I got the chance, maybe I could go to the Pro Bowl."
Darnay agrees
A few days ago, GM Mike Brown called on receivers Carl Pickens and Darnay Scott to step up their intensity. On Thursday, Scott agreed. "They told (the team) it's time to step it up and play like the regular season is now and they're right. We came out lackadasical against the Giants. So let's go. Let's buckle it up and play like it's the regular season."
Kicking sweepstakes
Rookie punter Brad Costello won the battle of the kickoffs Thursday with two impressive boots four yards into the end zone. Punter Lee Johnson also had a good day, but not kickoff specialist Jay Kirchoff. After one kick sailed to about the 10-yard-line, head coach Bruce Coslet groused, "C'mon, kick the ball."
Coslet said Johnson and kicker Doug Pelfrey will take some kickoffs Monday against the Colts, as well as Kirchoff. Johnson will also get in his first game punts of the year, but Costello will also punt.
This and that
Despite the club's lack of emotion in the exhibition opener, No. 1 pick Takeo Spikes promises he'll be jumping around on defense soon enough. "I need to learn everything I can know about the defense, the emotion comes out later," Spikes said. "You just can't go out there acting like a fool if you don't know what you're doing."
Injury update
DE Glen Steele was held out of Thursday's practice beacause of a lingering virus. . .Scott (both strained Achilles) did limited work, but is probable for the Colts. . .NT Kimo von Oelhoffen (groin) is out and DE Ramondo Stallings (hamstring) is doubtful.
Injuries leave Bengals scrambling