BENGALS NOTEBOOK Special teams lacking Friday, September 4, 1998
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
When a special-teams blunder determines a game, which often happens in a season's opening weeks, unfamiliarity with the basics is an obvious factor.
Youthful ego is another one.
Bengals special teams coach Al Roberts noted Thursday that many rookies on special teams haven't had to cover punts and kickoffs since they were freshmen in college.
"They're willing (to play special teams), but they still have in the back of their mind that they want to dot the "I,' " said Roberts, referring to the Ohio State University Marching Band tradition. So Roberts' job includes making sure that high draft choices such as linebacker Takeo Spikes and cornerback Artrell Hawkins, who perform on special teams, focus on their tasks.
Said Roberts, "Are they young? Yes. Will they work hard? Yes. Will they make mistakes? They'll make mistakes because of youth and because they're trying to dot the "I.' I've got to stop that as quickly as I can."
Delayed 'Step'
Coach Bruce Coslet said that wide receiver Stepfret Williams, acquired Wednesday on waivers from Dallas, won't be on the active list for Sunday's season opener against Tennessee, due to his lack of knowledge of the Bengals' system.
Williams reported to the team's Spinney Field headquarters Thursday and spent about 15 minutes after practice working with offensive assistant John Garrett on pass patterns.
"I know (the Bengals) throw the ball a lot, so I feel I'll fit in pretty well," said Williams, who caught 30 passes for 308 yards and a touchdown last year.
Of his knack for producing on third down -- 19 of his catches came in that situation -- Williams said that was his primary chance to enter the game. "When I got out there, I just wanted to make something happen," he said.
The 6-foot, 170-pound Williams sensed that his promising '97 season meant little to new Cowboys coach Chan Gailey. "It seems like he likes the big, strong guys who weigh 200 pounds."
Family heirloom
Williams patiently explained that his unusual first name has been handed down from generation to generation. His father is Stepfret Jr. "Everybody asks me where it came from," Williams said. "It's just a family name. I don't know if it has any meaning to it. Everyone calls me "Step.' "
Wall Street warning
Punter Lee Johnson, the Bengals' resident stock-market expert, believes the Dow Jones Industrial Average could fall to as low as 7,000 points before it starts to stabilize.
"It's still going to be rocky," Johnson said. "If it goes up again, nothing will knock it down, except interest rates." Johnson, who described himself as a "heavy day trader," said that the recent market plunge dealt him a financial hit, "but hopefully less than most."
The 14th-year veteran's investments are in high-tech stocks. "They got murdered," he said.
Injury update
Oilers center Mark Stepnoski, a five-time Pro Bowl performer, reportedly experienced no swelling in the right knee he injured Wednesday. Stepnoski did not practice Thursday and was listed as questionable for Sunday's game.
High praise
Stepnoski is part of the reason Bengals nose tackle Kimo von Oelhoffen considers facing the Oilers his "biggest test" among AFC Central opponents.
"I would rather play anybody else in our division except for these guys," said von Oelhoffen, who typically gets double-teamed by Stepnoski and left guard Bruce Matthews. "Bruce Matthews is going to go to the Pro Bowl until he dies. Mark Stepnoski, there's only one of him. He's so good, you don't realize he's only 265 pounds."
Line looks ready, healthy