Readers call for Justin

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Wednesday, November 18, 1998

Paul Justin

Enquirer.com readers have spoken: You want Paul Justin to start at quarterback this week.

It wasn't exactly a landslide - Justin, No. 3 on the depth chart, got 34 percent of the vote from 295 readers who emailed us Tuesday. But, hey, Jesse "The Body" Ventura didn't get a majority in Minnesota, either. And just as voters there sent a clear message, so did Enquirer.com readers:

You want a change.

HOW YOU VOTED

(Out of 295 votes) Paul Justin - 101 Jeff Blake - 84 Neil O'Donnell - 35 Eric Kresser - 28 Boomer Esiason - 18 Mike Brown - 7 Others - 22

Jeff Blake, the current No. 2 QB, got 29 percent. Neil O'Donnell, who has started all 10 games in this 2-8 season, got only 12 percent.

A full one-fourth of the voters picked someone other than the three QBs on the active roster. The biggest vote-getters among those were Eric Kresser, who got almost as many votes as O'Donnell, and Boomer Esiason, who most surely would turn down the job.

Perhaps the most disgusted fans - seven in all - picked Mike Brown to be this week's QB.

"Let's start Mike Brown," wrote Jon Chalfie of Wilmington, Del., "that way we can cheer when our quarterback gets sacked."

Ted Williams had the same idea: "Allow Mike Brown to start. Let him get a first-hand understanding that linemen are important for pass protection as well as run blocking. One day in the Bengals pocket and he'll be on the phone signing up the offensive linemen needed."

Here's a sampling of your comments. We'll post more each day this week:

"I think Paul Justin should start against Baltimore and maybe the rest of the season. Paul showed some promise when he played against Jacksonville. Since the Bengals have no chance at the playoffs, this would give us an opportunity to evaluate Justin's potential as a possible starting quarterback for next year. Neil O'Donnell stays in the pocket too long, is not very mobile, and can never throw a ball away. Jeff Blake is very mobile but takes too many chances and tries to force the ball."

Gary Steinbrunner, New Bremen, OH

"Inserting Neil O'Donnell into this offense was like putting a Yugo engine in a Corvette body. Having Jeff Blake in the lineup instantly gives opposing defenses the long-ball threat again and more importantly worries that a QB will be running all over them. How many times this year have we seen a wide open field in front of O'Donnell on third and ten and he tosses the ball for a two yard gain. So what if Neil has only 2 interceptions in 270+ passes. How many first downs have the Bengals had in the last five games. Is it even double digits? Blake does take chances, but one has to take chances to be a successful QB in the NFL."

Mark Bojanowski

"What does Cincinnati expect from a brand new quarterback? Neil O'Donnell has been thrown into an offense that hasn't done (anything) in years. From the games I've seen, which is almost all of them this year, it is the missed assignments that is hurting the offense. I choose O'Donnell to start Sunday. Don't put Blake in, that'll make things worse. If I had to see a new QB, I choose Justin. Here's an idea, put in Ken Anderson! I just want to see a team worth the new stadium I'm paying for!"

Brian Weigand

"As an avid Bengal fan, I want what's best for the team. JB is a nice guy and I wish he was good QB, but he's not. NOD puts up great numbers, but can't throw downfield or keep drives going. NOD's a great QB with a lot of time, but the Bengals line can't provide the time he needs. Start PAUL JUSTIN. Is he the future QB or the heir apparent to the #2 spot? The only way to find out is to start Justin a few games. If he's not a starter, then take someone to develop in the draft. If Justin is future, then get rid of NOD and pay some offensive and defensive linemen or a corner to replace Ambrose after he bails. Why not try to win a few games and start someone who still seems to care."

Bill Griffin

"Give Blake another chance ......Do you think the Vikings are questioning their decision to bring back Randall Cunningham? Hmmmmm....."

P. Cangemi

"Paul Justin is my pick. The Bengals should give him an entire regular season game to see how he handles it. They know what they have with the other quarterbacks: Neil O'Donnel won't "lose" many games for the Bengals but isn't going to do many things that winning quarterbacks will do (scramble or audible).Jeff Blake can do these things but he is'nt a good decision-maker. Maybe Justin can show he has enough overall skills to win. A lot of NFL team owners think that a tall quarteback with a strong arm is what they need. With the speed of todays defensive linemen, you need a quarterback that can scramble AND make good decisions."

Darrell Masters

"Eric Kresser is by far the best quarterback they have. He is more accurate than Blake, and unlike O'Donnell, can throw the ball more than five yards! And he has won as many NFL games as Paul Justin, zero. WHY IS KRESSER ON THE PRACTICE SQUAD??????? BECAUSE THE BENGALS ARE STUPID!"

Travis Pierce, Willow Wood, OH

"Paul Justin, here's why. Jeff Blake has proven he can't get the job done with the same offensive line. Granted, he hasn't had the luxuary of Corey Dillon in the backfield all the time, but he still has "decision problems" and finding passing lanes. Neil O'donnell has had his chance. Not creative enough, and he doesn't move in the pocket well. He does at least have a "touch pass" that Blake never had. What have they got to lose? Imagine what may have been with Donald Hollis (now enjoying some success with Oakland.)"

Joe Martin

"I would stick with Neil O'Donnell. This season is already shot. Jeff Blake has lost it. Paul Justin isn't the answer, and never will be as the starter. O'Donnell has the talent to lead this team, he just needs to get rid of the ball. With a 2-8 record, lets open it up and throw down field. O'Donnell needs to also forget about his "great" QB rating, the bottom line is he isn't winning. But out of the three, O'Donnell is the guy you have to stick with."

Mark Shoop, Arlington, TX

"The logical choice for BenGal QB must be Mike Brown himself. I'm sure he has forgotten more than he ever knew about what it takes to be a QB. Another argument for Mikey Boy is that we'll have yet another reason to blame him for the loss. Something needs to happen to convince him that General Management knowledge and ability to achieve in the NFL are NOT hereditary. If he were to pretend to be QB, while pretending to be Gen. MGR., he could be a failure from both sides (employee and employer) and maybe see reason to fire himself from both."

M. Edward (Ed) Maines, Crestview Hills, Ky.

"Blake should be quarterback...never should have been a question about it. He can't help that the offensive line never played well for him last year...O'Donnell was a big waste of cash."

Chris Johnson

"Eric Kresser ... I have heard several times how good he is and can be but he's young. He's been in this system for over 2 years now and showed (although against the 2nd and 3rd string) in preseason he can be effective. WHY NOT!!! We aren't going anywhere. Mike Brown even has said "the QB position is the most important." I'm shocked no one has even mentioned him. What if he's the next Boomer. What if he's not. Let's find out!"

M. Thompson

"Let's find out if Jeff Blake has a future with this team. Let him play the entire game (barring injury , of course). The season is is a washout so we might just as well find out if Jeff can do the job. He really hasn't had the burden on his shoulders this season. If he totally flops, we'll know he's washed up, but if he plays well, keep him in there. What have we got to lose?"

Ed & Marilyn Herel

"The only way Neil O'Donnell (and the rest of the offense) can improve is to continue to play together, even when the unit is not playing well. The problem is really the offensive line, and has been a problem for a number of years ... Why are the Broncos good? Terrell Davis...and why is he doing well? The Broncos have a good line. Not a big one, just a good one. There is no reason Corey Dillon (when healthy) cannot be better than Davis. He just needs a line in front of him. So does Neil."

Bill Farley, Wiesbaden, Germany

"O'Donnell is a quarterback who knows how to not lose a game. This is not the same as knowing how to win. On third and nine a defense is perfectly willing to let a quarterback complete all the seven yard passes he wants. A quarterback who wants to win, doesn't deliberately throw the ball away rather than risk an interception on a two point conversion attempt. In order for the Bengals to win, they need a quarterback who wants to WIN, not just have good stats and plays not to lose.

"Blake didn't look good the last time he was the starter before Boomer took over. While Boomer's leadership was a major factor in the teams improved performance. He also had the good fortune to come in at a time when the offensive line was getting both healthier and more experienced and Dillon was coming into his own.

"Blake deserves a chance to be the starting QB on a team that has a running game. He deserves a chance to start out even with the opposition at the beginning of the game instead of down by 2 or more scores late in a game when everybody in the stadium knows he has to pass."

William Collar

"The Bengals should consider Paul Justin as the starting quarterback this Sunday vs. the Ravens because on Gameday '99 for Playstation he is better than both Blake and O'Donnell. If he can lead my team to a championship, why can't he do it in real life? He deserves a start."

Edward Bosse

"The Bengals can maybe salvage something out of this year, by starting Eric Kresser. This kid needs to play to see what he's capable of. It's obvious Blake and O'Donnell are not the answer for the future. Do it now ! Not next year."

Jeff Young

"I still think that O'Donnell is the best QB that the Bengals have. Blake just isn't the leader that an NFL QB needs to be. But, if you look at the Bengal's record, there is only one reason....Mike Brown....he just doesn't know how to run a team in the 90's, and should either sell the team, or at least hire a general manager."

James Cummings

"I believe that Sunday's starting QB should be Jeff Blake. Not that I believe he is the answer to the Bengals problems---but let's face it, the Bengals are through for the rest of the season. If we put Blake in, maybe he can perform well enough for the rest of the season to enable the Bengals to trade him for somebody worthwhile."

Matt Barcus

"I would start Paul Justin at QB. Just to see what he would do What really does this team have to lose? This team needs a spark and Neil (as good as he's QB rating is) is just not putting points on the board. The Bengals have already made their mind up about Blake and he probable won't be here in the long term anyway. Paul Justin has done extremely well every time he has been giving a chance (pre-season and regular season). I know he has not been in the game under a pressure situation but he deserves a shot. Plus wasn't Paul the MVP of the World League? What more can you ask for? LOL When you really think about it, why wouldn't you make a change? What are you risking by changing Quarterbacks? Another loss? Oh no!"

Ken Angel

"Hey, I say bring back Boomer. Our offense has not changed that much since last year. When Boomer came in, our offense woke up. If not Boomer go with Blake for a change." Mitch Logan Sarasota FL

"My choice for starting quarterback is Neil O'Donnell because I have him in my Fantasy Football League as my second string quarterback and I need the points from him. In our league, we play two quarterbacks, and my other quarterbacks are Steve Young of the 49ers and Rob Johnson of the Bills. Since Flutie has taken over in Buffalo, I need O'Donnell to be starting for the Bengals. Hey, this is as good a reason as any. Besides, the way the Bengals have been playing all year, what does it matter?"

Paul Berger

"Hey, the Bengals aren't the Wildcats (UK) and Bruce Coslet's no Hal Mumme, but if O'Donnell's the guy for the next three years, then stick with him. They keep saying that he's not got all of the offense. Maybe it'll take all 16 games this year for him to be ready to go next year. Blake's exciting and Justin would be a nice change of pace, but stick to a plan for once. It'll always stay just around the corner if we can't stick with one guy for more than 9 games." Todd Frommeyer

Jacksonville, FL

"In my opinion Justin has the most natural ability and with the record being what it is we should let him play an see what he's made of. Next spring someone has got to go we already know about all there is to know about Blake so let Justin play if he does well we can trade O'Donnell let justin start and Eric is the Q. B. of the Future we won't get by putting him on waivers next year."

Robert W. Barr

"OK the season is trashed. why not mess with a few heads. the other teams heads. play all three. you need to know who is going to be the starting QB next year. play your 2 starters the first half. 1 quarter each. At half time the ravens will make adjustments. give Justin the second half. there is not a team out there that can prepare for 3 different QB's. Just make sure that the team knows what you are doing, so they don't get caught up in the confusion too. sound idiotic. yep. but whats the difference if we lose and don't learn a little more about what we have."

Keith Vaupel

"You have to go with O'Donnell. The whole team is pathetic. You might as well play your best players and Blake is not the one at QB!! Let's pass to Pickens a lot more before we lose him to free agency."

Claude Giorgio

"Blake should be the starter against Baltimore. His long passing game can stretch the defense, and his mobility in and out of the pocket is a big plus considering the offensive line's difficulties this year. O'Donnell is never going to scamble to convert a big third down, he'll just hold the ball and take a sack. After all Jeff has done for us, he deserves a good shot to redeem himself. I'm for Blake all the way."

Allan D. Morris

"My choice would be the simple one. Paul Justin. There are a few reasons for this. Neil O'Donnell is not answer. 10 games, 2-8, is reason enough, but throw in other issues like 4 fumbles, 4 returned for touchdowns, well its time for a change. Isn't one of the reasons they liked O'Donnell that he would not "lose" games. He is such an accurate passer because he takes no chances. He will take a 15yd sack instead of throwing the ball away. Jeff Blake? Na, been down that road before. Boomer showed us that in the second half of last season. Blake had the job to lose this pre-season, which he did. I believe he could be a decent starter on the right team but not this one. I say give Justin a shot. He performed well enough in Indy, that more than one team showed interest in him this past off- season. He beat Green Bay last year. He has a strong arm and good mobility. I realize that this team has been devastated by injuries this year, but most of them have come on the defensive side of the ball. Really, there are not many excuses available to the offense. Let's see what Justin has. What have we got to lose? Well, maybe the second pick in next years draft."

Andrew H.

Eaton, OH.

"I have two ideas and can't figure out which alternative is better.

1) Ken Anderson.....He seems to be the only one who can understand the reasoning behind his play calling.

2) Me.... If Mike Brown can be an NFL General Manager, I can be an NFL quarterback."

Jerry Gearding

"I vote for Brian Griese. Oh, that's right we didn't draft him. I guess I would go with Paul Justin then."

R. Corry

"O'Donnell should start. He's signed for 3 yrs after this. He's a veteran and that in itself has proven successful in the NFL this year. I think he's taken much more blame than he deserves. He doesn't have the luxury of sitting behind an offensive line that allows him to progress through his reads down the field. When his primary receiver isn't open he usually only has time to dump it off the a running back or throw it away. If he holds it looking for another reciever he has to take a sack and then everyone says he holds it too long. With that meager offensive line he's in a lose, lose situation. Blake has done nothing the times he's been in there. I'm sure he will be gone after this year so there is no point in even playing him for next year's sake. Justin led the team to a TD but against a prevent defense. I really don't want to wait for him to learn the system and how to be a starting NFL QB for another 2 or 3 years. Keep O'Donnell in there. Let him keep learning. Then in the offseason let's get some offensive lineman. That's where the real problem lies."

Jason Bunner

"I'll play. Just send me the air fare. How much more comical could it get?"

Max Clements, England

Coslet turns to Justin
Time to think about '99 roster