BENGALS NOTEBOOKS CB's likely won't start Friday, November 20, 1998
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
It's appearing more and more as if Ashley Ambrose and Artrell Hawkins, the Bengals' season-long starting cornerbacks, won't be able to play Sunday.
As expected, both were downgraded on the team's injury report. Ambrose (left knee) went from questionable to doubtful while Hawkins (right ankle) sank from probable to questionable.
If both are sidelined, Thomas Randolph and rookie Roosevelt Blackmon, will start for Cincinnati.
Trainer Paul Sparling said Ambrose couldn't perform physical activity without feeling sore.
"I'm not optimistic about his ability to play," Sparling said.
Though Hawkins will try to practice today, Sparling said the rookie's availability for the Ravens game might be a Sunday morning decision.
More injuries
Wide receiver Darnay Scott (hyperextended left big toe), who tried to practice but couldn't, also was downgraded from questionable to doubtful.
In a positive development, defensive end Clyde Simmons (bone bruise, left knee) was upgraded from questionable to probable, despite not practicing Thursday. The 13-year veteran is expected to resume working out today.
Remaining probable were running back Eric Bieniemy (left ankle), long snapper Greg Truitt (left ankle) and linebacker James Francis (right knee), though Sparling said Truitt's Achilles tendon had begun to bother him as a result of the ankle sprain and that Francis was less than 100 percent recovered.
Mack's No. 3
Assuming Randolph and Blackmon start, safety Tremain Mack must step in as the third cornerback in passing situations.
Mack played cornerback sparingly in college and has practiced at that spot only briefly as a Bengal, though defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said, "He's plenty fast enough."
Coach Bruce Coslet tried to find humor in the situation when he was asked who the No. 3 corner would be.
"Ray Horton? Dick LeBeau?" he said, naming his assistant coaches who played the position during their NFL careers.
Turning serious, Coslet said: "You have to make do with what you've got. Good luck to our pass rush."
No sellout, no TV
Thousands of tickets remain available for Sunday's game, meaning the Bengals' streak of four 1998 sellouts in a row probably will end.
CBS' telecast of the game will be blacked out locally.
Show Brown you care: Boycott Paul Daugherty column