Justin stunned by quick hook Monday, November 30, 1998
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bengals coach Bruce Coslet made like Sparky Anderson Sunday, changing quarterbacks quicker than you could say, "Big Red Machine." Paul Justin's reign as Coslet's quarterback ended when his eighth pass of the day, on the fourth play of the second quarter, was intercepted.
The move stunned Justin, named the starter just last week.
But after Sunday's loss to the Jaguars, Coslet wasn't prepared to make a call for the Buffalo game. Since Boomer Esiason's left for ABC-TV, the Bengals quarterback situation mirrors one of the network's soap operas.
"We weren't moving the ball, and I didn't want it to snowball on us," Coslet said. "(Neil O'Donnell) did OK. I didn't take the other guy out because Neil is more effective. If I would have thought that, I would have started him."
Justin was yanked after his arm was hit as he tried to pass to tight end Tony McGee at the Bengal 35. The ball changed trajectory, floating to Jaguars linebacker Kevin Hardy to set up Jacksonville's 14-0 lead.
"I can't say I was in rhythm or out of rhythm. I didn't have much time to do anything. I had a quarter and that was it," Justin said. "It was just so quick. I don't even remember what I did in the game." He remembers the Jags pressuring often (he was sacked once), and Coslet apparently didn't like a third-down overthrow of wide receiver Darnay Scott as Justin tried to put the ball where the defender couldn't reach it.
Justin also remembers the top of his arm getting hit on the interception. It appeared his left guard, Rich Braham, may have been pushed back into him.
"That's one of the things that make you mad because it was a good read," Justin said.
Justin didn't rip Coslet's move, deflecting questions about giving a guy just five quarters to prove himself. He pledged to back O'Donnell if he's the guy.
And O'Donnell may well be after hitting 20-of-36 passes for 203 yards.
O'Donnell had been ripped for not throwing to the tight end or downfield. In his last two starts, he had one completion of more than 20 yards. In 10 O'Donnell starts, McGee had 12 catches.
But O'Donnell hit McGee for a 19-yarder and he threw a 17-yarder and an 18-yarder to wide receivers to set up Doug Pelfrey's 30-yard field goal at the halftime gun. O'Donnell also got McGee his first TD of the season on a seven-yard flip.
Still, O'Donnell was hurt by his most reliable wide receiver on the second play of the fourth quarter. Carl Pickens let a high pass over the middle bounce off his hands at the Jacksonville 15, where Chris Hudson intercepted.
"Neil came in with a little spark there, but again we had something go against us," Justin said.
O'Donnell had no comment. Jeff Blake, the No. 3 quarterback thought to be gone after the season, could only sing a line from the old Sam Cooke ballad.
"I know change is going to come."
JAGUARS 34, BENGALS 17