Tuesday, February 16, 1999
Pickens states his case on national TV
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Carl Pickens took on Bengals President Mike Brown on Monday in his continuing campaign to get out of Cincinnati.
Appearing on ESPN2, he told NFL analyst and Bengals Hall-of-Famer Anthony Munoz the club's problems start at the top.
“Look at the Jets and Miami,” Pickens said. “If coaches have more control of the team, that's when you start to see results fast and start to get to the playoffs a lot sooner than you expected.”
Pickens said he's not surprised Brown hasn't given up control of football operations. But he senses a showdown.
“A lot of fans are getting frustrated that he won't bring in someone that can take control of the team that knows a whole lot about football and can make the necessary changes that need to be made in order for this team to win,” Pickens said. “I think time is running out. People here have put up money for a new stadium and they're not getting any results. Sooner or later, changes are going to have to be made. Hopefully sooner.”
Pickens bristled when analyst Mark Malone asked if his reputation for being selfish hurts him in free agency.
“I never missed any practice for unnecessary reasons,” Pickens said. “I've never been caught drinking and driving, or beating my girlfriend up or failed any drug test. Call me anything you want. Don't call me selfish ... I've been one of the guys who want to get this thing right.”
Pickens has not returned calls from The Enquirer to his agent requesting interviews.
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