Thursday, April 22, 1999
Blake says he'll be mentor to Smith
'Proud' veteran not bitter team drafted QB
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
When the Bengals drafted the man they want to take Jeff Blake's quarterback job, Blake didn't feel bitter or vengeful.
He felt proud.
When Akili Smith went No.3 in the draft Saturday to Cincinnati — after the Eagles took Donovan McNabb — the significance wasn't lost on Blake, whom the major colleges wanted to stow at defensive back.
“To see those black quarterbacks get drafted so high, I felt proud,” Blake said this week. “I feel like I had something to do with it. I like to think I helped open the door for those guys, just like the guys that came before me.”
Blake vows to continue to open doors for Smith once he gets here. He didn't blink in signing up for Smith's mentoring program. “I've seen it all,” he said.
Blake's five seasons as a Bengal have read more like a novel than the back of a football card: waiver-wire pickup, long-bomb folk hero, Pro Bowl quarterback, demoted starter with struggles on and off the field, born-again backup, return to starter and, now, mentor.
On his first visit to Spinney Field a week before the draft, Smith talked about how he admires Blake's long ball to Darnay Scott.
“I'll show him how to do it. I'll tell him my secrets,” Blake said. “I didn't have anybody to show me the ropes, to tell me things. There were things I wasn't prepared for on and off the field. I'll help him with those things. I'm going to be there for him.”
This doesn't sound like the same man who vented against the Bengals two months ago, claiming the team had shown him no loyalty and wondering why they were keeping him in the dark about his status.
But since then, coach Bruce Coslet and offensive coordinator Ken Anderson visited Blake in Florida, telling him he was No.1 even though they planned to draft a franchise quarterback. Blake also sounds more at ease as he comes to grips with his spiritual side.
Now Blake is pumped up for this weekend's NFL Quarterbacks Challenge, then next weekend's mini-camp.
“I thank the Bengals for giving me another chance. It's mine to lose,” Blake said. “I'm not bitter, believe me. I'm looking forward to getting a lot of snaps with (running back) Corey Dillon. We've barely played together. I'm going to try and win the Quarterback Challenge and then come to camp ready to go.”
Blake pledges a new approach to a downtrodden locker room. The Bengals have suffered back-to-back losing seasons since Blake led them to an 8-8 season in 1996.
“I want to help motivate these guys to make them forget the past,” Blake said.
“If you brought John Elway in here, we'd still lose. That's just the way it's been. We've got to quit blaming and pointing the finger. We've got to encourage, not discourage. I'm talking about everyone coming together. Players, coaches, management. Forget what happened in the past. We've got a lot of young guys. Let's help them.”
Blake may be proud Smith was drafted, but he sounds like the average fan when talking about the possible draft-day trade with the Saints. When the Bengals hung at No.3 to take Smith, their next move was to cut Neil O'Donnell, who usurped Blake at the last training camp.
“I was kind of hoping they'd make that trade and get some offensive and defensive linemen,” Blake said. “We've had trouble getting some free agents, so it would have been nice to have all those picks. Between Neil and I, we could have won nine games. We'd have a pretty good two-headed quarterback back there. But I know I can play and win in this league, and I'm grateful to the Bengals for the opportunity.'”
Blake won't speculate on his Bengals career, which could end when his contract runs out after this season. He doesn't want to guess on the status of wide receiver Carl Pickens, his favorite target who says he'll sit out the season.
“(Pickens) is his own man,” Blake said. “He's going to have to make that decision. Let's hope he's back.”