Thursday, September 09, 1999
Coslet: Not a 'give-up year'
Coach gets back in line with Brown
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bengals coach Bruce Coslet denied the perception Wednesday that he's resigned to a losing season and losing his job in what looks to be a rebuilding season.
And his boss, Bengals President Mike Brown, said he's not sacrificing the 1999 season for the 2000 season, when the Bengals will move into new Paul Brown Stadium — even though Brown has signed off on a roster with 32 players in their first, second or third seasons.
“I'm not throwing anything away,” Brown said. “Every team is always in the process of rebuilding. All teams are in the process of doing this; there is always continuing change.
“When we do it in Cincinnati, it's called rebuilding. When they do it in San Francisco, it's called reloading. I don't write us off. I know people do right now, but I don't.”
With the season 72 hours from starting in Tennessee, Coslet spoke with the urgency of a man who's in the last year of his contract, not one with two years remaining.
"It's going to take time,” Coslet said. “Unfortunately we don't have time, and that's the problem. But if you don't try these things and try to improve ... What we were doing before wasn't getting it done. I agree with Mike on that.”
Coslet insists this team, unlike some others, is not going to come out moping after an 0-4 exhibition season.
“They're attentive in meetings. They do the extra film work, the extra lifting,” Coslet said. “You don't see that on teams that are saying it's a give-up year. I've been around it, and it's not like that.
“Ask Takeo Spikes. Ask Artrell Hawkins. Ask Brian DeMarco, although he'd probably punch you first,” Coslet said. “We don't have those type of guys here anymore. I think this team has been put together wonderfully that way. They're tough-minded, never-say-die people. I said people, not players.”
Coslet sounded a lot more fiery Wednesday than he did Tuesday, the day after Brown decided to cut the club's most experienced cornerback, six-year man Corey Sawyer.
“When things are up in the air and not set, I get antsy,” Coslet said. “The last few weeks have been unsettled. We've lost guys on the offen sive line. We've lost a punter, a holder; we've had to cut some guys. If I've given the appearance of being hesitant or undecided or not upbeat or optimistic, it's the not knowing. We'll come out of it and be OK.”
Coslet fears his “I-play-the-cards-I'm-dealt” responses have become misinterpreted as a slap at Brown. He said he's referring to things out of his control, such as suspensions, injuries and Pro Bowler Carl Pickens sitting out in a contract dispute.
“I'm not a players' coach. I'm not a dictator. I'm not a tyrant,” Coslet said. “I just do the best I can and tell it like it is. ... When I was hired, I knew how things were run here, and it's good.”
Coslet said his major concern isn't so much talent or youth but depth: “If they start dropping, we're thin at some positions and would have to put people on the field who don't know what the hell they're do ing.”
Coslet denied any major split with Brown and maintains the Bengals can win, although he said a lot has to go right.
“We need some breaks, we have to keep healthy, and we need somebody to step up and make some plays,” Coslet said. “Sure. We've got a chance to win. We haven't played a game yet. Let's see how it goes.”
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