Saturday, September 11, 1999
Pickens uncertain for Sunday
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Will Carl Pickens play Sunday? Bengals fans probably won't know until they tune their televisions to the 1 p.m. kickoff at Tennessee.
The Bengals' all-time leading receiver went through his first 1999 practice Friday at Spinney Field, less than 24 hours after rejoining the team.
Will Pickens play in the season opener?
“That's yet to be determined, in all honesty,” coach Bruce Coslet said.
Pickens did little during the 45-minute practice Friday, a walk-through in helmets and shorts. He participated in seven plays and caught the only pass thrown to him, a short toss from quarterback Akili Smith.
How did Pickens look?
“That's hard to tell,” Coslet said. “We just came out in no pads today; it was our final walk-through. He looked OK. He looked the same to me.”
Pickens said he had not been told if he would play Sunday. The grapevine says he at least will be in uniform.
“I don't know yet,” Pickens said. “You have to ask my coach.”
Receivers coach Steve Mooshagian was standing nearby.
“Moosh,” Pickens said, “what's the
deal?”
“I haven't heard anything yet,” Mooshagian told reporters. “Right now, he's traveling with us.”
The Bengals have until 4p.m. today to inform the NFL whether Pickens will be on their active roster. They have until 90 minutes before kickoff to declare whether he will be active for the game.
Pickens, 29, missed all of the preseason, having threatened to retire rather than play for the Bengals again. He had objected to the team's “franchise” desig nation but now is on the verge of signing a five-year, $23.25 million deal.
Pickens joined teammates Friday for the usual pre-practice stretching and banter. During the workout, he spoke with several players, slapped hands with rookie quarterback Smith and others and spent several junctures talking with Mooshagian.
The 6-foot-2 Pickens appeared close to his listed playing weight of 206 pounds but said he is not in optimum playing shape. He said he could play Sunday, if asked.
Pickens conceivably might be a third-down receiver in the opener. The Bengals desperately need someone to help Darnay Scott at the other wideout spot, and Pickens eventually will bump Willie Jackson to the bench. Backup receiver James Hundon (toe) is not 100 percent, another reason Pickens might play.
Pickens holds franchise records with 473 catches and 57 touchdowns, while the other Bengals receivers have 41 career TDs — 27 by Scott.
But even the great ones need time to get acclimated again, and Pickens said he is no exception.
“I'm still used to swinging that golf club, so getting open is gonna be new so far, this season,” he said.
Privately, some in the Bengals organization were glad Pickens was gone. His sometimes abrasive personality, which even team President Mike Brown called “prickly,” has worn thin.
Yet Coslet wanted Pickens back, and Bengals insiders say he made that known to Brown.
The honeymoon was Friday, during the annual Meet The Bengals luncheon at a downtown hotel. As Coslet introduced the players in alphabetical order, he stopped when he got to Pickens. Coslet pretended he couldn't find Pickens, and the audience started to laugh.
Finally, Coslet introduced him.
“And, thank God he's back ... Carl Pickens.”
Pickens stood.
The crowd applauded.
Geoff Hobson contributed to this report.
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