Sunday, September 19, 1999BENGALS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Quarterback Jeff Blake is coming off a terrific game that must have Chargers defensive coordinator Joe Pascale wishing— ever so slightly — that Bruce Coslet retained him back in 1996.
Blake ran for 90 yards on 11 carries in Tennessee, with the big stat that seven of the runs produced first downs. The Chargers are already concerned about Blake's long-ball abilities against their bump-and-run coverage, so Blake is guessing San Diego will play more zone and challenge the Bengals to run the ball against the NFL's best run defense.
Blake is confident his receivers can give the Chargers' corners all they can handle one-on-one. But he'll have to hit the underneath pass to keep drives alive and the Chargers know that's not his strength. But then again, they don't know if he's going to run or pass in a catch 22.
Rodney Heath, the cornerback from Western Hills, is living a script writte n by the people who live in Beverly Hills.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Heath, a refugee from the Indoor Football League draws his first NFL start in his hometown for his hometown team at left cornerback. Heath is the third different left corner to start for the injury-riddled Bengals in as many games, but he had an encouraging first game by forcing a fumble from the 200-pound Yancey Thigpen and stepping in front of the 6-foot-1 Kevin Dyson for an interception.
He may be matched on the 6-foot-5 Mikhael Ricks, but secondary coach Ray Horton knows Heath has the moxie for it, and if it doesn't work then they'll give him help with the safeties.
A sub-plot is also brewing at nickel corner, manned by rooie safety Cory Hall. That means the Bengals top three corners have 19 games of NFL experience.
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By the numbers
REDS 3, PIRATES 0
REDS NOTEBOOK
Harnisch shoulders Reds' load
Cubs' Sosa first to hit 60 HRs twice in a career
How Reds, Astros, Mets finish
Braves stand in Mets' way
Cardinals 13, Astros 6
Mets 11, Phillies 1
Box, runs
It's Bearcats in a shocker
A victory for the ages in Clifton
BEARCATS NOTEBOOK
Buckeyes play half-heartedly to beat Ohio
MU opens MAC play with win
St Thomas More home game thrills
TMC home debut ruined in 3 OTs
Fakes a real concern for New Cath's Simon
Mumme, UK make Hoosiers pay
Howard beats BC 31-27 for its first win of season
Sport just 1 aspect of River Front Classic
NKU discovers gem in Gomez
Area schools high in ejections
Holy Cross girls edge No. 2 Sacred Heart 1-0
St. Ursula upsets No. 1 Fairfield in girls soccer