Monday, October 04, 1999Coslet won't commit on QB
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After Sunday's slow-motion 38-10 loss to the Rams dropped the Bengals to 0-4 with their worst offensive stretch in 17 seasons, team president Mike Brown indicated the Bengals are should turn to the future today and give rookie quarterback Akili Smith his first NFL start Sunday in Cleveland.
![[Blake]](/img/photos/1999/10/100499blake_180x114.jpg)
Rams defenders Mike Jones and Kevin Carter celebrate after sacking Bengals QB Jeff Blake.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |“I would think so,” Brown said. “It's time to go with some of these younger guys.”
But Brown doesn't believe quarterback Jeff Blake is being sacrificed after failing to produce a touchdown in his last two starts while generating just 13 points in his last three.
“I don't think you could say he's a scapegoat,” Brown said. “We've scored one touchdown in two-and-a-half games. That's just not NFL caliber.”
Coach Bruce Coslet said Blake got benched Sunday early in the second half for his spate of injuries. But Blake said he felt fine and figured he got benched for his performance, even though he felt his first-half production of 114 passing yards was average for an NFL quarterback.
Asked who will start in Cleveland, Coslet said, “the guy who gives us the best chance to win.”
Asked if that was Blake, Coslet said, “I don't know.”
Blake had an idea the change might come. Alluding to the owner's final say on key matters, he said, “Ask Mike Brown.”
Asked if he played badly enough to get benched, Blake said, “evidently it was. I'll watch the film and see. I got (Coslet's) back. Whatever he decides to do, I'll live with it. I'll just stay positive to help the team win.”
Coslet cited Blake's sprained throwing shoulder and turf toe, as well as the finger he jammed in the first practice of training camp. He got drilled by blitzing middle linebacker Mike Jones on the first drive in much the same unencumbered fashion Charger linebacker Junior Seau sprained his shoulder two weeks ago.
That play knocked out Blake for a play. But what knocked Blake out of his job was his 12-for-23 passing. Blake is the most feared long ball artist in the game, but the Bengals have never liked his inability to hit intermediate routes so receivers can catch them in stride and make yards after the catch, a key element in any West Coast offense.
Brown only had to watch Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, an unheralded refugee from the Arena League, continually lead his receivers to big plays on 17-of-21 passing.
The Rams had six passes of 20 yards or more, the Bengals none. Blake's longest pass Sunday was 18 yards to receiver Carl Pickens. His longest all season is 24 yards to tight end Tony McGee.
“We continually have inaccurate passes, dropped balls and we don't get the ball down the field,” Brown said. “We continually have big play after big play hit on us, and yet we never get one.”
It was a wide-open McGee that Blake overthrew in the end zone from the Rams 11 with 1:10 left in the first half and the Rams leading 21-3. That's the play Blake thinks got him benched, but he defended his mid-range abilities and pointed to his protection.
“I think what hinders my accuracy is having to move so much in the pocket,” said Blake, who was forced to step up and throw off-balance on the pass to McGee. “When I can sit there and plant my feet, I can hit some (passes).”
Blake drove the Bengals into the red zone twice without getting a touchdown after coming up empty three times last week.
“We've been doing terrible in the red zone,” Blake said. “We've got to be more aggressive going toward the end zone. We have to throw the ball at the end zone. I haven't thrown the ball toward the goal line yet. We're just not aggressive enough.”
Smith converted on his one foray into the red zone, capping a 13-play, 80-yard drive with his one-yard run.
“I was happy with the way we moved the ball,” said Smith, who hit just seven of 18 passes for 77 yards. “I'm continually learning. I'm happy with the playing time I got today. I can only get better.”
He's got only six days.
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![[Blake]](/img/photos/1999/10/100499blake_550x347.jpg)
Coslet won't commit on QB