Sunday, October 03, 1999

Rams 38, Bengals 10

Brown calls for Smith to end Bengals' 'nightmare'

BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

[Akili]
Mike Browns wants Akili Smith to take over the offense.
(Gary Landers photo)
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        Following the worst back-to-back losses in franchise history, Bengals President Mike Brown said he wants rookie quarterback Akili Smith to get his first NFL start next Sunday in Cleveland.

        Brown, officially ending the Jeff Blake era, minced no words after Sunday's 38-10 loss to the St. Louis Rams. The Bengals have scored just 20 points in their most recent three-game stretch — the lowest since the Bengals scored 23 in the first three losses of the 1983 season.

        “It has become the worst nightmare you could think of,” Brown said. “It has become far worse than I ever could have imagined. It's time to start bringing on the young guys. It makes no sense to go in the direction we've been going. I can't think of worse start to a season.”

[Hawkins]
Artrell Hawkins sits dejected late in the fourth quarter Sunday.
(Gary Landers photo)
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        Sunday's loss to the rejuvenated Rams at Cinergy Field was Cincinnati's 100th defeat of the '90s and made the Bengals the worst team of the decade.

        Blake, a former Pro Bowl quarterback who is a free agent next season, lost his job after a third straight rout (combined score: 99-20) dropped Cincinnati to 0-4.

        The obvious question is if coach Bruce Coslet is next after his team lost its 14th game in the last 15 — 18th of the last 19 including the winless exhibition season — and is 48-100 in the decade, now worse than the Rams' 48-99.

        “I'm not saying anything about it,” Brown said of Coslet's job status.

        Blake, still bitter over benchings the previous two seasons has vowed, “it won't be a pretty sight” if he's benched for Smith, the third pick in the 1999 draft.

[fans]
Vern Etler and John Ruehl jeer at halftime.
(Gary Landers photo)
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        Which means the Bengals could be in for more of the same off-field distractions that haunted them this past week with the release of popular fullback Brian Milne and running back Ki-Jana Carter's blasting management after the Bengals put him on injured reserve.

        “I just feel sick,” running back Corey Dillon said. “This is just getting sick and out of control.

        “All I know each week is I come here and bust my butt and there's nothing to show for it,” said Dillon, held to 39 yards on 15 carries. “It really gets me wondering where is my career going here ... I don't even feel I'm being put in a position to help this team.”

        The atmosphere matched the mood. The crowd of 45,481 cheered only twice, when the scoreboard flashed the Pirates 1-0 lead over the Mets and when Smith replaced the shaken-up Blake in the first drive.

        And there were the “Step Down Mike Brown,” signs, as well as a “Bowden's Bengals Would Win,” sign in reference to Reds general manager Jim Bowden.

        The Bengals capped a 13-play drive with a 36-yard field goal by Doug Pelfrey on their first series, then proceeded to extend their streak of no touchdowns to 175 minutes and 38 seconds before Smith scored his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard bootleg with 2:26 left in the game.

        “You (might have to) look at the individual players on this team and say, “Are these the right players for this system?'” said tackle Willie Anderson.

        “Check individual players and say, hey, sometimes you have to think, "Are we good enough?' Everybody is trying to figure out the answer. Maybe we're not good enough at certain positions. I'm not trying to be harsh. We're all searching for (answers).”

        The Rams may be surprised to hear Brown say it's time go with younger players, after St. Louis quarterback Kurt Warner took apart the secondary of the NFL's youngest team. Warner burned the Bengals for six passes of 20 yards or more.

        Defensive captain Takeo Spikes said off-field chaos played a role Sunday.

        “I'm not blaming the game on that, but it was a factor,” Spikes said. “If you want to go out and play focused, you can't have any distractions.”

        Spikes promised to get to the bottom of the problem, hinting he'll call a team meeting.

        “We'll find out tomorrow. I'll have a lot of answers tomorrow,” Spikes s aid.

        Anderson hopes Brown's answer isn't firing Coslet. He told Coslet it's not his fault .

        “I feel bad for Bruce,” said Anderson. “It's not his fault because he has us prepared. His hands are tied.”

       


Bengals Stories
- Rams 38, Bengals 10
Coslet won't commit on QB
Smith wants shot at Browns
NEXT: at CLEVELAND (0-4)
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Pelfrey continues to struggle
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