Monday, October 04, 1999BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Smith wants shot at Browns
Akili Smith can't wait to start against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
![[Groce]](/img/photos/1999/10/100499groce_150x162.jpg)
Cliff Groce found more balls going through his hands than in them Sunday.
(Gary Landers photo)
| ZOOM |Even before he got indications he would make his first NFL start in Cleveland next week, Smith reminded reporters how he felt the Browns used him on draft day.
Smith feels like the Browns negotiated with him to make him the draft's first pick as leverage to get Tim Couch to sign a deal. The Browns picked Couch, and the Bengals took Smith at No.3.
“I didn't appreciate the way they treated my attorney and my family,” Smith said. “If they happen to call on me, call on Jeff (Blake), somehow, some way, we've got to go out there and beat those guys.
“If I get my first start, it's the most studying I'll ever do. We have to get a win at Cleveland. They used me. There's nothing I can do about it. They're happy with Couch; Cincinnati is happy with me. Now it's time for us to go out there and beat those guys.”
Sullen crowd
The crowd, listed as 45,481 paid, arrived with several negative banners and signs, most of which were taken down by stadium security.Among the signs were the obligatory “Mike Brown, Step Down.” There was also one depicting a frowning Bengal tiger, wearing the No.44 of departed fullback Brian Milne and pointing a gun to his head. On the same banner, a dark cloud bearing the initials “MB” (Mike Brown) hovered over the caricature.
That one disappeared during the first quarter.
Another banner: “Dear God, thank you for the Cincinnati Reds ... and please help the Bengals.”
Speaking of obligatory, there were a few pockets of fans wearing brown grocery bags over their heads.
Record show
The four-touchdown day by St. Louis receiver Az-Zahir Hakim (pronounced Oz-Za-HERE Ha-KEEM) was the first four-TD day by a Ram since Harold Jackson, also a wide receiver, scored four in a 1973 game.Also, it was the first four-TD game in the NFL since the Bengals' Corey Dillon got four in his 246-yard rushing game vs. Tennessee in 1997 — also at Cinergy Field.
Who's he?
And just who is Hakim, the man who ruined another Bengal Sunday? Some background:• His name was given him at birth, which was June3, 1977 in Los Angeles.
• He played at San Diego State and was a fourth-round draftee by the Rams in 1998.
• He had two career NFL touchdowns entering Sunday.
• He is 5-foot-10 and 178 pounds.
• His last four-touchdown game was in high school.
More records
Rams quarterback Kurt Warner became the first NFL quarterback in 50 years to throw three TD passes in each of his first three starts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Before 1949, records are sketchy and Elias is unable to determine which quarterbacks started certain games.
Before Sunday, Warner had been tied with Miami's Dan Marino as the only two men to throw three TD passes in each of their first two NFL starts.
Irony Department
Warner was pulled late in the third quarter, unusually early in an NFL game, but the Rams held a 35-3 lead at the time. His replacement: Former Bengal Paul Justin, who was around for last year's 3-13 disaster as mostly a backup.Injuries
Bengal backup CB Rico Clark (sprained ankle) was the only Bengal with a significant injury, and is questionable for next week.Guard Brian DeMarco left the game after being poked in the eye, but will not miss any work this week.
Bengals Stories
![[Groce]](/img/photos/1999/10/100499groce_463x500.jpg)
Smith wants shot at Browns