Saturday, October 09, 1999Akili sequestered 'to focus on game'
BENGALS NOTEBOOK
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati EnquirerCoach Bruce Coslet has kept quarterback Akili Smith off limits to the media since midweek, with the rookie set to make his first NFL start Sunday in Cleveland.
ESPN and CBS, the latter of which is telecasting Sunday's game, have been among those denied access to Smith. ESPN's Solomon Wilcots, a former Bengals safety, was at Spinney Field on Friday but did not meet with Smith.
Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said the team's public relations staff was told Smith could not be interviewed after Wednesday.
“It was felt that Akili needed to focus on the game,” Brennan said.
CLEVELAND WEEK: Earlier in the week, Coslet was asked if this Browns-Bengals matchup compared with the rivalry between the teams from 1970-95, when Cleveland had the original Browns.
“I think you have to temper that with the state of the Bengals right now,” Coslet said. “I mean, if you want to go back to the old history of the old rivalries, I don't think it's the same. It might become that over the years, but right now it's not. But it's still a big game for us.”
TOP MEN: The Bengals defense ranks 26th in the 31-team NFL, but don't blame inside linebackers Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes.
The second-year players, who figure to anchor the defense for years, have been among the few bright spots. Simmons leads the team with 33 tackles, and Spikes is tied for second with 19. Each has one sack, and Spikes has forced and recovered two fumbles.
“They're playing beautifully, but they can't do it all,” Coslet said. “Part of the problem is that some guys try to do too much; they see something, and then they run over to cover that and leave their spot. That's what we don't want to do.”
THE KIDS: Much has been made of the Bengals being the NFL's youngest team, and it is only getting younger with two rookies, Smith and free safety Cory Hall, getting their first starts Sunday.
“Other teams have youngsters, too,” Coslet said. “I'm kind of tired of talking about it. Grow up fast, that's about all I can say.”
Before the season, Coslet said the Bengals were “too young.” He reportedly disagreed with General Manager Mike Brown only on the release of cornerback Corey Sawyer, but as coach, he is mostly playing the hand Brown has dealt him.
“What are my options? Do I have a 10-year veteran to put in there?” Coslet said. “I've thought about it too, but what am I supposed to do? Other people have young guys, but we're just having to play a lot of them.”
EASY TO BE HARD: The Bengals are 0-4 against what was supposed to be the easy part of the schedule. Their first seven games are against non-playoff teams from 1998, but the first four opponents suddenly don't look too bad: Tennessee (3-1), San Diego (2-1), Carolina (1-3) and St. Louis (3-0) are a combined 9-5 (.643 winning percentage) this season.
The Bengals' remaining 12 opponents, including Cleveland twice, are a combined 25-22 (.532 winning percentage). But the Browns (0-4) are the only remaining Bengals foe with a record under .500.
Toss out the two Browns games, and the Bengals' remaining oppo nents are 25-14 (.641). The list includes two games with Jacksonville (3-1), at Seattle (3-1) and home games versus Tennessee (3-1) and San Francisco (3-1).
THIS AND THAT: The Bengals' oldest player, backup guard Jay Leeuwenberg, is 30 years old. The Browns, the NFL's newest team, have five players who are at least 30.
• Talks are progressing on a contract extension for guard Ken Blackman.
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