Sunday, October 10, 1999Who's got the edge?
QUARTERBACK
Bengals: On 28th anniversary of Ken Anderson's first start, they hope Smith makes out like Boomer's first: win over AFC Central foe.Brown: Couch has more experience and more crowd in round 1 in what the teams hope becomes Boomer-Kosar, not Klingler-Zeir.
EDGE: Browns
RUNNING BACKS
Bengals: Dillon, coming off just his second sub 3-yard per carry game of career when he had more than five runs, needs a 4.5 day to get Smith through.Browns: If George, Means, and Faulk didn't bust one longer than 15 against Bengals, journeyman Kirby better not.
EDGE: Bengals
RECEIVERS
Bengals: Starting wideouts don't have touchdown in '99, but they have near ly double career TDs (84) of all Cleveland wideouts (25).Browns: They may have to put Johnson's No. 85 on other receivers so Couch throws to someone else. Rookie is only one in double digits with 14 catches.
EDGE: Bengals
OFFENSIVE LINE
Bengals: Not coming off their best effort, especially against Rams line they should have pushed around for more than 3.5 per rush.Browns: So much for spending money. Last in NFL rushing and 18 sacks allowed — second most to Eagles. Keep the change.
EDGE: Bengals
DEFENSIVE LINE
Bengals: They stop run, but don't make big play. Not with just 3.5 sacks, no forced fumbles or fumble recoveries.Browns: End Alexander is best DLineman on field. Tackles Holland and Jurkovic playoff-tested with Packers and Jaguars. Unit has 6 of team's 9 sacks.
EDGE: Browns
LINEBACKERS
Bengals: Spikes, Simmons and Ross combine for three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. It's as active as Wilson's ever been.Browns: Miller — two sacks — is best LB on field. But he's got rookies around him in second-rounder Rahim Abdullah and fourth-rounder Wali Rainer.
EDGE: Bengals.
SECONDARY
Bengals: Rams scorched them for two passes of 50-plus and four more of 20-plus and they've got just one interception, from rookie Heath.Browns: Their DBs have one interception in '99, from rookie McCutcheon. But Browns' career total of starters is 45 compared to Bengals' 7.
EDGE: Browns
SPECIAL TEAMS
Bengals: Disaster guru Irwin Allen plans to film their season. Pelfrey has hit half his field-goal tries and foes get nearly 18 yards per punt return, next-to-worst in NFL.Browns: Punter Gardocki and kicker Dawson have been solid. Johnson is dangerous on punt returns and old friend Dunn would just love to take a kick all the way.
EDGE: Browns
COACHES
Bengals: All signs point to Coslet surviving first few weeks of Sm ith era, and probably rest of season if Akili shakes it up.Browns: Palmer has funny way of being around success. He was 24-18 at such college powers as New Haven and Boston University. Before tutoring Bledsoe and Brunell.
EDGE: Even
THE PICK
One of Paul Brown's teams finally wins. But not the one he is pulling for somewhere, somehow.Browns 17, Bengals 13.
Bengals Stories
Bengals vs. Browns: Let the rivalry resume
Bengals desperate for a win
Rookie QB gives Coslet second chance
Bengals-Browns by the numbers
Players to watch
Who's got the edge?
Bearcats create national buzz with new talent
HOUSTON 23, UC 20
UC Midnight Madness schedule
UC men's basketball roster
Who's the next Vaughn?
Fans hang hopes on Akili
Ohio State 25, Purdue 22
Blocked kick turns boos to cheers for Buckeyes
Miami 45, Bowling Green 31
UK 30, South Carolina 10
Anderson 14, Mout St. Joseph 11
Wilmington 55, Franklin 6
Spartans must replace center
Louisville 4, Mighty Ducks 0
Elder gains confidence with Fr. Rudy victory
CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
No winners in Anderson vs. Anderson
Basketball practice begins without hoopla
Brossart girls win NKAC meet
Conner 10, Covington Catholic 0
N.KY. HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS