Saturday, October 16, 1999BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Peterson to get start as long-snapper
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati EnquirerRookie free-agent Ben Peterson will make his NFL debut Sunday as the Bengals' long snapper, a decision that was actually a hot topic at Friday's practice.
Special teams coach Al Roberts said Peterson will handle the long snaps (punting) and veteran Jay Leeuwenburg the short snaps (place-kicks). Peterson, technically a linebacker, was elevated from the practice squad Thursday.
Regular snapper Greg Truitt was lost in preseason with a season-ending knee injury. Steve Bush, who replaced Truitt, sprained a knee at Cleveland last week and is out two-to-four weeks.
It's been a long year for Roberts' special teams, with a new punter (Will Brice), new holder (Greg Myers), new return man (Damon Griffin), three fumbled kickoffs, an 84-yard punt return for a TD by the Rams, and last week's touchdown off a fake field goal by the Browns.
“We're down to our third and fourth snappers of the year,” Roberts said. “But it's not a tragedy.”
Tragedy is what happened to Roberts on April 9, when he lost his house in the tornado that hit the Montgomery area.
“Don't think of me as a tornado victim, and don't feel sorry for me now,” Roberts said. “We'll be all right.”
ARMOUR RETURNS: Rookie safety JoJuan Armour (Miami University) rejoined the team Friday, as he cleared waivers and was signed to the practice squad.
Armour was released Thursday when the Bengals promoted Peterson from the practice squad.
BENNETT IN TOWN: Running back Brandon Bennett, out for the season with a torn left knee ligament (ACL), visited Spinney Field on Friday for a checkup. He is on the team's reserve/non-football injury list, having hurt himself in a personal workout at home in South Carolina in May.
Bennett's presence reminded some of the last Bengal-Steeler game on Dec. 20, 1998 in Pittsburgh, when Bennett helped lead the Bengals to a 25-24 win. That day, Bennett set a Bengal record for receiving yards by a running back, with 119. He also led the team in rushing that day with 63 yards, having started in place of an injured Corey Dillon.
It is not clear whether Bennett fits into the Bengals' plans for 2000, but the team does hold his rights.
STEELERS KNOW SCORE: Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher said all the right things when asked about Bengal quarterback Akili Smith this week, mentioning his poise on the game-winning drive last week.
But Cowher may be more concerned about Corey Dillon, the NFL's leading rusher with 423 yards.
“First of all, we have to take away their running game,” Cowher said.
Pittsburgh linebacker Levon Kirkland said the Steelers will try to confuse Smith with several different looks. He, like Cowher, praised Smith but said Dillon is the key.
“We need to put them in some third-and-long situations, so they have to throw the ball and go away from Corey,” Kirkland said.
STAT CORNER: The Bengal defense, last in the NFL in rushing defense last year, is allowing only 91.8 rushing yards per game. The best Bengal season was 93.7 per game, set by Forrest Gregg's 1983 team.
Last year's Bengals allowed 163.3 yards rushing per game.
The other side of the story is that defenses are dominating the run in the NFL this year, with the Bengals ranking just 12th against the run.
And, the Bengals rank just 24th against the pass, so teams haven't had to run.
Bengals Stories
Rookie takes over free safety
BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Bearcats know success comes on the court
UC sees UAB as can't-lose
McIntosh makes XU debut
PREP FOOTBALL PAGE
Martinez may take suspense out of matchup
NLCS: Braves 1, Mets 0
Wildcats celebrate century
Cooper lyin' low for Penn State
Marshall controls Miami's future
UK defense becoming strength
PORTLAND 4, MIGHTY DUCKS 2
CYCLONES 3, MANITOBA 2
CINCINNATI HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS