Sunday, October 24, 1999
Akili has new No. 1 motivation
Would like to add Manning to his mantle
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Akili Smith didn't have to be told what he can accomplish today when his Bengals duel Peyton Manning's Colts at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.
Smith, the Bengals rookie quarterback, knows his first victory as a starter two weeks ago came against the quarterback taken No.1 in the last draft when Cincinnati beat Tim Couch's Browns. Now looms Manning, the No.1 pick in the 1998 draft.
“I thought about that,” Smith said. “It's motivation. To be able to knock off two first picks at their house would definitely be a blessing. I idol ized Peyton Manning.”
But Smith, coach Bruce Coslet and Bengals President Mike Brown know solving Manning and his top-rated AFC offense is a bigger task than the rookie Couch. Yet Brown sees a similar rivalry brewing with Manning and Smith, another reason he would like to see the Colts move out of the AFC East and move in with the Bengals in the AFC Central when the NFL realigns in three years.
“It might not be good for our win-loss record, but it would be fun to watch,” Brown said. “Peyton is exceptional. He's well-grounded, well-schooled and our guy shows promise. There are so many teams, the top guys never seem to play each other. It could be like (Ken) Anderson and (Terry) Bradshaw.”
Brown isn't sure how much fun there will be today in Manning-Smith I, but the coaches are delighted with Smith's progress.
“I think we're a little early yet,” Brown said. “We have some growing to do. They're a little ahead in the quarterback area because he's had a year and more under his belt.”
Bengals Stories
Rose, Bench on century stage
All-Century team voting
Gehrig top vote-getter on All-Century Team
McKeon deserves better but lacks leverage
Vaughn's agent: Market not set
Healthy Tate wants ring
SOUTHERN MISS 28, UC 20
Muskies court high school big men
Mistakes make winners of Yanks
Yankees 4, Braves 1
OHIO STATE 20, MINNESOTA 17
GEORGIA 49, KENTUCKY 34
Hanover 29, Mount St. Joseph 25
THOMAS MORE 28, MERCHANT MARINE 0
Redhawks dismiss low expectations
Reese can fill OSU void
Falk takes inside track to state tennis title
Hall fades to fourth in state golf
St. Ursula wins sectional volleyball title
A first: Kings wins cross country title
CINCINNATI OHIO HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
Colerain girls blow away field for district title
Elder runners beat La Salle; St. X cruises
Fresh blood runs Bacon to victory
ND, Campbell Co. win regional volleyball titles
St. Xavier 50, Cle. St. Ignatius 33
Badin 28, Meadowdale 12
Bellevue 37, NewCath 23
CovCath 39, Scott 7
Indian Hill 28, Wyoming 14
Smith, Lorenzen happy to bide time on UK bench
A little goofiness does a lot of good
Grand Rapids 2, Cyclones 1
ROCHESTER 4, MIGHTY DUCKS 1
