Monday, October 25, 1999

Akili hit, hurried by Colts

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Says '11 guys aren't getting it done'

BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bengals starting quarterback Akili Smith is dropped for a loss in the first quarter. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        INDIANAPOLIS — Bengals rookie quarterback Akili Smith took his first NFL beating Sunday as the Colts threw him around for five sacks, hurried him about 15 times and knocked him out of the game.

        Smith left at the end of the third quarter with a bruised shin after he scrambled out of the pocket while misfiring a fourth-down pass.

        His final numbers were: 12-for-24, 122 yards, 0 interceptions, 0 touchdowns.

        “I've never been hit as many times as I was hit today,” Smith said. “I may have to get rid of the ball sooner, or maybe the linemen aren't doing a good job. We have to get it figured out on film.”

        Smith was the Bengals' leading rusher with 42 yards on four scrambles.

        “Those are the (defensive) looks I was studying,” Smith said. “We just aren't gelling. ... When I had time, I threw an incompletion, or when guys were open, I got hit a few times. ... Eleven guys aren't getting it done.”

        Smith's longest pass was 21 yards to wide receiver Carl Pickens, meaning Smith hasn't completed a pass for more than 22 yards since he fired a 39-yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half in the season's second game.

        Smith says he'll be ready to play Sunday, and he has no plans to back down a week after wondering if his teammates are studying their playbooks after practice.

        “I'm going to keep voicing my opinion,” Smith said. “I really don't care what anybody thinks. If I've got something concerning me, I'm going to voice my opinion. Some guys said, "Good job Rook making that statement.' A lot of the guys were upset, but it was the truth. Those guys upset are the ones who are probably really studying.”

       

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