Monday, October 25, 1999

BENGALS NOTEBOOK

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Anderson spills frustrations

BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bengals coach Bruce Coslet looks on during Sunday's game in Indianapolis. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        INDIANAPOLIS — Left tackle Willie Anderson often holds court for reporters after Bengal games, and as usual poured out his frustrations Sunday.

        “Nothing's changed, man,” he said. “It's just not a positive mind-set around here. If you have 22 guys out there, maybe 20 are doing what they're supposed to and the other two are in a daze. I don't know if we need a psychiatrist or what.

        “It's not physical with this team. It's mental. It's obvious we're not doing something right.”

Specials spared
        The Bengals' shaky special teams had their moments, but generally had a good day.

        The most glaring error was another blocked punt, the third time Cincinnati has had one blocked this season. But the Bengals' Tremain Mack also blocked a 38-yard field goal attempt.

        It was the first time the Bengals blocked a field goal since John Copeland did it in 1995 at Jacksonville.

        Other positives included Rodney Heath downing a Will Brice punt at the 1-yard line, Doug Pelfrey making his only field goal attempt (32 yards), and Mack returning a kickoff 39 yards.

He's been there
        Bengals guard Jay Leeuwenburg, who endured a 3-13 season with the Colts last year, is in a similar situation with the Bengals now. Meantime, his old team is 4-2 after crushing the Bengals.

        Leeuwenburg said the Bengals compare with other teams physically.

        “It's just that you have to make plays,” he said. “This league is so tight, usually it's only four or five plays per game that make the difference. We need to start making those plays.

        “You never think it's going to be this bad,” he said. “Everyone thinks we're going to the Super Bowl, or we wouldn't be playing. I still think we have a quality product and we'll get some wins out of the season.”

Peyton plays
        Indy quarterback Peyton Manning has taken every snap since debuting as a rookie in 1998, but that streak appeared endangered Sunday with the Colts ahead 31-3 late in the game.

        When the Bengals cut it to 31-10 with 5:13 left, that was enough for Indy coach Jim Mora to quash any thoughts he had of resting Manning.

        “He came up to me and said, "You're not going to take me out, are you?'” Mora said. “I didn't consider it. I've been in this game long enough and seen some crazy things happen. I don't like to take any chances until I'm absolutely sure that we're going to win.”

Falling short
        The Bengals still can't make the big play offensively. Their longest run Sunday was a 24-yard scramble by quarterback Akili Smith, and no running back had more than a 9-yard gain.

        The Bengals also have yet to complete a pass longer than 39 yards this season. Their longest Sunday was a 21-yarder by Carl Pickens.

Other side
        The Colts were expected to win and did, as a 10¹/₂-point favorite. Therefore, Indy offensive tackle Tarik Glenn raised few eyebrows when he said:

        “It felt good to get a win against a team we should beat.”

Milestones
        Pickens had three receptions Sunday, leaving him one short of 500 for his career. Darnay Scott had five catches, giving him 301 for his career. — Tom Groeschen

       

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