Thursday, October 28, 1999
Blackman rips management, training staff
Another Bengal goes away mad
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Guard Ken Blackman joined the growing list of disgruntled former Bengals Wednesday, saying he hopes to hook on with an AFC Central team so he can play Cincinnati twice a year.
“Mike Brown doesn't know how to treat his players,” said Blackman of the Bengals president. “Their way of doing business is uncouth. As long as they continue to do business like that, there will be a rain cloud over Cincinnati and there'll be a lot of rainy days.”
Blackman delivered his parting shot a day after the club released him because the sides couldn't agree on a contract extension. The Bengals wanted a two-year extension for as much as $2.4 million with playing-time incentives. Blackman sought one year with playing-time goals maxing out at about $1 million and putting him in range of the current starting guards.
Blackman, still recovering from last season's knee injury, said he was blackballed by the Bengals training staff when he decided to undergo a second surgery by Dr. James Andrews.
“They didn't pay any attention to me. They made me feel like an outsider,” Blackman said. “They didn't have enough time for me. They treated me fine until I got hurt. Other teams don't do that ...
“I worked my butt off to get back and help them win
and this is what happened.”
Trainer Paul Sparling declined comment. Said Brown: “I'm sorry he feels that way because he's really a good guy. I wish him well.”
Blackman, who started 31 games for the Bengals, was also upset the Bengals pulled their authorization for the arthroscopic surgery he underwent last month, at a cost of $10,000. Blackman said he followed proper procedure because he informed Sparling, but the team apparently doesn't agree.
“That had to be the worst feeling I've ever had when I found out just before they put me under,” Blackman said. “I went into the surgery not knowing who was going to pay for the thing. But Dr. Andrews told me that it would be taken care of and not to worry about it.”
Before this season, Blackman agreed not to file a grievance if the Bengals cut him.
Blackman, who turns 27 next month, tore a piece of bone from his knee last Nov. 1 against Denver and has been on the physically unable to perform list this entire season. He's believed to be the first NFL offensive lineman to undergo an articular cartilage graft in his knee.
Blackman said last month's procedure has eliminated scar tissue that impeded his rehab and he believes he's close to playing. He said the New York Giants want see how he looks in a few weeks.
“I just don't think the Bengals know how to do it,” Blackman said. “The record shows it. There's no chemistry, no drive.”
Bengals Stories
Doctor No. 2: Harnisch needs surgery
McKeon's return may be imminent
Bearcats top pick in C-USA
UC must slow Prentice, stop rest of RedHawks
Yankees sweep into history
These Yankees have style all their own
Gray saves face, thanks to Steinbrenner
O'Neill plays after father dies
Boone proud of team
Latin writers protest All-Century snub of Clemente
Clemente was great, but not All-Century
OSU's Plummer named Thorpe semifinalist
Keeler on favorite course for Avon run
Regrouped McAuley wins district soccer
St. Henry wins region soccer title
Harper's header wins for undefeated Seven Hills boys
HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
This week's football schedule
