Sunday, October 31, 1999Francis likes new life in D.C.
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerThis isn't another former-Bengal-rips-club story.
But after talking to James Francis from Virginia this past week, it's just more proof what's wrong with the Bengals is more than football.
It's an issue of culture. It's how the players feel they are treated by the team. It's how the rest of the NFL views the Bengals.
“All those years in Cincinnati I knew nothing else,” said Francis, the 10-year linebacker picked up by the Washington Redskins last week. “I mean, it's unbelievable the difference. Here, they're happy to see you. Happy to do anything for you. Anything to make it easier on Sunday.”
When Francis flew into town for his workout, he rode first-class. When he worked out and signed his contract, he grabbed all his stuff out of his locker. When he returned the next day, there were three pairs of shoes on the shelf.
In Bengaland, those are things that just don't come easy. Small stuff? Not in the age of free agency. One Bengal said of Cincinnati's perception problem league wide: “The word's out on this place.”
“They throw the equipment at you down here,” Francis said. “Is that big stuff? No. But it means something. Man, I just can't get over the difference. It's another world. I guess winning has something to do with it.”
But maybe that's one of the reasons the Redskins are 4-2, which Francis hasn't been since his rookie year. Francis and former Bengal defensive teammates Sam Shade and Dan Wilkinson are all within six lockers at Redskins Park.
After the Bengals released the 31-year-old Francis to go with second-year player Steve Foley, he returned home to Houston and watched every Cincinnati game until the Redskins called last week.
“I'm not bitter at the Bengals. I still have a lot of great friends there and, believe me, I root hard for them,” Francis said. “I've watched every game until the gun and it just killed me to hear what the announcers say about the Bengals, the things they say. It's awful. You never hear it or see it until you're on the outside looking in. I feel so bad for those guys.”
But Francis isn't too sympathetic about the defense's problems, which, among other things, has forced just 10 turnovers in seven games.
“They got what they wanted, a young defense,” Francis said. “I'm not saying I would have made a big difference, but I could make a play or two. Those young guys have no one to turn to. But they got what they wanted.”
GIBSON GREETING: Here's the other side. Bengals President Mike Brown takes a lot of heat, but the man forgives, forgets, holds no grudges. A lot of public figures could take a cue from him on how to have some class under fire.
Brown recently received a handwritten letter from former Bengals wide receiver Damon Gibson asking for a job as well as explaining his acid comments when the Bengals put him on the expansion list back in February.
After the Browns picked up Gibson, he fired off the usual laundry list of what's wrong with the team. Then the Browns cut him early in the season. Gibson's agent said his client wanted to let Brown know that he would have said those things about any team that put him on the list because he's competitive and Gibson was sorry if anyone in the organization took exception and volunteered to come to Cincinnati to explain.
“It was unique because usually players don't write, their agents do,” Brown said. “We liked him, but we had to get put someone on the list and we knew there are more wide receivers than most other positions and we did get two (rookies Damon Griffin and Craig Yeast) who are similar.
“I usually give players about a year and then the hurt goes away and they remember the good times,” Brown said. “When a player is let go, there's a lot of hurt and emotion and that's understandable.”
CAPITAL IDEAS: It was a long road for Francis to get to Washington. They had three backup strong-side linebackers either retire (Ken Harvey) or go on injured reserve (Malcolm Hamilton, Fred Strickland) before opting for Francis to back up Greg Jones. But Francis could get playing time because Jones is playing with a hernia.
“I know I can help this team,” Francis said.
It needs plenty of help on defense. Wilkinson and Shade may be playing at defensive tackle and strong safety, respectively, but their unit was on pace two weeks ago to give up the most yards all-time in a season.
They are next-to-last in the NFL on defense. When they were last together in Cincinnati in '97, at least the Bengals were third-to-last on defense. Wilkinson is taking criticism despite his four sacks because he's 11th on the team in tackles.
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