Sunday, October 31, 1999Jagged edges everywhere today
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerIf you go by the numbers, the Bengals are looking at a zero today against Jacksonville's play-making and history-making defense.
The Bengals go into this Halloween matchup seeking the ghosts of their proud offensive heritage. They have averaged eight points in the last six games and face the Jags' top-rated defense, which has allowed an average of 9.8 points through six games and is on pace to allow the fewest points in a season since the 1986 Bears held foes to 11.7.
If that formula isn't jarring enough, the Bengals find no solution with their defensive equation. They're on pace to allow 457 points, five more than last season's franchise worst, and 30 points out of the all-time top three. That's a trio of the 1981 Colts (533), the 1966 Giants (501) and the 1980 Saints (487), more proof this Bengals' season is spinning into the immortality of the NFL's dubious.
But there are men such as defensive captain Takeo Spikes trying to hold this season together before it goes into the league jokebook with teams like the 1-15 Aints (Saints) of 1980 and the 1-15 Patsies (Patriots) of 1990.
“We're not out of the playoffs as of right now,” Spikes said. “We've got to put together a run. It's hard to get used to the fact you can't go to the playoffs, and there's eight more games left.”
Still, everything for the Bengals comes as easily as universal health care. For the first time in about six weeks, the Jaguars have all 11 offensive starters healthy and on the field. That means quarterback Mark Brunell (rib muscle) and 1,000-yard runner Fred Taylor (hamstring) take aim at a defense allowing nearly 30 points a game at home this season.
Despite all that, the Bengals' biggest concern is pitting a depleted offense line against a Jaguars defensive line that has 17 sacks. Dom Capers is their defensive coordinator, but they don't live by the zone blitz as much as they rely on their front four to make a play.
With right guard Brian DeMarco out with bone chips in his elbows and right tackle Willie Anderson hurting with a sprained ligament in his right knee, the Bengals can congratulate themselves for having room under the salary cap to sign the $1.8 million tandem of guard Jay Leeuwenburg and tackle Jamain Stephens during training camp.
Leeuwenburg makes his first Bengal start and 88th of his career against tackle Gary Walker, a free-agent from Tennessee who is having a Pro Bowl season.
“He's got five sacks already and for a lot of tackles, that's a great season, but for him it's a great start,” Leeuwenburg said. “He's like all good pass rushers. He's got the whole package. You can't sit on the ball or be light on your feet because he's quick or he can bull-rush you.”
Anderson will at least back up Stephens, and there's a good chance he'll start, but how long can he go? Stephens, a former first-round pick and starter, had a tough summer. He got cut by the Steelers on the first day of camp for reporting out of shape, and then was suspended for the first four games of the season for violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
But he played well in relief of Anderson last week and said, “It's all about perception. I didn't help myself, and I didn't have a good camp. But I know I can play. It's not like I've never started before.”
The Bengals are hoping they get a more consistent game from their tackle on the other side, Rod Jones. Jones had a few bad moments against the Colts' Chad Bratzke last week and now gets right end Tony Brackens, the AFC's co-leader with six sacks.
But Jones learned something from the duel with Bratzke.
“He got me leaning with my hands faking a bull-rush and then shot a quick move to the side,” Jones said. “Brackens is quicker. He likes to get you on the edge. I learned you can't put too much weight in your hands. It's almost like basketball. Let them come to you.”
Coach Bruce Coslet said Jones and the other linemen could get some help by sliding the line, or using his running backs to block. But that would create other problems.
“What I'm concerned about is (linebackers) Bryce Paup and Kevin Hardy on our running backs,” Coslet said. “Paup doesn't have any sacks. He probably feels left out. If we help (the line) too much, who has that guy over here or that guy over there?”
More proof that it's just never easy for the Bengals.
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