Sunday, November 14, 1999Brown sees effort, even in losses
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerBengals President Mike Brown continues to be struck by the enormity of this season's collapse.
His team heads into today's game against the Tennessee Titans on pace to allow its most points ever with 488 and score its second-fewest points ever with 206, even lower than any 14-game season total and the nine-game 1982 strike season.
“I don't ever remember a year where we were (nearly always) out of contention in the first half, even in the first quarter and playing against the backup quarterback in the fourth quarter,” Brown said.
But there's one thing separating this team from the dreadful 4-12 clubs in 1978 and 1979.
“There was one of those terribly bad seasons back in the late '70s when it appeared they packed it in,” Brown said. “No names, even now, but they just wouldn't tackle. They would take a false angle so not to tackle. When you reach that point, it's the lowest you can go.
“But these guys are still trying. They might miss the tackle, but they're trying. If anyone says to the contrary, it's not fair to them. Their problem is the big play. They don't get where they're supposed to be.”
The Bengals had a spirited week of practice for a 1-8 team. Coach Bruce Coslet expects nothing less.
“Just because things aren't going well doesn't mean you don't still do your job,” he said.
Brown looks at the three games his team has outgained its opponent and lost, the opener the Bengals lost a nine-point lead to Tennessee with less than eight minutes left and the middle-of-the-pack offensive stats, and says he still believes this team is competitive enough win games.
“When you sit down before every game, no matter what, you think you have a chance,” Brown said.
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