Monday, November 15, 1999BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
One banner Sunday had the words “GM Mike Brown” written on it, with the words encircled in red and a red diagonal line drawn through them. The banner was gone before game's end.
Also, there was a new green tarp draped over the entrance to the players' tunnels, after the Bengals had several items thrown at them after the most recent loss to Jacksonville Oct.31. The NFL suggested the Bengals put it up, as well as a tarp over the runway to the visitors' dressing room.
Nothing to say
Several Bengal players waved off postgame interviews, including some who usually talk.Angry quarterback Jeff Blake fumed, “I'm just so sick of losing. Not today.”
For the fourth time this season, Blake helped the Bengals produce more yards than the team that beat them.
“If I was on a team with a bunch of quitters, it'd be different,” nose tackle Oliver Gibson said. “But these guys want it. They want to win. We'll keep plugging and see what happens.”
Momentum killer
Wide receiver Carl Pickens tried to get a first down on the Bengals' second series of the second half on a slant pass, but as he wriggled for the yard marker the ball popped loose and strong safety Blaine Bishop recovered at the Bengals 31.Two plays later Tennessee running back Eddie George rushed in from 14 yards out to make it 21-7, Titans.
Then rookie Damon Griffin fumbled the kickoff at his own 38, which turned into Al Del Greco's 26-yard field goal.
“Two touches, 10 points, that's tough,” Bengals coach Bruce Coslet said.
Flag day
Bengals left guard Matt O'Dwyer has stayed away from the 15-yard penalties that got Jets coach Bill Parcells infuriated with him last year. But on Sunday he got nailed for an unnecessary roughness penalty that wiped out an 18-yard pass to Corey Dillon that put the ball on the Titan 11 early in the fourth quarter and killed the drive.Injury update
Backup tackle Jamain Stephens couldn't dress Sunday because of shortness of breath. He was cleared of any problems following an exam at Christ Hospital. ... Wide receiver Darnay Scott (left knee) and nose tackle Oliver Gibson (arch) are probable for next week. .. Quarterback Akili Smith (toe) is out for next Sunday's game against the Ravens ... Defensive end Jevon Langford (knee), right guard Brian DeMarco (elbows) and linebacker Canute Curtis (neck) are questionable.
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