Saturday, December 04, 1999
Heath makes mark as outdoorsman
From indoor league to team leader in INTs
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Rodney Heath is growing weary of all the stories about what a great story he is.
The Bengals rookie from Western Hills High School just wants to be recognized for being a solid NFL cornerback. He took another step in that direction last Sunday with two interceptions against Pittsburgh, including a 58-yard return for a touchdown.
“I'm past the point of saying, "Oooh, aah, I'm in the NFL,'” Heath said. “I was past that point on my first day in camp. I just want teams to know now that if they keep coming after me, I'll hurt them.”
Still, even hardened critics have had to admit that Heath is, ahem, a good story.
He was signed as a free agent by the Bengals last January after playing for the Minnesota Monsters of the Professional Indoor Football League, which is not even Arena Football-level. And he was two years removed from his last college football game. As the story goes, Bengals secondary coach Ray Horton liked what he saw on a videotape and figured Heath was worth a look. The last thing most expected was that Heath would lead the team in interceptions (three) entering December.
Bengals President Mike Brown has become fond of Heath, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds but appears shorter.
“He's as interesting a story as we've had here,” Brown said.
Oops. That “story” thing again.
Brown is not big on good stories. If you can play, you're in. If not, you're gone. In Heath's case, he caught Brown's eye in the early days of training camp this year in Georgetown, Ky.
“He covers well, and he makes plays,” Brown said. “If he can keep doing that, he'll be a contributing player.”
Heath looks much younger than his 25 years but has already lived more than most Bengals his age.
He is married (Kim) with a 3-year-old daughter (Autumn). He graduated from the University of Minnesota in June with a degree in sports studies. And he struggled to keep his NFL dream alive while playing the indoor game.
In training camp, he impressed the Bengals with his speed and willingness to hit people. And when No.2 draftee Charles Fisher went down with a knee injury in the season opener, Heath started the following week.
He started four games before losing his spot to Roosevelt Blackmon, with Heath admittedly not yet ready to be an every-down player. But then Blackmon was hurt, and Heath returned to the lineup three games ago.
“The biggest difference is I'm not thinking about my technique anymore. I'm just doing it,” he said. “I know where I'm supposed to be, instead of thinking where I'm supposed to go on the field.”
This Sunday, Heath knows that the greatest receiver of all time, San Francisco's Jerry Rice, will be on the other side. While Heath and fellow starter Artrell Hawkins will probably both cover Rice at different points, Heath is trying to approach it like any other game.
“It's a guy you grew up watching, but mostly we have to be thinking about beating San Francisco and ending the season on a high note,” Heath said.
And yes, the family and hometown friends will be there, even if Heath is finding he suddenly has more friends than he remembered. Are game tickets becoming a problem?
“Nah,” he said, smiling. “I've got that taken care of.”
Just like his career. The Bengals might take a cornerback high in the draft or sign a free agent. Whoever it is, they may have to go through Heath.
Bengals Stories
UC begins rocky road with Gonzaga
Xavier may abandon press
The Griffey story: Real and imagined
Reds add top talent scout
Rose to shill for auto paint chain
McNicholas 54, Walnut Hills 43
Cincinnati boys basketball roundup
Cincinnati girls basketball roundup
N.Ky. boys basketball roundup
N.Ky. girls basketball roundup
UK seek to extend streak vs. Indiana
NKU falls in NCAA vollyeball semis
Mighty Ducks 7, Philadelphia 3
