Sunday, December 26, 1999
Recapping the dismal 1990s
From their 1968 founding to the 1989 season, the Cincinnati Bengals made six playoff appearances and played in two Super Bowls. The 1990s, however, were a difficult decade: just one post-season appearance. As the team prepares to play its final two games of the decade — and the century — here's a recap of some of the headlines through the years.
1990: 9-7
The Bengals won the AFC Central, going from 1989's last place finish to the top of their division. The season ended in the second round of the playoffs, 20-10, to the Los Angeles Raiders. The team's home-opener was a winner, 25-20, against the New York Jets, coached by Bruce Coslet.
1991: 3-13
The team's founder and coaching legend Paul Brown dies on Aug. 5. His son, Mike Brown, assumes the general manager position. There were growing pains. “I'm not doing anything that I was not doing before, but there is a difference,” Mike Brown said. “Now, I have to be right. Before, I always had somewhere to turn.”
1992: 5-11
The Dave Shula era begins. At age 33, he's the youngest head coach in league history at the time. It's Boomer Esiason's last year of his first stint with the team. Mr. Brown taps University of Houston star David Klingler as the quarterback of the future.
1993: 3-13
Anthony Munoz is gone. Boomer has been traded to the Jets. Things are bleak, but Mr. Brown remains bullish on Mr. Klingler. “David Klingler is conservative and quiet, not flamboyant and outgoing, but I've seen a lot of quarterbacks over the years, and it isn't just the brash ones who lead.”
1994: 3-13
After eight straight losses to start the season, third-string quarterback Jeff Blake starts against Dallas and wins, 23-20. Shake-n-Blake is born. But Mr. Shula's patience is wearing thing: “I'm sick of saying, "We played hard." People are tired of hearing it. I'm tired of saying it. We have to win.”
1995: 7-9
After two straight three-win seasons, Mr. Brown boldly trades up to draft running back Ki-Jana Carter. The Penn State star promptly tears up his knee and is out for the year.
1996: 8-8
During training camp, Mr. Blake is optimistic: “I'm just ready to get the season started so we can get to the Super Bowl.” Sorry, Jeff. Seven games into the season, Mr. Shula is fired and replaced by Mr. Coslet, the Bengals' offensive coordinator who had been dumped by the Jets.
1997: 7-9
Boomer returns, but then is encouraged by Mr. Brown at season's end to pursue a broadcasting spot on Monday Night Football. Corey Dillon provides the season's bright spot: 246 yards against Tennessee, breaking a rookie record held by Jim Brown for 40 years.
1998: 3-13
Mr. Blake is out. Steelers' cast-off Neil O'Donnell is in. But the offense shows no life. On Dec. 27, the dismal season ends with a 35-0 loss to Tampa Bay. Merry Christmas.
1999: 4-10
Mr. Brown rejects a lucrative package of draft picks from New Orleans and picks Oregon quarterback Akili Smith in the first round. But it's Mr. Blake that leads a late-season surge. With the new Paul Brown Stadium to open in August 2000, many wonder if Mr. Coslet will return.
Source: Enquirer research
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