Sunday, June 18, 2000Coslet likes team's chances
Experience should pay
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati EnquirerMASON — For weeks, the news out of Spinney Field has been Peter Warrick's deal, Corey Dillon's discontent and the Bengals' new digs at Paul Brown Stadium. What there hasn't been is much talk about how the 2000 team is taking shape.
But after a busy offseason of personnel changes, spring minicamp and three well-attended voluntary workouts last week, coach Bruce Coslet now has seen enough to offer his first “State of the Bengals” analysis.
“I'm more at ease going into this season than the other three. I'm optimistic,” Coslet said Friday morning.
“We've been way too young for way too long here,” he said. “We have a group of guys in their third years — Takeo (Spikes), (Brian) Simmons, Artrell (Hawkins). We've invested a lot of time and money in them. We went through their growing pains. Now it's time for the dividends.”
The Bengals were 4-12 last year and 3-13 in 1998.
“We've added three defensive starters — (Darryl) Williams, (Tom) Barndt and (Vaughn) Booker. These are good, reliable pro veteran players.
“But since the very end of last season, we've been dwelling on the positive and trying to stay away from the negative. There is a sense of optimism around us, but unless we win, it doesn't mean anything. We've got to win. Winning solves a lot of problems. If we don't win, the problems will persist.”
Here's Coslet's position-by-position take on the 2000 Bengals:
Quarterback
Coslet's No.1 reason for optimism, he said, is his starting quarterback — Akili Smith.“We're going to go only as far as he's going to take us,” Coslet said.
“But we signed Scott Mitchell. He's got some age and experience ... If Akili struggles, I am able to take him out. That doesn't mean I won't start him the next game.
Backfield
Dillon is at a contract impasse with the Bengals and threatening to miss the season's first 10 games. Michael Basnight, Brandon Bennett, Curtis Keaton and Sedrick Shaw are the Bengals other halfbacks.“We're not destitute at running back,” Coslet said. “We're not going to be bad.”
Receivers
Seven-year veteran Darnay Scott is the only Bengal with significant experience.“He's damn good,” Coslet said. “He's exceptionally fast, and his first three or four years were better than (Carl) Pickens' first three or four years. I know what I'm going to get with Darnay.
“We've got the two young guys from Florida State (Warrick and Ron Dugans). Warrick reminds of me Eddie Brown. He can take that 5-yard hitch and run.”
Offensive line
“We were 40 yards from best in the league in rushing. We were sixth. Our line can pass block,” Coslet said.“Our line is solid. (Right guard Brian) DeMarco had his elbow fixed. (Left guard Matt) O'Dwyer is a good football player. This is the first offseason Richie Braham hasn't had surgery. He's got his legs back and is feeling good. Of course, we signed big Willie (Anderson) at right tackle, and (left tackle) Rod Jones has to keep improving.”
Defensive line
The Bengals signed projected starters Booker and Barndt as free agents. Oliver Gibson and John Copeland are listed now as the other starters.“Reinard Wilson is up to 270, and pound for pound, is the strongest guy on the team,” Coslet said of the linebacker-turned-defensive end who's listed as a backup.
Linebacker
“I like Spikes and Simmons,” Coslet said. “They're both great athletes and can really run. They're both third-year guys, and it's time for them to blossom.”Secondary
“This is going to be the most competitive group in training camp,” Coslet said. “We're going to take 13 or 14 people and keep 10. (Cornerback) Tom Carter and Darryl Williams give us a lot of experience back there.”Hawkins and Cory Hall are the other two projected starters.
“Corner is my top concern,” Coslet said. “We drafted (Robert) Bean and (Mark) Roman. This is a passing division. You need at least three or four starter-quality corners. St. Louis ran all over us last year because their third receiver ate up our third corner.”
The Bengals allowed 4,027 passing yards, second-worst in the NFL.
“Our biggest improvement will be on defense,” Coslet said.
Special teams
The Bengals were last in the league in where opponents started drives.Much of the blame rests with the coverage teams. “We had to defend 2,000 extra yards over the season compared to the best team. Letting the other guy start at the 30 every time catches up with you.”
Kicker Doug Pelfrey had his worst season, making 18 of 27 field-goal attempts (67 percent). “He had a lot of snappers and holders,” Coslet said. “But Doug knows he has to improve his game, too. He's been working every day.”
Summary
“It has been change with a plan in mind, not change for change's sake,” Coslet said of the makeover. “Maybe it's Booker who knocks down a pass in the fourth quarter to win a game. Maybe it's NFL-velocity long snaps that will make a difference. It's the sum of the parts.”
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