Thursday, August 17, 2000
Foley primed to rack up sacks
Linebacker wants more consistency
By Tom Groeschen
The Cincinnati Enquirer
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Steve Foley could be the big-time sack artist the Bengals have long lacked. Could be.
Exhibit A: Foley's 3.0 sacks vs. Baltimore on Nov.21.
Exhibit B: Foley's 0.5 sacks — total — in the other 15 games last season.
The third-year outside linebacker, whom the Bengals consider one of their most improved players this preseason, has a track record of rushing the passer. He led the nation in sacks (18.5) as a senior at Northeast Lousiana but has 5.5 in two years as a Bengal.
Last Friday, Foley again showed flashes in a preseason game at Atlanta. He was sent several times on blitzes and knocked quarterback Chris Chandler to the turf after one pass attempt.
The Bengals see Foley doing better with his angles, his aggressiveness and his knowledge of the defense. They also believe he could
approach the standard set by Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons, fellow linebackers who have made that position one of the strongest on the club.
The Bengals have not had a 10-sack individual season since Alfred Williams got 10 in 1992. On a defense with few sackers, Foley seems as good a candidate as any to step up. Michael Bankston led the team with 6.0 last year, and the Bengals' total of 35 ranked below the AFC average of 41.1 per team.
“I'm not setting any number of sacks I want to get,” Foley said Wednesday. “If I say 10, and then I've only got four going into the final game, then I'll be thinking about that too much. I have big dreams, but I'm just going to play each game and take what comes.”
Even Foley said he should be more consistent. “I had the one big game last year, but I didn't have another like that,” he said.
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Foley has had to learn his craft all over again in the NFL. In college, he was a pass-rushing defensive end who basically just charged upfield. In the NFL, he has to play both the run and the pass. The Bengals say he has the ability.
“There was a play in the Atlanta game that illustrates that,” said Mark Duffner, Bengals linebackers coach. “Jamal Anderson runs the ball off to our right, Spikes and Simmons are making the hit, and Foley comes from all the way across the field to get in on the play.”
The Bengals defense does not allow for one man to simply rush the quarterback, but Duffner said Foley is learning to shed blockers and get into the backfield.
“He's become more aware of his assignments, so that lets his pass-rush skills flourish more,” Duffner said.
Foley said he also has learned how to work hard. Many NFL rookies do not grasp the commitment needed to survive in the pros. “I worked harder than ever this offseason,” Foley said. “It took those first two years just to learn the system, too. Now, maybe if a back comes to block me, I'll know whether to come under him or rush outside him.”
Another adjustment was to the level of competition. Foley played against some Southeastern Conference teams in college, but only occasionally. “There's a big difference in speed and quickness,” said Jim Lippincott, Bengals personnel director. “Northeast Louisiana is good football, but everybody here is as fast as the best player he faced there. I think since the seventh or eighth game last year, things have really clicked in for Steve.”
Foley was one of only 10 Bengals to start every game in 1999. He has not achieved the name recognition of his fellow linebackers, and he truly is a guy who can walk the Cincinnati streets unnoticed. The Bengals believe the name, if not the face, will become more familiar in 2000.
“We talk so much about Brian and Takeo, but Steve has closed the gap on them,” Lippincott said. “He's very much improved, and I think you'll see it.”
Bengals Stories
Brewers 5, Reds 1
Box, runs
LaRue may keep catching spot
Second St. opening just in time
Owner sues to get back Rose photo
Beckerman has Olympics in her sights
Moceanu's bid in jeopardy
Sports face determined opponent in ministers
Maccabi Games bring together 1,300 Jewish youngsters
Cincinnati preps results
Northern Ky. preps results
UC 2000-01 men's basketball schedule
UC renews basketball rivalry with Dayton
• Return to Bengals front page...
Foley primed to rack up sacks
