Sunday, September 17, 2000
Who's got the edge
Enquirer Bengals beat reporter Mark Curnutte gives his analysis of how the Bengals and the Jaguars match up by position.
Quarterback
Akili Smith is coming off what he calls the worst game of his career. He has a strong work ethic. Look for him to have a better game against an even better opponent.
Mark Brunell is the new John Elway. Teammates say he's better than ever and is on target every time. Brunell has averaged more than 300 yards passing in two games.
Edge: Jaguars
Running backs
Corey Dillon has to improve on his 41 yards rushing. Of course, he has to be given the ball more than 12 times. Bengals are 10-2 when Dillon runs 22 times or more.
Stacey Mack gets the start for the Jaguars, who won't rush Fred Taylor back for the Bengals. Taylor will be back for the Colts next Monday night. Jags had only 46 yards on ground in Baltimore.
Edge: Bengals
Wide receivers/tight ends
Peter Warrick and Ron Dugans learned last week that the AFC Central is a long way from Florida State. Warrick dropped three balls. Dugans ran a couple of bad routes. TE Tony McGee playing on two hurt feet.
Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell, with respect to the Vikings, are best receiving tandem in NFL. They already have 37 receptions, 519 yards and four TDs in two games. Ouch.
Edge: Jaguars
Offensive line
LT Rod Jones wants to be anonymous next week. That means he will have rebounded to play a good game against Jaguars All Pro DE Tony Brackens.
Tony Boselli's knee is getting stronger every week. Center John Wade is back. Even without Leon Searcy, this is a strong unit.
Edge: Jaguars
Special teams
Bengals kick coverage teams are vastly improved. Punter kicks the ball high if not far. Rookie Neil Rackers needs to make a field goal to regain his confidence.
Kicker Mike Hollis is out with a back injury he suffered before scoring 18 points against Baltimore. Steve Lindsey will fill in.
Edge: Bengals
Defensive line
Bengals getting better with improving health of tackle Tom Barndt and ends Michael Bankston and Vaughn Booker. Tackle Oliver Gibson emerging as best player.
Tony Brackens and backup Joel Smeenge will put a lot of pressure on QB Smith.
Edge: Jaguars
Linebackers
Undrafted rookie free agent Armegis Spearman gets the start in place of injured middle linebacker Brian Simmons. Spearman more impressive than veteran backups Adrian Ross and Billy Granville.
The Hardy boys — ageless veteran Hardy Nickerson and Kevin Hardy — are Nos.1 and 2 in tackles for the Jaguars.
Edge: Jaguars
Defensive backs
This is a big test for the Bengals quartet of Artrell Hawkins, Tom Carter, Cory Hall and Darryl Williams. Take away Tim Couch's 65-yard bomb to start the game, and the secondary held Cleveland to less than 200 yards passing.
Safety Carnell Lake is lost for the season, and Rayna Stewart steps in to pick off two passes. Aaron Beasley is a strong cover player.
Edge: Jaguars
Coaching
Tom Coughlin runs the tightest ship in the football industry. He has better players than his counterpart.
Bruce Coslet was clearly shaken by the Cleveland loss. He has never won in Jacksonville. This is one of those rare NFL games where a moral victory is available with a strong effort.
Edge: Jaguars
The winner
Jacksonville. Too much experience. One of the best quarterbacks in the league. And a sense of urgency to win it all before salary cap issues tear the Jaguars apart like they have the 49ers.
Jaguars 31, Bengals 7
Bengals Stories
Reds 7, Brewers 3
Box, runs
Kroger pulls Griffey cereal box
Stynes not used to such a workout
Wisconsin 28, UC 25
Minter reconsiders safety strategy
Complete Olympics coverage at Cincinnati.com/olympics
Baseball team saves face
Craig wins for Dante Jr.
DAUGHERTY: Thorpe as good as advertised
Disappointed women's gymnasts lower sights
NBC is missing the excitement
Ohio State 27, Miami 16
SULLIVAN: Buckeyes can't expect easy wins anymore
Miami WRs burn Buckeyes
Kentucky 41, Indiana 34
Small college football
Nelson leads Kroger after late surge
Kroger Classic notebook
Kroger classic scores
Kroger tee times
Captain Steve wins Kentucky Cup Classic
Other Kentucky Cup races
Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball
Elder-Highlands crowd overflows gates
Elder 21, Highlands 14
Elder defense steps up in 2nd half
Elder-Highlands notebook
High school insider
St. Ignatius 29, St. Xavier 10
Week 4 Football Notebook
Cincinnati high school results
N.Ky. high school results
National League Insider
NFL Insider
Auto Racing Insider
• Return to Bengals front page...
Who's got the edge 
