Monday, September 18, 2000
BENGALS NOTEBOOK
Spearman fills in nicely
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
JACKSONVILLE — Rookie free agent Armegis Spearman started at middle linebacker, had eight tackles and impressed his defensive teammates with his composure.
“I felt good from the start,” Spearman said. “I didn't even get nervous. The guys talked with me all week, and I just came in like it was a practice.”
Spearman, the only undrafted rookie to make the roster, replaced the injured Brian Simmons, who had knee surgery Tuesday and will be out 8-10 weeks.
“He made the calls, and once he got halfway through the first quarter, it was kind of like having Brian Simmons in there,” defensive tackle Oliver Gibson said of Spearman. “That's a heck of a guy to try to replace. He's a good linebacker.”
BOOKER HOSPITALIZED: Bengals defensive end Vaughn Booker lost consciousness on the field late in the game and was taken off on a cart.
He regained consciousness while on the ground but was taken to Jacksonville Baptist Hospital to undergo tests. He was checked for head and chest injuries and had blood drawn. He is expected to be given heart tests this morning and will be released if those are also negative, trainer Paul Sparling said.
The Taft High School graduate, who also played at the University of Cincinnati, also sprained a knee earlier in the game.
BIG BUCKS: Running back Corey Dillon rushed for 32 yards on 17 carries. He had 41 yards on 12 carries last week, giving him 73 yards on 29 attempts.
Dillon signed a $3 million, one-year contract in August. He is paid to run the football. With one-eighth of the season completed, he has earned $375,000 of his salary. So far in 2000, each yard Dillon has gained is worth $5,136.99.
Dillon was unavailable for comment Sunday. He dressed and left the locker room before reporters were permitted inside.
SMALL CROWD: Sun day's attendance of 45,653 was the lowest in ALLTELL Stadium history for a Jaguars regular-season game. The previous low of 57,408 was also set against the Bengals on Dec. 1, 1996.FIRSTS: The shutout was Jacksonville's first in its six-year history. Kicker Steve Lindsey, subbing for the injured Mike Hollis, who missed his first game in 90 games with the Jaguars, made his first career field goal from 30 yards.
STREAK ALIVE: Bengals tight end Tony McGee started his 105th consecutive NFL on Sunday. He had injured both feet in last week's loss to Cleveland.
INACTIVE: Scott Rehberg, who started last week at guard, was put on the inactive list before Sunday's game.
For the second week in a row, cornerback Mark Roman, the team's second-round draft choice, was inactivated before the game.
EVEN: The Jaguars had 53 victories in the 1990s, beginning as an expansion team in 1995. The Bengals also had 53 wins, but played five more seasons. The Cincinnati total includes a playoff victory in 1990.OLD SCHOOL: Eight former University of Cincinnati players started the season on NFL rosters: Brad Jackson (Ravens), Vaughn Booker and Artrell Hawkins (Bengals), Chad Plummer (Colts), Derrick Ransom (Chiefs), Robert Tate (Vikings), Sam Gaines (Giants) and Jason Fabini (Jets).
Three Miami RedHawks are currently in the NFL: Travis Prentice (Browns), Eric Beverly (Lions) and Trevor Gaylor (Chargers).
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Spearman fills in nicely
