Dick LeBeau (right) and Mike Brown answer questions. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Bruce Coslet had no specific win-loss goals for the 2000 Bengals. He repeatedly said he wanted his team to be competitive and show improvement.

        Cincinnati displayed some fight in its second game, a 13-0 loss in the rain at Jacksonville, but was tamed in the opener by Cleveland and dominated 37-0 Sunday in Baltimore.

        Dick LeBeau, named to replace Coslet, who resigned Monday, has the same goals that Coslet did for the Bengals.

        LeBeau spelled out part of his vision for the next 13 games at an afternoon news conference.

        “I think, as much as anything, that our performance has to become competitive,” he said. “There's no reason why we can't be. We think we have quality young players here.”

LeBEAU FILE Bruce Coslet, LeBeau

• Born: Sept. 9, 1937   • Hometown: London, Ohio   • Family: Wife Nancy, son Brandon (21).   • Playing career: Played defensive back and running back at Ohio State from 1954-57, winning a national championship his senior season. Played 14 seasons for the Detroit Lions (1959-72).   • Notables: Voted to three Pro Bowls. Set an all-time durability record for cornerbacks, playing in 171 consecutive games. At the time of his retirement, his 62 interceptions ranked third in NFL history (now tied for sixth).   • Coaching career: Special teams coach, 1973-75, Philadelphia; defensive backs coach, 1976-79, Green Bay; defensive backs coach, 1980-83, Cincinnati; defensive coordinator, 1984-91, Cincinnati; defensive backs coach, 1992-94, Pittsburgh; defensive coordinator, 1995-96, Pittsburgh; assistant head coach/defensive coordinator, 1997-2000, Cincinnati; head coach, 2000, Cincinnati.

        On the field, the Bengals will continue to play the same type of zone-blitz defense developed by LeBeau. He was the Bengals assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. Many of his coordinator duties will be handed to linebackers coach Mark Duffner.

        On offense is where the most visible changes might occur. Ken Anderson will remain offensive coordinator but will take over play-calling responsibilities from Coslet.

        But beyond those specifics, LeBeau spoke more in generalities.

        He gave the impression that the Bengals needed more of a tune-up as opposed to an overhaul.

        “I watched this team through the preseason,” he said. “When our No. 1s (starters) were out there against their No.1s, it was competitive every week. I don't see why we can't be a competitive NFL team in this league.”

        A mere change of direction and leadership probably will improve the team's play, regardless of who the outgoing and incoming coaches would be. That's what happened in 1996 when Coslet took over Dave Shula's 1-6 team and finished the season 7-2.

        LeBeau said there wasn't a part of the 2000 Bengals that wasn't underachieving — offense, defense, kicking game.

        Much of the time in the past two-plus seasons, the Bengals appeared to be playing with little emotion. Sometimes, they appeared to be coasting. LeBeau is relatively soft-spoken but has the reputation of a motivator.

        “I expect our players to play hard and spirited,” he said. “I've seen very animated coaches. I've seen very introverted coaches and both types be very successful.

        “I don't know that my particular personality will have any bearing rather than how the players will react to me, which I think will be positive. I'm positive of that, and I think people will see a spirited team.”

        LeBeau's first game as coach will be Sunday at home against the Miami Dolphins. They are 3-1 and have held their last two opponents — high-scoring Baltimore and New England — to a total of nine points. There are tough division games remaining with Jacksonville, Baltimore and Tennessee (twice) and the rematch with the Browns.

        But LeBeau appears more concerned, at least on his first day on the job, on his own players and team.

        He talked to his players briefly on Monday, telling them the Bengals have bottomed out and will work to improve. He said he'll have more specifics on Wednesday, and the approach won't be sugar-coated.

        He will address them the same way he was talked to as a player from 1959 through '72.

        “Players want to be as successful today as they were 20 years ago,” he said. “Maybe the language changes, the technology that surrounds them changes. You have to teach athletes. They want to learn.”

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