Dick LeBeau celebrates his first win last week. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        CLEVELAND — Running the ball is Dick LeBeau's favorite thing to do as Bengals' head coach.

        It's his signature on the team, emblematic of a more aggressive posture. The Bengals don't worry as much about adjusting to what their opponent does. They stick to what they do best and, in doing so, force the other team to face their strength.

        Since taking over four games ago for Bruce Coslet, who quit, LeBeau has turned the Bengals into a running team. It's a trend sure to continue today when Cincinnati plays at Cleveland.

        More than half of the plays run by the Bengals under LeBeau — 52 percent — are running plays.

        Under Coslet, 35 percent of the plays were rushes.

        Establishing the running game is just one of many changes LeBeau has affected since being promoted from defensive coordinator. Players with the 1-6 Bengals say there is more discipline and that they are in better shape.

        If it sounds familiar, it is. Four seasons ago, when Coslet took over a 1-6 team for the fired Dave Shula, players said he brought more discipline and made them work harder.

        Coslet's strength as a coach — and a weakness, apparently — was his willingness to adjust to the other team.

        “We were always concerned with who they had over there, "We can't run the ball because they've been stopping people,'” said right tackle Willie Anderson, a five-year veteran. “Coach LeBeau's style is, "We don't give a damn who's over there. We're going to run the ball.' And if they stop us, they're going to have to stop us 30 times.”

        Including the team-record 407 yards rushing against Denver, Cincinnati has rushed for 847 yards in four game under LeBeau (a 211.8-yard average).

        Corey Dillon, who set an NFL record with 278 yards rushing against Denver, had 10 carries that netted minus-2 yards.

        “That would have been the end of the running game. We would have thrown the ball 40 times,” Anderson said. “Corey would have sat there with 12, 15 carries.”

LeBeau sticks with run Little changes make big difference Bengals, Browns look painfully familiar Who's got the edge? Bengals-Browns by the numbers Players to watch Five Questions with Marc Edwards

Reds wait on Piniella, Valentine
1975 World Series: Game 7
UC 45, Miami 15
DAUGHERTY: UC gets a peek performance
Tide turned quickly for RedHawks
UC-Miami Notebook
UC freshmen raise eyebrows in scrimmage
XU looking for depth in frontcourt
Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball
22 local teams make Ohio football playoffs
Projected computer rankings
Flesch keeps Tiger at bay
Purdue 31, Ohio State 27
Thomas More 17, Defiance 7
Manchester 36, Mount St. Joseph 14
Estill stars in UK scrimmage
NFL Insider
WXIX still trying to fill UC job
Auto Racing Insider
Boys soccer roundup
Boys cross country roundup
Girls cross country roundup
Notre Dame falls in volleyball finals
Mighty Ducks 2, Rochester 1
Orlando 3, Cyclones 1

• Return to Bengals front page...