Sunday, July 15, 2001
LeBeau planning to make early mark
After 42 camps, he's preparing for 1st as head coach
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Dick LeBeau went to 14 NFL training camps as a player, all with the Detroit Lions.
He went to 28 consecutive training camps as an assistant coach or defensive coordinator, for the Eagles, Packers, Bengals and Steelers.
The 2001 Bengals training camp, which will open Friday when players report to Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky., will be LeBeau's first as a head coach in 43 NFL seasons, and he plans to put his stamp on it.
“There are certain constants that have to be there, but I have some ideas,” he said. “I like the night-practice format, because we play night games in the preseason.”
LeBeau also said he “has ideas about conditioning and toning that are different,” but he declined to elaborate because he had yet to finalize plans with his staff.
LeBeau, who went 4-9 as head coach in 2000 after Bruce Coslet's resignation, also wants to continue devel oping resiliency among his players.
The Bengals have appeared emotionally fragile the past three seasons, when they went 11-37. Last season, the Bengals were stunned by veteran wide receiver Darnay Scott's broken leg in training camp and limped to the NFL's worst pass offense. The season-ending knee injury suffered by middle linebacker Brian Simmons in the opening loss to Cleveland also damaged the team's psyche.
“Injuries are part of the game. Every team loses guys,” LeBeau said. “We will not entertain for a moment thoughts of a black cloud hanging over this team. You make your own luck.”
LeBeau, who will turn 64 on Sept.9, is enthusiastic and energetic at the start of camp.
“I'm looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “We definitely have improved our personnel. I liked the attitude and tone of our team in minicamp.”
Bengals Stories
Reds 6, Indians 5
Rijo allows 2 runs in Triple-A start
Same old Sabo
Ten Reasons Why Reds Fans Loved Sabo
Casey to have MRI on injured ankle
Fan's eye view of the Reds
Graves' defense saves Reds
What's wrong with Rocker?
Reds-Tigers Scouting Report
Reds box, runs
Riggs wins Kroger 225 truck race
Kroger 225 results
Punch impressed by Speedway
Auto Racing Insider
Best and worst of week in sports
Luzhanka beats Met champ in semis
Wolf, Puentes return to Men's Met finals
High School Insider
Summer Basketball League semis today
Celebrity Classic crowded at top
Celebrity Classic golf results
The perils of broadcasting live
Five Questions with: Jimmy Kimmel
Tristate Golf Notebook
Cincinnati Public Links results
Junior Better Ball Championship results
Youth Golf Association Championship
• Return to Bengals front page...
LeBeau planning to make early mark
