Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Bengals notebook
Several Bengals to attend funeral for Spikes' dad
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Several Bengals defensive players will attend the funeral today for Jimmie Spikes, father of linebacker Takeo Spikes, in Sandersville, Ga.
The elder Spikes died Friday after an eight-month battle with cancer.
Takeo Spikes missed Sunday's 24-14 victory against Cleveland to be with his family, but he watched the game on television.
“His family depends on him the same way the team does,” offensive tackle Willie Anderson said. “They depend on him for strength.”
Linebacker Brian Simmons said the team's linebackers and some of the defensive linemen would attend the funeral. Today is the players' day off.
Spikes left a message Monday morning for Simmons, who didn't get the call because he was taking his daughter to school.
“He sounded decent,” Simmons said. “He said, "Thanks for getting the game for me.'”
The Bengals dedicated the game to Spikes and will present him with one of the game balls.
STANDOUTS:
Other game balls were presented Monday by coach Dick LeBeau to tailback Corey Dillon, fullback Lorenzo Neal, center Rich Braham and wide receiver Peter Warrick.
Dillon led the Bengals' 199-yard rushing effort with 140 yards. Neal often was his lead blocker and protected quarterback Jon Kitna on blitzes.
Braham anchored the offensive line, and Warrick accounted for more than 100 yards on receptions and punt returns.
Defensive game balls went to defensive tackle Glen Steele and linebacker Adrian Ross, who filed in for Spikes. Steele recovered a fumble and made a tackle on a short third-down play. Ross led the team with eight tackles.
The special teams game ball went to Ron Dugans, who caught a two-point conversion pass and had three kick-coverage tackles to bring his special teams-leading total to 11.
MEDICAL REPORT:
Cornerback Rodney Heath will see Dr. Bill Garrett on Wednesday in Chapel Hill, N.C., about his torn hamstring. Garrett examined Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.'s hamstring earlier this year.
“We're trying to determine if he should have surgery,” Bengals trainer Paul Sparling said. “It's a career-impacting injury. He has a lot of work ahead of him.”
The Bengals made no personnel moves Monday. The team could put Heath on the Injured Reserve list and sign a veteran cornerback. Meanwhile, second-year cornerbacks Robert Bean and Mark Roman are expected to get more playing time.
Wide receiver Chad Johnson will miss six weeks with a broken left collarbone, suffered making a catch Sunday. Second-year players Dugans and Danny Farmer will replace Johnson as the third receiver.
Defensive tackle Tony Williams, who sprained his foot against the Steelers, will see Dr. Pierce Scranton, a foot and ankle specialist, in Seattle.
These players are probable for Sunday's game against the Bears: tight end Marco Battaglia (left shoulder strain), right tackle Willie Anderson (mild knee sprain), wide receiver Peter Warrick (bruised left shoulder) and Bean (bruised left fibula).
KICKING GAME:
LeBeau said there will be no changes in the kicking game. Kicker Neil Rackers missed a 22-yarder in the second quarter, but made three other attempts. Brad St. Louis will remain the long snapper and Nick Harris the holder.
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