Tuesday, October 23, 2001
Bengals notebook
Dillon was tired, not frustrated
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bengals running back Corey Dillon, who took himself out of Sunday's game late in the fourth quarter, said Monday he removes himself five or six times a game when he is tired.
Dillon said taking himself out had nothing to do with frustration over the offense's inability to score against Chicago. He left the field after he was the intended receiver on a first-down play from Chicago's 2-yard line with 5:41 left.
Quarterback Jon Kitna fired a pass into the end zone that bounced off Dillon's hand. After three more incomplete passes, Kitna and Dillon had an animated discussion on the sidelines about what they called “miscommunication” on the pass play.
“I'm not losing sleep over it,” Dillon said Monday. “I'm sorry if I disappointed everybody.”
He was held to 30 yards rushing on 16 carries in the 24-0 loss.
Kitna said the discussion was between two competitive players who want to win. . That also was coach Dick LeBeau's take on the situation.
“It is not OK to be smiling on the sideline if we're getting beaten 24-0,” LeBeau said. “I would be more concerned if they came over and were laughing and joking. They should care if they can't perform better than what we did in that game. Now we still must structure within the team, and that's what we have to get done.”
HEUPEL EXPECTED:
The Bengals are expected to bring in former Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel for a tryout this week to fill a practice-squad opening.
Heupel, a Miami Dolphins sixth-round draft pick, hurt his left (throwing) wrist during the first exhibition game. He was released in training camp shortly after the Dolphins traded for Bears quarterback Cade McNown.
Heupel led Oklahoma to the NCAA title last season and was 19-4 as a starter in two seasons with the Sooners, throwing for 50 touchdowns with 29 interceptions.
LIONS PAINS:
The Bengals play Sunday at 0-5 Detroit, the league's only winless team. Wide receivers Germane Crowell (22 catches) and Herman Moore (four catches) are out for the season.
With Charlie Batch back at quarterback, the Lions have scored 50 points in their past two losses to Minnesota and Tennessee, but They've given up 58 in those two games and 145 for the season.
Batch has thrown for 1,072 yards and six touchdowns, but has been sacked 18 times.
After rushing for just 35 yards against the Bears, who now have the league's second-ranked rush defense, the Bengals will face a Lions defense ranked 24th against the run (131.8 yards a game).
ANDERSON OK:
Offensive tackle Willie Anderson spent three hours in a Cincinnati hospital undergoing a CT scan after he suffered a concussion against the Bears. The test showed no sign of further brain injury. Anderson said Monday he will play at Detroit.
CARTER HURT:
Nickel back Tom Carter was slowed by a bruised knee Sunday, which forced LeBeau to play newcomer Ligarius Jennings on passing downs. The Bengals' medical staff said Sunday night Carter was physically fine. LeBeau on Monday said Carter's knee “was bothering his mobility.”
VISIT:
As part of the NFL's connection to prep football, Bengals linebacker Adrian Ross will be at Aiken High School today to talk with members of the varsity and freshmen teams.
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