Tuesday, November 06, 2001
Brown defers credit for Bengals' turnaround
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
For 10 non-winning seasons, during which his teams went 47-113, Bengals president Mike Brown has been the target of relentless criticism.
At least two Web sites exist exclusively to clamor for his resignation as the team's de facto general manager. Stadium banners also have called for him to step down.
But if he deserves the barbs, he also deserves some credit for the Bengals' modest turnaround this season.
Brown, his front office and coaches have assembled a team that has entered November with a winning record for the first time since 1990 — the last year Brown's late father, Paul Brown, oversaw daily operations of the organization. The 2001 Bengals are a legitimate playoff contender, after winning just 11 of 48 games the previous three seasons.
But Brown is more will ing to take the criticism for the past than he is to accept credit for the present.
“Obviously, I wonder about why I should be credited,” he said. “If I can make it not work, which I firmly established, why should I be crowing if it does work a little bit? I would say the credit here, such as it is, belongs to the coaches and players. Our scouts did a good job this offseason.
“My role in this is less than people think.”
Still, Brown has final say in just about everything the club does, and after a decade of poor choices and worse luck, the Bengals made several right moves to put the team into contention.
Brown gave coach Dick LeBeau a multi-year contract in December. He also gave LeBeau a great deal of say on coaching and personnel moves.
He allowed LeBeau to demote former Bengals great Ken Anderson from offensive coordinator to quarterbacks coach. LeBeau brought in a proven coordinator, Bob Bratkowski, who is re-establishing the Bengals' pass offense with a new scheme.
Brown let LeBeau expand the coaching staff to the largest in franchise history, 15 assistants, up from 11 at start of the 2000 season.
Brown also oversaw a free agent search that brought in quarterback Jon Kitna to play in the offense he worked in with the Seahawks under Bratkowski.
Brown cut his losses with 1999 first-round pick Akili Smith, eating Smith's $10.8 million signing bonus on an emergency third QB.
The biggest move Brown made in the offseason, though, was approving the franchise-record $27 million contract for running back Corey Dillon.
Brown, who had the most salary cap money to work with, froze out other teams by saying in public that he would match any offer made to Dillon. The deal was struck in May, and Dillon, who's on pace for another 1,400-yard season, came to training camp happy and in the best early season shape of his five-year career.
The Bengals re-signed several other key players — offensive linemen Matt O'Dwyer and center Rich Braham chief among them — and watched his team invest heavily in veteran free agents who have played key roles in the team's early success.
Left tackle Richmond Webb was signed from Miami, and he has sealed a hole in the offensive line that has allowed just 10 sacks, fourth best in the league. Fullback Lorenzo Neal was signed after starter Nick Williams seriously injured a knee in minicamp. Neal is a key clubhouse leader and effective lead blocker for Dillon.
Defensive tackle Tony Williams was signed from the Vikings, and he has teamed with Oliver Gibson to give the Bengals a strong defensive interior. Williams' absence has been felt the past four weeks since he went down with a foot injury in Pittsburgh.
Brown appeared to take to heart criticism of former Bengals coach Bruce Coslet, who complained that Brown had let the roster get too young and inexperienced. Other veteran free agents were signed to provide needed depth.
But not everything has changed in how the Bengals do business. The team's first-round draft pick, defensive end Justin Smith, was the last first-rounder signed this season. He didn't agree to a deal until Sept.8, missed the opener and has had to be brought along more slowly than hoped.
So while Brown credits the players and coaches, LeBeau credits the front office for playing the major role in the 4-3 start.
“Quite honestly, I give credit to management, that's Mike and the people who work with him, the personnel department,” LeBeau said. “This is a different team.”
Bengals Stories
PREP FOOTBALL PAGE
PBS doubleheader thrills Colerain's Coombs
Ohio second-round pairings
Kentucky second-round pairings
Indiana playoff pairings
Cutting teams, labor questions loom over owners' meeting
Complete World Series coverage
Huggins expects tests in exhibitions
UC games change time, TV
Atlantic 10 gets facelift
Atlantic 10 preseason polls
Duke, Maryland 1-2 in AP poll
Raiders 38, Broncos 28
Miami, Marshall ready for showdown
Morriss tries to keep UK motivated
Local College Notebook
Boys state soccer schedule
Girls state volleyball schedule
Girls state soccer schedule
• Return to Bengals front page...
Brown defers credit for Bengals' turnaround
