Tuesday, November 20, 2001

Bengal notebook


Kitna's QB rating now is NFL's third-lowest

By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        Jon Kitna's passer rating has dropped to third lowest of regular NFL quarterbacks after his two-interception game Sunday.

        His rating is 68.9, better than only Carolina's Chris Weinke (65.3) and Kansas City's Trent Green (62.6).

        Kitna has thrown nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions while completing 56 percent of his passes for 1,843 yards.

        But his job appears to be safe.

        “Jon Kitna is our quarterback,” coach Dick LeBeau said. “I think Jon played very, very well in the first half. Exceptionally well. I think Jon will tell you it was a below average performance in the second half.

        “We think that our offense has dramatically improved. We think that maybe the numbers don't even reflect the growth that we have shown on that side of the ball. The simple truth is that we have to get more points than what we got in the last two games to be a consistent winner.”

        The Bengals have been outscored 50-20 in the past two games, both losses, and now have a 185-140 points disadvantage.

        VISITING HOUR:

        Players Takeo Spikes, Oliver Gibson, JoJuan Armour and T.J. Houshmandzadeh paid a hospital visit Monday to Kyle Fields, one of five people hit by a speeding vehicle Sunday at Elm and Second streets near Paul Brown Stadium.

        Kyle Fields, who played football at Madeira High School, was walking to the Bengals game when he and his brother were struck. Kyle's leg was broken in two places, and he has facial cuts. His brother, Ken Fields, 20, had his foot run over and will undergo physical therapy.

        The Bengals players took with them an autographed football and Bengals caps and yearbooks.

        Scott Ashbrock, 15, of Mason died from his injuries Sunday night, and two other people were injured. Stewart Williams, 21, of Middletown, remains in critical condition, and his fiancee, Jami Henderson, 21, also of Middletown, was treated at the scene.

        Monday morning, Bengals president Mike Brown placed a phone call to Cincinnati Police officer Jon Harris, who injured his hands while pushing at least one pedestrian out of the way.

        GOOD DEED:

        Bengals players Corey Dillon, Cory Hall, Brandon Bennett and Adrian Ross will be among the players distributing Thanksgiving food to needy people today at the FreeStore/FoodBank in Over-the-Rhine.

        LOSING GROUND:

        The Bengals' 40-yard rushing effort Sunday in the Tennessee loss dropped them from 13th in the league in rushing to a tie for 16th at 107.9 yards a game.

       



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