Monday, December 17, 2001
Dillon's numbers up but he wants wins
By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Corey Dillon continued to compile impressive personal statistics Sunday, but the number he cares most about — wins — is still coming up short.
The 15-14 loss Sunday to the New York Jets left the Bengals with a 4-9 record, and they are 22-55 since Dillon was drafted in the second round in April 1997.
Since they were 7-9 in his rookie year, the Bengals are 15-46.
“Just another damn year that we didn't reach our goal. So I'm not happy at all,” he said.
The goal is the playoffs.
Dillon rushed for 85 yards Sunday, and his 1,010 yards this season make him the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his first five seasons. He joined Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Barry Sanders, Eddie George and the Jets' Curtis Martin, who had 78 yards on 24 attempts Sunday.
“It's sweet,” Dillon said of the achievement, “but it's bitter. I haven't got anything to celebrate.”
Dillon is within a good game of passing 6,000 yards for his career. He has 5,904.
Dillon also rushed for two touchdowns Sunday, giving him a single-season career high of 11, bettering his rookie total of 10.
He scored Sunday on touchdown runs from one and three yards.
He also was the team's leading receiver Sunday with three receptions for 32 yards, giving him 29 catches for 189 yards this season. He needs two catches to equal his single-season best of 1999.
Dillon has been at his best getting into the endzone, just as the team has fallen into a scoring slump. He has scored nine of the Bengals' past 11 touchdowns, dating to Oct.14, when the Bengals defeated Cleveland 24-14.
The Bengals scored two touchdowns Sunday for the first time since Oct.28 at Detroit.
“I don't know,” Dillon said when asked to explain why the offense is inconsistent. “I don't know if it's lack of execution or will or (whether) they're calling great plays on defense. I don't know. I'm not paid to try to make those assessments. I'm looking for answers to. I know everybody's out there fighting hard.”
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Dillon's numbers up but he wants wins
