Wednesday, August 07, 2002
Bengals Notebook: Dugans catches break
By Shannon Russell srussell@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Receiver Ron Dugans didn't expect a pat on the back after the Bengals' Saturday scrimmage, and he didn't get one.
Dugans, who caught a 16-yard pass from Gus Frerotte and a 14-yard pass from Jon Kitna, had a hunch the defense's 12-7 win would generate more buzz on the Bengals' quarterback derby, big injuries and kicking woes, and he wasn't surprised when it did. But Dugans, who excels on both sides of the ball, hopes the best is yet to come.
“A lot of people aren't talking about (how I played), and that makes me want to work a lot harder. It used to bother me, but now it doesn't. I just want to be consistent,” said Dugans, who was fourth on the team in receiving yards (251) and tied Chad Johnson for fourth in catches (28).
A third-round draft pick in 2000, Dugans gained league recognition last season with his special teams defense and team-high 23 tackles.
He was the Bengals' Pro Bowl nomination for special teams player. This season he's aiming for a stingier defense, plus an offensive breakout.
“I feel like I'm the red-zone guy. I feel like I could score six to seven - maybe more - touchdowns there this year,” he said.
STARTING BLOCK: Coach Dick LeBeau said Jon Kitna will start at quarterback in Friday's preseason game at Buffalo, followed by Frerotte, Akili Smith and Scott Covington, in that order. LeBeau said each probably will play a quarter. Wide receivers Peter Warrick and T.J. Houshmandzadeh also will start, with Johnson at No.3 and Dugans at No.4.
WESTBROOK: Wide receiver Michael Westbrook was excused Wednesday for a death in the family and has been attending to family business in Detroit. He will not be playing in Buffalo on Friday. Westbrook, who was cleared to run beginning Sunday, is still recovering from a July 28 fractured his left wrist. He underwent surgery July 30.
INJURY REPORT: Linebacker Takeo Spikes, wide receiver Warrick and cornerback Rodney Heath left the injured reserves and returned to practice Tuesday.
Trainer Paul Sparling said injuries will prevent the following players from participating in Buffalo on Friday: WR Danny Farmer (hamstring), LB Steve Foley (groin), CB Artrell Hawkins (knee), DL Jevon Langford (ankle), OT John Jackson (groin), DL Eric Ogbogu (calf), TE Matt Schobel (ribs) and WR Chris Archie (intestinal virus).
After complaining of shortness of breath, offensive tackle Jamain Stephens underwent a number of diagnostic tests at the Ohio Heart Center in Cincinnati on Tuesday. They all came back normal. Stephens will receive one more test today and will not play Friday.
CONTRACT TALKS: Executive vice president Katie Blackburn said linebacker Brian Simmons' agent, Jerrold Colton, is considering coming to training camp next week, although not necessarily for contract negotiations. Simmons and fellow 1998 first-round draft pick Spikes are entering the final seasons of similar five-year contracts.
“I think he's coming to see Brian and get a feel for training camp,” Blackburn said. “So we'll see.”
Simmons started all 16 of last season's games at middle linebacker and led the defense in total snaps. He played 973 of a possible 1,013 snaps.
Bengals Stories
Rockies 7, Reds 6
Reds Box, Runs
Reds will get help, Selig says
Boone thinks labor deal can be done
Mets co-owner says Selig inflated losses
Hamilton replaces ailing Dessens
Reds Notebook: Casey to test swing in Louisville
Bonds hits 599th homer
Braves 4, Diamondbacks 3
Phillies 5, Padres 4
Pirates 3, Dodgers 1
Rockies' Stark flourishes in Coors
Schott released from hospital
Indianapolis 8, Louisville 6
Chang, Sampras provide Masters Tennis highlights
Masters Tennis Results & Schedule
Seething Hewitt blasts Tour
Chang surprises No. 3 Haas
Roddick revs for title drive
Title-hungry Henman ousts Kuerten
Tennis Notebook: Nieminen is in with Finns
Unser to return for Belterra 300
Nets get Mutombo for Van Horn, MacCulloch
• Return to Bengals front page...
Bengals Notebook: Dugans catches break
