Sunday, September 15, 2002
Keys to the game
By Mark Curnutte mcurnutte@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals' front seven - the defensive line and linebackers - are promoted as one of the team's strengths. Last week, in the 34-6 loss to the Chargers, it was a case of false advertising.
The Bengals had better live up to their billing today in Cleveland, and the front seven should have an advantage going in. The Browns will have three new players in the five offensive line positions. Starting right tackle Ryan Tucker and center Dave Wohlabaugh are out because of injuries, and starting right guard Shaun O'Hara is moving to center.
The right side of the offensive line will be inexperienced, giving the left side of the Bengals' defensive line - end Bernard Whittington and tackle Oliver Gibson - more opportunity to disrupt quarterback Kelly Holcomb. The Chiefs sacked him just once last week.
The Bengals will need to match Kansas City's defensive effort, which held the Browns to 59 yards rushing. Rookie first-round pick William Green had just 17 rushing yards on eight carries against the Chiefs.
DON'T GIVE UP: The Browns are vastly improved under Butch Davis, who was 7-9 as a rookie coach.
But four of the losses under Davis have occurred on the last play of the game, including a 30-yard field goal by Kansas City's Morten Andersen a week ago. Of course, it was set up by the 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on Browns linebacker Dwayne Rudd for throwing his helmet in celebration. He mistakenly thought he had sacked Trent Green to end the game.
The Browns' other last-play losses under Davis: a 52-yard field goal by Seattle's Rian Lindell; a 16-yard interception return by Chicago's Mike Brown in overtime and a 32-yard field goal by Pittsburgh's Kris Brown in overtime.
GET OVER IT: While both Browns and Bengals players say any loss is hard to deal with, Cleveland has to be in a bigger psychological hole after wasting 39 points and losing on a last play.
“It just eats at your guts,” Davis said of the loss.
The Bengals were never in the San Diego game and started looking ahead in the postgame locker room.
The Browns' loss lingered. Linebacker Dwayne Rudd was fined for throwing his helmet. Injured linebacker Jamir Miller questioned the leadership qualities of franchise quarterback Tim Couch, who is injured and probably won't play for a second week.
The Bengals need to grab and hold a lead. If they fall behind, the Bengals need to stay close because the Browns have a habit of blowing late leads.
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Keys to the game