Monday, September 16, 2002
Bengals Notebook: Tight ends still invisible
By Mark Curnutte and Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer
CLEVELAND - For the second consecutive game, neither of the Bengals' tight ends had a reception.
The Bengals spent their third-round draft picks on Sean Brewer and Matt Schobel the past two years, but neither has even had a ball thrown in his direction.
NO SATISFACTION: The Bengals outrushed the Browns 156 yards to 75, outpassed them (201 yards to 190), and outdistanced them (357 total yards to 265). Until the offensive efforts are parlayed to the scoreboard, Bengals offensive tackle Richmond Webb said the team won't rest.
“Everybody is going to keep doubting us, saying we're supposed to be a better football team. You've got to start showing it sometime,” Webb said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”
RUNNING INTO HISTORY: Browns defensive end Kenard Lang's second-quarter, 71-yard interception return is the fourth longest by a Bengals opponent in franchise history. New York Jet Darroll Ray's 98-yard return was the longest; he capped the run with a touchdown in the Jets' 44-17 AFC first-round playoff win in 1982.
BATTLE OF WHAT? The history of the “Battle of Ohio” was largely missed by the Bengals camp.
“I don't think anyone in this locker room knew the record or the series,” Bengals punter Nick Harris said. “I didn't know they were up by one (coming in).”
The Browns stretched their lead to two games Sunday, leading the series 30-28. The Bengals are 11-19 in Cleveland, but post a 17-11 record as the home team.
0-FOR-2: Bengals coach Dick LeBeau lost his challenge of a call in the first quarter, but Browns coach Butch Davis won a challenge early in the fourth.
LeBeau said a pass ruled incomplete was intercepted by Bengals cornerback Jeff Burris, and he lost a timeout. Davis challenged a 12-yard sliding catch by Houshmandzadeh on a fourth-and-7 from the Cleveland 37, and he was correct.
0-FOR-2, PART II: The Bengals have started the season 0-2 for the seventh time in 12 years.
RUDI'S RUNS: Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson had the first five carries of his NFL career and gained 24 yards.
PICKED OFF: Gus Frerotte's three interceptions Sunday give him four on the season. The Bengals have thrown 30 interceptions in the past 18 games. Frerotte's 22-yard touchdown pass to Chad Johnson, the first of the season, gives the Bengals 13 TD passes in the past 18 games.
BIG CROWD: The 73,358 tickets distributed for Sunday's game were the most in the three-year history of Cleveland Browns Stadium.
INJURIES: Bengals trainer Paul Sparling said wide receiver Danny Farmer (ankle) will be out for next week's road game against the Atlanta Falcons. Halfback Brandon Bennett (ankle) and defensive end Vaughn Booker (knee) are questionable. Probable are defensive tackle Bernard Whittington (foot strain) and strong safety Cory Hall (thumb strain).
Inactive Bengals on Sunday includedguard Victor Leyva, kicker Travis Dorsch, linebacker Riall Johnson and guard Thatcher Szalay.
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High school football coverage
West Virginia 35, UC 32
West Virginia breathes sigh of relief
Ohio State 25, Washington State 7
LSU 33, Miami 7
Kentucky 27, Indiana 17
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Bengals Notebook: Tight ends still invisible
