Monday, October 07, 2002
Brown denies offer to Jauron
Says 'no truth' Bears coach GM candidate
By Mark Curnutte and Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDIANAPOLIS — Bengals president Mike Brown on Sunday denied a FOX Television report that he has offered the team's coach/general manager job to Chicago Bears coach Dick Jauron.
“That is an ungrounded rumor,” Brown said after the Bengals' 28-21 loss Sunday at Indianapolis. “It's totally new to me, and there is no truth to it.”
Brown, who serves as the Bengals' de facto GM, has been under fire. The Bengals are 53-128 since he assumed control from his late father, Paul Brown, before the 1991 season, and haven't made the playoffs since the 1990 season.
On Sunday afternoon, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said no permission has been given to another team to discuss a job with Jauron, who is under contract. He signed a three-year deal to coach the Bears at a little more than $2million per season after going 13-3 in 2001.
“With Mike Brown, he never is going to let someone take over the team,” Angelo said. “It's the same with (Dallas') Jerry Jones and (Washington's) Dan Snyder. It might bottom out this season and he might (hire a GM) because they hit rock bottom, but I doubt it.”
Fox Sports' Terry Bradshaw reported Brown offered Jauron $4 million to become coach and general manager of the 0-5 Bengals.
Jauron, who played safety for the Bengals from 1978-81, is in his fourth year as Chicago's coach and has a 26-26 record.
Jauron is unlikely to leave Chicago for any job, Bears insiders say. He is close to the team's McCaskey family ownership and is a serious candidate to be the club's general manager some day.
TURNING POINT: Quarterback Jon Kitna said Sunday could be a turning point for Chad Johnson.
A second-year wide receiver, Johnson had a career-high 72 yards on six receptions.
But it's the ball he missed that Johnson will remember. With the Bengals trying to tie the score, Kitna's pass bounced off Johnson's hands at the 20-yard line and into the arms of Colts cornerback Idrees Bashir.
Kitna, making his first start this season, talked to Johnson after the game.
“I told him I have more confidence in him than ever before,” Kitna said. “He's learning the importance of every single play.”
THIRTY-EIGHT, COUNTING: The loss to the now 3-1 Colts was the Bengals' 38th on the road to a team with a winning record.
The Bengals last defeated an above-.500 team on the road on Dec.2, 1990, at Pittsburgh.
Since their last playoff appearance following the 1990 season, the Bengals are 17-74 in all road games.
EARLY BLUES: Corey Dillon's 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was the Bengals' first offensive TD of the first half this season, and only the second for the offense in five games.
The Bengals were outscored 21-7 in the second quarter and now have a 66-10 disadvantage in that period this season. The Bengals were also outscored 7-0 in the first quarter and now have a 33-7 scoring disadvantage in that period.
Through five games, the Bengals have been outscored 147-44.
INJURY REPORT: Looking ahead to the Bengals' home game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, guard Mike Goff (knee laceration) has been upgraded to doubtful. Linebackers Brian Simmons (stinger) and Armegis Spearman (knee sprain) are questionable. Defensive tackles Oliver Gibson (right groin) and Tony Williams (right eye contusion) are probable. Tight end Sean Brewer (knee) remains out.
BACKYARD RIVALRY: Bengals defensive tackle Bernard Whittington said it's “still weird” to compete against the Colts, with whom he played from 1994-2000. But Whittington, who lives in Indianapolis in the off-season, said hometown pride doesn't hinder his views of the Bengals.
“This is adversity, and adversity builds character,” he said. “We just need to keep plugging away.”
READY TO ROLL: Rookie free agent Thatcher Szalay was upgraded to the active list for the first time in his Bengals career. Although he didn't see any playing time, the offensive guard said it was thrilling.
“It felt real good. The adrenaline was pumping through me again,” said Szalay, a 23-year-old who was a college All-American at Montana last year.
DEBUT: Colts offensive guard Rob Murphy, a former Moeller star, made his first NFL appearance against the Bengals in a reserve role.
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Brown denies offer to Jauron
