Monday, October 07, 2002
Rookies see room to improve
Mental lapses mar performances
By Shannon Russell, srussell@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
INDIANAPOLIS — Four of the five Bengals rookies showcased their skills Sunday in a 28-21 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. None were pleased with the results.
Not even strong safety Marquand Manuel, whose day began with one big play and ended with another. Manuel, starting alongside free safety Cory Hall in place of JoJuan Armour, broke up a first-quarter pass from Peyton Manning to tight end Marcus Pollard in the end zone.
Manuel also recovered Neil Rackers' onside kick in the fourth quarter, reviving hope for a Bengals comeback.
“I was just showing them I could play. I just wanted to help the team win,” Manuel said. “But I didn't make as many plays as I wanted to.”
Rookie tight end Matt Schobel eased into the lineup in place of injured Sean Brewer (knee). Schobel, who came into the game with two receptions for 10 yards, upped his productivity under quarterback Jon Kitna, snaring two passes for 15 yards.
Schobel's strides were tainted by a second-quarter false start, resulting in a 5-yard penalty.
Offensive tackle Levi Jones was another rookie who started Sunday, replacing the injured Richmond Webb, the victim of a season-ending pectoral tear last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jones contained Colts right end Chad Bratzke through the first three quarters, but his pass protection broke down in the fourth quarter, when end Dwight Freeney propelled past him and sacked Kitna for a 7-yard loss.
Five plays later, Jones was flagged for a false start.
He was upset with his performance, saying only “I could've done a lot better.”
But right offensive tackle Willie Anderson said the gaffes were forgivable, considering Jones' solid play in the first three quarters.
“For a tackle to come into our game as a rookie and only give up one sack with all the pressure, I think that's pretty good,” Anderson said. “I think all our rookies played good parts today.”
Lamont Thompson wouldn't agree. The rookie free safety, pulled from the starting rotation in the preseason for showing hesitation, was inserted into the lineup with safety Mark Roman.
Thompson blew his coverage in the third quarter, and was burned on a 67-yard pass from Manning to wide receiver Marvin Harrison. The breakdown gave the Colts a first-and-goal, setting up Edgerrin James' 3-yard touchdown run.
“It wasn't a rookie mistake. I just didn't do my job at that particular time,” Thompson said.
The Bengals' fifth rookie, kicker Travis Dorsch, is inactive.
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Rookies see room to improve
