It was an afternoon lunch hour for the Cincinnati Bengals — a break between practice and meetings while preparing for Monday night's opener with the Baltimore Ravens — and some of the players lounging in their dressing quarters at Paul Brown Stadium took a few moments to talk about their Mane Man, The Hair Apparent on the defensive front, the guy veteran receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh simply summed up with a shake of the head and just one word:
"Wow!"
"The first time I laid eyes on him and even when I look at him now, it's the same thing," Houshmandzadeh said. "You see that hair — there's just so much of it — and all you can really say is 'Wow!'" He was talking about Domata Peko, who will be the center of attention like never before Monday night when he takes over as a starter in the middle of the Bengals defensive line.
The Bengals have enough talent to reach the playoffs for the second time in three years. But do they have the brains, heart and chemistry to get the job done? Starting Monday night against Baltimore, the Bengals — celebrating their 40th season — get a chance to prove themselves worthy of endorsements from Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News. Both publications pick Cincinnati to win the AFC North Division.
That's quite a tribute, considering last season's 8-8 record was marred by an 0-3 end-of-the-year meltdown. Players insist the selfishness that crept into the locker room has been banished. Well, the fans, just like the coaches, see better than they hear. "I have no reservations, no doubts whatsoever, that we can put it together," safety Madieu Williams said. "Yet it's going to come down to the guys in the locker room jelling and executing. "Last year was unacceptable. We're looking to take major leaps and bounds this year."
The offense is led by the "Big Four" — quarterback Carson Palmer, wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and tailback Rudi Johnson. But the defense has big questions and little star power. "We're on the brink of doing something special," defensive end Bryan Robinson said. "We just need to get our butts in gear. It's just a mind-set. Let's do it. I feel like we're the best team in this league. Let's go prove it." If they don't, the 2007 Bengals will be remembered as nothing more than paper tigers.
1. No questions about Palmer A year ago, Carson Palmer appeared ready to bounce back from a knee injury, but there was no way to know whether he could make it through the season. He did, and had a Pro Bowl season. Now, he should be even better.
2. Palmer's supporting cast Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh form one of the best 1-2 receiver combinations in the league. Rudi Johnson is one of the better runners in the NFL.
3. Learning curve The Bengals won the AFC North in 2005 after a 15-year wait. Success took a toll. The Bengals vow to heed the lessons.
Question: How much of a relief is it not having to be concerned about your knee this season?
Answer: It's just nice not to have to worry about questions about your knee. Pretty much every question you get asked is about football, which is what you want this time of the year.
Q: You were happy with your play last year, but there were things you were unhappy with. What have you done to improve?
A: I felt I needed to sharpen up my mechanics as far as footwork. Certain throws mechanically, I was off. I feel like I've fixed that. ... I feel I'm a step ahead of where I was a year ago at this time.
So this ought to be an intriguing season on the banks of the Ohio River. The shaky defense and questions on offense could result in another disappointing season. But if things go right, the Bengals could take advantage of an easier schedule and set themselves up for an extended January.
Mike Brown was in the bathroom when the Bengals' 2006 season began going, well, down the toilet. He was watching from his suite in Denver as Cincinnati scored on a last-ditch touchdown drive needed to send the game to overtime. "I happened to get up when we scored the touchdown," the Bengals president said at the team's pre-training camp luncheon. "It was time to make a potty call. When I came back out, I couldn't figure out why nobody was rejoicing."
The room was hushed because Brad St. Louis' snap on the extra-point attempt was off target, and the Bengals lost by a point. The next week, Cincinnati lost in overtime to Pittsburgh after Shayne Graham missed a 39-yard field goal at the end of regulation. A victory in either game would have sent the Bengals to the playoffs. Instead, Cincinnati was left to ponder a three-game, season-ending losing streak and the realization that its 8-8 season was a major disappointment.
As an NFL prospect two years ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished the Wonderlic test in nine minutes. Few players finish the cognitive-aptitude test in the allotted 12. Fitzpatrick politely declined to discuss the test yesterday, probably out of humility. He scored a 38, about twice as high as the average player but perhaps expected of a Harvard graduate.
The Bengals are counting on Fitzpatrick to apply his quick brain to their playbook. By cutting Doug Johnson on Saturday and acquiring Fitzpatrick in a trade with St. Louis, they took a calculated risk. Johnson proved flawed as a quarterback but was a veteran who knew the offense. Now, the backups to Carson Palmer are Fitzpatrick and rookie Jeff Rowe, a fifth-round pick.
Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson is ranked 95th on the Sporting News' list of the NFL's top 101 players. He rushed 341 times for 1,309 yards in 2006 — his third straight season of 1,300-plus yards. His per-rush average (3.8 yards) should increase because the wide receivers have improved their blocking technique on the perimeter, creating more running room in the secondary.
Johnson chatted recently with Chick Ludwig:
"I pride myself on my durability. With that comes a lot of hard work, dedication and focus. Not only during the season, but in the offseason. There are things I have to do, like diet and exercise, once I leave Paul Brown Stadium, to make sure I'm ready to go.
Kelly encouraged by what he sees in Coats: 'Every week, you see him getting better ... '
The mere mention of Daniel Coats causes a smile to crease Reggie Kelly's face. After all, Kelly is the teacher, and Coats is his prized pupil. Kelly, the Bengals' incumbent tight end, has taken Coats under his wing. On Monday night at Paul Brown Stadium, the undrafted rookie tight end from Brigham Young University must fly on his own.
"My little man, 86, is doing a great job," said Kelly, referring to Coats' uniform number. "He's come in as a rookie and shown that he's very mature. He's made some really good blocks and really good catches. Every week, you see him getting better and better.
