Penalties proved to be a problem for the Bengals in their 14-13 loss to the Buccaneers, and Robert Geathers had a hand in several of them, including a face-mask call while tackling Buccaneers quarterback Bruce Gradkowski. 
 

TAMPA , Fla. — The roughing-the-passer penalty on Justin Smith had the Bengals steaming after the game, but that wasn’t the only call – or non-call – Cincinnati questioned yesterday after its 14-13 loss to Tampa Bay.

Robert Geathers was flagged for unnecessary roughness when he extended his arms to push Buccaneers quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, helping Tampa Bay on its first touchdown drive.

Several times, Carson Palmer was upset that pass-interference penalties weren’t called on Buccaneers defenders. After one such non-call on a pass to tight end Reggie Kelly, Palmer ran to an official to protest, out of character for him.

"He gets tackled trying to run his route," Palmer said. "I don’t understand why some calls aren’t made. I’ll have to look at it on film. I don’t want to comment (more) until I see it on film."

For what it’s worth, referee Mike Carey provided an explanation to a pool reporter about Smith’s penalty.

"The ruling on the field was roughing the passer," Carey said. "Technically, it was unnecessary roughness because the pass didn’t get away. But in the tackle, the defender stopped forward progress, drove him backwards and then at the end gave him the extra effort and stuffed his head into the ground. We’re directed to protect the safety of the quarterback. Most people don’t understand it (unnecessary roughness), so we just called it roughing the passer."

That explanation is unlikely to placate the Bengals, especially considering Gradkowski did not make an effort to throw the ball away and ducked his head as he hit the turf.

"What can I say?" coach Marvin Lewis said. "I guess you’ve got to cuddle them to the ground."

Linebacker shuffle

A decimated Bengals linebacker corps forced Cincinnati to give rookie Ahmad Brooks his first start.

Orlando Sentinal

Brian Simmons, who practiced all week and was not on the injury report, was deactivated because of a sore neck. With Rashad Jeanty out because of a lingering foot injury and David Pollack (neck) and Odell Thurman (suspended) gone for the season, the Bengals had limited options.

Brooks had a solid debut. He had a teamhigh 11 tackles and didn’t make any glaring mistakes.

"I thought I did a decent job," Brooks said. "I didn’t make any big plays to win the game, but I think I did all right."

Simmons said his injury occurred earlier in the week. Asked if he believed he’d be able to play until he woke up yesterday, Simmons said, "Not necessarily. I was waiting today to see how it felt.

"I’m not going to say what I think it is. I’ll find out more in the morning."

No miracle ending

Bengals kicker Shayne Graham’s careerlong field goal is 53 yards, but he thought he had a chance to make the 62-yarder at the end of the game.