Maybe all the reshuffled offensive line needed was time. Cincinnati’s offensive line had struggled badly after injuries to center Rich Braham and then to left tackle Levi Jones. Coaches tried different combinations before settling on second-year player Eric Ghiaciuc at center and rookie Andrew Whitworth at left tackle. Against a Carolina Panthers front four considered the NFL’s best, the Bengals knew the line’s play would be pivotal. The line struggled early but improved as the game went on. It opened up enough holes for Rudi Johnson to run for 101 yards on 26 carries. It protected quarterback Carson Palmer well enough that he completed 23 of 39 passes for 240 yards while being sacked only twice, both on linebacker blitzes. Left guard Eric Steinbach said the decision to stop shuffling linemen was crucial. Steinbach had been moved to left tackle and center in recent weeks. "This is the way it’s going to be and the guys are in their true positions," he said. Lewis said the coaches realized the constant shifting had backfired. "Fuzzy Thurston is not going to ride over the hill and come in and help us," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "Jerry Kramer and Anthony (Munoz) are not going to come back. So this is the way we’re going to be. Let’s settle in and let’s play." Palmer described the line’s play as "phenomenal." "Even when we have two starters out, we expect a lot out of them," he said. "For them to take that challenge head on in this game … it gives them a ton of confidence." Trio returns
Though they did not start, the defense got a boost from the return of linebacker Brian Simmons and safety Dexter Jackson. "It meant a lot," Lewis said. "They are our two best vocal leaders. Even in their limited capacities, they bring a lot of leadership. They bring a lot of calm and fire. Just having them on the practice field this week was huge." Running back Chris Perry also made his season debut. He caught three passes for 26 yards and ran twice for 4 yards. "It was nice to get out there and do some things," Perry said. "Hopefully, I can do a lot more in the coming weeks." Goings scores
Dublin native Nick Goings scored Carolina’s second touchdown when the running back got behind the Cincinnati defense for a 20-yard catch. "He’s a jack of all trades and a master of none, and I say that affectionately," Panthers coach John Fox said last week. "Back in ’04 when we had the rash of injuries, he had four 100-yard games in a row. When we came back the next year, he went back to his role and never said a peep. He’s a very selfless guy." Fun with stats
The Bengals were penalized 55 yards, the lowest total of the season. … Cincinnati is 14-0 when Rudi Johnson has 25 or more carries. Columbus Dispatch http://columbusdispatch.com/bengals/bengals.php?story=dispatch/2006/10/23/20061023-C4-02.html |
