|
A door closes, but a window opens for the Bengals. As disappointed as the Cincinnati players were following their 29-27 loss to Atlanta, they know salvation awaits at Baltimore. A victory sends Cincinnati into a first-place tie with the Ravens in the AFC North Division and gives the Bengals advantage in a tiebreaker situation. "There's always a bright side to something," Bengals linebacker Landon Johnson said. "This week, we have an opportunity to play a division game. If we win, we'll be in first place. That is huge."
Wright stuff Anthony Wright is ready to resume his duties as backup quarterback. Head coach Marvin Lewis announced Monday that Wright, who underwent surgery to have his appendix removed Oct. 13, has been medically cleared to practice. The timing is perfect because Wright gets to suit up against his former team. The Ravens chose not to re-sign Wright, and he joined the Bengals in April as an unrestricted free agent. "I told (the coaches) I was coming back, regardless, for this game — stand on the sideline and have a chance just to see it from a different view, and play these guys," Wright said. "I'm 95 (percent healthy), really close to 100 percent. A lot of people come back in a week or a week and a half. But by this being a physical sport, they wanted to give me a little more time. But I feel good and I feel like I can get out there and play." Injury report Lewis said free safety Kevin Kaesviharn sustained a "(left) knee contusion" against Atlanta and will be listed as questionable against the Ravens. Bengals center Rich Braham (left knee), left offensive tackle Levi Jones (left knee) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) are out. Bottom of the barrel Baltimore coach Brian Billick assumed play-calling duties after the Ravens fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel. Lewis plans to keep his coordinator, Bob Bratkowski, despite heavy public criticism, right? "Yes," Lewis said. "Is that in the bottom of the useless-question list?" Quote machine "When we came in today, all we really talked about was Baltimore. We're going out there playing for first place. As down as you want to get on yourself, you've still got to look at the bigger picture, and we've still got a chance (for the division title and playoffs)." — Bengals cornerback Keiwan Ratliff. Dayton Daily News http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2006/10/31/ddn103106bennotes.html |
