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Coach dismayed at team’s eighth run-in with law The question was about how the Bengals’ playoff prospects compared with those of a year ago. "I would rather be locked up, but we’re not," coach Marvin Lewis said. These days that answer, taken out of context, provides fodder for more jokes about the Bengals. The words "locked up" and "Bengals" are a dangerous combination in any sentence. Though they have taken care of recent business on the field, they continue to make unwanted headlines off it.
Immediately after Sunday’s 27-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders, Lewis deflected questions about cornerback Deltha O’Neal becoming the eighth player to be arrested in 2006. O’Neal was charged with driving under the influence early Saturday. The Bengals’ legal troubles have grown so bad that a gambling Web site posted odds on whether four more Bengals will be arrested by the end of next year. (Odds are 6 to 5.) Yesterday, Lewis was more forthcoming about the continuing shots to the team’s reputation. "Unfortunately, I can’t hold their hands 24/7, but it is embarrassing," he said. "It’s an embarrassment to our organization, to our city and to our fans. These things socially are not right. Hopefully, this is a positive so our young people who are fans understand there are certain things in our society that are unacceptable. It doesn’t matter what you do for a living or who you are, you’ve got to follow those rules and laws." Lewis praised local law enforcement for their efforts to reduce drunken driving. O’Neal was stopped at a sobriety checkpoint. "This is still a privilege to play on this team and play in the National Football League," Lewis said. "So it’s a disappointment, and we’ve dealt with it and we’ll continue to deal with it. We obviously put ourselves at risk because I don’t have the luxury of having a plethora of guys to play with. These people put themselves at risk as far as being in the league." O’Neal didn’t play Sunday. Against a Raiders team that owns the worst offense in the NFL, he wasn’t missed much. But now the Bengals enter the make-or-break part of their schedule, with games at Indianapolis and Denver and at home against Pittsburgh. So far, the continuing legal problems haven’t distracted the Bengals. Nor, Lewis said, will the specter of the playoffs. Cincinnati (8-5) probably will need to win two of its final three games to be assured a wild card. Indianapolis has lost three of four after opening with nine victories, and its run defense is a disaster. Denver has been in a free-fall since turning to rookie Jay Cutler at quarterback. But Lewis has put his blinders on, and presumably so have his players. "The only thing that matter is us," he said. "Nothing around us really affects what we do other than just us. If we’re a playoff team, we have to prove it by beating playoff teams. "Those are the teams we’re competing with. Those are the teams we get to play the next three weeks. So we know that this is what it is. We have no better opportunity than to go play and win the games, and everything else will take care of itself." Injury update
Lewis ruled out receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) for Monday’s game at Indianapolis.
He said offensive left tackle Levi Jones (knee) and center Rich Braham (knee) are doubtful, and that this will be a pivotal week in determining whether they will even return this season. Columbus Dispatch http://columbusdispatch.com/bengals/bengals.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/12/20061212-C3-00.html |
