Bengals trivia: WHO AM I?

By Chick Ludwig | Saturday, November 22, 2008, 08:24 AM

• I was drafted by the Bengals in 1971.

• I spent three seasons with Cincinnati.

• I played safety in the same defensive backfield with Sandy Durko and Tommy Casanova.

• I am one of nine Bengals to wear uniform No. 34.

• I am the only Bengals player from Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn.

WHO AM I?

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Reds mourn death of Glenn Sample

By Chick Ludwig | Saturday, November 22, 2008, 12:00 AM

SAMPLE WAS A LONGTIME

WAS DEVOTED TO THE REDS

===LUDWIG AT LARGE is deeply saddened by the death of Glenn Sample, who served as official scorer at Great American Ball Park and Cinergy Field/Riverfront Stadium. Mr. Sample was a prince in gym shoes whose passion for baseball ran deep. He was the head baseball coach at the University of Cincinnati and a fixture at Cincinnati Reds home games.===

Here’s the official news release from Rob Butcher, director of media relations for the Cincinnati Reds, sent late Friday night, Nov. 21, 2008:

REDS MOURN DEATH

GLENN SAMPLE

It is with great sadness that the Cincinnati Reds tonight learned of the death of longtime Major League Baseball official scorer Glenn Sample.

Glenn Sample

Sample, 77, died Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Mercy Hospital in Western Hills. Funeral arrangements are pending.

“Our baseball family is stunned and saddened by the news of Glenn’s passing,” said Reds Director of Media Relations Rob Butcher. “Since 1980, Glenn was a fixture in the press box at Reds games.

“He was a remarkable person who touched all of our lives through his unwavering devotion to the Reds, the University of Cincinnati and our city.

“We are privileged to have been such a large part of his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Glenn’s family and friends.”

The 2009 season would have been Sample’s 30th as a Major League Baseball official scorer.

(PHOTOS: Mr. Sample was the guest speaker at the 2007 Greater Cincinnati Wrestling Officials Association banquet at Jungle Jim’s Oscar’s Banquet Hall in Fairfield, Ohio; he’s pictured at RIGHT with GCWOA Secretary Dick Loewenstine (left) and award winner Jeff Simons.)

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Ocho Cinco let teammates down

By Chick Ludwig | Friday, November 21, 2008, 08:47 PM

BENGALS PUT ‘INCIDENT’

IN REAR-VIEW MIRROR

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis believes wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco let his teammates down for violating a club rule that led to his deactivation before Thursday night’s 27-10 loss at Pittsburgh.

Ocho Cinco will be fined, but the incident won’t be allowed to linger.

“I don’t foresee any more (discipline for Ocho Cinco) at all,” Lewis said on Friday. “I think the incident is over and behind us. He understands why it happened and how it had to be rectified. He accepted his punishment, as you know.

“Any time a player has a thing that occurs like that, you let your teammates down. He will be fined, but you cannot fine him one-seventeenth of his salary (one week’s pay). It’s not a suspension. He will be fined for disciplinary action that usually comes for all players (who are sanctioned).”

Roster move

Left cornerback Johnathan Joseph was placed on Injured Reserve with a foot injury suffered against Philadelphia on Nov. 16.

Joseph completes his season with 42 tackles, 14 deflected passes, an interception, a fumble return for a TD and one forced fumble.

Rookie cornerback Simeon Castille claims the roster spot with a promotion off the practice squad, and second-year veteran David Jones is expected to start.

Serious injury

Right defensive end Frostee Rucker (hamstring) sustained what Lewis called “our most serious injury” against Pittsburgh.

The lengthy absences of Antwan Odom (shoulder) and Rucker could force left end Robert Geathers to switch to the right side, allowing defensive tackle John Thornton to move to left end. Geathers hyperextended a knee at Pittsburgh, but should be able to play against Baltimore on Nov. 30.

Palmer’s status

Lewis all but ruled out quarterback Carson Palmer (right elbow) against the Ravens.

“Chances are slim that he would play against Baltimore,” Lewis said. “His status is changing. It’s been good. Like I said before, it’s been pretty positive, and maybe I can give you a little more information on that Wednesday.”

Rookie linemen

How did left tackle Anthony Collins and left guard Nate Livings perform in their first career starts?

“I thought they handled the situation, the bright lights, well,” Lewis said. “Obviously, there’s a way to go, but it wasn’t like they wet their pants or anything.

“They stayed in there and fought and played very tough. That was good. But, again, we didn’t win the game. We didn’t run the football very effectively, and we didn’t get enough first downs. So there’s not a lot to be real happy about.”

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Amen to Cris Collinsworth’s perspective

By Chick Ludwig | Friday, November 21, 2008, 04:26 PM

THEY SAID IT

AND MEANT IT

• “At some point, I think the Bengals need to say, ‘We’re not pointing fingers. We need to take a broad picture look at what works in the National Football League. Let’s examine all 31 other teams and let’s figure out what we want to be and let’s come up with a singular plan.’ And I happen to think that Marvin Lewis can do it.” — Cris Collinsworth on the state of the Bengals.

Collinsworth

• “This offense is 32nd in the league with or without Chad Johnson.” — Deion Sanders

• “Chris Crocker is cooking up a better game than Betty Crocker.” — Bengals radio analyst Dave Lapham.

• “If everybody got everything their way in life, it’d be pretty damn boring. There’s a little saying out there: ‘Why does everyone hate adversity when it only makes you stronger?’ You’ve gotta keep fighting, keep pushing..” — Bengals linebacker Brandon Johnson.

• “We just stacked another divisional win. We’re going to enjoy this mini little bye week. It’s good to be 8-3 right now.” — Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward

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‘JohnJoe’ out for year; Castille gets call-up

By Chick Ludwig | Friday, November 21, 2008, 03:52 PM

JOSEPH PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE;

CASTILLE SIGNED OFF PRACTICE SQUAD

The Bengals made the following roster moves on Friday, Nov. 21, in the wake of their 27-10 loss at Pittsburgh:

• Placed CB Johnathan Joseph on the Injured Reserve list. The third-year player from South Carolina has been sidelined with a foot injury suffered Nov. 16 vs. Philadelphia.

Joseph

Castille

He did not play in last night’s game at Pittsburgh. Joseph completes his season with eight games played (seven starts). He had 42 tackles, 14 passes defensed (ranked second on the team), an interception, a fumble return for a touchdown, and one forced fumble.

• Signed rookie CB Simeon Castille to the roster from the Bengals practice squad.

Castille (6-0, 195; Alabama) was the only Bengals college free agent signee to make the season-opening roster, and he played in Games 1-4, with six tackles on defense.

He was waived Oct. 3, and was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 7. He has been on the practice squad for Games 6-11.

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Are Chad’s days numbered in Cincy?

By Chick Ludwig | Friday, November 21, 2008, 01:26 AM

BENGALS COACH EXPECTS

TO BE BACK IN 2009, BUT

‘WE NEED TO CHANGE’

Could Chad Ocho Cinco’s days with the Cincinnati Bengals be numbered?

It sure looks that way after he was deactivated for violating a team rule and sent home on a flight to Cincinnati at mid-morning on Thursday, Nov. 20, long before the Bengals’ nationally-televised 27-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.

Ocho Cinco reportedly overslept for a Wednesday night meeting at the club’s Pittsburgh hotel, arriving 45 minutes late, and then engaged in a verbal confrontation with a coach.

To a man, the Bengals players said they missed Ocho Cinco and wished he could’ve played in the game.

“We’re a family,” rookie left tackle Anthony Collins said, “and we were missing one of our brothers. It hurt.”

But head coach Marvin Lewis had other ideas.

“I don’t know that the guy that way hurts you when you deactivate him,” Lewis said moments after the Bengals dropped to 1-9-1. They host Baltimore on Nov. 30.

“Our other guys stepped up and got an opportunity to play and it’s a good thing for them.”

Glenn Holt, who started in place of Ocho Cinco, caught two passes for 16, including a 10-yard TD in the first quarter to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead. It was Holt’s first reception of the season.

Rookie wide receiver Andre Caldwell also caught three passes for 26 yards.

“We deactivated (Ocho Cinco) like you were told today,” Lewis said. “And Chad will be back and should be fine and will hopefully get his treatment and be ready to go tommorrow (Friday).”

But don’t be surprised if the one-game snub causes irreparable damage between the player and coach.

Lewis is clearly tired of Ocho Cinco’s antics and deactivating him is a sign that Lewis is attempting to gain control of a locker room full of young players that need guidance and direction in the throes of an ugly season.

Left offensive tackle Anthony Collins held up well in his first career start, but the Bengals suffered two more damaging injuries, losing defensive ends Robert Geathers and Frostee Rucker to knee injuries.

Defensive tackle John Thornton will shift to defensive end on a full-time basis, while defensive tackles Orien Harris and Jason Shirley will join starters Domata Peko and Pat Sims in the rotation.

NFL.com quoted reporter Thomas George that changes had to be made for Lewis to stay with the Bengals in 2009.

“Well, yeah,” Lewis said. “We need to change how we’re getting things done. Playing. I’m not talking about anything other than that. I don’t think when I spoke with Thomas (that) I didn’t mean anything other than that context. We need to make sure we continue to develop our guys and do a better job of coaching and playing. He was talking about overall. Just the future.”

Is there frustration on your part?

“The frustration is me,” Lewis said. “He’s talking about me. Change is me, too.”

Have you thought about not being back with the Bengals in 2009?

“No, I have not,” he said.

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Easy-peasy Japanesy: Steelers win, 27-10

By Chick Ludwig | Friday, November 21, 2008, 12:30 AM

TYPICAL STEELERS FOOTBALL:

AS BENGALS DIE SLOW DEATH

Neither wind nor snow nor bitter cold was going to stop the Pittsburgh Steelers from making their appointed rounds.

They dispatched the Bengals quickly and easily, 27-10, in front of 59,854 spectators at Heinz Field by using a methodical, ball-hog mentality to push their record to 8-3 and send the Bengals reeling to their ninth loss in 11 games.

And wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco wasn’t here to play in the game or witness it in person.

He was deactivated for violating an undisclosed team rule and sent back to Cincinnati on a morning flight, while Jerome Simpson was flown in to take his place.

Brad Johansen, the radio play-by-play “Voice of the Bengals,” said on WCKY-AM that Ocho Cinco told him that he overslept for an 8:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Ocho Cinco was 45 minutes late to the meeting and “He and coach Marvin Lewis then got into a verbal disagreement.”

“Chad is very disappointed that he’s not playing, but he respects coach Lewis and the team’s decision,” agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN. “He’s not going to make this a controversy or a circus. We’re going to keep this in-house between ourself and the team. He’s got five more games to go. This is unfortunate that he’s not playing. Chad lives to play.”

The Bengals struck for a 7-0 lead on Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 10-yard TD pass to Glenn Holt at 3:08 of the first quarter. It was the first reception of the season for Holt, who split out to the right and ran a square-in, beating cornerback Fernando Bryant on the play.

But Holt dropped an easy catch on third down and Kyle Larson’s 30-yard punt gave Pittsburgh the ball — and the momentum — at its 46.

Hines Ward’s 37-yard reception on a deep crossing route set up Heath Miller’s 3-yard TD catch from Ben Roethlisberger to tie the score at 10:16 of the second quarter.

And it was all Steelers the rest of the way.

Roethlisberger scored on an 8-yard run and Gary Russell’s first career TD came on a 2-yard run as the Steelers smashed the Bengals in the second half, 17-3, and capped the victory with a Troy Polamalu interception at Pittsburgh’s 2-yard line in the final minute.

“That’s their game,” Bengals quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “They try to make sure that you’re uncomfortable back there. And with their rush, and how hard they come sometimes, it’s uncomfortable. You’ve just got to make (quick) decisions and get the ball out.”

Star of the game

Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes caught five passes for 84 yards (16.8) with a long gain of 27. But he suffered a blow to the head on a hit from safety Chris Rocker in the third quarter

Goat of the game

Bengals wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco’s deactivation ends his streak of 113 consecutive games played. However, his streak of 102 straight games with at least one reception remains alive

Turning point

As usual, the third quarter. Bengals were outscored, 10-0, in that 15-minute stretch. They’ve scored 20 points in the third quarter in 11 games.

Chad’s future

What does the future hold for Bengals wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco in Cincinnati?

His agent isn’t sure.

Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN that Ocho Cinco’s fate is in Bengals owner Mike Brown’s hands.

“We know we’re not going to bully our way out of Cincinnati,” Rosenhaus said. “It’s going to be Mike Brown’s way or no way at all. It’s going to be up to Mike Brown. He’s going to decide whether or not Chad’s going to be with the team in the future and we’re going to basically take a low-key approach to that.”

One-two punch

Talk about a one-two punch, Steelers linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley love to knock opponents out.

Harrison (12) and Woodley (9.5) have totaled 21.5 sacks so far this season.

They can challenge Chris Doleman (21) and Keith Millard (18) of the 1989 Vikings as the only teammates in history with 15 or more sacks in a season.

You’ve got to pick your poison with those two,” Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said. “The pressure they bring can be unbelievable.”

Steelers No. 1

Pittsburgh owns the NFL’s No. 1 defense, yielding an average of 237.6 yards a game. The Steelers are tied with Philadelphia for a league-high 36 sacks.

“We play solid defense here,” Harrison said. “We try to stop the run and make them one-dimensional so they have to pass.”

Ageless coach

Dick LeBeau, the Steelers’ 71-year-old defensive coordinator and former head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, was honored by the NFL prior to Thursday night’s game for 50 years of service to the league as a player and coach.

LeBeau, a native of London, Ohio, spent 14 years (1959-72) as a cornerback with the Detroit Lions before entering the coaching ranks. He was the Bengals head coach from 2000-03.

Game inactives

Ocho Cinco was joined on the inactive list by safety Chinedum Ndukwe, linebacker Eric Henderson, guards Scott Kooistra and Andrew Whitworth, left tackle Levi Jones and right end Antwan Odom. Carson Palmer was the designated No. 3 quarterback.

Quick hitters

T.J. Houshmandzadeh was aiming for his ninth straight game with six-plus catches. He leads the NFL (2007-08) with 185 receptions.

For his career, tailback Cedric Benson averages 76.6 rush yards per game when he has 20-plus carries.

Since ’2003, the Bengals are 22-6-1 (.776) when their defense has at least two interceptions.

Linebacker Dhani Jones leads team with 96 tackles and Glenn Holt ranks first in the AFC with 933 kickoff return yards.

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