Pollack inactive for Bengals vs. Packers

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Rookie outside linebacker David Pollack is not active for the Bengals today against Green Bay.

He is one of seven Bengals players listed as inactive for the game. Landon Johnson will start in Pollack’s outside linebacker spot.

The Bengals’ other inactive players: fullback Nick Luchey, safety Madieu Williams, center Eric Ghiaciuc, defensive tackles Shaun Smith and Matthias Askew and defensive end Jonathan Fanene.

For Green Bay, its passing game took another hit when coach Mike Sherman was forced to deactivate tight end David Martin, who was added to the injury report Friday. Martin can be used as a wide receiver, where the Packers are without three of their top five pass catchers.

Other Packers inactive players: linebacker Na’il Diggs, guard-center Junius Coston, center Chris White, wide receiver Robert Ferguson, defensive tackle Donnell Washington and defensive end Michael Montgomery.

Former University of Cincinnati wide receiver Antonio Chatman will start in place of Ferguson.
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Pollack to start ahead of Landon Johnson

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals today will make four changes in their starting lineup against the Steelers.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is active for the first time after missing two games with a hand injury. He will not start. Rookie Chris Henry will start opposite Chad Johnson.

The other lineup changes consist of linebacker David Pollack starting in place of Landon Johnson, Kevin Kaesviharn moving from strong safety to free safety to start in place of Madieu Williams (shoulder injury, inactive) and Ifeanyi Ohalete at strong safety in place of Kaesviharn.

The inactive Bengals players are full Nick Luchey, Williams, center Eric Ghiaciuc (ankle injury), defensive tackle Shaun Smith, defensive end Jonathan Fanene, tight end Tony Stewart (back) and defensive tackle Matthias Askew. Craig Krenzel is the third quarterback.

For the Steelers, there are no changes in the starting lineup. The inactive Steelers players are cornerback Ricardo Colclough, tailback Duce Staley, linebacker Clark Haggans, guard Chris Kemoeatu, offensive tackle Trai Essex, wide receiver Nate Washington and tight end Matt Kranchick. Tommy Maddox is the third quarterback.
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Pollack to start ahead of Landon Johnson

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals today will make four changes in their starting lineup against the Steelers.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is active for the first time after missing two games with a hand injury. He will not start. Rookie Chris Henry will start opposite Chad Johnson.

The other lineup changes consist of linebacker David Pollack starting in place of Landon Johnson, Kevin Kaesviharn moving from strong safety to free safety to start in place of Madieu Williams (shoulder injury, inactive) and Ifeanyi Ohalete at strong safety in place of Kaesviharn.

The inactive Bengals players are full Nick Luchey, Williams, center Eric Ghiaciuc (ankle injury), defensive tackle Shaun Smith, defensive end Jonathan Fanene, tight end Tony Stewart (back) and defensive tackle Matthias Askew. Craig Krenzel is the third quarterback.

For the Steelers, there are no changes in the starting lineup. The inactive Steelers players are cornerback Ricardo Colclough, tailback Duce Staley, linebacker Clark Haggans, guard Chris Kemoeatu, offensive tackle Trai Essex, wide receiver Nate Washington and tight end Matt Kranchick. Tommy Maddox is the third quarterback.
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Another look at Bengals-Steelers, reader e-mail

Item 1: Here’s a news release sent out today (Tuesday, Oct. 18) by the NFL about the game Sunday between the Bengals and Steelers.

Cincinnati gave the world ROY ROGERS. Pittsburgh produced GENE KELLY. As Rogers lived on an American landscape full of promise and hope, Kelly danced and crooned, catching raindrops with an open ear-to-ear smile.

The 2005 NFL season is lit with similar optimism for the Cincinnati Bengals (5-1) and Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2), division rivals for 36 years separated by 290 miles of highway.

However, only one team will have “happy trails” Sunday after meeting each other at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium on the Ohio River.

Both clubs hold high expectations due to the play of their young quarterbacks, who stand Nos. 1-2 in NFL passer rating: Pittsburgh’s BEN ROETHLISBERGER (123.8) and Cincinnati’s CARSON PALMER (113.6). Roethlisberger, 23, is in the midst of his second NFL season while Palmer, 25, is a third-year pro and in his second year as Cincinnati’s starter.

The game will mark only the second time since 1990 that quarterbacks with passer ratings higher than 113.0 square off as late as a Week 7 (Week 9, 2004: Minnesota’s DAUNTE CULPEPPER, 114.2, vs. Indianapolis’ PEYTON MANNING, 117.4).

“The fact that you have two franchise quarterbacks in the game who are both at nearly the same level of development is exciting,” says former Steelers tackle TUNCH ILKIN (1980-92), who today is a Steelers radio analyst. “It’s a beautiful thing. There’s a lot to look forward to.”

Cincinnati has led the AFC North for four weeks – the team’s longest first-place stretch since its seven-week tenure at the top in 1990 (Weeks 2-8). The Steelers, meanwhile, have won nine consecutive road games to equal the franchise record, accomplished in 1974-75. The 1974 and ’75 seasons saw the Steelers win their first two of four ’70s Super Bowls.

Of that era, former Cincinnati tight end BOB TRUMPY (1968-77) keenly recalls playing in the early years of the rivalry when the Bengals finished second in the division behind Pittsburgh by one game or less three years in a row (1975-77). Trumpy now calls NFL action on CBS Radio Sports/Westwood One.

“Their front four were extraordinary pass rushers,” says Trumpy of a Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense whose line was anchored by Pro Football Hall of Famer JOE GREENE and L.C. GREENWOOD. “When they blitzed, it was to kill a drive, change our offensive momentum, disrupt our timing, and it would drive us crazy.

“The Bengals teams of that era were very good. (Quarterback) KEN ANDERSON was just beginning to assert himself, BILL WALSH and BILL “TIGER” JOHNSON were calling the plays. The defense was quick, and tough. Many seasons we thought we were the second-best team in the league, not just the division. The Steelers were the team to beat, and we seldom did.” Pittsburgh won 11 of 16 against the Bengals from 1970-77 and were 5-1 against Cincinnati from 1975-77.

“The Cleveland Browns were (head coach) PAUL BROWN’s biggest rivalry, but to the players, it was the Steelers that we prepared hardest for,” says Trumpy.

Ilkin agrees. “Just being a part of that rivalry was memorable,” he says. “There was a real richness to it.”

ITEM 2: Chad Johnson has made a lot of news in the past couple of weeks, more than usual. He is the subject of several e-mails this week.

“He's an inconsistent, dishonest-big mouth. He was shut down against the Jaguars, by one of the best corners in the league, Rashean Mathis, and refused to admit it: 5 catches for 52 yards and they lost. He needs to admit it like a man.”
-- Jeffrey A. Humbarger, M.D., UC
Jacksonville, Fla.

“I really like Chad Johnson's passion for the game, but don't you think he needs to learn to keep his mouth shut and just play football? The end zone dances are getting old. The next time Chad scores a touchdown, and I hope it’s a lot. I wish he could just hand the ball to an official and act like he's been there before.”
-- Mark Fisher, CPA
Bloomington, Ind.

"In my view, either Carson (Palmer) or Chad must go! If Carson Palmer cannot findChad Johnson on the field without over throwing him, then Chad should takehis talent elsewhere. It is sick and stupid to have arguably the best widereceiver in the NFL and to play as though he's not even on the field. Iknow that Carson is young in his career, but that's not an adequate excuse. If he continues to treat Chad as though he is invisible, then Chad should demand a trade.”
-- Anonymous

Houshmandzadeh not active in Nashville

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Bengals were forced to de-activate wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the game this afternoon against the Tennessee Titans.

Rookie Chris Henry will get the start in Houshmandzadeh’s place.

Another notable inactive player for the Bengals is defensive lineman Carl Powell, who battles knee problems.

Defensive end-tackle Duane Clemons is active for the first time this season. He missed the first four games because of a suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

Other Bengals inactive players: cornerback Rashad Bauman, fullback Nick Luchey, defensive end Jonathan Fanene, tight end Tony Stewart and defensive tackle Matthias Askew.

Safety Madieu Williams, normally a starter, is active after missing two games with a shoulder injury. Still, Kevin Kaesviharn starts in his place, and Ifeanyi Ohalete starts at strong safety.
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Houshmandzadeh not active for Jaguars game

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Bengals will be without No. 2 wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh tonight against the Jaguars.

He has a hand injury. Kelley Washington, inactive for the past three games, was expected to start opposite Chad Johnson at wide receiver.

Starting center Rich Braham will dress, though he was questionable all week with a knee ligament injury. Rookie Eric Ghiaciuc was the probable starter at center, a Bengals official said.

Free safety Madieu Williams is inactive for the second consecutive game with a shoulder injury. Kevin Kaesviharn moves to free safety, and Ifeanyi Ohalete moves into the starting lineup at strong safety.

Other Bengals inactive players are fullback Nick Luchey, center Larry turner, defensive end Jonathan Fanene, linebacker Larry Stevens and defensive tackle Matthias Askew.

The Bengals are 4-0 heading into the game. Jacksonville, 2-2, was favored by two and a half points.
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Reader e-mail, NFL notes, a few personal notes

Here’s some new stuff for insatiable Bengals fans and a couple of personal asides.

Item 1: Apparently, Jay Leno is no longer making fun of the Bengals. An e-mailer says Leno’s phone call to YPCincy.com’s Bold Fusion event – in which he “officially jumped on the bandwagon – can now be heard on YPCincy.com.

Item 2: Some readers did not like the content or timing of the Oct. 4 story on Page A1 of The Enquirer in which we looked at the records of the Bengals’ remaining opponents.
Rosanna Martin (I’d guess she’s a fan) writes:
“Mark,
“Please let’s not speculate on the vulnerability of Bengal enemies … er … foes. PLEASE! I believe this could lead to complacency and you know how we've been there before. We could lose our edge. We could not try as hard. We might play more individually and less like the team we've become. There are many tough games ahead and we must keep playing like we have been. Please, please, please!!!”
John Fisher writes: “After squeaking out a home win against an awful Houston team, it is amazing you would pen such an article as this. I hope none of the players are reading The Enquirer. We will see how the Bengals hold up on the road at night against an extremely physical Jacksonville team.
And, from an anonymous e-mailer: “I am a bit tired of hearing that the Bengal’s first four opponents have a combined record of 3-10 and the remaining opponents are 6-17. We need to remember that four of those 10 losses are to the Bengals. To make the point simple – if this were the start of Week 2, would anyone have written that the Bengals’ first opponent was now 0-1? If the Bengal’s wins are subtracted from the equation the opponents are 3-6. I agree that the four teams the Bengals have played are not (at the start of Week 5) the best in the NFL. But no one thought we would be 4-0.”
(B y the way, after Green Bay lost Monday night, the teams with losing records remaining on the Bengals’ schedule dropped to a composite 6-18.)

Item 3: Some early notes on the Bengals and Jaguars from the NFL offices in New York:
-- With nine TD passes, QB CARSON PALMER leads the AFC. Palmer is aiming to become the third Bengals quarterback to lead the conference in touchdown passes (JEFF BLAKE, 28, 1995; BOOMER ESIASON, 28, 1988 and 1989). QB KEN ANDERSON completed a club-record 29 TD throws in 1981, leading the team to Super Bowl XVI……CB DELTHA O’NEAL leads the NFL with four interceptions and can become the first Bengal to top the league in this category for a season. The club’s single-season record of nine has been held by KEN RILEY since 1976.
-- In his 13th season, WR JIMMY SMITH ties for the second-most TD catches in the NFL with four. Smith’s best seasonal touchdown total is eight (1998, 2000). He leads the AFC with 146 receiving yards on third down……QB BYRON LEFTWICH is enjoying the best start to a season in his career with an 85.7 passer rating and five TD passes – both career bests through the first four weeks of a season……DEs REGGIE HAYWARD and PAUL SPICER each have a team-high 3.5 sacks. The club record for most sacks in a season is 12.0 by TONY BRACKENS (1999).

Intermission: There’s no more football after this point.

Item 4: Pardon this digression into baseball, but I can’t resist. Go White Sox! I’m a native of northern Illinois and a life-long fan of the South Side Hit Men. I had the pleasure of covering manager Ozzie Guillen as a player. I appreciate the way he wears his emotions on his sleeve. Now, only if their starting pitching can hold up …

Item 5: As much as I root for the White Sox, they are not my favorite team. The groups of athletes I respect, admire and root for most are the members of the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams at Roger Bacon High School. I’m proud to be loosely affiliated with them as a parent. The runners have big hearts, and I have manipulated as many road trips as possible this fall to make sure I can attend their races. It’s a thrill. I’m especially fond of a particular sophomore running on the boys’ team – my son Peter. Great job, Pete. Keep it up.

I also want to send best wishes for a continued speedy recovery to my football-playing son, Matthew. A fractured tibia forced him to miss his eighth grade season at St. Vivian. He had been named a captain and still goes to all the games and stands, wearing his jersey, on the sideline with his teammates.

Item 6: I recently picked up a re-mastered copy of Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited.” The masterpiece marks 40 years since its original 1965 release, and it sounds fresher than much of what’s out there today. “Like A Rolling Stone” remains one of the greatest anti-establishment songs of all time.
A co-worker loaned me his copy of the soundtrack from the film “The Slaughter Rule.” I can’t stop listening to it.

Madieu Williams inactive for Texans

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals have suffered one of the first big losses of the season when free safety Madieu Williams was deactivated for today’s game with Houston.

Williams injured his shoulder Friday during practice and was favoring his left arm on the way to the locker room.

He is believed to have a torn labrum, similar to the injury suffered by linebacker Landon Johnson last season.

Williams’ injury has forced two changes in the starting lineup: Strong safety Kevin Kaesviharn moves back to free safety, and first-year Bengal Ifeanyi Ohalete will start at strong safety.

The other Bengals inactive players for the Texans: wide receiver Kelley Washington, fullback Nick Luchey, center Eric Ghiaciuc, defensive end Jonathan Fanene, linebacker Larry Stevens and defensive tackle Matthias Askew.

Washington is inactive for the third consecutive week. Rookie Chris Henry, who has eight receptions and one touchdown, has established himself as the team’s third wide receiver.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com