Chad Johnson might win NFL receiving yards title

Chad Johnson's 1,369 receiving yards might be enough to win the NFL title.

Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison finished the season three yards behind Johnson, at 1,366.

Green Bay's Donald Driver needs 97 yards receiving in the Chicago game (ongoing tonight) to equal Johnson's total.

All Bengals had to do was win ...

San Francisco defeated Denver 26-23 in overtime late today, and the Broncos miss the chance to go to the playoffs. Kansas City and the Jets are the two AFC wildcard teams.

The Chiefs defeated Jacksonville in an early game.

The 49ers victory, if the Bengals had won, would have sent the Bengals to the playoffs if they had won against the Steelers.

The Bengals lost 23-17 in overtime to Pittsburgh.

Game goes into overtime tied at 17

Shayne Graham and the kicking game flinched for a second week in a row when Graham missed a 39-yard field with 12 seconds remaining.

The Bengals rallied for two offensive touchdowns in the second half.

Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed kicked a 35-yard field goal at 1:03 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17.

The Bengals suffered from questionable play-calling and time-management at the end of the game.

The Bengals answered, thanks to a 47-yard completion to Chris Henry at the Pittsburgh 20. Henry had four catches for 124 yards in regulation.

Steelers tie at 17

Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed kicked a 35-yard field goal at 1:03 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17.

Pittsburgh went 66 yards on eight plays but had a poor last series to set up the field goal.

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis tried to ice Reed by calling a timeout right before the snap, drawing a huge smile from Steelers coach Bill Cowher.

Palmer back in; had wind knocked out of him

Carson Palmer is back in the game after getting the wind knocked out of him on a hit by linebacker James Farrior. Farrior was penalized 15 yards for roughing the quarterback. Anthony Wright played one snap.

Steelers answer, go up 14-10

Willie Parker ran 1 yard for his 16th touchdown, a single-season Steelers franchise record, to give Pittsburgh a 14-10 lead.

The Bengals are driving in Pittsburgh territory.

Parker fumbles at 2, Bengals get touchback

Two yards from allowing their second 99-yard touchdown drive in two games, the Bengals caught a break early in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh tailback Willie Parker fumbled at the 2. Linebacker Landon Johnson knocked the ball out at the 2, and Dexter Jackson recovered the loose ball in the end zone, while cornerback Tory James watched.

The Bengals jumped out to their first lead of the game, on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Chris Henry. Henry caught a crossing pattern at the 46 of the Steelers and out-ran the secondary first to the right. Then he cut back to the left and ran into the end zone.

Palmer now has 178 passing yards, giving him the single-season franchise record of 3,962. Boomer Esiason had 3,959 in 1986.

The Jets lead the Raiders 23-3 and are headed to the playoffs.

If the Bengals hold the lead and win, they need Kansas City to defeat Jacksonville (35-24, Chiefs) and for the 49ers to win at Denver in a late game.

Bengals defense lets sack slip through hands

The Bengals blew a great opportunity to effect the game when safety Dexter Jackson, who had a clean shot on Ben Roethlisberger in the end zone, let the quarterback slip through his hands. The Steelers had second and 10 on the 1 -- where Glenn Holt downed the ball on a punt -- and Roethlisberger threw for 13 yards to tight end Heath Miller.

Jones out; Whitworth in; offense struggles

Left tackle Levi Jones' return is questionable because of his knee injury. Rookie Andrew Whitworth is playing left tackle. The Bengals punted for a second time in the third quarter.

In other games, Kansas City leads Jacksonville 27-10.

Bengals fail to score on first possession

Steelers linebacker James Harrison was called for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty for body-slamming Chad Johnson at the end of a reception, giving the Bengals a first down on their 45. The Bengals again failed to convert a third down offensively, and a third Kyle Larson punt went for a touchback.

The Bengals need a win and a Jets loss to make the playoffs. The Jets lead the Raiders 13-3 in the third quarter.

Bengals close to 7-3 on Graham FG

Shayne Graham kicked a 34-yard field goal with :07 seconds remaining in the half to pull the Bengals to 7 -3. The Bengals drove 43 yards on 14 plays but finished the drive rather ingloriously. They were first and goal from the 4. Rudi Johnson lost two yards on a run. Left guard Eric Steinbach was whistled for a false start. Carson Palmer was whistled for a false start. On second and goal from the 16, a pass to tailback Kenny Watson gained no yards. A third-down pass into the end zone for Chad Johnson was incomplete. Watson had two key third-down receptions.

The Bengals will receive the ball to start the third quarter. The Bengals have been out-scored 85-58 in the third quarter.

The sack initially credited fully to Kevin Kaesviharn has been split in half. Half now goes to end Justin Smith, giving him 7.5. Kaesviharn has four.

Chad moves into second place on receiving yards list

Chad Johnson's 16-yard reception gives him 6,888 yards, moving him past Carl Pickens into second place on the Bengals' franchise all-time receiving yards list. Pickens has 6,887. Isaac Curtis is first at 7,101.

Linebacker Landon Johnson's return from an ankle injury has been downgraded to questionable. ... T.J. Houshmandzadeh left the field for a short period but was allowed back in the game because it was a team timeout.

Kaesviharn gets key sack

Safety Kevin Kaesviharn registered his 4.5 sack on a third-down blitz. The Bengals have first down at their 41-yard line with 5:34 remaining in the half. The Steelers have had the ball for 19:55 to 4:31 for the Bengals.

Bengals have trouble counting

The Bengals had to burn a timeout in the first quarter because they had 12 men on the field defensively. On the last punt, safety Dexter Jackson was not on the field, and the Bengals had to wait until 4 seconds remained on the play clock before snapping.

The Steelers lead 7-0 with 9:49 left in the second quarter.

In other games, Jacksonville now leads Kansas City 10-7.

The Jets lead the Raiders 7-3.

Parker runs in from 1 for TD

The Steelers, dominating time off possession, drove 90 yards on 15 plays, scoring on a 1-yard Willie Parker run. The drive ate 8:34 of the first and second quarters.

Parker ran nine times for 51 yards on the drive and has 16 attempts for 69 yards.

Overall, the Steelers are 3 of 4 on third down.

Landon Johnson injured

Linebacker Landon Johnson has a left ankle injury. His return is probable.

Steelers dominate scoreless first quarter

Pittsburgh has a second and 1 from the Bengals 27-yard line at the end of the first quarter. The Steelers have had 11:41 of possession in the first 15 minutes.

In other games, the Jaguars have tied the Chiefs at 7.

James grabs fourth interception

Ben Roethlisberger, as he was delivering the ball, was hit by Bengals defensive end Justin Smith -- and the ball sailed deep into double-coverage. Tory James intercepted the ball, intended for Santonio Holmes. Johnathan Joseph was also back in coverage, too. It was Roethlisberger's 23rd interception this season.

The Bengals had first down on their 48-yard line but could not get a first down.

In other games, the Jets lead Oakland 7-0. Kansas City leads Jacksonville 7-0. The Bengals need to win and a Jets loss to make the playoffs, or a Cincinnati victory and losses by Jacksonville and Denver (later at Denver against San Francisco).

Hello to friends at 5/3 Bank at Finneytown Kroger

I've often wondered who reads this blog during the game. On Friday, I found out there are at least a handful of people checking in regularly. I was at my bank, the 5/3 Bank Mart at the Finneytown Kroger, and was told they check the blog on Sunday during the game.

They wanted me to send out a greeting. Here it is.

A sense of humor

The Bengals opened their first offensive series with a deep pass down the right side for Chris Henry. It was the same play they ran in the playoff game at the end of last season against the Steelers, on which Carson Palmer was hurt.

Bengals burn timeout

Cincinnati had the Steelers pinned inside the 10-yard line on the opening kickoff, but Caleb Miller was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary toughness after he delivered a forearm to the head of a Steelers player. Then, on third and five from the 29, the Bengals had to use a timeout because they had 12 men on the field defensively.

Organization honors Braham on retirement

The Bengals presented center Rich Braham with a 4-by-4 off-road vehicle, painted orange with black stripes, in a pre-game ceremony today. Braham is retiring after 13 seasons, 142 starts and 146 games.

The Bengals lost the coin toss and are kicking off.

LT Jones to start vs. Steelers

Left tackle Levi Jones, despite being downgraded to questionable and not officially practicing Friday, will start today against the Steelers.

Rookie Johnathan Joseph will start in place of Deltha O'Neal, who is listed as the starter on the depth chart and not on the injury report.

Bengals inactives: Doug Johnson is the third quarterback, wide receiver Skyler Green, tailback Quincy Wilson, safety John Busing, linebackers A.J. Nicholson and Andre Frazier, center Ben Wilkerson and defensive tackle Shaun Smith.

Eric Ghiaciuc will start at center for Rich Braham, who was placed on the injured reserve list Friday.

LT Jones downgraded to questionable

Bengals left tackle Levi Jones was downgraded to questionable this afternoon with his knee injury. He did not practice. Jones had been probable and did practice Wednesday.

Jones is a key player on the offensive line, especially against Pittsburgh’s speed rush game featuring linebacker Joey Porter. Andrew Whitworth, overmatched at Indianapolis by fast defensive end Dwight Freeney, would return to the lineup if Jones can't play.

Guard Eric Steinbach and defensive tackle Sam Adams, out this week because of an intestinal virus going through the locker room, returned to practice. Steinbach said he felt well. They practiced Friday, as did safety Madieu Williams (thigh contusion), and remained probable. Rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson (illness) also returned to practice and remained probable.

Braham to IR; Quincy Wilson signed to roster

The Bengals today made the following roster moves:

-- Placed center Rich Braham on the injured reserve list, ending his season. Braham announced his retirement Wednesday. Braham has been out of action, on the team’s gameday inactive list, since suffering a knee injury on Sept. 17 vs. Cleveland. He started the season’s first two games.

-- Signed tailback Quincy Wilson from the Bengals practice squad to the 53-player roster. Wilson is a first-year NFL player. He has played this season in three games (Games 3-5). He made the opening roster out of preseason, was waived Oct. 19, and had been on the practice squad since Oct. 21.

Also today, guard Eric Steinbach and defensive tackle Sam Adams, out this week because of an intestinal virus going through the locker room, returned to practice. Steinbach said he felt well.

Coach Marvin Lewis said his team was focused squarely on the Steelers.

"What else is there?" he said.

A popular rumor going through town: Lewis will leave the Bengals to replace Bill Cowher as Steelers coach. Can't see it happening. Lewis is under contract with the Bengals through the 2010 season.

Bengals deal with intestinal virus

Defensive tackle Sam Adams and guard Eric Steinbach missed a second day of practice today with an intestinal virus. Rookie linebacker A.J. Nicholson was added to the injury report as probable with the illness.

Left tackle Levi Jones (knee) remained probable but did not practice today.

Looking ahead to 2007, the Bengals' two interconference opponents by position are still undecided headed into Week 17 of 2006. The Bengals have clinched second place in the AFC North. Even if they would lose Sunday to Pittsburgh to fall to 8-8, the Bengals would have a better division record (4-2) than the Steelers (3-3).

The Bengals will play at the second-place AFC West team (Denver or Kansas City) and play host to the second-place AFC South team (Tennessee or Jacksonvile).

Cincinnati's home games: New England, the Jets, Arizona, St. Louis, Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Cincinnati's road games: at Buffalo, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Braham: Injury was tibial plateau fracture

The "deep knee bruise" that ended center Rich Braham's season, indeed, was a tibial plateau fracture, he said this afternoon. The bone was crushed down into his leg and bled.

The 13-year center announced his retirement this afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium.

"The biggest thing is I want to thank the Bengals organization, the fans, coaches, the players," Braham said. "It was a lot of fun.

"It gets to a point, do you want to walk one day?"

Bengals president Mike Brown and offensive line coach/assistant head coach Paul Alexander attended the news conference.

"Rich has been a credit to the Bengals in all ways," Brown said. "He has been a fine player, as well as being one of the most solid guys off the field."

Only three players have played more Bengals season than Braham's 13: quarterback Ken Anderson (16), cornerback Ken Riley (14) and linebacker Reggie Williams (14). The other 13-year Bengals were offensive tackles Anthony Munoz and Joe Walter and kicker Jim Breech.

At the game Sunday afternoon against Pittsburgh, a commemorative Braham poster will be given to the first 40,000 fans. And Braham will be honored in a pre-game ceremony, after the Bengals’ team introductions.

Cowher: Will decide future after season

Steelers coach Bill Cowher is rumored to be retiring after the season. Here's what he said on a conference call with Cincinnati writers this afternoon.

"Well, like I said (Tuesday), I want to get through this week, and when the season is over, we'll address it at that time. So, I understand that everyone has to ask those questions, and I've tried to be honest with everyone. I want to make sure I have a clear mind before I make any final decision. And I can't do that objectively during the season."

Cowher is 148-90-1 in 15 seasons. He is 12-9 in the postseason in 10 appearances.

Cowher is 20-9 against the Bengals in his career, not counting the playoff victory last season.

Braham retires; Bengals prepare for Steelers

Center Rich Braham, a Bengal for 13 years, is retiring.

Coach Marvin Lewis announced Braham's retirement this afternoon. Braham will talk to the media at 4 p.m.

Braham played in just two games before suffering a serious knee injury in Week 2 against Cleveland.

"He's had a great career and a great run," Lewis said of Braham. "He's one of those rare guys who played his entire career for one football team."

Braham was drafted in 1994 by the Cardinals but waived without playing in a game. The Bengals claimed him.

Braham will be honored in a pregame ceremony Sunday. He played in 146 games and started 142 of them.

On the injury front, the Bengals are healthy. Limited in practice today but probable for Sunday will be right tackle Willie Anderson (foot), defensive lineman Bryan Robinson (foot) and safety Madieu Williams (thigh bruise).

Braham is listed as doubtful, and even if the stars align and the Bengals make the playoffs, he would not play, Lewis said.

Lewis said his team is focused on the Steelers, not the playoffs. A victory against Pittsburgh would make the Bengals 9-7. "Finish the season is the correct way, to beat the still defending world champions," Lewis said.

The Bengals need to win and for the Jets to lose to Oakland to make the playoffs. Or the Bengals could make it with a victory and a Jacksonville loss to Kansas City and a Denver loss to San Francisco.

Also of note today, the Cincinnati Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America presented its MVP award to Anderson and its Good Guy award for media cooperation to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Bengals' game stays at 1 p.m. Sunday

The Week 17 Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears game on Sunday, December 31 will be played at 8:15 p.m. on NBC.

The Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts games will move to 4:15 p.m. on CBS, and the Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles game will move to 4:15 p.m. on FOX.

Bengals have two ways to make playoffs

The NFL says that the Bengals can make the playoffs as as AFC wildcard team in one of two ways:

-- The Bengals have to win at home Sunday afternoon against Pittsburgh, and the Jets have to lose to Oakland;

Or

-- The Bengals have to win, Denver has to lose at home to San Francisco, and Kansas City has to defeat Jacksonville.

Further explanation from Elias Sports Bureau:

A Jets loss means that among possible contenders for two wildcard, only Denver could finish above 9-7. If Denver claims the first Wild Card at 10-6, the Bengals would win any tie for the second spot based on conference record (7-5). No team among Kansas City, Jacksonville, Tennessee or the Jets could be above 6-6. If Denver loses and joins a pack at 9-7, the Bengals could claim the first wildcard. The key for Cincinnati is that Kansas City would also have to win, because all ties must first be broken within a division, and Chiefs would eliminate Denver based on AFC West record. In the next step, Bengals would take the first Wild Card based on best conference record. If Kansas City is not involved, Denver still gets the first wildcard at 9-7, based on conference record (8-4), and Cincinnati would take the second wildcard based on second-best conference record.

-- This second scenario presumes a Jets win, in which case Jets would take first wildcard at 10-6. But as long as Kansas City wins to tie a losing Denver team at 9-7, the Broncos in any tie among 9-7 teams cannot take advantage of their best overall conference record (8-4) or their head-to-head win over the Bengals. The Broncos are first eliminated in the same AFC West tiebreak described above. Jacksonville would be eliminated because it lost to Kansas City and finished 8-8. The next tiebreaker would involve Cincinnati, Kansas City, and possibly Tennessee. If the Titans defeat visiting New England to make it a three-way tie, the Bengals take the second wildcard based on best conference record. If the Titans lose and it’s just Cincinnati vs. Kansas City, the Bengals take the second wildcard based on head-to-head play.



If the Jets and Denver both win, they will both be 10-6 and the Bengals cannot qualify. Denver would claim the first Wild Card with a better conference record, and the Jets would be the second Wild Card.

NFL: If Jets lose, Bengals will play at night

The NFL has just confirmed that if the Jets lose tonight at Miami, the Bengals will play at 8:30 Sunday night against Pittsburgh. If the Jets win, the Bengals will start at 1 p.m.

Jones practices, will play at Denver, Lewis says

Left tackle Levi Jones, who has not played since starting Oct. 15 at Tampa Bay, will play Sunday at Denver, coach Marvin Lewis said after practice this afternoon.

Jones dressed but did not play Monday night at Indianapolis.

"Yeah," Lewis said when asked if Jones would play.

"I don't know," he said when asked if Jones would start. "I haven't made that decision. ... He's excited, and his teammates are excited for him. He's the guy we feel like is a very, very good player. We made a commitment to him to be our tackle. He's been fighting to get back, so it's good."

Jones remained listed as questionable on the official injury report but did practice today. Rookie Andrew Whitworth, who has started and played well since Jones' injury, struggled for the first time Monday night, allowing Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney three sacks.

As rumors continue to swirl about Carson Palmer and his shoulder injury, he did practice today and remained listed as probable.

Defensive end Bryan Robinson (toe) and offensive tackle Willie Anderson (foot) remained probable but did not practice. They are expected to play.

The Bengals will fly tonight to Denver, which was hit with 2 feet of snow Wednesday.

"There's no problem with any weather for us," Lewis said. "We have a longer trip, when you take a longer trip you go earlier."

Nothing his team's serious mood Wednesday, two days after dropping the Indianapolis game, Lewis said, "It's that way after any loss, disappointing, especially when it was as fresh as that one. We don't want them to be merry."

Post-practice injury report: Palmer practices

Quarterback Carson Palmer participated in the 11-on-11 team session of practice this afternoon inside Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals, unlike most NFL teams, had to practice outdoors in a steady rain because they do not have an indoor practice facility.

Palmer had sat out the team segment Wednesday because of a sore shoulder.

Wide receiver Chad Johnson (ankle) remained probable but did return to practice.

Left tackle Levi Jones (knee) remained questionable but did not practice. He had practiced Wednesday. The Bengals would like to get Jones back to play against Denver's fast front seven.

Palmer throws early in practice

Carson Palmer had a good time with reporters and a TV camera crew watching the start of this afternoon’s practice.

Palmer, who did not practice Wednesday because of a sore throwing shoulder, pulled his arm down in mock pain after lifting it to throw a pass.

Then he fired a spiral to backup quarterback Anthony Wright.

Earlier in practice, when players were stretching under supervision of a trainer, Palmer said he was going to wait until it rained harder before he would throw.

A rumor Internet site reported that Palmer might have rotator cuff damage, which Palmer and the Bengals both refuted Wednesday.

“There’s nothing to this,” Palmer said this afternoon in the locker room.
“I don’t want to answer any questions about it. My shoulder is fine. There’s nothing to this. I don’t know where this came from. Everything is great.”

Palmer said he was going to practice today and Friday.

“Just rest, just a day of rest,” Palmer said of sitting out the 11-on-11 team session Wednesday.

Levi Jones practices, remains questionable

Offensive left tackle Levi Jones (knee) did practice today and remained questionable for the game Sunday at Denver.

Right tackle Willie Anderson (foot) is probable but did not participate in the 11-on-11 team session. He was in a practice uniform but walked in early, apparently to receive treatment from trainers.

Linebacker Andre Frazier (groin) is questionable. Center Rich Braham (knee) is doubtful.

Four players are probable: quarterback Carson Palmer (shoulder), tight end Reggie Kelly (shoulder), defensive lineman Bryan Robinson (toe) and wide receiver Chad Johnson (ankle). Of the four, only Kelly officially practiced.

Palmer on shoulder: `Everything's fine.'

A pro football Web site is reporting a rumor that Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer injured his throwing shoulder in the Monday night game, possibly his rotator cuff, and was undergoing tests.

I asked Palmer a few minutes ago if the rumor was true. He said, "No. Everything's fine."

Palmer was outside for practice this afternoon. He was listed as probable on the official post-practice injury report as probable with a shoulder injury. He did not participate in the 11-on-11 team session of practice.

Palmer is expected to practice Thursday, Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan said at 3:45 this afternoon.

"He was rested today and is expected to fully participate (Thursday)," Brennan said. "The coaches and trainers (say) he came out of the Indianapolis game with a sore shoulder. Any reports of a serious structural injury are unfounded."

Anderson: I'll play at Denver

Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson, who had to leave the Monday night game with a foot injury, said today he will play Sunday at Denver.

"It's OK, I'll play," Anderson said.

He had an MRI. What did it show?

"A 340-pound, 11th-year lineman," he said.

Still, Anderson was not on the injury report.

"He's just got an issue with his foot," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "It's not of any major significance. He feels better than he did last week."

On the injury report, center Rich Braham (knee) is doubtful, and tackle Levi Jones (knee) and linebacker Andre Frazier (groin) are questionable.

Lewis also addressed his timeout early in the Monday night game.

He came at the end of a long completion to Chad Johnson and gave Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy a chance to challenge it.

"It sure did," Lewis said.

Was it because Anderson had to come out of the game.

"We needed to call timeout," Lewis said.

Anderson, Chad Johnson to start on AFC Pro Bowl team

Offensive tackle Willie Anderson and wide receiver Chad Johnson are starters on the AFC Pro Bowl, the Bengals announced this afternoon.

Quarterback Carson Palmer is on the team.

Alternates are fullback Jeremi Johnson (first), guard Eric Steinbach and tailback Rudi Johnson (second) and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (third)

Steinbach and Rudi Johnson have previously been honored as alternates.

Alternates will be on the squad as the number of players ahead of them drop off. For example, if one fullback leaves the AFC roster, Jeremi Johnson would go to Hawaii.

The Pro Bowl berths are the fourth in a row for Anderson and Chad Johnson and second in a row for Palmer.

NFC all stars have 13 first-time selections

BEARS LEAD NFC WITH SEVEN PLAYERS ON ALL-STAR SQUAD;
THIRTEEN FIRST-TIME SELECTIONS ON NFC ROSTER

The Chicago Bears placed a conference-high seven players on the National Football Conference All-Star team that will face the American Football Conference All-Stars in the 2007 Pro Bowl.

Thirteen NFC players will participate in their first Pro Bowl, including Dallas Cowboys quarterback TONY ROMO, who has won six of his first eight career starts and guided the Cowboys to a playoff birth.

Three of the Bears’ Pro Bowl players – special teamer BRENDON AYANBADEJO, kicker ROBBIE GOULD and rookie kick return specialist DEVIN HESTER – are also first-time All-Stars. They join six-time All-Stars OLIN KREUTZ and BRIAN URLACHER and two-time All-Stars LANCE BRIGGS and TOMMIE HARRIS to form the largest Chicago contingent in Hawaii since seven Bears were chosen to participate in the 1987 Pro Bowl.

Joining Romo at quarterback are two-time All-Stars DREW BREES of New Orleans, who will start, and St. Louis’ MARC BULGER. Brees, who leads the NFL with 4,240 passing yards, is the second quarterback in Saints history to be named to the Pro Bowl (ARCHIE MANNING, 1979-80). Brees was an All-Star with the San Diego Chargers in 2005 and is the fourth quarterback to be selected to the Pro Bowl for both the AFC and NFC (JOHN HADL, JOE MONTANA and WARREN MOON). Bulger passed for a Pro Bowl record four touchdowns and was named the player of the game in the 2004 All-Star contest.

Starting at running back for the NFC will be first-time All-Star FRANK GORE of the San Francisco 49ers, who leads the NFC in rushing with 1,491 yards. St. Louis running back STEVEN JACKSON, who tops the conference with 1,916 scrimmage yards, also will make his Pro Bowl debut.

New York Giants three-time All-Star running back TIKI BARBER will team with his brother RONDE, a cornerback and four-time Pro Bowl choice from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on the NFC squad for the third year in a row. The Barbers are the second set of NFL brothers to be named to the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons (SHANNON and STERLING SHARPE, 1993-95). They are the only set of twins to be chosen for the Pro Bowl.

Filling out the backfield is Seattle fullback MACK STRONG, who makes his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.

The NFC’s starting wide receivers are six-time All-Star TORRY HOLT of the St. Louis Rams and Carolina’s STEVE SMITH, who will make his third trip to Honolulu and second as a wide receiver. Two-time All-Stars ANQUAN BOLDIN of Arizona (2004) and DONALD DRIVER of Green Bay (2003) fill out the position.

A pair of four-time All-Stars represent the NFC at tight end in Atlanta’s ALGE CRUMPLER and the New York Giants’ JEREMY SHOCKEY. Crumpler, who leads NFC tight ends with 677 yards, will be the starter.

First-time All-Star SHAWN ANDREWS of Philadelphia (brother of Bengals lineman Stacy Andrews) and Minnesota’s STEVE HUTCHINSON, who will make his fourth consecutive trip to Hawaii, will start at guard. Joining them is the most tenured member of the NFC All-Stars in San Francisco guard LARRY ALLEN, who has been chosen to the Pro Bowl 11 times.

Another member of the Vikings’ offensive line will be MATT BIRK, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, who joins starter Kreutz of the Bears at the center position.

The starting tackles are Seattle’s WALTER JONES, a seven-time All-Star, and New Orleans’ JAMMAL BROWN, who will make his Pro Bowl debut. Washington’s CHRIS SAMUELS, making his fourth appearance on the NFC squad, is the NFC’s third tackle.

Earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth is Carolina defensive end JULIUS PEPPERS, who was named a starter. A pair of Pro Bowl newcomers joins Peppers at defensive end in Green Bay’s AARON KAMPMAN and New Orleans’ WILL SMITH, who was selected as the other NFC starter at the position.

The starters on the interior defensive line are Chicago’s Harris and Minnesota’s KEVIN WILLIAMS, who played in the 2005 Pro Bowl. The other member of the group is Carolina’s KRIS JENKINS, a three-time All-Star choice.

Seattle’s LOFA TATUPU, a two-time selection, will join Chicago’s Urlacher as the NFC’s inside linebackers. Urlacher, who will start, is the first Bears linebacker to be named to six Pro Bowls since Pro Football Hall of Famer MIKE SINGLETARY was chosen for 10.

The outside linebackers are Chicago’s Briggs, Seattle’s JULIAN PETERSON and Dallas’ DE MARCUS WARE. Peterson was selected to two Pro Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers (2003-04) while Ware will play in his first All-Star game. Briggs and Ware were named the starters for the NFC team.

Atlanta’s DE ANGELO HALL will man one of the NFC’s cornerback positions for the second consecutive season, joining Tampa Bay’s Barber as the conference’s starters. Hall and DEION SANDERS (1992-94) are the only Falcons cornerbacks to be named to back-to-back Pro Bowls. Philadelphia’s LITO SHEPPARD, an NFC All-Star in 2005, is the third NFC cornerback.

Sheppard’s Eagles teammate BRIAN DAWKINS, making his sixth Pro Bowl appearance, will start at free safety. ADRIAN WILSON of the Arizona Cardinals, in his Pro Bowl debut, received the starting nod at strong safety. The NFC’s other strong safety is Dallas’ ROY WILLIAMS, a four-time honoree.

A quartet of Pro Bowl rookies will handle special teams duties for the NFC. In addition to Chicago’s Ayanbadejo, Gould and Hester, the unit features Dallas punter MAT MC BRIAR, who played three seasons at the University at Hawaii.

The 42-man NFC squad is comprised of 21 offensive and 17 defensive players plus four specialists. A 43rd “need” player will be chosen by the NFC head coach and must be a cornerback, defensive end, linebacker, or long snapper.

Chargers dominate AFC Pro Bowl team

CHARGERS POST AFC-HIGH NINE PLAYERS ON ALL-STAR SQUAD;

NINE FIRST-TIME SELECTIONS ON AFC ROSTER

The San Diego Chargers will power the American Football Conference’s 2007 Pro Bowl squad with a conference-high nine players – the most in franchise history – when the AFC faces the National Football Conference All-Stars, the NFL announced today. The game will be played on Saturday, February 10, in Honolulu.

Nine members of the AFC roster are first-time All-Stars, including Chargers quarterback PHILIP RIVERS, in his first year as a starter, and three of his San Diego teammates. The Chargers own the conference’s best record at 12-2.

Helping Rivers at the AFC’s quarterback position will be Indianapolis’ PEYTON MANNING and CARSON PALMER of Cincinnati. Manning leads the NFL in touchdowns (26) and passer rating (99.0) and will start for the AFC in his seventh trip to Aloha Stadium. The Colts’ QB led all NFL players in Pro Bowl fan balloting with 1,183,468 votes. Palmer earned his second consecutive All-Star selection, standing No. 2 in the AFC to Manning in both TD passes (24) and passing yards (3,575).

A pair of Chargers will start in the AFC’s backfield: running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON and fullback LORENZO NEAL. Named to his fourth Pro Bowl, Tomlinson already has scored an NFL-record 31 touchdowns on the season. Playing in his third Pro Bowl and his second as a Charger, Neal has helped open holes for Tomlinson, who leads the NFL with 1,626 rushing yards. Neal boasts the NFL’s best mark of seven-for-seven on third-and-one rushes for first downs.

Adding to the AFC’s backfield’s punch will be Kansas City’s LARRY JOHNSON and WILLIE PARKER of Pittsburgh. This is the second consecutive Pro Bowl trip for Johnson, who ranks second in the league with 1,516 yards rushing. Parker ties for third in the NFL with 11 rushing TDs and will wear the AFC Pro Bowl uniform for the first time in his three-year career.

QB Manning will have familiar faces to throw to as MARVIN HARRSION and REGGIE WAYNE suit up for their eighth and first Pro Bowls, respectively. The Indianapolis receiving duo marks the first time that two Colts receivers have been All-Star selections. Harrison has five Pro Bowl TDs, tied for the game’s career record. Starting at the team’s wideout positions will be a “Johnson & Johnson” combination – ANDRE JOHNSON of Houston, who leads the NFL with 97 receptions, and Cincinnati’s CHAD JOHNSON, whose 1,247 receiving yards top the league. The ’07 game is the Texans’ Johnson’s second Pro Bowl while the Bengals’ Johnson makes his fourth trip.

Representing the AFC at tight end will be eight-time all-star TONY GONZALEZ of the Chiefs and the Chargers’ ANTONIO GATES, who will play in his third consecutive Pro Bowl and get the start.

Equaling a Pro Bowl record for games played will be guard WILL SHIELDS, who will wear his Chiefs helmet under the Hawaii sun for the 12th time, tying RANDALL MC DANIEL (12) for the game’s career service record. Joining Shields at the other starting guard position is Pittsburgh’s ALAN FANECA, making his sixth consecutive AFC squad. Shields’ KC teammate BRIAN WATERS was tabbed for his third straight Pro Bowl for the American Conference. This is the first time in history that a team has had the same two guards selected for three consecutive Pro Bowls.

AFC starting center JEFF SATURDAY will snap to Manning for the second consecutive Pro Bowl as he has for the past eight years in Indy. First-time AFC All-Star NICK HARDWICK of San Diego is the conference’s center of choice behind Saturday.

Charged with keeping NFC defensive ends at bay are a pair of AFC North tackle mainstays: JONATHAN OGDEN of Baltimore, playing in his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl in his 11 NFL seasons, and Cincinnati’s WILLIE ANDERSON, who will travel to Hawaii for the fourth consecutive year. Fans, players, and coaches also voted in TARIK GLENN of Indianapolis for his third Pro Bowl in a row.

Starting defensive interior linemen RICHARD SEYMOUR of New England and San Diego’s JAMAL WILLIAMS are the core of the AFC defensive unit. Seymour, the lone Patriot on the squad, faces the NFC’s best for the fifth time. Williams will play in Hawaii for a second time. CASEY HAMPTON, one of four Steelers in the game, fortifies this AFC DL position in his third Pro Bowl.

A trio of double-digit sack artists will aim to hurry NFC passers: Buffalo’s AARON SCHOBEL (13.5), JASON TAYLOR (12.5) of Miami, and Oakland’s DERRICK BURGESS (11.0). Schobel, a former college teammate of Tomlinson’s at TCU, joins him on the AFC sideline in his first Pro Bowl selection. Starting opposite Schobel is five-time All-Star Taylor. Burgess represents the Raiders in Hawaii for the second consecutive year.

Outside linebacker ADALIUS THOMAS, who has added to his sack total of 10.5 in eight of the past 10 games, is one of four Ravens on defense. Playing in his second Pro Bowl, Thomas is joined by fellow outside linebacker TERRELL SUGGS, free safety ED REED and cornerback CHRIS MC ALISTER. Thomas and Reed, in his third NFL All-Star Game, have starting assignments. This marks McAlister’s third Pro Bowl and Suggs’ second.

Joining Thomas and Suggs at outside linebacker and starting is San Diego’s SHAWNE MERRIMAN, participating in the game for the second time in his two-year career.

Patrolling the middle of the AFC defense will be middle linebackers AL WILSON of Denver and Miami’s ZACH THOMAS. Wilson gets the start in his third Pro Bowl while Thomas represents the Dolphins a seventh time – the most All-Star distinctions by any defender in team history.

A total of 15 interceptions are shared between starting cornerbacks CHAMP BAILEY (eight) of Denver and Jacksonville’s RASHEAN MATHIS (seven). This marks Bailey’s seventh consecutive Pro Bowl and his third in a Denver uniform. Mathis makes his All-Star debut and is the first corner in Jaguars history selected to the AFC roster.

Along with the Ravens’ Reed in the defense’s deep center is free safety JOHN LYNCH of Denver and starting strong safety TROY POLAMALU of Pittsburgh. This will be Polamalu’s third consecutive Pro Bowl trip and the eighth such honor for Lynch, his third consecutive as a Bronco.

The AFC special teams feature three first-time Pro Bowl honorees. New York kick returner JUSTIN MILLER tops the NFL with a 28.7-yard average and is the only player in the AFC this season to return two kickoffs for touchdowns. San Diego wide receiver KASSIM OSGOOD, who will serve as the AFC’s special teamer, makes his Hawaii debut as will teammate NATE KAEDING, who has split the uprights on 22 of 25 field-goal attempts (88.0 percent) on the year. The All-Star veteran of the group is Buffalo punter BRIAN MOORMAN, who earned his second consecutive honor. Moorman tops the AFC with a 39.5 net average and has placed 29 of his 83 punts inside his opponents’ 20-yard line.

The 42-man AFC squad is comprised of 21 offensive and 17 defensive players plus four specialists. A 43rd “need” player will be chosen by the AFC head coach and must be a cornerback, defensive end, linebacker, or long snapper.

The NFL is the only professional sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players in determining its all-star teams. The consensus vote of each group counts one-third towards the total. Each team submits two ballots – those of the coach and the players with no one permitted to vote for a player on his own team. This year, nearly 70 million fan votes (69.8 million) were cast on NFL.com, in stadiums and via Sprint or Nextel wireless.

The National Conference defeated the American Conference 23-17 last season in the Pro Bowl. The all-time series is tied 18-18. The 2007 AFC coaching staff will be from the AFC Championship Game runner-up team.

Under terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, each player on the winning Pro Bowl team receives $40,000, while each player on the losing squad earns $20,000.

Seven Bengals get Pro Bowl recognition

Offensive tackle Willie Anderson and wide receiver Chad Johnson are starters on the AFC Pro Bowl, the Bengals announced this afternoon.

Quarterback Carson Palmer is on the team.

Alternates are fullback Jeremi Johnson (first), guard Eric Steinbach and tailback Rudi Johnson (second) and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (third).

Alternates will be on the squad as the number of players ahead of them drop off. For example, if one fullback leaves the AFC roster, Jeremi Johnson would go to Hawaii.

The Pro Bowl berths are the fourth in a row for Anderson and Chad Johnson and second in a row for Palmer.

Updated Bengals playoff situation

The NFL has broken down the races in the eight divisions.

In the AFC North:

-- Baltimore has clinched division.

-- Cincinnati can clinch playoff berth with:

1) CIN win (at Denver) + BUF loss or tie (at home against Tennessee) + NYJ loss (at Miami on Chrismas night), OR

2) CIN win + BUF loss or tie + JAX loss (at home against New England).

Young tackles struggle against Colts fast defensive ends

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Bengals are the antidote tonight for the Colts' woes.

A beat-up Indianapolis defense looks quick and sharp. Ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are running circles around backup tackles Andrew Whitworth and Stacy Andrews. No wonder coaches activated Levi Jones, whose knee still prevents him from playing.

Willie Anderson is out with an aggravated right foot injury.

Bengals kiss sister again, take field goal

INDIANAPOLIS -- With wide receiver Chad Johnson -- he who prides himself in a fast-food diet of McDonald's -- in the locker room for at least half of the third quarter and the first 1:57 of the fourth quarter to get an IV, the Bengals settled for their third field goal and a 15-point deficit.

With Chris Henry and Reggie McNeal in the game with T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a third-down pass for Houshmandzadeh in the end zone was knocked down.

Indianapolis leads 31-16 with 13:01 left in the game.

Bengals' 'prevent' defense can't prevent scores

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Bengals are playing a defense designed to keep plays in front of them. But Reggie Wayne ran right past cornerback Tory James to catch an 18-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning -- his fourth of the game -- to give Indianapolis a 31-13 lead on the Bengals with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter.

Manning is 26-for-29 passing for 248 yards and four touchdowns.

James and fellow veteran Bengals cornerback Deltha O'Neal have been overmatched all night by the Colts pass defense.

Henry makes little effort to catch thrown pass

INDIANAPOLIS -- Wide receiver Chris Henry continues to get chances to make plays but consistently makes just one-handed efforts on the ball. He keeps one hand back to protect himself. Henry has alligator arms. He doesn't give near the effort that Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh do on every ball.

Manning to Harrison X 3

INDIANAPOLIS -- Marvin Harrison has three touchdown receptions among his seven catches. He caught his third touchdown pass from the 1 from Peyton Manning. Harrison drove cornerback Deltha O'Neal off the line and broke outside. Manning intentionally threw the ball behind Harrison, who came back for it.

Harrison's three touchdowns give him nine for the season and 119 in his 11-year career.

Manning is 23-for-26 passing.

Colts get stuffed on fourth down; Bengals settle for 3

INDIANAPOLIS -- Justin Smith and Bryan Robinson stopped a fourth-and-one run at the Bengals 45-yard line, and the Bengals drove 43 yards in six plays but settled again for a Shayne Graham field goal from 30 yards. Chad Johnson caught a 10-yard pass, T.J. Houshmandzadeh one for 24 yards. Rudi Johnson ran nine yards to the 12, setting up a third and one. But Johnson was stopped on a run play off right tackle for no gain.

The Colts lead 17-13 with 9:08 remaining in the third quarter.

Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson is out with a right foot injury. He will not return.

The Colts had the ball for 17 minutes in the first half.

Bengals turn Colts fumble into touchdown

INDIANAPOLIS -- Rudi Johnson ran 12 yards through the middle of the Indianapolis defense for the tying touchdown with 6:49 left in the second quarter.

The possession was set up by a fumble punt by Colts return man Terrence Wilkins. Ethan Kilmer was on coverage of the muffed punt, and Tony Stewart receover at the 25-yard line. On third and seven from the 22, wide receiver Reggie McNeal lined up in the shotgun, faked a handoff into the line and ran around right end for eight yards.

Johnson has 13 rushes for 64 yards against the NFL's worst run defense.

Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson has left the game with a right foot injury. His return is questionable. Stacy Andrews played the entire touchdown drive at right tackle. The Bengals are playing with three backup lineman -- including both tackles -- in the game because of injuries to starters.

Bengals can't stop Colts offense

INDIANAPOLIS -- Peyton Manning threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison with 10:25 remaining in the second quarter to put the Colts up 10-3. The Bengals are vulnerable defensively in the middle of the field in the pass game. Linebackers Landon Johnson and Brian Simmons are missing tackles and getting faked by receivers after receptions.

Bengals tie on 27-yard Graham field goal

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Bengals tied the game at 3 with 1:01 left in the first quarter. Shayne Graham kicked a 27-yard field goal to cap a 13-play, 66-yard drive. The Bengals were first and goal at the 7. Wide receiver Chris Henry dropped a pass in the end zone, but left tackle Andrew Whitworth was called for holding on the play.

Rudi Johnson has run nine times for 45 yards, including a 21-yard run right, during which he ran through an attempted tackle by Colts linebacker Cato June.

Colts turn takeaway into field goal

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Colts are up 3-0 on a 30-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Indianapolis moved 34 yards on nine plays in 4:44 after Carson Palmer fumbled.

Freeney beats Whitworth, sacks Palmer, forces fumble

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney beat rookie Andrew Whitworth on a spin move and forced a fumble while sacking Carson Palmer. Defensive tackle Anthony McFarland recovered on the Cincinnati 46.

Bengals march with opening kickoff

INDIANAPOLIS -- Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson has left the game under his own power with what appears to be a right leg injury. Stacy Andrews has come in to play right tackle.

Colts depleted in secondary, at tight end

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Colts' list of inactive players features three defensive backs, two starters and a No. 2. Out with injuries for the game tonight are strong safety Antoine Bethea, free safety Bob Sanders and cornerback Marlin Jackson. Also out are two of their top tight ends/H-backs, Dallas Clark and Bryan Fletcher.

Win tonight, clinch playoff spot Sunday for Bengals

If Cincinnati defeats Indianapolis tonight, the Bengals can clinch a playoff spot Sunday by defeating Denver.

Here are the scenarios if the Bengals take care of business by winning tonight and Sunday:
1) CIN win, OR
2) CIN tie + NYJ loss or tie + JAX loss or tie, OR
3) NYJ loss + JAX loss.

Even if the Bengals were to lose tonight, they still would clinch Sunday with:
1) CIN win + BUF loss or tie + NYJ loss, OR
2) CIN win + BUF loss or tie + JAX loss.

LT Jones active, but Whitworth to start again

INDIANAPOLIS -- Left tackle Levi Jones is active for the first time since Week 6 at Tampa Bay. He will be in uniform, though rookie Andrew Whitworth will start again at left tackle.

The Bengals do have a different line of inactive players. Center Ben Wilkerson is inactive, as are safety John Busing and defensive tackle Shaun Smith. Linebackers Ahmad Brooks and A.J. Nicholson, center Rich Braham and wide receiver Skyler Green, acquired off waivers last week from Dallas, round out the inactive list.

Doug Johnson is the emergency third quarterback.

Active tonight is cornerback Deltha O'Neal, though rookie Johnathan Joseph will start again at left corner. Eric Ghiaciuc is starting at center.

Pre-game notes from RCA Dome

INDIANAPOLIS -- Offensive left tackle Levi Jones, out since the Tampa Bay game because of a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery, might be playing tonight. He is on the field at the RCA Dome now. He is dressed in shorts and an orange T-shirt, but he is wearing game socks. Jones is throwing a football on the sideline with center Ben Wilkerson.

No official word yet on whether Jones will play or even dress.

RUMOR MILL: It's a sign of mid-December in the NFL. Teams with success on either offense or defense see their coordinators become rumored candidates for possible job openings.

Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, according to sources, could be a candidate at Arizona if Dennis Green is let go, as expected, after the final two games. Arizona has invested heavily in its offense, and Bratkowski's productive work with quarterback Carson Palmer is believed to appeal to the Cardinals. They have committed to playing current rookie quarterback Matt Leinart.

APPEARANCE: Linebacker David Pollack, who faces an uncertain football future and surgery on his fractured C-6 vertebrea, is on the field with his Bengals teammates tonight. Tonight is the first time Pollack has been cleared medically to be on the field. He had his protective halo removed last week and is now wearing only a white neck brace.

Levi Jones upgraded to questionable, practices

Bengals left tackle Levi Jones, who relishes his one-on-one battles with fellow 2002 first-round draft pick Dwight Freeney of the Colts, was upgraded today to questionable and participated in the 11-on-11 drills in practice.

Jones has missed the past eight games after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Andrew Whitworth, a rookie, has started eight games and played increasingly well.

Also for the Bengals, right tackle Willie Anderson (foot) returned to practice and remained probable.

After practice, coach Marvin Lewis would not comment on Jones but did say there was a chance 2005 Pro Bowl cornerback Deltha O'Neal, who missed three games with a shoulder injury and was inactive last Sunday, might play.

For the Colts, tight end Ryan Fletcher (quad) was added to the injury report as questionable. The Colts had eight other players listed as questionable, including safety Bob Sanders -- their best tackler -- who has played in only two games because of a knee injury.

WR Washington to IR: WR Green off waivers from Dallas

The Bengals this afternoon acquired rookie wide receiver Skyler Green, a fourth-round draft pick by Dallas in April, off waivers. He played in two games.

The Bengals made room on their 53-man roster by placing fourth-year wide receiver Kelley Washington on injured reserve.

Green is 5-feet-9, 190 pounds and had 27 receptions as a senior at LSU last year. His best season was 2003 when he had 48 receptions, five for touchdowns, for the Tigers. He was a college teammate of Bengals rookie Bennie Brazell, a seventh-round pick who spent the season on injured reserve.

Green began the season on the Dallas practice squad and was signed to the Cowboys 53-player roster Oct. 13. He played in two games, with five punt returns for a 5.2-yard average and three kickoff returns for a 19.7-yard average.

Washington has been inactive for the past eight games due to a hamstring injury he suffered Oct. 15 at Tampa Bay. He played in this season’s first five games, with nine receptions for 115 yards and 1one touchdown. Washington will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and has likely played his last game for the Bengals.

Pollack needs surgery on neck

Bengals linebacker David Pollack, who suffered a fracture to his C6 vertebra in the Sept. 17 game, will need surgery to repair damage that occurred when Pollack made a hit on Browns running back Reuben Droughns.

Pollack was examined today by spine specialist Dr. Anthony Guanciale. Arrangements for surgery are being made, and Pollack is expected to be operated on within the next several weeks.

No forecast of Pollack's eventual return to football will be made at this time, the Bengals said in a statement.

Pollack is not available today for comment.

He has said that if there is even a 5 percent increase in the chance for further injury or paralysis he would retire rather than resume his football career.

Post-practice injury report

The Bengals have ruled center Rich Braham (knee) out for Monday night. Left tackle Levi Jones (knee) is doubtful and did not practice.

Four players are probable: right tackle Willie Anderson (foot); wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back); linebacker Caleb Miller (ankle) and tight end Tony Stewart (ankle). Stewart and Miller did practice officially. Anderson and Houshmandzadeh did not.

Washington, Braham, Jones won't play

News and notes from a busy day at Paul Brown Stadium:

1. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he didn't "know if we'll have their services," in regard to offensive linemen Rich Braham and Levi Jones and wide receiver Kelley Washington.

2. Center Eric Ghiaciuc (knee), linebacker Brian Simmons (neck) and Jones were dressed at the start of practice.

3. Colts coach Tony Dungy said of Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer: "He's on the money with every ball. He can't play much better than the last five weeks."

4. Chiefs owner and founder Lamar Hunt died overnight. Bengals president Mike Brown issued this statement: "Lamar played the largest role of anyone in football over the course of the last 40 to 50 years. He brought pro football to 10 new cities with the AFL, which was his creation. His place in pro football history is secure. As a person, he was extraordinarily modest and unfailingly pleasant. I personally will miss him a great deal."

Bengals healthy pointing toward Indianapolis

Neither the Bengals nor the Colts practiced today, but both teams held meetings and will return to practice Thursday.

For the Bengals: wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) is out. Offensive linemen Rich Braham (knee) and Levi Jones (knee) are doubtful.

Probable are right tackle Willie Anderson (foot), middle linebacker Caleb Miller (ankle) and backup right end/special teams ace Tony Stewart (ankle). All three will play.

For Indianapolis, both tailbacks -- Joseph Addai (foot) and Dominic Rhodes (wrist) -- are questionable. So are offensive tackle Ryan Diem (groin), cornerback Nick Harper (ankle) and safety Bob Sanders (knee).

Brown confirms conversation with Goodell

The Associated Press has reported that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is trying to end the Cincinnati Bengals' continuing problems with the law. Goodell called Bengals president Mike Brown on Monday to offer his help. Eight Bengals players have been arrested this year -- three since the commissioner visited with the team Sept. 20.

Brown, through spokesman Jack Brennan, confirmed the conversation but said it was not appropriate for him to discuss it publicly.

"Obviously, when you have incidents that don't reflect well on the National Football League, you have to deal with that aggressively," Goodell said Tuesday. "Our players and coaches are seen at a higher level by the public."

The commissioner asked Brown if there were anything he could do but also sent the message that the Bengals had to adjust their actions.

Last weekend, the Bengals returned to the police blotter when cornerback Deltha O'Neal was arrested on a DUI charge, just six days after rookie receiver Reggie McNeal was charged with resisting arrest outside a Houston night club.

Balancing the bad news with some good

Jay Reichwein, owner of Power Play Sports in Milford, just called to pass along some good news related to the holidays and Bengals.

Jay was the host of Bengals defensive tackle Sam Adams last week at his store on Route 28. The appearance was a hook to collect toys for the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program, which collected money and toys Sunday before the Bengals-Raiders game at Paul Brown Stadium.

Jay said that 400-500 people showed up to have Sam sign autographs.

"He signed everything everybody had," Jay said. "He wasn't mad. I was surprised. He was absolutely wonderful. He shook hands. He thanked them for donating."

The donations: 14 barrels of new toys were collected for Toys for Tots.

For all of the bad news about the arrests of various players for DUI and other offenses, the Bengals do have a number of great guys on the roster, people you'd like to have as neighbors (if you could afford their zip codes).

"I was just in awe of him," Jay said of Sam. "He was as down to earth as he could be. He was great with the kids. It was really impressive how he talked to the kids."

Lewis calls arrests `embarrassing'

Marvin Lewis, at his afternoon news conference today, was asked about the DUI arrest of cornerback Deltha O'Neal, the eighth player arrested this calendar year.

Lewis is responsible for acquiring and drafting all eight players arrested and has been criticized in the national media for the lawless Bengals.

"I don’t think you guys attack me because I think you know what I stand for," Lewis said. "Unfortunately, I can’t hold their hands 24/7 but it is embarrassing. 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."

On football matters, Lewis said Kelley Washington tweaked his hamstring and is out for the Colts game Monday night.

Lewis listed center Rich Braham and left tackle Levi Jones as doubtful.

Bengals fans bust bank for Toys for Tots

This release just in from Bengals marketing director Vince Cicero:

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and the Cincinnati Bengals are pleased to announce the results for our 2006 Toys for Tots collection held at the Bengals/Raiders game on Sunday. Bengals fans generously contributed 4,278 new toys.

In addition, Bengals fans gave $50,357 in cash donations, which was $20,726 more than 2005.

“With more than 25,000 children in the 12-county Tristate area being supported during the Holiday Season by Toys for Tots, the Bengals toy collection is by far our largest. We are very grateful for all the contributions,” said Sgt. Jason M. Ernst of the U.S. Marine Corps.

A lyric and thoughts for a cloudy Monday morning

I'm sitting here at my writer's window in my house. The sky is covered by a low blanket of gray clouds. The grass is browning. The black trees are bare.

I've just run my high school freshman son to school.

I'm going over the play-by-play package and my notes from the Bengals-Raiders game. I'm reading about the Colts, Cincinnati's opponent a week from tonight (see previous post).

As usual, music and coffee are on. Gifts. I have received email from readers in the past week that has asked if I am OK, why no song lyrics, why no personal blog entries? Well, I don't want to create a stink with the intense Bengals fans who want nothing but football on this site, no matter how much that continues to rot what's left of my brain. But that's my problem, not theirs. No complaints. It's a great job.

But, because I was asked ...

I'm listening to Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose," the magnificent record she made in 2004 with Jack White of White Stripes.

As the father of two hard-of-hearing children, I have always been struck by the song "God Makes No Mistakes." I have had to fight to overcome the guilt. I have watched my children, especially my oldest son, struggle to overcome their hearing loss. I have had to try to work with even well-meaning people in his life (educators) who don't understand and refuse to understand the subtle nature of his battle (IEPs), that how even aided he can miss up to 40 percent of a conversation, how incredibly bright and resiliant he is to function as a mainstream student with a task as apparently simple as taking notes in a history or literature class. I learn from him. I admire his work ethic. He makes me proud. Somehow, the school dropped the ball this semester, and his science teacher didn't even know my son had a hearing loss. I suggested to my boy that he celebrate the accomplishment. He gave me a half smile.

I also am always humbled by and appreciative of what I see at Children's Hospital when I walk up to the audiology department with either my son or daughter, or both. In those regular visits, my children see a lot, too. Other's challenges are greater than theirs and surely greater than mine.

But I digress.

Loretta writes and croons, as if she's singing to and for me:

"Why, I've heard people say
Why is this tree bent?
Why don't they know God enough to know
That's the way it was meant.

"Why is this little baby born
All twisted and bent out of shape?
We're not question what he does
'Cause God makes no mistakes."

Bengals in good position to win at Indianapolis

The Colts are reeling. As a human being, I hate to see a good man like Tony Dungy endure another fading team. He should have received a ring for the Super Bowl victory by his Tampa Bay tea. You can see what has happened to the Buccaneers since Jon Gruden has had control.

All that said, the Colts are terrible against the run. Their tackling was horrible against Jacksonville, and they gave up 375 yards.

If I'm Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, I run the ball 40-45 times. I keep the Colts offense off the field. I use Rudi Johnson. I mix in the dependable Kenny Watson, who follows blocking well. I run that quick-hit play with fullback Jeremi Johnson.

The more the Bengals control the ball, the better.

That's my early neutral look at next Monday night.

The Bengals are playing with an edge.

I think linebacker Brian Simmons hit it on the button when he told me this Sunday night: "The situation we're in this year, and the situation we were in last year, with (losses) to Buffalo and Kansas City (to end the season), they're two different situations. This year, we put ourselves in a position where every game is a dogfight just to make the playoffs. That might not be a bad thing. It keeps you playing sharp. It keeps you playing on the edge going into the playoffs. If that's what it's going to take to get into the playoffs and advance, I'm all for it."

Houshmandzadeh grabs 20-yard TD pass

Carson Palmer threw 20 yards to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, as the Bengals have blown open the game with two third-quarter touchdowns. Cincinnati is up 27-3.

Houshmandzadeh has eight receptions for 118 yards. His eighth touchdown reception was his team-high eighth this season.

Rudi passes 1,000, runs for second touchdown

Rudi Johnson's second rush touchdown covered six yards and put the Bengals up 21-3 with 5:22 remaining in the third quarter.

Johnson has rushed 24 times for 94 yards.

Third quarter drags; Rudi passes 1,000 yards

Rudi Johnson has 20 carries for 78 yards, putting him at 1,015 for the year. It is the third consecutive season Johnson has passed 1,000 yards.

Raiders close to 14-3

Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 33-yard field goal late in the second quarter to pull the Raiders to within 14-3 at halftime.

Geathers collects second sack

Defensive end Robert Geathers has collected his second sack of the game, giving him 10.5 for the season. He is the first Bengals defensive player to have double-digit sacks since Alfred Williams in 1992.

LB Landon Johnson returns to game

The first quarter ends with a 14-0 Cincinnati lead. Linebacker Landon Johnson has returned to the game. The Raiders completed a third-and-18 play for a first down.

Rudi runs nine yards for touchdown, Bengals up 14-0

Rudi Johnson ran nine yards for his ninth touchdown this season, giving the Bengals a 14-0 lead with 2:27 left in the first quarter. Johnson has run 11 times for 55 yards, including six for 33 on the touchdown drive.

Johnson has 992 rush yards for the season.

Landon Johnson injured

Linebacker Landon Johnson has left the game with 6:17 remaining in the first quarter. He appears to have a left shoulder/arm injury.

Henry TD catch puts Bengals up 7-0

Wide receiver Chris Henry caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer with 8:34 remaining in the first quarter. Henry had earlier caught a 23-yard pass on third-and-15 from the Oakland 26-yard line. The touchdown is Henry's seventh of the season in 29 receptions.

It was a nine-play, 61-yard drive that took 5:29 off the clock.

Teams trade turnovers to open game

Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha intercepted a Carson Palmer pass intended for Chris Henry, but Raiders wide receiver Alvis Whitted fumbled after a catch. It was recovered by cornerback Johnathan Joseph at the Raiders 39-yard line.

Congratulations to Bengals public relations staff

The Pro Football Writers of America this afternoon recognized the Cincinnati Bengals public relations staff as winners of the 2006 Rozelle Award. It is presented annually, on a vote of pro football writers nationwide, to the top PR staff in the NFL. Presented with plaques were Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan, assistant director P.J. Combs and PR assistant Inky Moore. Jeff Geiser was the 2006 intern.

O'Neal inactive today vs. Raiders

Cornerback Deltha O'Neal, arrested Saturday morning for a DUI in Clermont County, will be inactive today for the game against the Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. Johnathan Joseph will start for the fourth consecutive game in place of O'Neal, who missed the previous three games because of a shoulder injury.

Other Bengals inactive players are linebackers Ahmad Brooks and A.J. Nicholson, defensive end Jonathan Fanene, offensive linemen Rich Braham and Levi Jones and wide receiver Kelley Washington. Doug Johnson will be the third quarterback.

Andrew Whitworth will start in place of Jones. Andrew Ghiaciuc, in spite of being questionable all week with a sprained right knee, will start at center. Caleb Miller will start at middle linebacker in place of Brian Simmons, who is active and expected to play.

Ghiaciuc returns to practice, likely to start Sunday

Center Eric Ghiaciuc, who sprained his knee Nov. 30 against Baltimore, returned to practice today and is likely to start Sunday against Oakland. He remained questionable.

After practice, coach Marvin Lewis said he knew who would start at center but would not say.

Regular center Rich Braham, out since Week 2, remained doubtful and did not practice.

In other changes to the injury report, wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) was downgraded to doubtful. He did not practice all week. He is not expected to be active.

Cornerback Tory James (illness), wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back) and defensive tackle John Thornton (knee) remained probable but did return to practice today.

Despite frigid conditions today, the temperature for the game Sunday is expected to reach at least 50 degrees.

Bengals embark on cold practice

With coordinators Bob Bratkowski and Chuck Bresnahan wearing shorts this afternoon, the Bengals took the Paul Brown Stadium field to continue preparations for the Oakland game Sunday.

Injured cornerback Deltha O'Neal (shoulder), center Rich Braham (knee), defensive tackle John Thornton (knee) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) were fully dressed for practicing and appeared ready to participate, though the official injury report is now available until the end of practice.

Backup center Eric Ghiaciuc (knee) was working out on the sideline with trainers.

Palmer wins FedEx 'Air' Player of Week

This just in from the league:

Quarterback CARSON PALMER of the Cincinnati Bengals and running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON of the San Diego Chargers are the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week for games played on November 30 and December 3-4, the NFL announced today.

Palmer threw for 234 yards and one touchdown, completing 21 of 32 attempts for a 97.7 passer rating in the Bengals’ 13-7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. He threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, one of 10 completions for 106 yards to Houshmandzadeh on the night.

Tomlinson carried 28 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ 24-21 victory over the Buffalo Bills. He scored on runs of two and 51 yards to give him 26 touchdowns this season.

Palmer and Tomlinson were selected from among finalists in air and ground categories through 130,418 fan votes on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service. The other FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists were quarterbacks JEFF GARCIA of the Philadelphia Eagles and DAVID GARRARD of the Jacksonville Jaguars, while running backs LADELL BETTS of the Washington Redskins and CEDRIC HOUSTON of the New York Jets were the other finalists for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week.

Palmer received 47 percent of the fan votes for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week, while Garcia received 41 percent and Garrard received 12 percent. Tomlinson’s 82 percent of the fan votes for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week beat out Betts’ 9 percent and Houston’s 9 percent.

Fans voted for more than their favorite players. The weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards are also a win for the local community. Along with the player awards, FedEx is awarding Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital and Rady Children’s Hospital, the children’s hospitals in the winning players’ markets, a check for $5,000.

The children’s hospitals in the two season-long winner’s markets, announced at Super Bowl XLI in South Florida, will be awarded $25,000 each. That means that FedEx will deliver nearly $250,000 to local children’s hospitals around the country in recognition of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Award winners.

Questions remain at center

The post-practice injury report continued to point today to a first career start Sunday for Ben Wilkerson.

Starting center Rich Braham (knee) was doubtful and did not practice. Backup Eric Ghiaciuc, who sprained his right knee Thursday night against Baltimore, is questionable and did not practice. He had a brace on the right knee over the lunch hour.

Coach Marvin Lewis would not tip his hand about his plans in the middle of the offensive line for Sunday.

Wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) is questionable and did not practice.

Five players were probable, and only safety John Busing (knee) practiced today. The four other probable players who did not practice were defensive tackles Sam Adams (knee), Shaun Smith (illness) and John Thornton (knee) and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back).

For Oakland, wide receiver Jerry Porter (hip) is doubtful, and guard Barry Sims (abdomen) is questionable.

Defense nears franchise points mark

The Bengals have allowed just 23 points in the past three games, tied for a franchise record with the 1970 and 1971 teams. If the Bengals were to hold Oakland to eight points or less Sunday, they would set a franchise record for four games. The record is 32 set in Games 8-11 in 1971.

Braham doubtful, Ghiaciuc questionable for Sunday

Left tackle Levi Jones (knee) is out for the Raiders game Sunday.

But it appears, at midweek, that Ben Wilkerson might get his first NFL start.

Center Rich Braham (knee) is doubtful, and backup Eric Ghiaciuc (knee) is questionable. Ghiaciuc was walking with a brace on his right knee in the locker room. He was hurt Thursday night against Baltimore.

Palmer is FedEx player nominee

This in from the NFL and FedEx:

Quarterbacks JEFF GARCIA of the Philadelphia Eagles, DAVID GARRARD of the Jacksonville Jaguars and CARSON PALMER of the Cincinnati Bengals are the finalists for FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week honors for games played on November 30 and December 3-4, while running backs LADELL BETTS of the Washington Redskins, CEDRIC HOUSTON of the New York Jets and LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON of the San Diego Chargers are the finalists for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week honors, the NFL announced today.

Fans can vote for one player in each category on Fedexfootball.com from 9am EST on Tuesday through 12pm EST on Thursday to determine the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week. The winners will be announced Thursday afternoon on Fedexfootball.com.

In addition, NFL fans may cast their votes for the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week using Sprint or Nextel wireless service - an opportunity available only to Sprint customers. This fast, convenient voting method involves texting the word FEDEX to short code 7777. Sprint customers will then receive an interactive text message that links fans to the ballot with the six finalists each week. Data and text messaging rates may apply.

Fans will be voting for more than their favorite player. For the third season in a row, the weekly FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Awards are a win for the local community. Along with the award, FedEx will donate $5,000 every week to the local children’s hospital in each winning market. The children’s hospitals in the two season-long winner’s markets, announced at this year’s Super Bowl, will be awarded $25,000 each. That means that FedEx will deliver nearly $250,000 to local children’s hospitals around the country in recognition of the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week Award winners.

A closer look at the FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week finalists:

Philadelphia’s JEFF GARCIA threw for 312 yards, completing 21 of 39 attempts with three touchdown passes in the Eagles’ 27-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Garcia completed touchdown passes of eight, 30 and 40 yards, each to a different receiver. He also had a 10-yard run to set up the game-winning field goal.

Jacksonville’s DAVID GARRARD completed 16 of 22 passes for 229 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 136.4 in the Jaguars’ 24-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Garrard threw touchdown passes of 15 and 16 yards in the second quarter to help Jacksonville to a 17-7 halftime lead. He added six carries for 24 yards.

Cincinnati’s CARSON PALMER threw for 234 yards and one touchdown, completing 21 of 32 attempts for a 97.7 passer rating in the Bengals’ 13-7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Palmer threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, one of 10 completions for 106 yards to Houshmandzadeh on the night.

A closer look at the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week finalists:

Washington’s LADELL BETTS rushed for 155 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries in the Redskins’ 24-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Betts scored on an eight-yard run to put the Redskins in front 7-0 in the first quarter.

The New York Jets’ CEDRIC HOUSTON carried 22 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets’ 38-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Houston scored on runs of one and three yards in the second quarter.

San Diego’s LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON carried 28 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers’ 24-21 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Tomlinson scored on runs of two and 51 yards to give him 26 TDs this season.

Elias Sports Bureau: Bengals would be fifth seed today

-- If the NFL season ended today, the Bengals would be at New England on either Jan. 6 or 7. (Of course, there are four games to play.)

-- Based solely on their 7-5 record, the Bengals are in a five-way tie for the two AFC Wild Card positions. Their competitors are Denver, Jacksonville, Kansas City and the N.Y. Jets.

-- The first tiebreaking step is to eliminate multiple qualifiers from the same division. Of the five teams, only Kansas City and Denver are in the same division (West), and Denver would be eliminated from this particular scenario on the criteria of division record. Note: If Kansas City went on to win the first Wild Card, Denver could re-enter the tiebreaking against non-division foes, because the KC-Denver division record competition means only that Denver cannot be seeded ahead of the Chiefs.

-- But as the situation stands today, the Broncos would be out, and only the Bengals, Chiefs, Jaguars and Jets would be alive for the two wildcard spots. The applicable tiebreaker would then become conference record. The Bengals would be first among the four and claim the first wildcard, with the Jets taking the second wildcard. Cincinnati is 5-3 against AFC foes, the Jets are 5-4, Jacksonville is 4-4, and Kansas City is 3-5. (Denver has a 7-3 conference record, but, again, the Broncos could not make use of it were the season over at this point.)

-- Under the NFL’s tiebreaking formula, head-to-head play among the four teams could supersede AFC record. But that would apply only for a team that had either swept the other three or been swept by them. That does not apply among the Bengals, Jets, Jaguars and Chiefs, and thus, in this scenario, the Bengals’ Sept. 10 victory over Kansas City would have no part in the tiebreaking process. (In the head-to-head tiebreaker, if one team had beaten the other three, it would take the first Wild Card, regardless of division records. If one team had lost to the other three, it would be eliminated, with the other three moving on to the conference record tiebreaking step.)

-- As the first wildcard, the Bengals would play at the lowest seed among the four division winners. That would be 9-3 New England, which would lose a seeding tiebreaker with 9-3 Baltimore based on conference record. The Jets would play at Baltimore on the opening postseason weekend.

-- Indianapolis (10-2) and San Diego (10-2) would be the 1-2 seeds and get a first-round playoff bye. The Colts currently would prevail as the No. 1 seed, based on a better conference record than the Chargers. It’s a matter of winning percentage, as the Colts’ current 7-1 computes to .875, and San Diego’s 8-2 computes to .800.

Post-practice notes from the locker room

Right guard Bobbie Williams, who had his appendix removed and missed three games, said he was ready to play Sunday against the Raiders. Williams participated in the one-hour walkthrough practice this afternoon.

Wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring), cornerback Deltha O'Neal (shoulder) and linebacker Brian Simmons (neck) also participated.

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, defensive linemen Bryan Robinson and Sam Adams, center Eric Ghiaciuc (right knee sprain) and offensive linemen Rich Braham (knee) and Levi Jones (knee) also did not participate.

Ghiaciuc, injured during the Baltimore game Thursday night, was off crutches said he was doing better.

Ghiaciuc said his former college coach at Central Michigan, Brian Kelly, would be a perfect fit for the University of Cincinnati. He said Kelly is strict, demanding and knows what he wants.

Wide receiver Tab Perry, who injured his hip at the end of the first Cleveland game in Week 2 and was lost for the season, visited today and said he was rehabbing well. He said reports that his hip injury is worse than the one suffered by Bo Jackson are not true. Perry said his hip could have become like Jackson's but did not. Perry said he has been off crutches for two months.

Perry was basking in the victory by his alma mater, UCLA, over rival USC on Saturday. In fact, Perry had Carson Palmer, the former USC star, sign the Trojans cap Palmer had given Perry last year.

"UCLA sucks," Palmer wrote on the bill of the cap.

"We got the victory, that's all that matters," Perry said.

There is no official injury report today.

Wide receiver Reggie McNeal, arrested early Sunday morning in Houston for resisting arrest, was not at the workout or in the locker room.

Bengals 2006 rap sheet

Reggie McNeal becomes the seventh Bengals player (at the time of arrest) to be arrested this calendar year. He was arrested early Sunday and charged with resisting arrest outside a Houston nightclub.

The year in review:

Jan. 28 – Police in Orlando, Fla., arrest wide receiver Chris Henry and charge him with possession of a concealed firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated assault with a firearm.

April 29 – Bengals select defensive end Frostee Rucker from Southern Cal in third round of NFL draft. Rucker has history sexual misconduct charges.

April 30 – In the fifth round, the Bengals take Florida State linebacker A.J. Nicholson, whose stock dropped after he was dismissed before the Orange Bowl for alleged sexual misconduct in his hotel room.

June 3 – An Ohio Highway Patrol officer arrests Henry for DUI in Union Township, Clermont County.

Nicholson surrenders to police in Tallahassee, Fla., where he is charged with burglary and grand theft (both felonies) and vandalism (a misdemeanor) for allegedly breaking into the apartment of a former Florida State teammate in mid-May and stealing $1,700 in electronics.

June 14 – Henry turns himself into police in Covington, Ky., and is arrested for providing alcohol to three under-aged females in a Covington hotel room. It is his third arrest in less than seven months. He would serve a two-game NFL suspension for violation of its personal conduct policy.

June 21 – Los Angeles City attorney’s office charges Rucker with two counts of vandalism and two counts of spousal battery, stemming from an August 2005 incident with a now ex-girlfriend.

July 22 – Defensive tackle Matthias Askew is arrested after being subdued with a Taser by Cincinnati Police in South Cumminsville. He was held for more than two hours at the Hamilton County Justice Center after being charged with obstruction of police business, resisting arrest and two parking violations. Askew was later released from the roster for on-field performance issues.

Aug. 5 – An officer with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources stops offensive guard Eric Steinbach’s vessel for speeding in the idle-only speed zone between the Interstate 75 and Interstate 471 bridges, detects the odor of alcohol, administers field sobriety tests, which Steinbach allegedly fails, and arrests him.

Sept. 25 – Linebacker Odell Thurman, already serving a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, is stopped at an East End DUI checkpoint and charged with DUI. He was driving McNeal’s vehicle, and McNeal and Henry were passengers. Thurman is then suspended until training camp 2007 because it is his third violation of the policy.

McNeal seventh Bengals player arrested in calendar year

Bengals wide receiver Reggie McNeal faces a Friday court date in Houston, following his weekend citation for resisting arrest.

McNeal, 23, was arrested outside a Houston nightclub at 2 a.m. Sunday. He struck an off-duty officer in the chest with his elbow after being told that the club had closed for the night.

The police report states that McNeal was told the club was closed but became verbally abusive and used profanity towards the officer. The officer backed up.

McNeal approached again. The officer smelled the odor of alcohol on McNeal’s breath. Then when the officer tried to place McNeal under arrest for public intoxication, McNeal elbowed him in the chest.

The two men fell to the ground.

Another officer working off-duty helped the first officer arrest McNeal, the report said. McNeal is 6-feet-2, 205 pounds.

He was taken to the Harris County Jail, where McNeal posted $1,000 bond.
Resisting arrest is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Bengals players were off Friday-Sunday after playing their Week 13 game Thursday night at home against Baltimore.

The team is scheduled to practice this afternoon for one hour.

McNeal is the seventh Bengals players –on the roster at the time of the arrest – arrested this calendar year.

McNeal already was involved in one legal scrap earlier this season. Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman was driving McNeal’s vehicle when he was charged with DUI on the morning of Sept. 25 in the East End. Thurman told Cincinnati Police he was driving because Henry and McNeal were in worse condition to drive. Henry vomited out the window.

Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan said this morning that the club is following its policy of not commenting on McNeal’s arrest while the issue is in the legal system.
McNeal was the team’s sixth-round draft choice in April and made the conversion from college quarterback at Texas A&M to NFL wide receiver. He has no offensive statistics.

Lewis thanks fans for support

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis today issued his thanks to Cincinnati fans for their support during Thursday’s victory over Baltimore at Paul Brown Stadium.

"On behalf of everyone in our organization, I want to say how incredible our crowd was at the Ravens game," Lewis said. "The noise was particularly outstanding. A number of our defensive players commented to me about it, so I know it gave Baltimore’s offense a difficult situation to deal with.

"The fans came out in great numbers, even though it was a very wet night with the threat of storms in the area. They stood up for our team and came out and gave us the atmosphere we always strive to have in The Jungle. I want them to know how much it’s appreciated and how we look forward to the same level of support for our last two regular-season games against the Raiders and the Steelers."

Lewis: Ghiaciuc questionable for Raiders

Center Eric Ghiaciuc has a sprained knee and is questionable for the Raiders on Dec. 10, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said this morning.

First-year center Ben Wilkerson played the second half.

Though he declined to directly answer questions about Wilkerson -- Lewis normally has little to say about individual players -- the coach did say, "Obviously, it's a little tough to have your first significant playing time against that defense. There's a lot going on. He did fine."

Lewis said he anticipated that guard Bobbie Williams (appendix), cornerback Deltha O'Neal (shoulder) and wide receiver Kelley Washington (hamstring) would be back, Lewis said.

He said center Rich Braham (knee) and left tackle Levi Jones (knee) would be questionable. Defensive tackle John Thornton (knee) would be probable.

Lewis also made sure to chide the media for its extreme coverage of the team, essentially too high when the Bengals win and too negative when they lose.

They are an inconsistent team. It has won three in a row twice and lost three in a row in early October.

Lewis did praise the team's three safeties -- Dexter Jackson, Madieu Williams and Kevin Kaesviharn -- for playing well and contributing special talents. "Kevin, in absence of guys due to injury, deserved more opportunities for playing time. He earned the opportunity."

Bengals players are off until Monday.

Post-game news & notes

Center Eric Ghiaciuc had a brace on his right knee and leg and was working with crutches after the game. Coach Marvin Lewis said Ghiaciuc suffered a sprained knee. Ghiacuic said he would be OK and back soon.

Rookie safety John Busing returned to special teams. He had an unspecified knee injury and said he would get treatment and be fine with the long break.

After playing three games in 12 days, the Bengals do not play again until Dec. 10, at home, against Oakland.

Quote to note:
"I'm not going to brag and boast about today. I felt we were the better team, and I think we proved it tonight. That being said, Baltimore is a hell of a team." -- Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Stat that matters:
In the past three games, all victories, the Bengals are plus-8 in turnover differential. They have 10 takeaways and two giveaways.

Impressions:

-- Cornerback Johnathan Joseph has excellent closing speed and is playing better with more experience. Same with defensive tackle Domata Peko, who looks pro ready.

"I'm getting closer to my first career pick," Joseph said. "But there's a lot of time left."

-- I couldn't be happier for Ben Wilkerson, who is one of the most likeable players on the team. He has worked so hard to come back from a major knee injury at the end of college. As a reporter, you don't root for or against the team you cover, but -- as a human being -- you can't help but feel good for certain people. Ben is an extremely hard worker, quiet and professional.

-- Cornerback Tory James made an excellent play in breaking up a fourth and 3 play in the fourth quarter. Then he got his feet twisted in getting beat for the touchdown pass.