Bengals O-Line rising to the occasion

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Thursday, November 12, 2009, 07:20 PM

Coming into the 2009 season, not many people had anything good to say about the Cincinnati Bengals’ makeshift offensive line. Now that the team leads the AFC North Division with a 6-2 record, some of the team’s skeptics are singing the line’s praises.

The Bengals offensive line has performed well midway through the season and is improving each week. Although the unit is being recognized around the league for its performance, Bengals center Kyle Cook says the O-line will only get better as the season progress.

“I don’t think we’ve peaked,” Cook said in a recent interview. “In fact, I don’t think we’ll ever peak. I think we’re going to get better each and every game. We’ll find out more about each other and what we can do as a group. You want to prove people wrong, especially when they doubt you, and keep proving them wrong.

“We want to top our performance each week and make sure that Carson (Palmer) doesn’t get touched at all, and so Cedric (Benson) can rip off 5-yard runs every time he touches the ball. These are goals that we want and can achieve each week as we get better.”

Cincinnati has surrendered only 12 sacks this season, keeping Palmer virtually upright. The offensive line gave up nine sacks in its first four games and has allowed only three sacks in the last four.

The team’s ground game has prospered with Benson running for 837 yards and six touchdowns. Benson is currently ranked second in the league in rushing behind Tennessee’s Chris Johnson.

I believe it’s a complement to the Bengals coaching staff for the way it has restructured and brought the offensive line together. They plug guys in and out of the lineup without missing a beat. When left guard Evan Mathis when down with an injury in Sunday’s game against Baltimore, Nate Livings stepped in and performed brilliantly. When right tackle Anthony Collins began to struggle, they inserted Dennis Roland. This is a true testament to the quality of depth the team has built along the line. I didn’t even mention rookie first-round pick Andre Smith.

So what’s the secret to the line’s success? Cook has the answer.

“Everyone is comfortable with each other,” he said. “I think we mesh pretty well and are real comfortable with the way that we’re playing together out there. Bottom line is we trust one another to do our job.”

This week the Bengals travel to Pittsburgh and the O-line will be faced with the daunting task of warding off a ferocious Steelers pass-rush. The Steelers defense has eaten well against Cincinnati’s offense by feasting on the quarterback. Bengal quarterbacks have been sacked 10 times in the last three meetings.

“We’re going to be under the gun against Pittsburgh,” Cook said. “We’ll be in a hostile environment and it’s going to be extremely loud. Our mission is to protect the quarterback. The whole line has to lean on each other whether it’s making a call, helping out on blocking assignments or anything that you can do in order to get the job done. I think that’s what we do so well. We can lean on each other and we don’t break.”

The Bengals’ game plan this week is rather simple. Stick to the basics. Cook believes that might be the key ingredient to victory.

“This game is huge,” he said. “Obviously, we want to win every game on our schedule. We want to go in there and start off on a roll like we did against Baltimore. We want to drive down the field, score and have our defense sitting on the bench. We want to come out of there with a win. Pittsburgh is a very tough team and we have a lot of respect for them. However, we’re prepared and ready to go to work against these guys.”

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Voice of “The Synonymous Bengal” coming to Miamisburg

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 08:58 AM

Gary Burbank, creator of the radio skits “All my Bengals”, the call- in contest “Sports or Consequences” and the voice of “The Synonymous Bengal”, will be at the Miamisburg Barnes and Noble (2619 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd.) on Thursday, October 29th at 7pm to promote his new book, “Voices in My Head, the Gary Burbank Story” which was written by ex sportscaster turned author, Greg Hoard.

The book not only chronicles Gary’s life but also radio’s transformation from individual ownership to corporate conglomerate. Gary worked at different radio stations, changing locations frequently depending on who was in charge. “I knew instantly, when a new boss came in, whether or not we’d get along. If I sensed we wouldn’t, I’d start sending out demo tapes of my material to other stations so I could get the heck out of there. It was important to me to be able to be myself on the air and do these skits and have these characters. I can’t turn that stuff off in my head, it had to go somewhere.”

Burbank, legendary funny man from radio station 700 WLW, is known for his wacky cast of characters and zany skits that he’d unleash on listeners all over the airwaves. Gilbert Gnarley, Earl Pitts, the Synonymous Bengal, and Dan Buckles are just a few of the voices that frequently came bull charging out of his brain. “Listeners used to think that I had about ten people in the booth with me when really it was just me and maybe one other guy. Those were the days when radio was fun and interesting. One reason I retired was because it just wasn’t enjoyable anymore. Stations now want controversy and heated discussions. That’s just not me.”

Burbank, who has been off the airwaves since December of 2007 says he is busier now than he was when he was working for 700. “I need a job just so I can get some time off,” he joked.

Burbank and Hoard will be on their book tour until mid-November. Copies of “Voices in My Head, the Gary Burbank Story” are available wherever books are sold. Visit www.orangefrazer.com for a complete listing of book singing dates and times.

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Bengals to sign autographs

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 04:38 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; WED., OCT. 21, 2009 FROM CINCINNATI BENGALS PUBLIC RELATIONS

Cincinnati Bengals defensive starters Jonathan Fanene, Rey Maualuga and Domata Peko, plus other selected teammates, will sign autographs at 5 p.m. this Friday (Oct. 23) as part of the Bengals Bash in downtown Cincinnati.

Fanene and Peko are natives of American Samoa, and Maualuga is the son of Samoan parents, and the players will also be seeking donations for relief efforts in support of the recent tsunami disaster in American Samoa.

The Bengals Bash takes place in the Backstage Alley area, across Walnut St. from the Aronoff Center and adjacent to Nicholson’s Tavern & Pub.

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Bengals’ Ndukwe fighting for good cause

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 11:43 AM

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals safety Chinedum Ndukwe and his teammates would like to invite fans to join them as they champion health and wellness initiatives for local youth. A portion of Ndukwe Foundation’s first fundraiser’s proceeds will benefit Mercy Franciscan at St. John and St. Raphael.

The event, CHAMPION A CAUSE, will be held on Monday, October 26 from 6-9 p.m. at the Rookwood Restaurant 1077 Celestial Street in Mt. Adams. The evening will include dinner-by-the-bite, cocktails, and a silent auction, all to support health and wellness for local youth.

The cost will be $25 per person ($35 at the door).

For more information, please visit www.ndukwe.org. If you have an item that you would like to donate, please contact Adam Heller.

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Bengals have no answer for Texans’ offense

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Sunday, October 18, 2009, 11:59 PM

CINCINNATI — Houston, we have a problem! Not really.

The Houston Texans had no problem exposing Cincinnati’s pass defense in a 28-17 victory on Sunday in Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals did all they could to nullify the offensive explosion put on by the Texans, but to no avail.

The Bengals defense played its safeties high in an attempt to neutralize the deep passing game. What that did was open up the floodgate for underneath passes to the tight end, slot receiver and running back. The Bengals even played Cover 4 on occasion to prevent getting burned deep. In a sense, they robbed Peter to pay Paul. Now Paul is broke as well.

The Bengals defense held one half of Houston’s dynamic receiving duo, Kevin Walter, in check. Although he wasn’t a factor in the passing game with only three receptions for 29 yards, his presence on the field helped the team’s game plan work to perfection.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub shredded the Bengals defense passing for 392 yards and four touchdowns versus one interception.

Everything the Bengals defense tried, the offense appeared to be two steps ahead.

“We had a good game plan this week,” Walter said. “It seemed like whatever defense they had we had an answer for it. All we had to do was execute and play our game. We did that. The Bengals have a great team and will go far this season. But when we’re on our game we’re tough to beat.”

Bengals safety Chinedum Ndukwe, who started in place of Roy Williams, filled in admirably. He had six tackles on the day. Ndukwe gave the offense their props after the game, but understands that miscues by the defense played a vital role in the loss.

“They did a great job putting us in some tough situations matchup wise,” Ndukwe said. “Hats off to them for playing a well-rounded game. They did a good job running after the catch but we have to make those tackles. Bottom line: we have to make plays when put into those positions. We’ll learn from it and do a better job next week against Chicago.”

The only thing the Bengals defense could do to cool off the offense was subject them to a cold shower. That’s right, there was a bit of delay for the media to enter the Texans locker room after the game, due to the hot water being turned off in the visiting team’s shower room.

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Bengals corners must bring A-game vs. Texans

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Saturday, October 17, 2009, 12:15 PM

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals’ secondary have an impressive resume of star receivers they have shut down so far this season. Receivers Greg Jennings, Braylon Edwards and Derrick Mason were all closed for business with zero catches when going against the unit. The only receiver to have some success was Brandon Marshall and even he was held in check. Marshall caught four passes for 27 yards in Week 1.

This week’s matchup against the Houston Texans will be a horse of a different color. The Texans present a dual threat on offense with wide receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter.

Johnson is considered by many as being the top receiver in the league and for obvious reasons. He’s a big, fast, physical receiver with great hands and is a complete package. Walter, on the other hand, serves as the perfect complement. He’s strong, has good speed, great hands and is a precise route runner.

This is not a favorable matchup for the Bengals corners. Both receivers fared well against them last season.

Johnson caught 11 passes for 143 yards and Walter, a former Bengal, had five catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Houston won the game in a 35-6 shellacking of the Bengals.

To ensure that there won’t be a repeat performance by the receivers, the Bengals cannot afford mistakes in coverage and must play physical.

During the game last season, Walter’s second touchdown reception came by way of a lapse in mental judgment on behalf of cornerback Johnathan Joseph.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub hit Walter with a short pass in front of Joseph. The receiver rolled to the ground in the process of making the catch but no contact was made. Realizing that he hadn’t been touched by Joseph until he was back on his feet, Walter alertly hauled buns down the field for a 39-yard score.

I’m certain the play is in the back of Joseph’s mind and he will seek redemption.

Joseph is the team’s best corner and is off to a fast start this season. He has three straight games with an interception with two coming in the end zone, and one returned for a touchdown. Joseph has shown outstanding cover skills and always appears to be a step away from making a play on the ball.

On the flip side, Leon Hall has struggled and will draw the daunting task of covering Johnson. Hall has shown a lack of aggression this season and appears to be a little gun-shy on making plays.

Last week against Baltimore, Hall could be seen standing around on a missed tackle by linebacker Brandon Johnson, which sprung Ravens running back Ray Rice for a 48-yard run to the end zone. Hall must play more physical, especially against Johnson.

The Bengals cornerbacks will have to play out of their minds this week or this game could turn into a shootout.

The Texans offensive approach on Sunday will be trying to take advantage of the Bengals 23rd rank pass defense. Schaub has been on fire the last two weeks completing 46 of 72 passes for 595 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

There is no question the Bengals secondary will be under attack.

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John Busing: A Bengal who got away

By Carlos "Big C" Holmes | Friday, October 16, 2009, 11:45 AM

Houston Texans strong safety John Busing will be on familiar ground when he takes the field at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday. The ex-Bengal returns to Cincinnati for the first time since his departure this offseason.

After the 2008 season, Busing became a restricted free agent but was not tendered an offer by the Bengals, making him an unrestricted free agent.

“It’s crazy not being in the Southwest Ohio area after being there for seven years,” Busing said in a recent phone interview. “We tried to sign back with Cincinnati, but things just didn’t work out.”

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Bengals offered Busing a 1-year advantageous deal later on, but pulled the offer off the table without informing representatives of a timetable for negotiations.

Busing spent four years playing outside linebacker for the Miami RedHawks before signing with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He was moved to strong safety, placed on the practice squad, and never given much opportunity to see the field except on special-teams. When the team failed to retain Busing, the Texans signed him.

Now here’s something I find very interesting. Busing could barely find his way off the practice squad in Cincinnati, but goes to the Texans and becomes a contributor. Haven’t we heard this story before with wide receiver Kevin Walter? It’s like deja vu.

According to reports, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak put Busing on a list of players to keep an eye on in training camp. The safety didn’t disappoint. Busing was outstanding on special teams and playing safety. He preformed so well during the preseason that he earned a spot on the team’s 53-man roster. The coaching staff is said to be quite fond of the player.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity the Texans gave me to compete and earn a spot on the 53-man roster,’ Busing said. “Kevin (Walter) has been killing it down here since he left Cincinnati. Hopefully, I can have some of the success that he’s experienced.”

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Busing has already achieved some things in Texas that escaped him in Cincy. One being a chance to compete. Busing has played in all five games for the Texans, making one start. He started in place of Dominique Barber in the game against Jacksonville and recorded five tackles.

Busing won’t be in the starting lineup against the Bengals but will play special teams and could see some action on defense.

I believe the Bengals coaching staff got caught in the hype of safety Corey Lynch and failed to realize the development of Busing. I find it interesting that the Bengals have developed two players only to have them move on to Houston and have success.

During our conversation Busing was careful not to give his former teammates any locker room material. So he closed with these words:

“After spending three seasons in Cincinnati it’s going to be strange walking into PBS as a visitor,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing my old teammates, coaches and competing against them. I wish the best for those guys.”

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