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THE AUDIBLE COMMENTARY
Bengals' Rivers deserves to wear cherished No. 55
COMMENT: Should Brooks have to give his number to Rivers?
Monday, May 12, 2008
There should be no debate, no haggling, no negotiations and certainly no money exchanged between Cincinnati Bengals linebackers.
Uniform No. 55 should be taken from Ahmad Brooks and given to first-round draft pick Keith Rivers, who looks as uncomfortable in "58" as Brooks looks awkward in "55."
Extras
Double-nickel is a sacred number at the University of Southern California. Only the greatest of cardinal-and-gold Trojans have worn it. Junior Seau, Willie McGinest, Chris Claiborne and Rivers.
The number means more to Rivers than Brooks, who has endured two injury-plagued seasons and further smeared the Bengals' image with his recent arrest.
Rivers deserves "55" because, unlike Brooks, he will wear it with honor and remind us of the Bengals' most famous "55" — Jim LeClair, the North Dakota legend who graced Riverfront Stadium with that number from 1972-83.
The highest compliment ever paid LeClair comes from his Bengals teammate, Reggie Williams.
"My rookie season (1976)," Williams said, "Jim LeClair became the literal personification of what playing in the NFL was like. We're in a goal-line play, and Jimmy was standing like a rock with waves crashing against him, screaming at the top of his lungs. I can see to this day the veins popping on his neck. He was an immovable force. I remember coming in from the outside, seeing that and saying, 'That's how you play goal-line defense.' "
And that's how Rivers will play defense from everywhere on the field, including the goal line — just like LeClair.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@coxohio.com.
Comments
By Mr. Moneybags
May 19, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
If Rivers wants the #55, let him buy it from Brooks. That is a precedent that has already been set in the NFL. After all, he does have money now.
By rob
May 17, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
OSU will beat USC this year. OSU will win the national championship. What does this have to do with number 55?? Let the coaching staff decide who is wearing what numbers. We as Bengal fans have a lot more to worry about than who wears what number.. I hope that all of you USC fans take your defeat well. Maybe you will make the championship game again in the next ten years. NOT!!!!
By John
May 15, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
MOOP, you are a stupid a**,you think OSU, is a good team when they have to play D2 teams to make there school look good, 2(D2) equals one week and still will get killed by USC. I think what Mark was saying is that,2nd week,3rd week or last week.OSU sucks!!Cincy is struggling,and why they are going to a tradionally winning College team to choose their players(USC). Rivers would play his A off with 55.Understand there is seniority there, but traditionally around the league 55 is a middle backer #.
By Greg Tampa Fl.
May 15, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
just like in any union job vacations etc. are based on seniority however if brooks is released or on DL.maybe a trade of numbers can be negotiated.
By #1 Bengals Fan
May 15, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
I think this should be between Brooks & Rivers let them settle this and leave the team alone Chris is just pissed off cause Chad wont talk to him anymore and besides chris never really liked the BENGALS anyway so give that job to someone else have the job that can do it
By moop
May 15, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
third*
By moop
May 15, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
you are a dumb a*s mark! this thread is about the bengals not osu. and by the way get your facts straight, its the week of the season osu and usc plays. retard!!
By Reed
May 14, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Mark what does your post have to do with this tread ?
By Reed
May 14, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Mark what does your post have to do with this tread ?
By Chad Johnson
May 14, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Chick is an idiot. Brooks was not arrested, check your facts fool. Giving #55 to Rivers is a swell idea, but it should be up to Rivers & Brooks, not Chuck DUDwig to ask about it.
By Terrance Neal
May 13, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
No, I think that Brooks has earned the right to wear the number as well. I feel that since he is the veteran of the two he is entitled to wear the number. If the rookie want to pay the it should be completely up to the veteran if he wants to relinquish the number 55 that is already selling.
By mark
May 13, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
Ohio State can’t even beat anyone in the SEC. How are they gonna beat USC on September 13th? No national championship AGAIN…In the second week of the season.
By John
May 13, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
We want tradtion back in Cincy,lets start with Important numbers for indiviuals. If giving Rivers “55” then do it,if it will help spark the D. they need it..Maybe he can show that “D” how to Finally play some “D”.OSU can’t win the important games..Maybe that is the tradition that the Bengals have been following..It’s time to look a more profound College team. OSU’s time has passed..back with Woody and Bo.Cincy has more USC players,than OSU..reason being Better players.Winning tradition=pride
By Justin
May 13, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
AHMAD BROOKS WAS NOT ARRESTED! That is horrible journalism. And you call yourself a professional? That’s one of the first things they teach you in journalism classes and that’s make sure all of your facts are straight. You really need to print a retraction, if you haven’t already. Also, just giving Keith Rivers No. 55 would promote that “me first” image that Marvin Lewis is trying to get away from. That would be yet another distraction that the Bengals don’t need.
By Jason
May 12, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
No, Rivers does not “deserve” 55. This is not USC, it’s Cincinnati. If he wants 55, he can buy it from Brooks, or trade something for it.
Besides, even if this were USC, I’d give 55 to Brooks anyway. I think he has the more talent and potential than anyone else on the defense. I just hope he lives up to it.
By d-town
May 12, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Maybe the Bengals should worry about the number in the win column instead of on a players back. Is this the best you can do Chick? What has Brooks done anyway? What have the Bengals done to establish ANY tradition? What has Chick Ludwig done besides trash the team and whine about a number?? You and Mike Brown should find a horse and ride off together and then we can establish some PRIDE in the city and organization.
By jeffl
May 12, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Chick….hopfully this will be your last season covering the Bengals. No doubt you don’t like them, is it because Chad won’t talk to you?
If its so painful to cover them let someone else do it.
Its a number! A college number that does not mean diddly…you worry about your job and they will worry about their own business
By Willie
May 12, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
At least some writers, journalist write with there brains and not the things that they sit on!!! Alot of you do not know anything about football, are quick to try to get a story regardless of what it does to a persons life. What will you say if he has a great year? Everyone will be ready to kiss his butt for interviews and wanting to talk with him. That’s a great reason to avoid the media period!!!
By johnny
May 12, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
I”m guessing that, with the horrible quality of his articles these days, that he’s wishing he didn’t get instant feedback.
By TJ Jackson
May 12, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Several of us pointed out (in the comments) to Chick that Ahmad Brooks had not been arrested. He never corrected the original post, so I doubt he will correct this one either. He doesn’t appear to read any of the comments we provide. My guess is that he is having a hard time moving from being a purely print journalist to a mixed-media journalist, which I can understand. As a print journalist, he never had instant reader feedback on any of his articles, like he gets here.
By Doco
May 12, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Who cares? Does Rivers even care? Brooks shouldn’t have to do anything(and no he wasn’t arrested). And what does USC tradition have to do with the NFL? I’m sure if it’s important to anyone they will work it out.
By Halftime
May 12, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Does accuracy matter to you Chick?
As I pointed out to you when you ran this same column before, Brooks has NOT been arrested. He had an accusation against him filed with the police. The police took a report. He has been summoned to court. At no time was he placed in handcuffs or taken to the jail or had a mug shot taken in relation to this accusation.Therefor, he has NOT been arrested and continuing to say he was is irresponsible journalism at least and libel at worst.
By brett
May 12, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Chick is 100% right. And thanks for saying it again, if you did say it before, because I missed it. Rivers is what this team needs more of, Brooks is not, so let’s treat him right! That number will only make him have to play harder! As for Brooks, he’s lucky to have a job. And shouldn’t he at least have to play a FULL season to have some seniority to keep it?
By null
May 12, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Crappy journalism at its finest. Chick, not only did you already write this article weeks ago, you’ve still failed to correct the error that Brooks has not been arrested for his alleged infraction. Please stop embarassing southwest ohio and take some journalism classes. Thanks!
By null
May 12, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Crappy journalism at its finest. Chick, not only did you already write this article weeks ago, you’ve still failed to correct the error that Brooks has not been arrested for his alleged infraction. Please stop embarassing southwest ohio and take some journalism classes. Thanks!
By El Presidente
May 12, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
As if the Bengals don’t have enough challenges keeping players focused on winning and improving, you have to come along and stir the pot. Perhaps the Bengals should have thought more before giving Brooks the 55 jersey, but they didn’t. It’s his to wear. Seniority is important in the NFL, as it is in most organizations. Rivers can follow the NFL tradition if he wants the 55 jersey. Oh, and I could care less about USC’s tradition. The only college tradition that should matter in OH is OSU’s.