(Bob Spin,Bengals P.R. Person) OK, we'll get started with today's media update. As you may know Deltha O'Neal, a cornerback, was arrested Friday night for drunk driving bringing to 8 the number of Cincinnati Bengals charged with criminal offenses this season.
(Jim Newsinkski, Dayton Daily Reporter) Yes! Pay me now or pay me later guys!
(Spin) Hold it down Jim, I shouldn't have to remind you that there are still three weeks to go and our players don't know the meaning of the word quit. Or closing time. Or very many other words, for that matter.
( Newsinski) Ah, you're just sore because you had 7 in the pool.
(Spin) Allright, new topic, we have reached agreement with James Beam, a free agent from Kentucky. We think he can come in and have an immediate impact on this club.
(Dave Blowdry, WCIN-TV) What do the scouts say about Beam?
(Spin) He's smooth. A veteran, well aged. The kind of presence that goes down easy in the locker room. But he's got a strong kick. He should do well.
(Bill Blowhard, WLKY, the Big AM 1090) So that means the deal for the Russian Stolichnaya fell through?
(Spin) We spent many long hours with Stoly. In the end, we felt with Johnnie Walker possibly out for the rest of the season after that unfortunate incident at Hooters that we needed a proven brand, if you will. Stolichnaya is good up to 38 proof, but after that there were questions about his ability to go the distance, especially in icy conditions.
(Suzi Sideline, FOX Sports) Were the players chanting "Jail bait, jail bait." at the end of the game referring to anyone in particular?
(Spin) Well, it could have been you. Fifteen years ago. But the Bengals prefer to look forward and not backward. Frankly, when we look backwards too quick sometimes your eyes take a second to refocus and...what was the question?
(Constance Payndiaz, WLW-TV). I'm new to American football. Can you explain the difference between the wild turkey offense you ran today and the single barrel that you ran last week?
(Spin) I'd rather let Carson, or George Dickel, our offensive coordinator speak to that. Time for one more.
(Mo of "Mo and the #### in the Morning") Any word on the location of the Bengals cheerleaders?
(Spin) Our attorneys have advised us to move the Ben-Gals to an undisclosed location until the season is over and the players are at least 24 hours away from our facilities. In retrospect, I think putting them in girl scout uniforms during the United Way campaign was just asking for trouble, although I must say that you guys blew that thing at the children's museum way out of proportion.
(Bill Bagowynd, ABC-9) Any nearer on the Jack Daniels deal, and why are you pursuing that with Chad Johnson on your team?
(Spin) No one's taking anything away from Chad and his contributions to this team. But Jack Daniels is a burner. He can turn a night around quicker than anyone in this league. If there is one "lights out" player in this league it is Daniels. Our coaches are very high on Jack Daniels.
One more thing. I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to note the passing of a Cincinnati institution, our trainer Glen Livet. Although Scotch by birth, Glen was a Canadian from Seagram who grew up poor working in the bush mills of Western Canada before becoming a trainer for Tangle Ridge of the CFL minor leagues under the legendary A.H. Hirsch. Just this past year, he was awarded the highest honor given to Canada's athletic trainers, the Crown Royal. His body will be taken back to Forty Creek for burial. Those of you wishing to honor him may make donations to his favorite charity, the Canadian Mist Foundation.
This year's playoff teams are alot like the big Kentucky Derby fields at Churchill Downs. There are a few picks that will get alot of attention, some solid entrees worth looking at, a couple of longshots, and alot of horses with no business in the race. After careful review of the NFL team stats, here's how I handicap the field of 14 (allowing for all teams still in contention for a playoff spot):
CLASS OF THE FIELD
Denver Broncos Conventional wisdom says the Colts, but in an environment that magnifies mistakes the Broncos don't make them. Key stat lines- +18 giveaway/takeaway margin, only 28 sacks and interceptions combined (tied with Indianapolis), and 17 pass plays of 40 or more yards.
Seatlle Seahawks Other than a lack of playoff experience it's hard to find a flaw in the Seahawks. Key stat line-28 rushing touchdowns. Cause for concern-only 17 field goals and a 70.8% average.
Indianapolis Colts Not a horse to bet on, despite being the early favorite. Hasn't been stretched out by competition. Key stat line-surprisingly only 13 plays from scrimmage longer than 20 yards. Gives up 300 yards per game on defense and a 66.8% pass completion percentage.
SOLID STARTERS
Pittsburgh Steelers Why not? Solid defense and field goal kicking can go far in the playoffs. I worry that they are too predictable on offense. Key stat lines-Runs the ball 58.8% of the time. Eighty-four yards per game rushing defense.
Cincinnati Bengals A ball hawking defense and potentially explosive offense. Gives up more yards and pass completions than I'd like to see, but the offensive line gives Palmer all kinds of time. Key stat line-31 interceptions. Reason to worry-61.4% pass completion percentage given up on defense. Can they get a Payton Manning off the field?
Carolina Panthers A one good receiver team in a league that demands two. I hesitate to place them this high, but their defense is this good and Jake Delhomme makes alot from a little. Key stat lines-Only 677 yards in penalties on offense, 23 passing TD's, and 12 receptions for 40 yards or more. Why worry? Only 3.2 yards a rush.
Overrated
New England Patriots Johnny Damon left town and so has the Pats mystique. Lots of weaknesses showing up all at once. Key stat- Minus 5 giveaway/takeaway. No team wins the Super Bowl with a negative in this category. More bad news-231.5 yards per game passing by their opponents. The Pats pass 57% of the time, which is a bad stat in the playoffs where most teams got there by putting strong pressure on the QB.
New York Giants Eli Manning will be a fine playoff quarterback, but not yet. Key stat-327.7 yards per game given up by the defense. The Giants won't get Manning on the field and with 17 interceptions a 4 interception day against a tough defense isn't out of the question.
Save Some Money For
Jacksonville Jaquars My insane long shot. Rock solid defense gets opponents off the field. Key stat line-65.6 average kickoff distance. It's an arcane stat, but when the playoffs come around field position is king. At no extra charge-Did you know the Jags only give up 31.9% of 3rd down conversions?
Dallas Cowboys Win one for the Tuna has a nice ring to it. A team with line play this bad shouldn't last past the first round (if they make the playoffs). But remember this key stat-The Cowboys ran 126 more plays from scrimmage than their opponents. A team with an uncanny knack for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
Sucker Bets
Kansas City Chiefs An offense that is hitting on all cylinders and a defense that couldn't drive a moped. The only stat you need to know-339.2 yards per game yielded on defense.
Washington Redskins With much respect due to Joe Gibbs, this isn't the Redskins year. Key stat lines- Gave up over 20 yards on 18 plays from scrimmage. Minus 4 giveaway/takeaway. Brunell will not give games away, but he also isn't who you want to see on the field down by more than a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.
Tampa Bay Bucaneers What do they do well? Not much. What do they do badly? Not much. Key stat line-Only 275.9 yards per game by opponents.
Chicago Bears An old fashioned Bears defense, and unfortunately an offense that recalls the glory days of Jack Concannon. Key stats-Opponents have run 38 more plays from scrimmage, 127 yards passing, 28 giveaways.
Summary-Look for the Broncos to take the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Forget about the Colts, look out for the Jags, and keep an eye on the Steelers and Bengals. The rest are pretenders.
