Archives for December 16, 2004

Spikes glad to return to where it all began (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Support role is Kitna’s star turn (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Palmer feels down, because he is out (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Braham listed as doubtful Sunday (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Kitna’s back in business (Cincinnati Post)

Durable Braham could miss Sunday’s game (Cincinnati Post)

Back in the saddle again (Dayton Daily News)

All-Pro Spikes all business (Columbus Dispatch)

Palmer expects to sit out (Columbus Dispatch)

Injured Palmer expects to miss game against Bills (AP)

Inside slant (CBS Sportsline)

Strategy and personnel (CBS Sportsline)

Notes, quotes (CBS Sportsline)

Battle-tested Bengals try Bills (Bengals.com)

Lewis: Bengals better, but not there (Bengals.com)

Palmer doubts he can go, eyes Giants (Bengals.com)

Spikes lives to play do-or-die (Bengals.com)

Wyche’s comeback comes back (Bengals.com)

Marvin Lewis News Conference (Bengals.com)

John Kitna News Conference (Bengals.com)

Bengals Weekly News Release (Bengals.com)

Bills Weekly News Release (Bengals.com)

‘”If guys didn’t practice at a certain level, he was right there in his face,” Rams coach Mike Martz said last month before St. Louis came to Buffalo to play Fletcher and the Bills. “He demanded it out of everybody, that everybody practiced like he did. There was no question, you lose somebody like London, that’s going to affect you.”‘

‘Banta can handle both punt and kick-snap duties. The 11-year pro, who has played with the Colts, Jets and Lions, was sitting at home in Chattanooga, Tenn., and keeping his skills sharp as best he could, waiting for a team to phone. “I got tired of snapping to a gym wall. It’s fun to snap to somebody again,” said Banta, who was released by Detroit during training camp. “You get that phone call and it’s like, ‘Yes.’ Somebody finally wants you and you’re joining a good team.”‘

‘The Bills have to beat out three of the four other contenders. Assuming Buffalo wins out to finish 10-6, here’s how it could happen (listed in order of probability of falling out of the race)…’.

‘Playoffs or not, it is coming together well. “We are playing really good ‘team’ football,” quarterback Drew Bledsoe says. “That’s what’s allowing us to win. … All three phases can beat another team. If we put them all together, then we’re really hard to deal with.”‘

‘”I keep thinking about what Coach (Jim) Mora once said: ‘Playoffs?! Playoffs?!’ We’re not that good,” defensive back Troy Vincent said. “We can’t think that far ahead. We are exactly what our record says we are, 7-6. We can’t think about post-season play. Our biggest challenge is this week. It’s going to be a playoff-type atmosphere, because they’re still in the hunt, too.”‘

‘Meanwhile, steady long snapper Jon Dorenbos injured a knee covering a kick against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday and is day-to-day for the Bengals. Dorenbos was not able to practice on Wednesday and Banta started his crash course in getting used to working with punter/holder Brian Moorman and place-kicker Rian Lindell. Coach Mike Mularkey described the signing of the versatile Banta as “killing two birds with one stone,” providing depth at two positions.’

‘Donahoe has mentioned often that he’d like to make Buffalo his last job.’

‘Jon Kitna gets the start. He led the Bengals to an 8-8 record last season.’

‘Starting right tackle Mike Williams was back at practice Wednesday. Williams is listed at questionable with a knee injury. Long snapper Jon Dorenbos did not practice and is listed as questionable with a knee injury he sustained last week against Cleveland. Corner Nate Clements was held out of practice with a shoulder, he is probable.’

”’I think the biggest thing with me is I’m just going to have to get past the first five minutes,” Spikes said. ”But other than that, I’m not holding anything back. I’m just going to let it go.”’

‘Jon Kitna ran the offense in practice, getting ready to make his first start of the season against the Buffalo Bills. Kitna was the league’s Comeback Player of the Year last season, but hadn’t taken a snap until Palmer got hurt last Sunday.’