Archives for December 2005

‘Holcomb’s last start vs. Cincinnati came on Nov. 28, 2004, when he played for Cleveland. He passed for five TDs and two interceptions with a career-high 413 yards and 128.5 passer rating in the Bengals’ 58-48 victory.’

‘”They’re a good football team,” said Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb, a former Cleveland Brown who is no stranger to Cincinnati. “There’s only a small margin that separates the top team from the bottom team. They’ve been down for a long time, but coach (Marvin) Lewis has got that place going. He’s gotten the city and community into it. We just have to go down there and get something positive going.”‘

‘I hate to bring this up, but can you explain the play last week against Denver when you were whistled for roughing the passer? The penalty kept a TD drive alive. I’m sure it was a hard lesson learned.

“First off, I got there late on the blitz. When I did, I wanted to keep my head out of the way so I wouldn’t get a penalty like that, but I should’ve held up. I was one or two steps late. The next time, I’ll try and get there before the ball is thrown, other than that, I’ll hold up next time.”‘

‘But what really separates these two AFC teams is optimism.’

‘Buffalo’s lockerroom is a cauldron of AFC: aggravation, frustration and concern.’

‘The Bengals take the field Christmas Eve day at Paul Brown Stadium for the first time as a playoff team, and the last man to lead them there is wearing Buffalo colors. It’s not lost on Samuel David Wyche that it will be the 14th anniversary of his last day as Bengals head coach.’

Bengals’ offense set to fire (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Bengals looking for a good bye (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Who’s got the edge (Cincinnati Enquirer)

The Isolation Booth: LT Levi Jones vs. DE Aaron Schobel (Cincinnati Enquirer)

One sizzled, other fizzled (Cincinnati Post)

D-line improving against the run (Cincinnati Post)

Bengals vs. Bills matachup (Cincinnati Post)

Bengals hoping to find a No. 2 seed in their stockings (Dayton Daily News)

What you need to know about today’s Bengals-Bills game at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati (Dayton Daily News)

Riley not getting his due (Dayton Daily News)

Meet the Bengals: Shaun Smith (Dayton Daily News)

Bengals wary of struggling 4-10 Bills (Columbus Dispatch)

Game-day matchup: Bills at Bengals (Columbus Dispatch)

Simmons in the circle (Bengals.com)

A Merry Wyche Eve (Bengals.com)

Key matchups (Bengals.com)

‘The Buffalo Bills come to town playing for little more than pride. After going 9-7 last year and sparking optimism in New York, the Mike Mularkey led Bills have been a huge disappointment this season. Speculation is that Mularkey’s job could be in danger.’

We hear Wilson, who at 87 wants to win sooner rather than later, would also not be averse to bringing in a big-name GM such as Ron Wolf, who is reportedly interested in returning to the NFL for the right price (including a piece of team ownership) and the opportunity to further his son’s career in the NFL. (Eliot Wolf is employed as a pro personnel assistant with the Packers.)

‘The Bengals have a Pro Bowl kicker in Shayne Graham, the Bills have a Pro Bowl punter in Brian Moorman. The Bills have a Pro Bowl kick returner in Terrence McGee, second in the NFL with 29.1 yards per return, against a Bengals kick coverage team that is second in the NFL. The Bengals have an emerging kick return star in rookie Tab Perry, eighth in the NFL and within six returns and 113 yards of setting the club’s single season records, working against the league’s top cover team. While Perry uses brute power and force, McGee is a slashing speed guy with hellacious cutbacks. The Bengals discipline is going to be tested because they’ll have to stay in their lanes. One concern is their leading special teams tackler, linebacker Marcus Wilkins, hasn’t practiced all week and is questionable with a hand injury.’

‘When they pack their bags, the Bills evidently leave something behind. They’ve lost six in a row on the road, their worst showing since they dropped 22 straight from 1983-86. They’ve scored only eight touchdowns in six road games, and given up 20.’

Bills offensive lineman Mike Williams will miss Saturday’s game in Cincinnati because of an injury to his back and chest. He was hurt in the first half of Buffalo’s loss to Carolina, forcing him to miss the past three games. He also was inactive for two games this season because of an ankle injury.

‘Bengals win 37-10.’

‘”It’s great to be a part of something that has completely changed,” Palmer said. “This organization has taken a 360 turn, and to have that respect and have people speak of us that way is a big honor. It’s a lot to live up to.”‘

‘Why are the Bills 4-10? Ten of their 14 games have been against opponents with a .500 record or better. The only wins over teams at .500 or better were against the Kansas City Chiefs (8-6) and the Miami Dolphins (7-7), who had a losing record when they fell to the Bills. Buffalo has met only four teams with losing records, winning two of them, and visits the 3-11 New York Jets on Jan. 1. It was much easier for the Bills last season when they feasted on weaker opposition. Seven of their nine wins came against teams that were .500 or worse.’