Archives for December 2005

Oh, deer! What’s Chad up to now? (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Hopeful Thurman listed as questionable (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Pro Bowlers named today (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Marines to see Bengals battle (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Wyche making return to riverfront (Cincinnati Post)

Oh, deer, what’s next for Chad? (Cincinnati Post)

Bengals’ 1990 playoff season had plenty of highs, lows (Dayton Daily News)

Free agency ravaged Bengals’ last winners (Dayton Daily News)

Oh, deer (Columbus Dispatch)

Wyche happy in new job (Columbus Dispatch)

Chad wishes for a whitetail celebration (AP)

Winning makes for hot Bengals merchandise sales (AP)

Role Reversal for Bengals in Win Over Lions (The Sports Network)

Let’s go (Pro) Bowling (Bengals.com)

Marvin Lewis Press Conference (Bengals.com)

Carson Palmer Press Conference (Bengals.com)

X-Mas Big Man (Bengals.com)

Rudi finalist for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week (Bengals.com)

Built for a playoff run (Bengals.com)

Haddad, 5-11, 187, is in his third NFL season. He spent the majority of last season on the Buffalo Bills practice squad. Prior to his time in Buffalo, he played with the Frankfurt Galaxy during the 2004 NFL Europe season. He also had a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts from 2001-2002. Haddad was originally drafted by the Bills in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

‘Whatever the reason, the rowdiness could trigger the debate over future night games at the Stadium. While the Bills enjoy the prime-time exposure, security personnel know what can happen during night games here in Buffalo, and it’s not positive for the team, or the city.’

‘A Buffalo win Saturday won’t do anything except give the Bills five on the year with one to play, but it sure would feel good especially on Christmas Eve.’

‘"When we beat ourselves, we give ourselves no chance," Holcomb said. "It’s frustrating. We move the ball and then something happens…it’s kind of killing us. We gotta be focused. I think our effort’s there. We played hard but you gotta play smarter."’

‘"You can’t have a letdown," Mularkey said. "Something good’s going to come from what we’re going through right now. I’m not sure when it’s going to take place. … But I still believe something good will come from this."’

‘”We just gave up the privacy of the huddle and changed the tempo of the game,” Wyche said. “Then when the crowds got loud on the road, we changed it to the walk-by huddle and the sugar huddle and, during timeouts, the sideline huddle. It just made everybody in every (NFL) office in New York mad.”‘

‘Coach Mike Mularkey said after practice Tuesday that he’s leaning toward starting Holcomb even though Losman practiced on a limited basis. Losman sat out Buffalo’s 28-17 loss to Denver last weekend after hurting his throwing shoulder and left leg in a loss to New England on Dec. 11. Losman, who is listed as probable to play, showed no signs of difficulty throwing passes in practice, but did walk with a slight limp.’

‘Nobody expected them to beat Denver but to watch a football team go through the motions isn’t too enjoyable. Mularkey has lost this football team, and it becomes more and more evident every single week. The only reason to watch Saturday’s game would have been to see Losman develop, but he didn’t even play. Anyone trying to find excitement in this latest chapter in Bills history is simply grasping for straws.’

‘The Bills need to sell tickets next season. They need to give fans reason to believe. How much belief can you place in a coach who is turning into a buffoon before your eyes?’

‘Saturday night’s loss to the Denver Broncos was witnessed by one of the worst-behaved crowds at Ralph Wilson Stadium in recent memory, authorities said Monday.’

‘You’re right about Buffalo’s depth. Beyond what we’ve already suggested, there’s not much more Mularkey can do personnel-wise, because then the game would turn into a joke, and the suits at NFL headquarters wouldn’t like that. But there is one other move he can make. Sit down linebacker Jeff Posey, the most invisible linebacker in the league, and play Mario Haggan or Josh Stamer. Once again, if they’re ever going to find out about these guys, this is the time.’

‘But as I see it, Mularkey has qualities you want in a head coach, and that hasn’t changed. He’s a former hard-nosed player who understands how to relate to his team and still has their respect. He has a good offensive mind and believes in a power running team built to win in December, but drawing up the right x’s and o’s isn’t enough. There have to be some real horses to pull the wagon.’

‘Many critics are blaming Mularkey, who calls Buffalo’s plays, for not allowing the team to establish a running identity lately. The past two games were close heading into the third quarter, yet Buffalo kept taking to the air, calling 62 passes to 28 runs.’

‘Bills and the coaching staff are running for the bus.’