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| | Tuesday, August 1 Bengals: Some bright spots | |||||||||||||||
| By Mark Cannizzaro Special to ESPN.com As usual, they're a mess, but perhaps less of a mess than in the past. Still, though, the Bengals are dealing with their top offensive weapon, running back Corey Dillon, who's threatening to sit out the first eight games of the season unless he's moved. And you wonder why the Bengals closed out the 90s with a 52-108 record, the most losses in a decade by a team in NFL history. The Bengals' reasons to be cheerful in 2000 begin with fourth overall draft pick Peter Warrick, the dangerous receiver and return man from Florida State. They're also fired up about third-round pick, receiver Ron Dugans, Warrick's Florida State teammate.
Bengals' coach Bruce Coslet, who's somehow retained his job while the losing has grown worse, is in the final year of his contract. He positively must show some winning results this year or he'll likely never have another NFL head coaching job again. Key position battle If Dillon sticks to his selfish word and holds out, then running back will be the key battle _ and there isn't much there for competition. The candidates include Patriots' castoff Sedrick Shaw, journeyman Brandon Bennett, undrafted second-year player Michael Basnight and fourth-round pick Curtis Keaton. Yikes. Biggest adjustment Last year's no. 3 overall pick, quarterback Akili Smith is no longer looking over his shoulder at Jeff Blake, who's now in New Orleans. This is Smith's team now. How will he handle it? The Bengals hope that, with last year's little bit of experience, along with a full training camp (he had a long holdout last summer) will equal good, sound quarterbacking. Rookie report Warrick is a big-time playmaker who can score from anywhere on the field. Dugans is more of a polished route runner who should make the transition into the NFL well. The Bengals' second-rounder, LSU cornerback Mark Roman, could unseat Artrell Hawkins from his starting spot. Keaton is in the mix for the starting running back job is Dillon is traded or continues to hold out.
| ALSO SEE Ravens: Playoff expectations Browns: Couch leads the way Jaguars: Super outlook Steelers: Last chance for Stewart? Titans: Success brings expectations AUDIO/VIDEO  Bengals coach Bruce Coslet on the running back situation in Cincy.wav: 831 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Coslet thinks Akili Smith will benefit from having an entire training camp under his belt.wav: 707 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Coslet praises Peter Warrick and looks forward to coaching the former Seminole.wav: 664 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Coslet talks about the nucleus of the Bengals' defense.wav: 820 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 James Hundon expects the Bengals' receivers to pick it up after Darnay Scott's injury.wav: 115 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
