joelbolt
11-08-2006, 09:41 AM
Bengals practicing 'pluck it and tuck it' (http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061108/SPT02/611080403/1066/SPT)
But this season, defense muffs takeaway chances
BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
The Bengals have a phrase that helps remind defensive players about the proper way to handle an interception.
Pluck it and tuck it.
As the Bengals prepare for their game against the Chargers on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan is bound to repeat the phrase often.
Bresnahan counts nine potential takeaways - the majority of those were possible interceptions - the Bengals' defense missed over the past three games.
Fixing the trend will be a primary area of focus this week at practice.
"We had three potential interceptions and one potential fumble recovery Sunday (in Baltimore), and we didn't get any of them. That's huge," he said. "We've got to get back to the fundamentals of catching the ball, tucking the ball, recovering fumbles and making sure we're not just going through the motions. We've got to finish plays."
The Bengals, who led the NFL in total takeaways last season, have gone consecutive games without a takeaway for the first time since the 2003 season and have only two in the four games since the bye week.
"They'll come. Things will come," coach Marvin Lewis said. "Just keep doing it the way we're doing it and being in the right spots. We're not going to drop many balls like we did (Sunday) very often."
"Same thing when the ball's on the ground," Lewis added.
Each of the Bengals' past four opponents - Baltimore, Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa Bay - ranks among the NFL's best when it comes to holding onto the football.
The Chargers and Colts, who play the Bengals on Dec. 18 in Indianapolis, have the fewest giveaways (six) in the NFL this season.
"We're going to come up against a lot of teams that aren't turning the ball over," Bresnahan said. "San Diego doesn't do it. Indianapolis doesn't do it.
"Again, we've got to continue to believe that we can dictate that. I think our guys see that with the number of missed opportunities for big plays that we've had in the last three games."
The Bengals strive to get at least two takeaways and to hold opponents to 17 points or fewer each game.
The Ravens scored 19 points on offense Sunday. Seven of those points came shortly after the Bengals fumbled the opening kickoff at the 34-yard line.
Safety Dexter Jackson dropped two possible interceptions and rookie cornerback Johnathan Joseph nearly had his first of the season.
The Ravens led 23-17 in the fourth quarter Sunday when, with 8:55 remaining, quarterback Steve McNair threw a short pass intended for wide receiver Derrick Mason. Joseph stepped in front of the pass and got his hands on the ball. Mason then stripped the ball from Joseph, and the pass fell incomplete. The Ravens kicked a 35-yard field goal on the next play.
"We are in position," Bresnahan said. "If we start sealing some of those deals, like Sunday, we take a minimum of six points and probably nine points off the board with those three turnovers. That's tough when you lose by six points."
Eight games into last season, the Bengals led the NFL in total takeaways (28), interceptions (20) and points off turnovers (84). Cornerback Deltha O'Neal's six interceptions led the league, while cornerback Tory James and linebacker Odell Thurman were tied for third with four interceptions each.
The takeaway totals through the same number of games this season are respectable, but they're down from last year's breakneck pace.
The Bengals recorded 11 of their 14 total takeaways, and six of their nine interceptions, during the first three weeks this season. Of the 34 points the Bengals have scored off turnovers this season, none have come since a Week 3 win against the Steelers.
"When you start looking at the lack of points, look at the lack of turnovers," Bresnahan said. "It's directly reflecting on that. We know that as a team. From that standpoint, it's the biggest thing we've got to get corrected."
Safety Kevin Kaesviharn's three interceptions lead the team; safety Madieu Williams is the only other Bengals player with more than one.
O'Neal, whose 10 interceptions last season tied for the NFL lead, and James have one apiece, as do linebackers Landon Johnson and Brian Simmons.
"When you've got guys running to the ball, which we do, you're going to get your fair share," Simmons said. "We might not get as many as we had last year. But we still have guys out there that can make plays and create those turnovers."
E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com
But this season, defense muffs takeaway chances
BY KEVIN KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
The Bengals have a phrase that helps remind defensive players about the proper way to handle an interception.
Pluck it and tuck it.
As the Bengals prepare for their game against the Chargers on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan is bound to repeat the phrase often.
Bresnahan counts nine potential takeaways - the majority of those were possible interceptions - the Bengals' defense missed over the past three games.
Fixing the trend will be a primary area of focus this week at practice.
"We had three potential interceptions and one potential fumble recovery Sunday (in Baltimore), and we didn't get any of them. That's huge," he said. "We've got to get back to the fundamentals of catching the ball, tucking the ball, recovering fumbles and making sure we're not just going through the motions. We've got to finish plays."
The Bengals, who led the NFL in total takeaways last season, have gone consecutive games without a takeaway for the first time since the 2003 season and have only two in the four games since the bye week.
"They'll come. Things will come," coach Marvin Lewis said. "Just keep doing it the way we're doing it and being in the right spots. We're not going to drop many balls like we did (Sunday) very often."
"Same thing when the ball's on the ground," Lewis added.
Each of the Bengals' past four opponents - Baltimore, Atlanta, Carolina and Tampa Bay - ranks among the NFL's best when it comes to holding onto the football.
The Chargers and Colts, who play the Bengals on Dec. 18 in Indianapolis, have the fewest giveaways (six) in the NFL this season.
"We're going to come up against a lot of teams that aren't turning the ball over," Bresnahan said. "San Diego doesn't do it. Indianapolis doesn't do it.
"Again, we've got to continue to believe that we can dictate that. I think our guys see that with the number of missed opportunities for big plays that we've had in the last three games."
The Bengals strive to get at least two takeaways and to hold opponents to 17 points or fewer each game.
The Ravens scored 19 points on offense Sunday. Seven of those points came shortly after the Bengals fumbled the opening kickoff at the 34-yard line.
Safety Dexter Jackson dropped two possible interceptions and rookie cornerback Johnathan Joseph nearly had his first of the season.
The Ravens led 23-17 in the fourth quarter Sunday when, with 8:55 remaining, quarterback Steve McNair threw a short pass intended for wide receiver Derrick Mason. Joseph stepped in front of the pass and got his hands on the ball. Mason then stripped the ball from Joseph, and the pass fell incomplete. The Ravens kicked a 35-yard field goal on the next play.
"We are in position," Bresnahan said. "If we start sealing some of those deals, like Sunday, we take a minimum of six points and probably nine points off the board with those three turnovers. That's tough when you lose by six points."
Eight games into last season, the Bengals led the NFL in total takeaways (28), interceptions (20) and points off turnovers (84). Cornerback Deltha O'Neal's six interceptions led the league, while cornerback Tory James and linebacker Odell Thurman were tied for third with four interceptions each.
The takeaway totals through the same number of games this season are respectable, but they're down from last year's breakneck pace.
The Bengals recorded 11 of their 14 total takeaways, and six of their nine interceptions, during the first three weeks this season. Of the 34 points the Bengals have scored off turnovers this season, none have come since a Week 3 win against the Steelers.
"When you start looking at the lack of points, look at the lack of turnovers," Bresnahan said. "It's directly reflecting on that. We know that as a team. From that standpoint, it's the biggest thing we've got to get corrected."
Safety Kevin Kaesviharn's three interceptions lead the team; safety Madieu Williams is the only other Bengals player with more than one.
O'Neal, whose 10 interceptions last season tied for the NFL lead, and James have one apiece, as do linebackers Landon Johnson and Brian Simmons.
"When you've got guys running to the ball, which we do, you're going to get your fair share," Simmons said. "We might not get as many as we had last year. But we still have guys out there that can make plays and create those turnovers."
E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com