CNATI: Cincinnati OH Sports Journalism

Cincinnati Bengals

Notes: Samoa on their minds

By Scott Priestle, CNATI.com Posted September 30, 2009 1:47 PM ET

Bengals defensive linemen Domata Peko and Jonathan Fanene said their immediate family members survived the tsunami that hit Samoa and American Samoa on Tuesday. Linebacker Rey Maualuga was still trying to contact his younger brother as of Wednesday afternoon.

"A lot of people are stranded and people are trying to look," Maualuga said. "All you can do is pray about it. When the time comes for us to help, I'll step up."

Maualuga said his mom has tried to call his younger brother, but many phone lines were wiped out by the tsunami.

Fanene talked to his mother Wednesday morning, and she assured him that she and his father are OK. Peko talked to his mother Tuesday night and learned that his parents and two sisters survived. Peko said his hometown of Laulii was in decent shape.

"Keep praying for all the people of Samoa," Peko said. "It's a tragedy."

In addition to trying to reach family members Tuesday evening, Peko, Fanene and Maualuga remained in regular contact with each other. Fanene still seemed shaken when he talked about it Wednesday afternoon.

"Right now, back home, I'm not sure what's going on," he said. "I talked to my mom. She's OK. But the island is messed up."

Fanene and Peko grew up near one another in American Samoa. Maualuga's family is of Samoan descent, but his father was in the military, so he grew up on American military bases in Oklahoma, Hawaii and California.

Maualuga said Fanene and Peko are "like my older brothers." All three players said it helps to have other players of Samoan descent to lean on during such times.

ANDERSON TO START -- Derek Anderson will start at quarterback for the Browns on Sunday, for what it's worth. And it did not seem to be worth much more than shoulder shrugs in the Bengals locker room Wednesday.

"It's out of our control," linebacker Dhani Jones said. "There are a lot of X-factors in this game, but the most important factor is us."

Cornerback Johnathan Joseph said it would only impact the defense's preparation if one of the two quarterbacks was a bigger threat to run. "But it's not like they're deciding between Brady Quinn and Mike Vick," Joseph said. "They both like to sit in the pocket."

Browns coach Eric Mangini said he chose Anderson over Quinn because Anderson looked better on third downs last week. But Anderson also threw three interceptions in relief of Quinn.

The Browns have scored only one offensive touchdown in their past nine games, and it has not seemed to matter who played quarterback.

"What I'm looking for is for us to improve offensively, and I'm by no stretch saying it's all Brady," Mangini said. "I just think that at this point (Anderson) does give us a chance to continue to improve offensively, and that's what I'm looking for. And we've got plenty of areas where we can improve. Plenty."

INJURY UPDATES -- Maualuga said his left knee was slightly stiff and swollen from the hit it took Sunday, but he will play in Cleveland. He was one of nine players who were limited or completely held out of practice Wednesday, but coach Marvin Lewis said he expects to "get the majority of them back" Thursday.

Maualuga, Joseph (foot), running back Cedric Benson (knee), defensive tackle Tank Johnson (foot), safety Chinedum Ndukwe (hamstring), linebacker Abdul Hodge (knee) and offensive lineman Andre Smith (foot) did not practice. Peko (neck), cornerback David Jones (foot) and safety Roy Williams (forearm) were limited.

Smith is the only player already to be declared out for the Cleveland game. He walked around the locker room without the protective boot on his left foot, but he said it was only temporary and he still does not have a timetable for returning to practice.

Maualuga was carted into the locker room last Sunday after a Pittsburgh lineman fell on the back of his leg. He returned to the field before the start of the next drive.

"We obviously dodged a little bit of a bullet," Lewis said. "We've all seen that where just that little thing and a guy hurts his knee significantly. In this case, we were lucky."

NOTABLE -- Bengals players took the field yesterday wearing practice jerseys with no numbers. Lewis said it was done to keep their focus on the team and the opponent, rather than individual pursuits. He got the idea Sunday night, after the win over Pittsburgh. "It's about where we are right now, what we have ahead of us," Lewis said. ... Receiver Chad Ochocinco said he will wear pink cleats and gloves and use a pink chin-strap and mouthpiece during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The league is allowing players to wear pink cleats, gloves and wristbands, but it made no mention of chin-straps and mouthpieces. "Whatever they fine me for wearing pink, I'll match it and donate it to a breast cancer charity," Ochocinco said. ... Quarterback Carson Palmer and receivers Lavernues Coles and Chris Henry also are expected to wear pink cleats.

 

Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, News

Tags: Bengals, Brady Quinn, Browns, Derek Anderson, Domata Peko, Jonathan Fanene, Rey Maualuga