Cincinnati Bengals
Notes: Roland playing more
By Staff Report, CNATI.com Posted October 16, 2009 1:28 PM ET
Dennis Roland replaced Anthony Collins at right tackle for the final three quarters last Sunday, which was at least the second time he played significant snaps in Collins' stead. Roland also has lined up alongside Collins at tight end.
Dennis Roland
Coach Marvin Lewis said the Bengals will continue to "mix and match and see who's playing the best that week." Collins came to the NFL last season with a reputation as a solid pass blocker, and Roland appears to be a more physical run blocker.
"They are kind of sharing the load. They both play about equal number of snaps," Lewis said. "We'll see each week how we want to go and what the plan is."
Roland spent most of the previous three seasons on practice squads. Collins was the Bengals fourth-round pick in 2008 and started the final six games of last season at left tackle.
NOT DONE YET -- Journeyman Evan Mathis has supplanted Nate Livings as the starting left guard, earning him a measure of stability after a few years of bouncing around the fringe of NFL rosters. Not that he sees it that way.
"I'm never going to play like it's secure, so there's no point in saying my spot is secure," Mathis said. "I'm going to keep doing exactly what I did to get here, every single week. That's maximum effort, studying, watching film. Nothing 's done yet. I haven't arrived anywhere yet. The team hasn't arrived anywhere yet. There is still much work to be done."
Mathis joined the Bengals for the final four games last season but was active for only one. He played seven games for the Dolphins earlier in the season. He played for Carolina the three years prior and was a starter in 2006, but he was inactive for 15 of the 16 games in 2007.
"I've always felt like I needed another chance to get out there and prove myself, and I was thankful to get that opportunity here," he said. "After last year being released by Miami, things just weren't going my way down there. I was only here for a few weeks last year, but I got into the system. In the off-season, got a chance to jell with these guys and work out with everybody, get with (offensive line coach Paul) Alexander in the film room, learn the playbook, just learn everything. I've done everything I can every single day to continue to make progress."
LEONARD DOUBTFUL -- Running back Brian Leonard (groin) and defensive end Frostee Rucker (ankle) are doubtful for Sunday's game with the Texans.
Leonard didn't work with the team again on Friday and is day-to-day, coach Marvin Lewis said following Friday's workout. Leonard has not practiced all week because of a groin injury. He has been working out on the sidelines during practice.
"I think he feels like he can play, but we'll decide that on Sunday," Lewis said.
Safety Roy Williams (forearm) and Tank Johnson (foot) are questionable for the game.
Safety Kyries Hebert (hip), quarterback Carson Palmer (left thumb), safety Chinedum Ndukwe (hamstring) and receiver Jerome Simpson (illness) are all listed as probable.
Tackle Andre Smith (foot) is still out.
SIMS PRODUCING -- The bottom line on second-year defensive tackle Pat Sims is that he's produced on Sundays, but Marvin Lewis would like to see more from him in practice.
"I think Pat, he does a good job of playing on Sunday, last week he played better than he played the week before," Lewis said. "I spend all week climbing up his butt, and then on Sunday we reap the benefits, I guess."
Sims had a reputation coming out of Auburn that he didn't practice hard during the week and played well in games.
"Unfortunately it's held true," Lewis said. "I think this week he's had a better week of practice because I told him we've got to find a better way to go about things because there are some other guys I'd like to be critiquing other than your butt every play. (Sims) is monopolizing all my efforts every week."
Lewis said that habit must change.
"We need the timing during the week," Lewis said. "You're not going to play good on Sundays week-in and week-out, I've not seen a guy that can do that consistently. You can't be lazy and continue to play. If you're contiually lazy, we're going to find someone else."
Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, News
Tags: Anthony Collins, Brian Leonard, Carson Palmer, Chinedum Ndukwe, Dennis Roland, Evan Mathis, Frostee Rucker, Jerome Simpson, Kyries Hebert, Nate Livings, Pat Sims, Roy Williams, Tank Johnson
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