CNATI: Cincinnati OH Sports Journalism

Cincinnati Bengals

Notes: St. Louis struggles again

By Staff Report, CNATI.com Posted October 11, 2009 7:18 PM ET

By Matt Palmer, special for CNATI.com

BALTIMORE- Although the Bengals came away with a 17-14 win Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, head coach Marvin Lewis remains concerned about his team's lingering long-snapping problems.

Specialist Brad St. Louis botched two snaps, including one during the team's deep drive to open the game.

Unable to get in the end zone, Cincinnati turned to kicker Shane Graham. St. Louis's snap to holder Kevin Huber was high, however, and Huber was unable to get it placed properly. Graham's kick was deflected by Baltimore defensive tackle Kelly Gregg.

In the third quarter, St. Louis's snap on an extra point sailed high above Huber. The error was negated by an illegal formation penalty on Baltimore's Trevor Pryce. St. Louis gathered himself on the re-try and Graham connected.

St. Louis has five bad snaps this season -- not including the extra point attempt -- which have cost Cincinnati 11 points.

"I think it is a little bit mental and I'm glad we were able to come through it in the end again today," Lewis said. "We're working hard with him and just trying to help him to deal with it. We've got confidence in him."

That confidence seems tenuous, as Lewis admitted the team tried out other snappers last week.

"You look at some other guys," he said. "You go with what you know and what you expect. He's a great professional ... and we're going to keep hopefully helping him with technique and some things."

CHAD SAYS HIT WAS LEGIT -- Receiver Chad Ochocinco's eye was puffy after he was hit by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis during Cincinnati's final drive. Lewis connected with Ochocinco's head after an incomplete pass. A reporter asked Ochocinco after the game where his "cut man" was in the locker room.

"Ray was my cut man," Ochocinco quipped. "He's not supposed to hit me like that."

Ochocinco later said: "It was a good hit, but I think he should have just pushed me down instead of hitting me, because I was in mid-air and I had no way of protecting myself. But, it was a good play by him."

The Ravens argued that Lewis should not have been flagged 15 yards for the hit, on top of other late penalties. Ochocinco was asked if the Ravens were over-aggressive on Cincinnati's final drive, which resulted in a touchdown by Andre Caldwell.

"It's just unfortunate that they came at the end of the game, because I don't think they had a penalty the entire game," Ochocinco said. "It was a situation where when we needed them the most. But, I wouldn't call it over-aggressive."

TANK SITS AGAIN -- Defensive tackle Tank Johnson missed his second consecutive game because of plantar fasciitis. Pat Sims started in his place.

Johnson said Wednesday that his foot improved enough that he could play through the remaining pain, but the injury affected his ability to fire out of his stance. He was limited in practice throughout the week. Despite his absence, the Ravens only had 82 net yards rushing Sunday.

There were no surprises on the rest of the inactive list: linebacker Rashad Jeanty (who suffered a dislocated finger last week), offensive linemen Andre Smith (who still recovering from a broken foot), Scott Kooistra, receiver Jerome Simpson, rookie tight end Chase Coffman and rookie safety Tom Nelson. Jordan Palmer was the emergency third quarterback.

A RARE FEAT -- Running for 100 yards against the Ravens just doesn't happen often. NFL running backs have tried, and failed, to reach the mark against Baltimore. When Bengals running back Cedric Benson did it Sunday, it snapped the Ravens' streak of 39 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.

Benson, the NFL's leading rusher, was up to the challenge.

"It was huge," Lewis said. "This team doesn't give up 100-yard rushers, believe me."

Lewis would know. He was Baltimore's defensive coordinator from 1996 through 2001 and has coached the Bengals since 2003, facing the Ravens twice a year.

"What our offensive group and Cedric did today has been unmatched for a long time," Lewis said. "It was a big game."

Benson gave credit to his offensive line after the game. The Ravens took notice, as well.

"That offensive line did a heck of a job," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "I think they had a nice game plan. Just good fundamentals and a well-coached football team."

PALMER DINGED -- Quarterback Carson Palmer sprained his left thumb but did not want to discuss specifics of when the injury took place. He counted on Benson during handoffs.

"Sometimes, you've got to make game time adjustments," he said. "I just told Ced, 'Just rip the ball out of my hand.' "

JUST A WIN -- Palmer played down the significance of being on top of the AFC North at 4-1. The Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are 3-2.

"It's just a big win," Palmer said. "It's still so early. We haven't won our division. We haven't won anything. We've won a couple of games. Pittsburgh's going to be pissed off when we go to Pittsburgh. It's going to be a tough game. Baltimore's going to be pissed off when they come back to Cincinnati. Cleveland always gives us a run for our money. So, in no way is this division (sewn) up."

INHOSPITABLE CROWD -- Baltimore's 71,000-plus fans make life difficult for opposing teams, but that's just fine with Palmer.

"There's nothing like winning here," he said. "It's such a fun place to play. It's like a college game with the band. The fans are great. You've got Ray Lewis' dance ... little kids flipping you off, cussing you out. It's an awesome place to play and an even better place to win."

Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, News

Tags: Bengals, Brad St. Louis, Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Chad Ochocinco, Ravens, Ray Lewis, Tank Johnson