NFL: Film of Bengals not that telling
KIRKLAND, Wash. – The film doesn’t lie.
It’s a common phrase in NFL practice facilities, serving to explain that whatever happens on the game film is more important than the excuses that follow.
Yet some Seattle Seahawks are treating the video of last Sunday’s Cleveland-Cincinnati game as if it were a promise from the lips of O.J. Simpson. That film, they say, is full of non-truths.
“They’re a better defense than that,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said after watching film of the Bengals’ 51-45 loss to Cleveland.
Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck watched the Browns pile up 554 yards of offense on Cincinnati and had a similar reaction.
“They’re actually a really good defense,” Hasselbeck said of the Bengals. “You look at the stats, and they’re ranked 30th in total defense, but they play well. Their problem has been mental errors and missed assignments. If they can clean that up, they’re going to be a good defense. … We expect to see a much better defense than (Cincinnati showed) last week.”
Seattle’s offensive players swear they’re not licking their chops this week, even though the film of Sunday’s game shows the Cincinnati defense getting carved up by the Browns and little-known quarterback Derek Anderson. That same Bengals defense will be at Qwest Field to face the Seahawks this weekend, but nobody in the Seahawks’ locker room is making any promises about putting a 50 on the scoreboard.
“We look at some of the things Cleveland did, and hopefully (the Bengals) didn’t correct it so we can execute some of the same things,” Seahawks tight end Marcus Pollard said. “But we’re definitely not licking our chops. It’s not going to be a cakewalk by any stretch.”
Redskins sign DeMulling
The Washington Redskins signed guard Rick DeMulling to replace the injured Randy Thomas, and waived wide receiver Shaun Bodiford.
DeMulling, a graduate of Cheney High School, is in his seventh NFL season out of the University of Idaho. He played in 14 games with seven starts last season in Detroit and has played in a total of 75 games with 53 starts in his NFL career.
Around the league
Manny Lawson, San Francisco’s up-and-coming linebacker, stepped awkwardly during Wednesday’s practice, and the 49ers have learned he will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee on a non-contact play. … Kellen Clemens is ready to step aside and be the New York Jets’ backup quarterback again. Coach Eric Mangini said Chad Pennington will be the starter when his injured right ankle is fully healed. Based on how Pennington’s looked in practice this week, it appears he’ll be under center Sunday against Miami. … Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas underwent tests for a possible concussion, and he may miss Sunday’s game against the Jets. Thomas played every snap in Miami’s loss last week to Dallas but said he felt “a little lightheaded” in the locker room after the game. … Kevin Everett will be transferred today to a Houston hospital from Buffalo, N.Y., to begin the next phase of his rehabilitation, less than two weeks after the Bills tight end sustained a life-threatening spinal cord injury. Doctors said they believe he will be walking within weeks. … Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson missed his second straight day of practice with a groin injury, and it’s appearing more likely that veteran Kelly Holcomb will start for Minnesota against the Kansas City Chiefs.