BENGALS GAMEDAY: Photos, analysis, video highlights, stats * * *
Posted: 5:45 a.m.
 Geathers: "I wish (Green) the best" |
It was Geathers, the Bengals third-year defensive end, who collided with Green just before he began his slide at the end of a five-yard scramble. Geathers said he was then pushed in the back by wide receiver Eddie Kennison as Green's neck snapped back and his head bounced off the turf.
Reports say Green suffered a concussion, but he has the feeling in all his extremities and he's expected to be in the hospital at least through Monday.
"It was hard watching him down there knowing he has a family. I just wish him the best," Geathers said. "I was trying to make a play. It didn't look like he was going to slide, first of all. He wasn't looking at me, he was focused on the DB. I don't know if he saw me or not, but I was just trying to make a play."
The irony, of course, is that Green reached out to Carson Palmer this offseason to help him through his knee rehab, which Green went through seven years ago.
"He was very helpful and gave me good advice," Palmer said. "I just hope he's going to be OK."
As Geathers said, "I could have been the one taken out today," and Palmer, who was taken out eight months ago, said, "It's part of the game."
 Lewis |
"We were fortunate to win. We played football, we'll take our showers and go home and get ready for who's next. I'm not even sure who we play."
Cleveland at home. Sunday. 1 p.m.
But right tackle Willie Anderson did take time to remember something he heard on satellite radio during the offseason when asked if he likes the Bengals being the new darlings of the NFL.
"I'd rather just be the black sheep," Anderson said. "I remember hearing that we didn't have a chance coming to Kansas City with or without Carson. They didn't think our defense was going to have seven sacks, or that we'd be able to run the ball or stop the run or make the plays in the passing game we did."
What was once stunning is now becoming the norm. It's the second straight year the Bengals have opened with a win on the road after waiting 10 years to do it. Since Jan. 2, 2005, it's also their eighth win in the last 10 road games. They are now 13-12 under Lewis on the road. And they won in an absolutely miserable place, where the Chiefs lost one game last year and are now 20-7 in home openers dating back to 1980.
SLANTS AND SCREENS
 Jones |
Left tackle Levi Jones pulled and had the take-out block on running back Kenny Watson's eight-yard sweep to the left for a touchdown. But he also seemed to struggle a bit with his sprained ankle and the man he was blocking for much of the day, right end Jared Allen, got to Carson Palmer for the Chiefs' only sack of the day to force a fumble that caused the Bengals' only turnover of the day.
Rookie Andrew Whitworth replaced Jones for the last couple of series, but indications were Jones is going to play this week.
Sunday's other backup lineman, Stacy Andrews, also saw some action as a tight end as an extra blocker on short yardage.
What a difference a year truly makes for Watson. Last opener in Cleveland, he suffered a season-ending torn bicep. This opener, he showed why he is so valuable and why he hung around the roster on Cutdown Day and didn't get lopped in favor of DeDe Dorsey.
The guy simply has a track record of producing in NFL games, and he did it again Sunday even though he dropped a couple of balls in preseason. On a second-and-seven at the Chiefs 11, he clicked with Palmer for an eight-yard catch on what looked to be both making a quick read against the blitz, and after the Bengals had too many men on the field, he came right back for the TD. That did nothing to hurt his career average per carry of 4.9.
 Houshmandzadeh |
Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel) isn't sure he'll go next week after being inactive Sunday. He tried to go in pregame warmups, but couldn't make it.
"They won without me, that's great," he said. "I knew we'd win."
Cornerback Deltha O'Neal, hampered by a sore knee, didn't start but played nickelback in switching positions with first-rounder Johnathan Joseph and made a nice knockdown on a long pass down the sideline. Joseph held up with the Bengals only giving up two passes of more than 20 yards against an offense that has traditionally liked to get it downfield.
Just another day at the office for Shayne Graham with a perfect day of field goals from 37, 42 and 36 yards. His next field goal will be the 100th of his career, putting him on the all-time accuracy list. If he makes his next attempt, he'll be second behind Mike Vanderjagt at 84.2 percent (100-for-118). Graham also put three kickoffs in the end zone, two for touchbacks.
It was a big day for special teams as the Bengals hemmed in Dante Hall, the dangerous Chiefs returner. Lewis praised the work of punter Kyle Larson, helping hold Hall to five yards on three punt returns with a 42.6-yard average for five kicks, two of which went inside the 20 with no touchbacks.
Hall's longest kick return was 32 yards, but he averaged only 21.8.
Rookie special teamer Ethan Kilmer looked like he held up. On one kick, he finally hauled down Hall on the sidelines after he missed his first two shots at him. But he stayed on his feet and kept going.
He said Hall gave him a shake-and-bake on the first move. Asked about the second move he said, "More shake-and-bake, I guess."
