BENGALS GAMEDAY: Photos, analysis, video highlights, stats, quotes * * *
Updated: 7:50 a.m.
Willie Anderson calls them "The Mudders." Guys like running backs Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey and third wide receiver Glenn Holt.
The guys who played such a key role in Sunday's 38-31 victory over the Jets.
"They're out there at practice for special teams at 10:15 (a.m.) and they don't get off until 1:20," Anderson said. "They have two practices in one."
Holt, the third option at third wide receiver, came up huge with four catches for 54 yards. Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh urged his use near the end of the first half.
"When Chad (Johnson) and I were on the same side, they would double Chad with the front side safety and run the back side safety to me and that left Glenn one-on-one," Houshmandzadeh said. "We were able to run the ball and Glenn played well. They weren't going to let Chad and me catch the ball."
But Holt's two biggest plays weren't catches. He drew two huge third-down pass interference calls on rookie cornerback Darrelle Revis. One on a third-and-11 set up Cincinnati's first touchdown in the second half and another one came on the next series when he beat Revis on a third-and-8.
On the next snap, the free agent from Kentucky beat the first-rounder from Pitt on an 18-yard pass that put the Bengals one yard away from the go-ahead touchdown.
"He's good, he's physical," Holt said. "The first (interference call) he got me from behind when I reached back to get it and on the second one I don't think he ever found the ball."
SLANTS AND SCREENS
Houshmandzadeh. who upped his touchdowns to eight, has to be an honorary "Mudder." He never got a real shot at a regular position until his fourth season, and he's been a big fan of Watson's.
"I wouldn't even say what I think about Kenny Watson 'today.' I've always thought that Kenny Watson was really good," Houshmandzadeh said. " For one, he really has never gotten an opportunity, with the exception of third downs. But today, he showed what he could do. He got the ball, ran hard and made plays for us."
Houshmandzadeh defended left tackle Levi Jones' two false-start penalties on the first two series. He said the Jets were trying to simulate the Bengals snap counts.
"If could hear it from the receiver's position, I'm sure the refs could hear it."
The Jets had no penalties in the first half, but five for 62 in the second. The Bengals had nine for 70 yards for the game.
