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Alumni Updates: Where they are now

By Chick Ludwig | Friday, July 4, 2008, 10:08 AM

CINCINNATI BENGALS ALUMNI UPDATES

Defensive end Ross Browner (1978-86) is Vice President of Corporate and Community Development for “Backfield in Motion” in Nashville, Tenn.

Backfield in Motion is a non-profit organization that combines academics and athletics to inspire inner city boys to reach their maximum potential in order to become significant contributors to society.

“I have had so many people who inspired and helped me throughout my life, that giving back is the only thing I know how to do,” Browner said.

For more information on Ross, visit:

http://www.backfieldinmotion.org

TWO

Wide receiver Mike Levenseller (1979-80) is the wide receivers coach at his alma mater Washington State University.

“Coach Levy” spent seven seasons (2001-07) as the Cougars offensive coordinator. He was retained as receivers coach in 2008 by first-year Head Coach Paul Wulff, who came from Eastern Washington.

Levenseller’s son, J.T. — a WSU freshman quarterback from Pullman (Wash.) High School — is named after Levenseller’s best friend: Former Washington State and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jack Thompson.

For more on coach Levy, go to:

http://wsucougars.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/levenseller_mike00.html

THREE

Running back and kick returner Cleotha Montgomery (1980) — the pride of Abilene Christian — is known as Wilbert Montgomery’s brother.

But “Cle” has done a great job of carving his own niche in the business world as an entrepreneur. He owns a series of home-health agencies in and around Irving, Texas, that specialize in adult care.

FOUR

Defensive end Mike St. Clair, who played for the Cleveland Browns (1976-79) and Bengals (1980-82), has lived in Cincinnati for 28 years.

He’s a retired single parent with a daughter at Wright State University and a son at the University of Cincinnati. He turns 55 on Sept. 2, 2008.

“I’ve still got a game or two left in me if the Bengals want me to come out and play,” he said.

FIVE

Offensive tackle/guard Brian Blados (1984-91) works as a sales representative for U.S. Food Service and lives in the Cincinnati suburb of Liberty Township.

LUDWIG AT LARGE requests all information concerning Bengals alumni be sent to Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com or 937-225-2253.

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Fourth of July at Tom & Agnes’ Delhi home

By Chick Ludwig | Thursday, July 3, 2008, 09:25 PM

THE ‘FOURTH’ IS

ALL ABOUT FAMILY

When my uncle, Touchdown Tommy Ludwig (AKA “Teach”), married Agnes Lipps way back in the early 1960s, the wedding Mass at St. Dominic Catholic Church at the corner of Delhi Pike and Pedretti Avenue marked the union of two of the largest families in the Delhi Hills section of Cincinnati.

The families came together every year on the Fourth of July at Tom & Agnes’ farmhouse estate in Delhi, and the memories of those good ol’ days are one big blur …

… of burgers, brats & dogs on the grill … a swimming pool full of corn on the cob … baked beans and baked spaghetti … kegs of beer being tapped … and, of course, watermelon splattered across everybody’s faces.

Grandparents and parents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends all in one location — kids running wild, adults directing traffic and everybody telling stories from “Sun Up Till Sun Down.”

A pipe protruded from the ground at one end of the property, and uncles Teach, Deacon and Kenny kept me and my cousins busy by tossing a firecracker down the pipe, then stuffing a rubber ball in that pipe. Seconds later, that rubber ball would be launched a country mile into the air.

Naturally, all the kids had gathered in a huge, open field … and we’d run, and run, and run, then circle under that dang rubber ball in a vain attempt to catch it.

The highlight, of course, was the evening fireworks show, courtesy of the nearly Delhi Swim Club.

For as long as I live, I’ll remember those times at Tom & Aggie’s house as some of the best times in my life.

It’s exactly what the Fourth of July is all about — FAMILY.

Wouldn’t it be fun to do it all over again? Just one more time?

Here’s hoping everyone has a happy, healthy and safe Fourth!

Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com

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My Bengals-Browns ‘Mount Rushmore’

By Chick Ludwig | Thursday, July 3, 2008, 12:46 PM

Taking a page from WONE’s hot topic this week, LUDWIG AT LARGE checks in with his Cincinnati Bengals’ and Cleveland Browns’ “Mount Rushmore.”

NOTE — PAUL BROWN’S BUST IS CARVED ON BOTH.

BENGALS

Offensive tackle Anthony Munoz — An 11-time Pro Bowler and member of Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Quarterback Ken Anderson — A four-time Pro Bowler, he holds club record for longevity (16 seasons).

Wide receiver Isaac Curtis — Changed the game. He’s responsible for league’s “5-yard” bump rule.

Cornerback Ken Riley — Ranks fifth in NFL history in career interceptions (65). Played 15 seasons.

Barely missing the cut: Lemar Parrish, Boomer Esiason, Willie Anderson, Chad Johnson, Carson Palmer, James Brooks, Bob Trumpy, Max Montoya, David Fulcher, Corey Dillon, Jim Breech, Tim Krumrie and Reggie Williams.

BROWNS

Running back Jim Brown — Without question, the greatest running back of all time.

Quarterback Otto Graham — Greatest leader, and winner, in Browns history.

Offensive tackle/kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza — His career spanned three decades (1946-1959, 1961-1967).

Two-way tackle Bill Willis — Helped break color barrier in modern pro football in 1946.

Barely missing the cut: Paul Warfield, Ozzie Newsome, Len Ford, Frank Gatski, Leroy Kelly, Dante Lavelli, Mike McCormack, Bobby Mitchell, Marion Motley, Gene Hickerson, Frank Ryan, Gary Collins and Greg Pruitt.

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Chris Henry hits Dayton’s WONE airwaves

By Chick Ludwig | Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 08:10 PM

HENRY CLAIMS HE’LL NEVER

GET IN TROUBLE AGAIN

Former Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry hit Dayton’s airwaves on Wednesday, July 2, 2008, as the star guest on WONE-AM radio’s Sportstalk 980.

The Bengals released Henry on April 3, 2008 — after he was charged with misdemeanor assault and property damage — and he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in June. He has been serving a house arrest sentence.

Henry’s court case for assault in Hamilton County that alleged he punched an 18-year old in the face on March 31 resulted in a hung jury on Tuesday, July 1. The judge dismissed the second charge of criminal damaging.

Sportstalk 980 host Mark “The Skipper” Schlemmer and in-studio guest Carlos “Big C” Holmes of the Dayton Daily News interviewed Henry.

Here’s a transcript of the Schlemmer-Holmes interview with Henry:

Q. How are you?

A. I’m doing pretty good.

Q. What are you doing these days?

A. Actually, I’m just now starting to get back into (playing shape).

Q. What are you looking to do once all these legal issues are behind you?

A. Just getting back to playing ball, you know, what I love to do. Right now, I’m just planning on going and training for a few weeks until things come together for me.

Q. How can a team trust you when you come back into the league?

A. I’m pretty sure they will look at that. I’m just going to have to prove it to whoever gives me an opportunity and a chance to play with their team. So it’ll be up to me.

Q. What did you learn from this situation?

A. I learned a lot, man. It’s been like that for a while, you know? This little incident that happened a couple months ago, it really was out of my hands. I’m just going to keep doing the same things I’ve been doing since I came back from my suspension last season.

Q. Are you still living in Cincinnati? Will you train there?

A. I’m still in Cincinnati right now. I’m planning on training down in North Carolina.

Q. Talk about some of the regrets you have.

A. It’s been tough, man. It’s been a long three months, not being on a ball club and just being in the house for three months. I’ve just got to try to put it all behind me and hopefully it’ll all come together here soon and I’ll be able to move on with my life.

Q. Is it possible we could see Chris Henry in a Bengals uniform again?

A. I hope so, man. I love playing for Cincinnati. I got really tight with a bunch of my teammates in Cincinnati. I would love for that to happen, but you never know.

Q. How tough of an adjustment was it coming from college to the NFL?

A. It’s different for a lot of people, that changeover from college to the NFL. With me, it was pretty easy for me, actually. I got used to it real quick. I felt real comfortable after my first training camp.

Q. What are the toughest things that Bengals rookie receiver Jerome Simpson will face this season?

A. Just knowing that all the defensive backs in the league are top-notch and everybody’s going to give them a challenge every time you step up to the line. You’ve got to be prepared for that mentally and physically. If he gets past that, he’ll be fine.

Q. What have you learned from this whole situation and what will you do differently?

A. I learned a lot, man. I learned a lot about everything that happened, and everything taught me a lesson. Just about being in the wrong places and hanging out with the wrong people. I just need to handle myself like a professional at all times. That’s pretty much what I need to do to stay in the league and get another shot at this. That’s what I plan on doing.

Q. Have any of the Bengals reached out to you since you were cut by the club?

A. I’ve lost contact with a lot of guys, but there’s a few guys on the team I’ve talked to. I actually talked to Chad (Johnson) this morning. And (team president) Mike Brown reached out to me.

Q. What did Chad have to say?

A. Chad’s good. He’s down in Miami right now just focusing on getting his ankle 100 percent, and he’s just getting ready for the season. Chad is a good guy. He’s always going to be a friend no matter what with me.

Q. Is Chad a positive influence for you?

A. It’s always positive when I talk to Chad. As soon as I came to Cincinnati, he was the first person I talked to on the team. We’ve been tight ever since then. He’s just one of those guys that young guys come into the NFL and look up to. I learned a lot from Chad. He’s a real good guy.

Q. What’s one thing you want fans to know about Chris Henry?

A. That I’m truly and really a good guy, a good person, fun to be around, and just love to play football. It ain’t all what it seems like when they hear all the negative stuff about me and all the stuff I’ve been through. There’s more to me than that.

Q. What are you going to do to keep yourself out of these situations?

A. Like I say, carry myself and handle myself as a professional at all times. By me doing that, it’s pretty much going to take care of everything. That’s all I really need to do.

Q. Will teams have to worry about Chris Henry ever being in trouble again?

A. Definitely not, man. I’m just going to stay away from the wrong people and never put myself in a bad situation, just try to stay positive about everything and just continue to work and think football at all times.

Q. What’s your former coach at West Virginia, Rich Rodriguez, going to do for Michigan?

A. Oh, man, I can definitely say Rodriguez is a great coach and he can really turn a program around once the players start believing in him and just going with the flow. I can just say that it’s going to be a good game (against Ohio State) this year.

Q. Some of his Michigan players have already transferred. One guy even transferred to Ohio State. Does that surprise you?

A. He’s a tough coach to get cool with, but he’s really a good coach and it’s going to be a good game to watch this year. Should be one of the best.

For more on Henry, go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChrisHenry(wide_receiver)

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Playing by Chris Henry’s rules

By Chick Ludwig | Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 06:47 PM

HOW WILL BENGALS FARE

WITH HENRY OUT OF THE MIX?

At night, when I try to sleep, I count the Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receivers instead of sheep.

Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Glenn Holt and Antonio Chatman. Marcus Maxwell and Travis Brown. Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell. Clyde Logan, Maurice Purify and Mario Urrutia.

And just like Wilbur “Shooter” Flatch — the town drunk in the movie “Hoosiers” — I wake up screaming from a bad vision.

Former Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, complete with his license plate “SLIM 15,” plays a starring role in my nightmare.

I’m bringing up Henry because he was WONE-AM radio’s guest on Wednesday’s Sportstalk 980 Show, hosted by Mark “The Skipper” Schlemmer and special guest Carlos “Big C” Holmes.

To secure the former Bengals wide receiver — who was released by the Bengals on April 3 and is under indefinite suspension by the NFL because of a string of arrests — WONE had to submit a list of prospective questions to Henry’s handlers for approval.

Henry agreed to answer only those questions his “people” thought necessary.

To me, Henry’s attempt at “managing” the interview was totally weak.

Ever since Henry joined the NFL in 2005, he’s only wanted to play by HIS rules. Not by the NFL’s rules and certainly not by society’s rules.

And he’s still that same stubborn way, even as he makes the local and national radio rounds, seeking sympathy, from sea to shining sea.

There was a time when I felt sorry for Chris Henry.

But that’s no longer the case.

Years from now, we’ll look back at his career and think about what might have been.

He’ll be remembered as a talented but troubled athlete, who had it all only to throw it away.

Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com

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Tailback trauma: Adding Jones would ease the pain

By Chick Ludwig | Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 03:51 PM

KEVIN JONES IN THE MIX

COULD RIGHT A WRONG

Rudi Johnson, who was limited to 11 games and 9 starts in 2007 because of a pulled hamstring, looks better than ever.

He’s added 11 pounds to his frame from last season and is now a solid 225. He’s stronger, faster and quicker than at any point last season, and is determined to win back his status as one of the league’s most durable, productive backs.

But Chris Perry hasn’t played in a game since November 2006; DeDe Dorsey likely won’t be ready for training camp because of a hamstring strain; and Kenny Irons is bound for the PUP list as he rehabs a torn left ACL from last season.

As good as rookie free agent James Johnson looks heading into camp, I remain very concerned about the Bengals’ running back situation.

Just wondering if Bengals fans are satisfied with the state of the club’s tailbacks or should the club go get a veteran?

Kevin Jones is available. So is Shaun Alexander, Ron Dayne and Cedric Benson.

Do loyal LUDWIG AT LARGE readers dig any of these “cats?”

Jones — with 750 career carries for 3,067 yards and 24 TDs, and 141 catches for 1,006 yards and three scores — gets my vote.

There are five Johnsons on the Bengals roster (Brandon, Chad, James, Jeremi and Rudi).

Another Jones would make five (David, Dhani, Herana-Daze and Levi).

Kevin Jones, a 5-foot-11, 228-pounder who missed the start and the end of the 2007 season with foot and knee injuries, was released by Detroit in March.

But the Lions sent director of pro personnel Sheldon White — the ex-Bengal cornerback (1993) from Dayton Meadowdale High School — to Jones’ recent workout for NFL scouts in Saline, Mich.

Jones reportedly did a shuttle run on wet grass in 4.3 seconds, ran around cones and caught passes. Scouts from Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Miami were also present.

Back in 2004, the Lions were elated when Cincinnati drafted Chris Perry No. 26 in the first round. The move allowed them to grab Jones at No. 30.

Sure, he was banged up last season. But it’s clear that Detroit gave up on him way too soon. (Another brilliant move by meathead Matt Millen). Photos: Kevin Jones rehabbing

Here’s the Bengals’ opportunity to right a wrong from ‘04 and get Jones, the guy they should’ve drafted after Steven Jackson got taken off the board by the St. Louis Rams at No. 24.

You can never have enough good running backs.

Or guys named Johnson.

Or guys named Jones.

Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com or 937-225-2253.

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O-line has ‘the look’ of success

By Chick Ludwig | Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 12:12 PM

A MIGHTY FORTRESS

IF IT STAYS HEALTHY

I’m giving the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line an offseason grade of B+ because I like what I’ve seen so far from the unit.

It’s big, powerful and experienced with the ability to blow defenders off the ball when everything is clicking.

But I look for plenty of zone blocking because pulling and trapping is not the O-line’s forte.

After all, it’s tough for mountains to move.

Unlike a year ago when neither left tackle Levi Jones nor right tackle Willie Anderson participated in training camp because of injuries, the bookend tackles are healthy and raring to go.

It’s a positive sign that quarterback Carson Palmer will be well-protected and running lanes will open for the club’s tailback by committee.

The massive duo of left guard Andrew Whitworth and right guard Bobbie Williams provides strength and power. The biggest question mark is center Eric Ghiaciuc.

If he struggles, Williams could move to the middle, making room for franchise-tagged Stacy Andrews to settle in at right guard.

The Bengals want to find a starting spot for Andrews because he carries a $7.455 million price tag.

But it’s tough to keep a four-time Pro Bowler in Anderson down when he’s healthy.

The Andrews-Anderson duel at RT will be one of the most intriguing battles of training camp.

Pro Bowl-caliber players are littered across the line.

However, as we’ve seen in the past, individual accolades for the men in the trenches don’t usually translate into a trip to Hawaii unless the team enjoys some success, like reaching the playoffs.

THE CHICKSTER’S O-LINE DEPTH CHART

LT — Levi Jones, Anthony Collins, Andrew Whitworth.

LG — Andrew Whitworth, Stacy Andrews, Nate Livings.

C — Eric Ghiaciuc, Bobbie Williams, Dan Santucci.

RG — Bobbie Williams, Scott Kooistra, Nate Livings.

RT — Willie Anderson, Stacy Andrews, Scott Kooistra.

POLL

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