The latest injury report states that Rich Braham is doubtful -- likely out -- and Eric Ghiaciuc is questionable. Neither practiced Wednesday. If neither can play Sunday, Ben Wilkerson -- the third string center -- will likely start unless they move Eric Steinbach to center and Stacy Andrews to left guard -- Bobbie Williams returns this week.
In stat related notes.
Satyanaas pointed out that we should start installing Special Team's related stats for the primers. Sometimes I think of Special Teams as a failure -- we got a field goal instead of a touchdown or we have to punt because we didn't get a first down. However, this team has done well covering some of the best return specialists in the league. So here goes Special Teams rankings.
| Category | Bengals | Raiders | |
| Kickoff | 64.2 (17th) | 65.7 (6th) | |
| Returns Allowed | 20.8 (6th) | 29.8 (32nd) | |
| Return Yards | 19.6 (31st) | 25.1 (4th) | |
| Punting | |||
| Net Avg. | 38.3 (6th) | 36.7 (18th) | |
| Gross Avg. | 44.0 (15th) | 48.0 (2nd) | |
| Punt Return | 7.3 (27th) | 6.2 (31st) | |
| Field Goals | FG Made | 20 (t-5th) | 13 (31st) |
| Pct. | 83.3% (t-12th) | 68.4 (30th) |
If I missed anything, let me know.
In other stat related notes.
| Category | Stat (NFL ranking) | |
| Carson Palmer | Rating - 1st Half | 103.1 (2nd) |
| Rating - 2nd Half | 95.2 (6th) | |
| Rating - 4th Q | 108.3 (6th) | |
| % passes for 1st | 38.6% (4th) | |
| Rating - 2 WR set | 127.5 (1st) | |
| Rating - 3 WR set | 96.0 (6th) |
So, Warren Sapp.
Remember a few years back when the Bengals were in the running for Warren Sapp when he became a free agent? At the time, many believed that Sapp used the Bengals to get a sweet offer from another team. Apparently, as Warren Sapp is explaining, it was the Bengals that put a stop to any potential deal.
"They said they were bidding against themselves," Sapp said of the Bengals' offer in unrestricted free agency. "They gave me an hour to take the offer. I called back in 57 minutes and they took the offer off the table. They said they were bidding against themselves."
I'm not exactly sure what "bidding against themselves" means -- too much money and little demand? Count me as confused on that one. Since Sapp joined the Raiders, he's had career lows in sacks. But his tackle production has remained moderately stable.
Sapp: Bengals retracted '04 offer [Enquirer]