BigDaddy wanting to be a bengal again?

[Ox]

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=4916

Be sure to check out the last paragraph.

Notes: Wilkinson has No. 1 regret

By GEOFF HOBSON

December 14, 2005

Posted: 5:45 p.m.

In what may be the most succinct and honest evaluation of what went wrong with the Bengals during the 1990s, Lions defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson on Wednesday apologized for some of his actions as a Bengal and lamented the lack of coaching at his position while he played here from 1994-97.

In Wednesday’s conference call with the Cincinnati media, Wilkinson said he’s happy for the Bengals’ playoff run and is pleased for head coach Marvin Lewis, a man he admires after playing for him a season in Washington. Wilkinson went to the Redskins in a Feb. 26, 1998 trade that was fueled, in part, by his statement characterizing Cincinnati “racist.” Wilkinson regrets it and apologized Wednesday.

“Especially me coming from Dayton, Ohio, and Ohio State and having so many fans and people that liked me and having so many friends in that area still, that was just blatant ignorance,” Wilkinson said. “That’s the immaturity I was talking about as far as some of the things I said and did. If I had a chance to go back, I would certainly correct the wrong. That’s just wrong. Saying the city is racist and conducting myself in the way that I did was bad. And as a young man at the time, all I can remember is feeling trapped. That I had to get away from this team.”

Wilkinson has grown into durable and reliable player. He has missed just seven games in 12 years and has played and started in all 45 games since the Redskins released him and he joined the Lions before the 2003 season.

“Danny has been tremendous. You guys know him. He’s a tremendous person,” said Lions interim coach Dick Jauron. “He’s done a real nice job in the middle of that defensive line along with Shaun Rogers. Danny’s been outstanding.”

Wilkinson suggested Cincinnati never knew him. A month past his 21st birthday, the Bengals made him the top overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. He came to a team coached by Dave Shula and a new NFL defensive line coach in Joe Wessel, who coached defensive ends at Notre Dame. The next year, when Wessel moved to special teams, Bobby DePaul became a NFL position coach for the first time after working with the line as an assistant at Washington and Cincinnati.

“Looking back on it, there were things on my end and things on the organization’s end that just went wrong,” Wilkinson said. “From my end, it was just immaturity and not really knowing what I was going into and not really having that type of support of veteran guys and veteran coaches that know how to get a young team headed in the right direction. We didn’t have that. I think that’s where the organization dropped down.

“My first (two) years in Cincinnati, I had defensive line coaches that never coached defensive line on any level. Myself, John Copeland, and Alfred Williams were all pretty young and then Kimo von Oelhoffen was with us and we had a great nucleus of guys. We just didn’t know how to get it done. We didn’t have that type of support around us. And from my side, it was immaturity, stepping into a new environment so different than what I was accustomed to at Ohio State. If I had a chance to do it again, there are many things I regret.”

Wilkinson did have coaches who coached the line, but none as a position coach in the NFL, and he didn’t feel comfortable until ex-teammate Tim Krumrie became the line coach in 1996. It was Wilkinson who stepped aside in that last game in 1994 so Krumrie could start in his 193rd and final game.

At 32 and facing a housecleaning in Detroit, Wilkinson isn’t sure of his future. But he does want to keep playing and he wants to play for a winner. Playing under an interim head coach, Wilkinson looks wistfully at Lewis, a guy he says was truly the Redskins head coach in that 2002 season.

“He should have been our head coach,” Wilkinson said. “Just being around the guy. If I knew we would have had him for a long period of time over some years, we would have been very good.”

---------------------------------

MORE BIG DADDY: Lions defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson bared his soul to the Cincinnati media in Wednesday’s conference call, and he didn’t rule out a return to the city he once dismissed as “racist,” to play next season if the Bengals are looking for a first- and second-down 340-pound anchor. He’s got another year left on his deal, but isn’t sure if Lions management is going to keep him around.

“Anything is possible. Absolutely. I have no grudges against the Bengals’ organization or the city. I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to those who I’ve hurt or bothered, or made upset, or anything else.”

Wilkinson really enjoyed the coaching when he played under Lewis in 2002 in Washington, and has admired him from afar as well as while working with him.

“I’m excited for Cincinnati and that area. My family and my friends are still in the area and they’re happy with what Marvin has done with that team,” Wilkinson said. “And I know Marvin waited for a long time being overlooked as a head coach in this league, and to finally get a position and look what he’s done with the Bengals, so I’m happy to see that. I’m looking forward to playing these guys to see how good they really are and I wish them well going forward to the playoffs.”

Wilkinson admits he’s been through tumultuous times with teams like this on and off the field, and calls it “his spiritual walk.”" He feels for Mariucci and thinks the Bengals were more poorly coached when he was there from 1994-97.

“I have deep respect for Mariucci. I like him. I thought he was a great coach,” Wilkinson said. “We just had a lot of young knuckleheads on this team that didn’t understand what it takes to win in this league. It’s very had to win. You just can’t walk off the street after the offseason into a situation and just say it’s going to happen for you.

" It’s a young team. It’s the way they built it. But Mooch didn’t fit with those type of players. Mooch is a veteran type of coach and if we had some veteran guys who understood what it took, it would have been fine. But when you rely on first- second-, third-year players to carry the whole team, forget about it.”

[HoosierCat]

I don't think there's a fit for him here, really. We already have Robinson filling the aging DT role.

Props to Wilkinson for apologizing.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Wow, that was such a long time ago, I think Windows 95 was just coming onto the market, and I had just left college wishing I could've been a comp sci major. I also remember watching every single horrific Bengals game, going to Riverfront to see them, and always walking home ticked off and disappointed...until it become accepted as normal in the late 90's.

Funny what age and experience and maturity does for a person - Wilkinson was not a very good person back then (remember him punching his pregnant girlfriend).

Just kinda weird to see him still in the league, being "only" 32 years old, and apologizing to Cincinnati and sounding like a grounded individual.

I wonder if Cincinnati fans would accept him here again - and wonder if he'd get boo'd or not still (kind of doubt it).

But I remember Wilkinson's pick and then Ki-Jana the next year being the beginning of the end.

It would certainly be odd to see him back in a Bengals' uni again - full circle.

Thanks for the article - good read.

[jamesbrooks21]

I did wonder the same thing when I read the article. Kinda like someone was hinting at something.

[jjakq27]

When you look back on that group of coaches, it's no wonder he failed here. Dick LeBeau left here in 1992 when Sam Wyche was fired so I am sure he could have helped him in some way if he were still here.

Also they took a hell of a risk in selecting him No. 1 overall. I think he was a redshirt sophomore. The alternative was taking three time All-American Marshall Faulk of SD State who had rushed for over 4500 yards in three seasons.

The defense needed to be upgraded and they thought he would be the cornerstone. Offensively the Bengals had Carl Pickens at WR and Harold Green at RB and they kept waiting for David Klingler to blossom, so they must have thought the offense was good enough. Also the Bengals had never taken a RB with their first pick.

I guess the Ohio State/Dayton connection was a factor. Plus he set some kind of combine bench press reps record that year. I have an aquaintence that was the starting center at Northwestern and he told me that Big Daddy was the strongest guy he had ever gone against.

I give Big Daddy credit for owning up to the problems that he caused though. I don't know if he would help here next year but maybe he might play with a little fire to make up for some of the things in the past.

I also have heard that about Marvin being the behind the scenes coach in Washington when Spurrier took over. I remember early on that many people quietly said that Marvin was actually running the Redskins during training camp and the first half of the season. I also remember him being criticized because his defense wasn't doing well in the beginning. But by the end of the year I think they finished in the top ten. I believe that the experience he got at Washington has helped him in some way here too.

[Kirkendall]

I don't think there's a fit for him here, really. We already have Robinson filling the aging DT role.

Props to Wilkinson for apologizing.

Heck, let him suit up and compete for a roster spot. Couldn't hurt. It's not like we're busting at the seems with quality D tackles. However, I'm sure he's getting the AARP cards in the mail soon... if not already.

Nevermind, he's signed through 2006 making 2,400,000 -- which could mean release with the mess in the motor city.

OSU 1, Michigan 0

Bengals 1, Detroit 0 (???)

Make that the state of Ohio 2, the state of Michigan 0. Go Buckeye state. Go Bengals!

[HairOnFire]

Sheesh, what's next? A contrite Gary Reasons saying he's sorry for pulling Shula's hat down?

I know it's considered bad form to ignore apologies, but dropping the race bomb was the ultimate cheap trick and the apology came way too late to count for much.

[walshfan]

he doesnt slap pregnant women around anymore does he?

[Spain]

the guy can play, he is better than Robinson. He could be used in case a rokie DT holds out.

[AMC]

I hand it to Dan on the apology. And the weird part is Mike Brown again turns into a prophet when we said Dan would regret what he said way back when he said it. This along with alot of NFL teams adopting the "Pickens clause" almost makes me want to say Brown is ahead of his time!!!!! What???? But I better not!

[USMC203]

He is to old and on the down side of his playing. It was good that he spoke the way he did, but the Bengals need youth, speed and size on the D line.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Hey, let him come full circle and retire a Bengal, I won't complain, so long as he realizes he's coming as a backup until he proves he's worth more.

He has size, he has speed, and he has talent. He's had a better year than Robinson, and Thornton. They can both go while we keep Smith and add another rookie or young free agent.

Adding a guy like Big Duddy would be great for the organization. Who better to say hey, everything has changed. This organization drove me to the point of being crazy and calling the city racist. This organization hired Marvin Lewis, proved me wrong, and has totally corrected everything I disliked. This team is a proven winner, and is going places. I want to retire a winner in a Cincinnati jersey like I should have. It would be good locker room motivation.

[smith288]

I would take Wilkinson...seeing how he played at OSU when I was younger makes me long for Big Daddy to get another chance to prove his worth at his NFL birthplace.

[jjakq27]

I think it is funny that three DTs have left here (pre-Marvin) and were successful elsewhere. Kimo, Kelly Gregg and Brenston Buckner have all done better after leaving here. And we are still trying to fill and improve that position. Can't figure that one out.

[richmond_mat]

I think it is funny that three DTs have left here (pre-Marvin) and were successful elsewhere. Kimo, Kelly Gregg and Brenston Buckner have all done better after leaving here. And we are still trying to fill and improve that position. Can't figure that one out.

That's an easy one............MIKEY.........

Until he realized he needed a football man to run the team, no one wanted to be in the Queen city.

[Jet23]

It looks like he has grown up a bit, but let's be real here. He's just covering his bets. With all the crap going on in Detroit, he wants out. Cincy could be a possible suitor, since he played for ML in Washington.

I watched every game he played at OSU and I was against them picking him. Even though he was a specimen, he was lazy and took too many plays off.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I think it is funny that three DTs have left here (pre-Marvin) and were successful elsewhere. Kimo, Kelly Gregg and Brenston Buckner have all done better after leaving here. And we are still trying to fill and improve that position. Can't figure that one out.

That's an easy one............MIKEY.........

Until he realized he needed a football man to run the team, no one wanted to be in the Queen city.

Uh wrong, but nice try. The fact is they weren't well coached.

[richmond_mat]

I think it is funny that three DTs have left here (pre-Marvin) and were successful elsewhere. Kimo, Kelly Gregg and Brenston Buckner have all done better after leaving here. And we are still trying to fill and improve that position. Can't figure that one out.

That's an easy one............MIKEY.........

Until he realized he needed a football man to run the team, no one wanted to be in the Queen city.

Uh wrong, but nice try. The fact is they weren't well coached.

And who hires the coaches???????

[kingwilly]

None of them are some great talents that blossomed elsewhere....I wasn;t even aware that Gregg even was on the roster, ever.

Big Daddy sounds an awful lot like another Bryan Robinson to me. Not terrible butalso not a difference maker. Given a chance, Wilkinson would probably do better than BRob did especially with a healthy secondary and more experience for our young LB's.

Fact is, noone was well coached, the organization was run like a minor league baseball team and there was little chance of any individual success during those dark times....no need to fixate on "not well coached" or "Mikey" or whatever. The whole thing was dysfunctional.

[richmond_mat]

Fact is, noone was well coached, the organization was run like a minor league baseball team and there was little chance of any individual success during those dark times....no need to fixate on "not well coached" or "Mikey" or whatever. The whole thing was dysfunctional.

I'm not fixated on Mikey, but I realize (and so should everyone else) that it is no coincidence that the Bengals dark years corresponded to someone named Mike Brown taking over the day to day operations of the franchise. Finally after a dozen years he sought help and now we get to enjoy the fruits of his taking his hands off the franchise.

[Whur CHad At?]

He is better than our whole defense of line combined.

[Columbusbengal]

I'm not fixated on Mikey, but I realize (and so should everyone else) that it is no coincidence that....after a dozen years he sought help and now we get to enjoy the fruits of his taking his hands off the franchise.

That's because (with Katy's help), Mikey recognized that Marvin was someone he could rely on to run the franchise. In other words, Mikey is the leader of the "In Marvin We Trust" club.

[walshfan]

He's under contract for another year...doubt he'll get out of it....

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

He's under contract for another year...doubt he'll get out of it....

Actually it looks like Detroit is going to clean house. Their roster will be going through a Marvinesque pruning where everyone who's not the new coaches guy could be cut.

Fact is, noone was well coached, the organization was run like a minor league baseball team and there was little chance of any individual success during those dark times....no need to fixate on "not well coached" or "Mikey" or whatever. The whole thing was dysfunctional.

I'm not fixated on Mikey, but I realize (and so should everyone else) that it is no coincidence that the Bengals dark years corresponded to someone named Mike Brown taking over the day to day operations of the franchise. Finally after a dozen years he sought help and now we get to enjoy the fruits of his taking his hands off the franchise.

One problem with your analysis. Mike Brown has not taken his hands off the franchise, he has just stepped into the backround and let Marvin become the face of the Bengals. Why? First, because he was probably fed up with s**theads saying FIRE MIKE BROWN! Secondly, Cincinnati had a race problem, and by letting a black man become the face of the City, not just the team, a LOT of the friction was abated. Finally, because Marvin Lewis was qualified to be that face.

Mike Brown taking over may have been a part of the downfall of the organization and the beginning of the losing years. However, he is still a part of the resurgence.

[membengal]

No idea if we will pursue him or not, but the apology was nice to hear along with his reflection. I also note that if the Bengals were coming off of consecutive 3-13, 4-12 and 2-14 seasons that we likely don't hear an apology from him.

For the record, if ML thinks he would help this defense, I am all for whatever.