DDN's Chick Ludwig Slams VonKneeCapper, Bengals response

[HoosierCat]

Well, if any more fuel was needed for the fire...

http://www.journal-news.com/sports/content...3ludwigweb.html

Von Oelhoffen relishes role with Steelers

CINCINNATI — Our careers — covering the Bengals and playing for them — overlapped three seasons (1997-99). During that time, two things struck me about Kimo von Oelhoffen:

1) He wanted to be a firefighter when his playing days were over.

2) He absolutely loved playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved playing against ’em so much, you’d have sworn he wanted to be one — while he was a Bengal.

Each year during Steelers week, von Oelhoffen needed two Kleenex as he spoke, in awe, about the challenge of facing his idol, Steelers center Dermontti Dawson. One tissue to wipe the drool from his chin, the other to dab his starry, cloudy eyes.

So it was no surprise that when von Oelhoffen’s contract was up, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Steelers on Feb. 18, 2000. I’d have been shocked had he gone anywhere else.

Well, I learned something more about the 12-year veteran on Sunday. He’s a pretty good actor.

After his cheap shot on Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, von Oelhoffen raised his hands to his helmet pretending to be sorry. I didn’t buy Kimo’s act then. I don’t buy it today. I won’t buy it tomorrow.

That the NFL didn’t fine von Oelhoffen, coupled with referee Larry Nemmers’ refusal to penalize him, is a double slap in the face of the Bengals organization.

E-mailers have flooded my inbox, seeking my opinion on the play. I answer them with one word. D-i-r-t-y.

Because every hit on a quarterback below the waist in exactly that.

In exonerating von Oelhoffen, the league claimed he didn’t have an unrestricted path to the quarterback. It said he was coming off a block (by left guard Eric Steinbach), got thrown off the block and his path to Palmer wasn’t clear.

What I saw was von Oelhoffen hit the ground, then lunge into Palmer’s left knee, crushing his ACL and MCL.

My first thought: Where’s referee Bernie Kukar when you need him? Of the league’s 130-plus officials, he’s the No. 1 protector of quarterbacks.

Back on Dec. 4, Kukar threw the flag on Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman for roughing Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and Kukar threw the flag on Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans for roughing Palmer. Nemmers never reached for his yellow hankie.

It’s wasted space to print here that the Bengals would’ve won the game had Palmer played its entirety. But it’s not too far-fetched to think, and claim, that the Steelers’ best chance at victory would be if Palmer got knocked out of the game.

Longtime Bengals observers still remember the night of Oct. 10, 1983, when Steelers defensive end Keith Gary yanked quarterback Ken Anderson’s head like a twist-off, soda-pop bottle. So von Oelhoffen’s dirty hit was hardly precedent-setting.

What genuinely surprised me was the Bengals’ reaction.

Instead of slamming Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry down the Steelers’ throats in a test of manhood, offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski allowed Jon “Crazy Legs” Kitna to heave 40 passes. Two got picked off.

And tell me this: How could the Bengals — with their franchise quarterback on crutches, his knee encased in ice and out until August — let Roethlisberger and von Oelhoffen escape Paul Brown Stadium without a bump or a bruise? I have a feeling they were too busy bickering at halftime.

Therein lies the difference between the two clubs.

One is hard. The other is soft.

Contact Chick Ludwig at (937) 225-2253.

[andybren]

Wow. Good read.

[Stripes]

Not surprising to see this coming from a Cincinnati news source. I saw the same replays as Mr. Ludwig, and have no reason to call the hit blatant or intentional.

[F.Cleveland]

I just watched it for the first time on tv. During the game I, like everyone else was watching Henry and going friggin nuts... I recorded it at home and never watched it. All I can say is, Kimo is a piece of sh*! He was blocked and then looked his way in to Carson's knee. WTF????!!!!! He frickin wrapped his arm around Carson's calf and just leaned into him. Then he looked down field to see what was going on as if to say "Duh I didn't just collapse his knee, duh". He should not only been flagged but there should be some kind of suspension for that. Intentionally hurting someone is serious and I agree that the Bengals could learn a little something from baseball and rough little Ben Rothlispooper up a little for revenge. Dirty pool old man, dirty pool and this unchecked agression will not stand.

[WhoDey93285]

I think it was intentional. Here are my reasons.

For one reason, he wrapped, and lunged. He had plenty of time to ease up, but he chose not to. And the reason he chose not to was because it was a payback hit. remember way back when when Odell "went low" on Ben, and Ben cried to everyone about it and the Squeeler fans were crying for Carson's head? Well, I'm sure some of the Steelers were thinking the same thing. He could of ended Carson's career, and I bet he's damn proud of it.

[Whur CHad At?]

This is what we need, more media people finding the truth and getting fired up about it and speaking out. Good for Chuck.

Vimo will pay.

[WhoDey93285]

All I know, is that when the Bengals face the Steelers again, and someone doesn't leave on a cart, something is seriously wrong with this team. Because they KNOW it was intentional regardless of what thety say. A steeler must be sacrificed. Classless or not, I hate everything about sh*tsburgh, and personally wouldn't mind it.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

There's simply no reason he shouldn't be fined and/or suspended - he, under no other force but his own - dove into his knee and wrapped his arm around it. The pass was already gone (but Kimo couldn't see it).

If the league wants to prevent lineman from even thinking about doing that intentionally like Kimo did - whether it was heat of the moment reaction or not - they should've come down hard on him.

I'm glad Chuck called him out in the media at least, but won't mean much.

[HoosierCat]

Not surprising to see this coming from a Cincinnati news source. I saw the same replays as Mr. Ludwig, and have no reason to call the hit blatant or intentional.

Of the 3 area reporters who cover the Bengals -- Ludwig for the Dayton Daily News, Goheen for the Post, and Curnutte for the Enquirer -- Chick is by far the biggest homer. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but if any of them was going to go off, it doesn't surprise me it was him. Whatever the replays show, I have a sneaking suspicion his remarks reflect the feelihngs of a sizeable segment of the Bengals locker room, tho. In which case the ambulances better be on hand for the next Bengals-Steelers tilt.

[PMThor]

"E-mailers have flooded my inbox, seeking my opinion on the play. I answer them with one word. D-i-r-t-y.

Because every hit on a quarterback below the waist in exactly that."

Ok, so where was his outrage after the Odell hit?

This idiot is the biggest homer on the planet. He is feeding the frenzy more than anyone I have heard. Kimo went to Pitt because he got paid better and the Steelers were a playoff contender. Not for any other reason. Do you honestly believe he held any ill will against the Bengals? I don't.

God I hate writers like this who pass off their opinions as facts. He is an idiot who gets paid for it.

[NYBengalfan]

.... I dont know what to say other than, all we can do is hope that Carson gets healthy and we go in to Pittsburgh, whoop their asses and keep our mouths shut, and then when they come here whoop 'em again and guess what we'll do..... we'll still stay humble and show that we are a class organization, and that they are the dirty, cheating, classless team that everyone knows them to be!

[HairOnFire]

If you guys feel so passionately that someone should pay for the hit perhaps you should travel to Indy and cap Big Ben from the stands. And please, remember to wear your Bengal gear when you're embarrassing me.

Morons.

[turningpoint]

Nothing would bring me more a grin then seeing Joey Porter get his ACL and MCL, blown the f**k up from a tarik glenn block sunday, f**king a**h***.

[PMThor]

Nothing would bring me more a grin then seeing Joey Porter get his ACL and MCL, blown the f**k up from a tarik glenn block sunday, f**king a**h***.

Come on, don't be like that.

Never wish an injury on a player, ever. No matter how much you dislike them, it is better to beat them straight up over having them go down with an injury. The Steelers may celebrate when our QB goes down, but we are better than that.

[Green 66]

Nothing would bring me more a grin then seeing Joey Porter get his ACL and MCL, blown the f**k up from a tarik glenn block sunday, f**king a**h***.

Come on, don't be like that.

Never wish an injury on a player, ever. No matter how much you dislike them, it is better to beat them straight up over having them go down with an injury. The Steelers may celebrate when our QB goes down, but we are better than that.

Preach on brother... Testify!

I can accept the loss, we should have been able to maintain the lead at halftime, and get the W. The thing that pisses me off the most was the Celebration by the Steeler fans when our boys went down, thats just inexcusable. All i gotta say is that karma is a B!tch, and shes coming for them at an inopportune time as well.

Mike Green

Waynesville Ohio

[oldschooler]

"E-mailers have flooded my inbox, seeking my opinion on the play. I answer them with one word. D-i-r-t-y.

Because every hit on a quarterback below the waist in exactly that."

Ok, so where was his outrage after the Odell hit?

This idiot is the biggest homer on the planet. He is feeding the frenzy more than anyone I have heard. Kimo went to Pitt because he got paid better and the Steelers were a playoff contender. Not for any other reason. Do you honestly believe he held any ill will against the Bengals? I don't.

God I hate writers like this who pass off their opinions as facts. He is an idiot who gets paid for it.

In case you missed it. Odell was flagged, Roethlisberger wasn`t injured, and his O-lineman

admitted it happened because he tripped Odell.

Roethlisberger was quoted as saying that "anytime you hit another player in the knee,

you know it`s a little dirty."

Why would he say that ? Because IT IS !

And there is a difference between being blocked or tripped and "going" for the knees.

And biggest homer huh ?

I guess you missed the part where he called THIS TEAM soft ?

Doesn`t sound like a ringing endorsement to me...

[smith288]

Roethlisberger was quoted as saying that "anytime you hit another player in the knee,

you know it`s a little dirty."

Why would he say that ? Because IT IS !

No it isnt.

And there is a difference between being blocked or tripped and "going" for the knees.

There is, but you said above that there isnt a difference because ANY time a player hits a knee, its a little dirty. So which is it?

And biggest homer huh ?

I guess you missed the part where he called THIS TEAM soft ?

Doesn`t sound like a ringing endorsement to me...

I am a big homer and I think this team is soft. Am I supposed to just lie about the Bengals because im a homer? Facts are facts. They are soft and they have a mental block when it comes to playing the Steelers. Eventually that block will go away but I hardly think my criticizing of the Bengals strips me of my homer tag. Its not mutually exclusive to be critical of your favorite team but sticking with them through thick and thin.

Im also not a fan of hoping injury on anyone. I prefer a huge drubbing of Pittsburgh commences Sunday.

[oldschooler]

No it isnt.

Why does a hit to the knee draw a 15 yard penalty then ?

It`s "Dirty" to chop block a player. It`s "dirty" anytime

you "go" for another players knees.

There is, but you said above that there isnt a difference because ANY time a player hits a knee, its a little dirty. So which is it?

Actually Ben said ANYTIME you hit another players knees.

Check out the definitions for "dirty".

More than one fits the play that Palmer was injured on.

dirt•y

Pronunciation: (dûr'tē), [key]

—adj., dirt•i•er, dirt•i•est,

—v., dirt•ied, dirt•y•ing,

—adv.

—adj.

1. soiled with dirt; foul; unclean: dirty laundry.

2. spreading or imparting dirt; soiling: dirty smoke.

3. vile; mean; sordid; contemptible:

4. obscene; pornographic; lewd:

5. undesirable or unpleasant;

6. very unfortunate or regrettable:

7. not fair or sportsmanlike; unscrupulous:

8. hostile, insulting, contemptuous, or resentful:

9. (of a nuclear weapon) producing a relatively large amount of radioactive fallout.

10. (of the weather) stormy; squally:

11. Informal.obtained through illegal or disreputable means:

12. appearing as if soiled; dark-colored; dingy; murky.

13. Slang.using or in possession of narcotics.

14. Foreign Exchange.(of currency floats) manipulated, as by a central bank influencing or changing exchange rates (opposed to clean).

15. do (someone) dirty, Slang.to treat unfairly or reprehensibly, as by cheating or slandering.

So YES it was "Dirty".

I am a big homer and I think this team is soft. Am I supposed to just lie about the Bengals because im a homer? Facts are facts. They are soft and they have a mental block when it comes to playing the Steelers. Eventually that block will go away but I hardly think my criticizing of the Bengals strips me of my homer tag. Its not mutually exclusive to be critical of your favorite team but sticking with them through thick and thin.

Im also not a fan of hoping injury on anyone. I prefer a huge drubbing of Pittsburgh commences Sunday.

Ummm the person that I was replying to acted like what he was saying wasn`t true because he was a "homer".

I just pointed out that it didn`t keep him from pointing out facts and calling it as he seen it.

[Spain]

They wil keep doing this till we dfo it to them, Thats the way this cheap ass teamis.Pitt. They knew they couldnt so they head hunted. If the NFL doesnt want this to happen they should suspend KIMODickhead.

[Lip_Burger]

This is what we need, more media people finding the truth and getting fired up about it and speaking out. Good for Chuck.

Vimo will pay.

I'm sorry, but you guys are an embarassment to true Bengals fans. And football fans.

All I know, is that when the Bengals face the Steelers again, and someone doesn't leave on a cart, something is seriously wrong with this team. Because they KNOW it was intentional regardless of what thety say. A steeler must be sacrificed. Classless or not, I hate everything about sh*tsburgh, and personally wouldn't mind it.

Very mature. Even if it were a dirty hit, how is your response any different?

[membengal]

Lip, maturity of some fans or not aside, even the rational amongst the fan base will always associate Palmer's injury with the Steelers. And, yes, beating the Steelers will always be extra satisfying now because of that fact, whether we think Kimo was being dirty or not.

Nothing you say will change that. It's something that now exists between these teams, just like Roeth' bitching after Thurman tripped and got low on him.

A certain percentage of Bengals fans consider the Steelers a dirty team. Nothing you say will change that opinion. And, if the Steelers themselves did not seem to embrace that attitude with quite so much glee, perhaps it is not something that would stick to them quite as easily.

[Jet23]

Dirty or not it at least should have been motivation for the Bengals to match Pittsburgh's physicality, it was not. Instead of circling the wagons and rallying around Carson, they squabbled in the locker room like children. Instead of getting mad, they pouted. There is no question they are soft. I am not suggesting that they retaliate by intentionally hurting someone, but knocking somebody on their a$$ should have been the order of the day. Can you hear them now, 'we took out their franchise player and all they can say is that's o.k. you didn't mean to do it'.

Imagine if this had happened to Little Ben. You KNOW how they would have reacted. And everyone knows they are a tough team. So, what does that make the Bengals?

[CT Stiller]

A certain percentage of Bengals fans consider the Steelers a dirty team. Nothing you say will change that opinion. And, if the Steelers themselves did not seem to embrace that attitude with quite so much glee, perhaps it is not something that would stick to them quite as easily.

There's a huge, and I mean HUGE difference between physical styles of play and dirty styles of play. The Steelers are a physical team. They have a bully mentality, yes, but not a dirty one. With the exception of the Raiders, dirty play is generally seen in the player, not the team. Rodney Harrison is a dirty player, but I don't think the Patriots or the Chargers are/were dirty teams.

The percentage of Bengals fans who consider the Steelers dirty are fueling that opinion on sour grapes, including the idiot reporter who wrote this garbage. Lip is correct, some of you guys are being extremely immature about this. I would expect these kind of comments from someone with NO football knowledge who just started liking the Bengals because they were getting good (**cough**, Spain, **cough**). Any true football fan would not wish injury to another player and wouldn't rub it in when it happens.

When I see this kind of thing written up by supposedly responsible reporters it makes me sick. Not only is it completely irresponsible but it validates a skewed notion to some of the more impressionable Bengals fans.

[Jet23]

A certain percentage of Bengals fans consider the Steelers a dirty team. Nothing you say will change that opinion. And, if the Steelers themselves did not seem to embrace that attitude with quite so much glee, perhaps it is not something that would stick to them quite as easily.

There's a huge, and I mean HUGE difference between physical styles of play and dirty styles of play. The Steelers are a physical team. They have a bully mentality, yes, but not a dirty one. With the exception of the Raiders, dirty play is generally seen in the player, not the team. Rodney Harrison is a dirty player, but I don't think the Patriots or the Chargers are/were dirty teams.

The percentage of Bengals fans who consider the Steelers dirty are fueling that opinion on sour grapes, including the idiot reporter who wrote this garbage. Lip is correct, some of you guys are being extremely immature about this. I would expect these kind of comments from someone with NO football knowledge who just started liking the Bengals because they were getting good (**cough**, Spain, **cough**). Any true football fan would not wish injury to another player and wouldn't rub it in when it happens.

When I see this kind of thing written up by supposedly responsible reporters it makes me sick. Not only is it completely irresponsible but it validates a skewed notion to some of the more impressionable Bengals fans.

I have stopped short of saying it was a dirty play, but he certainly didn't bust a gut trying avoid collapsing his knee. And, the first thing he did was not call for the trainer, he looked for flags. Kimo may be a great guy, but sometimes great guys do bad things.

And you have to know that if the tables were turned, Pittsburgh would have reacted in a totally different manner. You have to admit, other than a comment by Marvin, the entire Bengal organization handled this with class. Maybe too much class. It kind of bothered me that the only players that seemed mad were TJ & Chris Perry. Intentional or not, somebody should have been knocked on their ass. And by the way, I didn't buy Kimo's I'm so upset act either. And I don't believe that a single Steeler would take it back if they could. Afterall, they did advance in the playoffs and it may even give them a headstart for next year.

[KMH14]

I live in Dayton and read Chick's article first thing this morning.

My first impression is that Chick is entitled to his opinion on the

hit as to whether it was "dirty" or not. My question is: Why did it take him five days

to write in the DDN that it was dirty? Why did he not write that in

the Monday edition? I don't know. Maybe he watched the play with

some Bengal D-lineman and they all agreed the play could have been

avoided. Maybe it took him five days to develop the lemons to write this.

Either way, the timing of the article is interesting and I believe he is

entitled to print his opinion, that is what he is paid for after all.

However, asking how it is that Ben or Kimo was not injured by a Bengal

is over the edge in my opinion. I'd like to think the Bengals and Marvin are

too classy of an organization to respond to a questionable hit with another

questionable hit. Your play should speak for you. If your upset about the hit,

score a TD, run through a tackle, make sure you tackle etc... Kick their arse

on the scoreboard.

Lastly, all the posters that want Brat fired also would agree with Chick on the notion

of: Where was Rudy and C. Perry? Why didn't we smashmouth them after this play?

Wy didn't we at least attempt to smashmouth them after this play? Kitna throwing

40 times is the worst possible scenario for the Bengals in this game.

Thanks for letting me ramble and throw in my .02.