Ask Jim Owczarski

[jowczarski]

Any idea what the team plans on doing with Uzomah? Any chance he surpasses Kroft or Hewitt for playing time?

Good question. I imagine the first thing he has to prove is that he can handle the blocking assignments and the execution of those assignments. His ability to catch the ball isn’t an issue, I don’t believe. Hewitt is out for a little bit (non-football related procedure) and w/out Eifert, it’s his time to really show he can handle it all. After that … who knows?

Any chance the Bengals take a look at Dwight Freeney?

Heh. Sorry for the late response here. Good call.


1. Do you think that the schedule of Pittsburgh in game 2 was intentional, because of the Burfict suspension? (I don't think Pitt wants any part of Burfict and if Rooney had his way, he would have had game 1 and game 3 be against the Bengals.)

Honestly, a lot of media (local and national) thought for sure CIN-PITT would be Monday Night in week 4. That didn’t happen. No one in the league would ever admit that was a factor. Fun to speculate, but who knows.

2. Do you think the new OC will give Andy the same green light on pre-snap audibles that Jackson did?

Yes. Most definitely.

3. The way I see things now with the Pittsburgh rivalry, is that the Bengals have shown they are no longer intimidated by Pittsburgh, and I think Pitt knows that which is why you are seeing them pushing the Bengals buttons and lashing out with the helmet slapping (Brown at Kirkpatrick), the hair pulling of Reggie Nelson, etc. I believe the next step for the Bengals, now that they are no longer intimidated, is for this team to play under that poise that Lewis has tried to instill. If not, I see the Steelers continuing to own them. Agree? Disagree? Comments?

They played with that poise for what, 59 minutes, 30 seconds – or whatever it was until Jones lost his mind. But 30 seconds can lose you a game, obviously. It’s interesting. The Bengals are done talking about the Steelers – yet the Steelers keep talking about the Bengals and what they do to them. Is that the Steelers trying to get in their head? To keep the national narrative alive? I dunno. But right now, no one in that locker room will talk about Pitt. until it’s that game week.



4. Is there anything at all, you can put a finger on, as to why this team, for the history of the franchise, continues to struggle in 'big stage games' (prime time season games and all playoff games)?

Honestly, no. It’s like why the Bills never won the Super Bowl or why the Atlanta Braves only won one World Series, or why Dusty Baker can’t seem to pull a starting pitcher in the playoffs. I thought they were there when Burfict made the interception. I’m sure everyone did.

Have you heard any rumors as to whether the Bengals are still in the market for a veteran WR and which ones they might be looking at? (A. Boldin would be awesome, but I doubt we have the cap room to spare)

Not a peep at that position. They’ve worked out a couple d-linemen but that’s it. It may happen – and I do think they may eventually bring in a veteran wideout…or perhaps a TE if the Eifert thing really goes south, but it’s quiet.

The question, is Core really get any time at returner? If yes, and I hope the answer is yes, then how is that working out?

I don’t believe so.


My question is how often do the coaches come up with new plays, formations, etc. Plus how long do they practice these before they show up in a game? I'm sure there is technical tweaks they do to old favorites too. Any insight would be welcome.

I think it’s a grey area. For instance, the Bengals offense isn’t going to be that markedly different. Now, I’m sure Zampese will add in new routes or formations but off the same basic structures that already existed. And they liked that Lazor came off the Chip Kelly tree and I’m sure you’ll see some stuff that looks like that – so it’s “new to you” but in reality it’s an offshoot of something that already was run. Are you talking about pure, pure innovation? Like, making up something that never existed? That’s far more rare. The practice time in the NFL is so restricted now and cut down that an established team like the Bengals will add wrinkles, but it’s part of a larger fabric that’s already been created. I’m trying to think … I mean, Gary Crowton was the first guy I saw really bring the bubble screen to the league back when he was OC with the Bears in 1999 but it was never executed like it is now (and, the rules for defensive contact were far different). But he came from college. Same with Chip Kelly. He did all that mess in college first. Great question. Zamp would be a great one to ask because his old man was the one who basically created the “Air Coryell” offense.