Channel Cincinnati - Bengals Seek Solutions, Unity

Bengals Seek Solutions, Unity

0-6 Club Not Pointing Fingers, Just Want Wins

CINCINNATI -- When a football team with a history of losing like the Cincinnati Bengals is 0-6, the time might be ripe for finger-pointing and blame assessment.

Especially with an offensive unit that has scored only three touchdowns for the season. (A fourth touchdown resulted after a defensive interception). The defense has kept the Bengals in games, but the offense isn't holding up its end of the bargain.

Surprisingly, the Bengals are still keeping a positive view, at least on the outside. The finger- pointing has been kept to a minimum.

"None of us is perfect," backup QB Scott Mitchell said. "Not one guy on this offense has gone through the season without making a mistake."

Mitchell took over for starter Akili Smith in the third quarter of Sunday's 15-0 loss to the Steelers. On his first pass attempt, he threw an interception. The 11-year NFL veteran, in his first year as a Bengal, said that negativity from him or others could turn the locker room into a very sour place.

"When you start blaming other people, negative feelings creep in," Mitchell said. "And I think it affects your performance as well."

Veteran cornerback Atrell Hawkins lost his starting spot after being burned on several plays. He isn't examining the schedule or trying to analyze where the first win can happen.

"I think the team we can beat is the next team on the schedule every week," Hawkins said. "No one in this locker room says we're going to go out and lose this week."

Head coach Dick LeBeau said that the team, especially the offense, is searching for the spark that can get them on track. That's why he pulled Smith in favor of Mitchell, and that will explain future lineup juggling.

"The solution is here in this building," LeBeau said. "The bad news is we haven't answered it yet."

At 0-3, LeBeau isn't worried about what his future with the team holds. He isn't worried about his coaching status being interim or permanent.

The Bengals will seek that elusive first win again at home this Sunday against the Denver Broncos.