Chick Ludwig At Large

Bengals trivia: Who Am I?

By Chick Ludwig | Friday, July 3, 2009, 12:23 PM

On your mark, set … start guessing

WHO AM I?

I was born in Athens, Georgia.

I attended high school in Chicago.

I played 7 years in the NFL.

The Bengals were the first of my three NFL teams.

I turned 60 years young in January, 2009.

WHO AM I?

Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment More: Bengals

Bengals don’t want ‘Hard Knocks,’ but they sure need it to improve their poor image

By Chick Ludwig | Friday, July 3, 2009, 10:55 AM

MARVIN LEWIS BELIEVES BENGALS

‘HARD KNOCKS’ PUBLICITY, EXPOSURE

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer unleashed a sigh, rolled his eyes and turned his head.

I had just asked him how he feels about the Bengals becoming HBO’s latest stars this summer when “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals” unfolds from Georgetown (Ky.) College.

He didn’t utter a word. His body language said it all. Palmer will relish the scrutiny of NFL Films’ cameras and microphones about as much as he enjoyed rehabilitating his right elbow injury from a year ago when the tendon and ligament were detached from the bone.

As Associated Press reporter Joe Kay wrote: “The cable channel and NFL Films chose one of the least successful and most dysfunctional teams of the past 18 years” for the series.

And the Bengals agreed to it. Not because they want the national exposure. But they definitely need it — for two reasons.

The series should enhance their poor image. They’re viewed as losers and perceived as criminals. They’ve had one winning season in 18 years and went through a stretch where 10 players were arrested in 15 incidents in a 19-month span from December 2006 to June 2007.

That stigma lingers. Maybe HBO’s spin will knock it out.

And let’s not forget that season tickets are available for the first time in three years. Paul Brown Stadium is nowhere near being sold out.

The Bengals don’t get any money from “Hard Knocks.” However, with 30 million HBO subscribers in 50 states, the team is bound to win some fans eager to cough up cash for tickets.

Remember: Team owner/president Mike Brown is a very smart businessman.

Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment More: Bengals

Who is this ‘Chuck Lidwig’ dude, anyway?

By Chick Ludwig | Thursday, July 2, 2009, 03:27 PM

THE DAY THE CHICKSTER

BECAME ‘CHUCK LIDWIG’

===LUDWIG AT LARGE alert: Happy Birthday to my BFFs — Clark Kellogg (age 48!) and Bob Von Gries. Studs among studs. True princes in gym shoes.===

Funny story from Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp 1999 at Georgetown (Ky.) College.

I had been interviewing quarterback Jeff Blake for two years (1997-98), so I figured he knew my name and affiliation (Dayton Daily News).

I was dead wrong.

The Bengals beat writers have always had excellent access to players at camp.

We interview them coming off the field. And we interview them walking from the locker room … up-Up-UP the steps to the Thomas and King Leadership and Conference Center, which houses the cafeteria and meeting rooms.

That year, the Bengals decided to enact a rule. You could still grab players comin’ & goin’ for brief chats. But if you wanted a more lengthy one-on-one interview with a certain player, you had to ask Bengals public relations director Jack Brennan first.

Brennan would then approach the player and the two would work out a time that was good for the player and writer to meet.

So one day, I decided I needed a “one-on-one” with Blake, who was the clear-cut starter during Akili Smith’s rookie year.

Brennan told Blake that I wanted to interview him.

Blake responded, “Who is this Chuck Lidwig?” And Blake shot down the interview.

Couple days later, while walking from the locker room to lunch at the conference center, I approached Blake and asked for an interview.

“Sure,” he said. “Meet me outside after lunch.”

I interviewed Blake for a half hour, and he was great.

Brennan told the “Chuck Lidwig” story to me and the other beat writers, and we all got a kick out of it.

That gag still comes up from time to time. I’m glad, too.

Nobody ever wants to be forgotten.

Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment More: Bengals

Another Bengals installment of ‘Who Am I?’

By Chick Ludwig | Thursday, July 2, 2009, 02:02 PM

I entered college as a running back for the California Golden Bears.

But I switched positions and schools, opting for the friendly sky of “Air Coryell.”

I thought the Cleveland Browns were going to draft me.

The Browns selected Steve Holden instead.

I very much enjoyed tormenting the Browns during my career.

WHO AM I?

Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment More: Bengals

‘Wildcat’ Caldwell the new T.J.

By Chick Ludwig | Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 09:16 PM

YOU’LL SEE ANDRE CALDWELL

THROW CARSON THE BALL

VERSATILE EX-FLORIDA GATOR

GIVES BENGALS PLENTY OF OPTIONS

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andre Caldwell is T.J. Houshmandzadeh — reincarnated.

At least he wants to be.

A.C. is expected to pick up where T.J, left off … operating from the slot, making tough catches in traffic, absorbing big hits over the middle … and being, well, productive. Moving the chains and matriculating the ball down the field.

The difference?

Andre Caldwell: Lots of tattoos; plenty of talent

T.J. Who’s-Your-Mama — now a Seattle Seahawk — stood the test of time and proved himself over the long haul. Not only as a receiver, but as a punt returner, too.

Andre All-Is-Well is still developing as a wide receiver and kickoff returner. He’s young and restless, eager to bust out of T.J.’s shadow, and excited about carving his own niche as he complements the trio of Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry.

“I think we’ve got some good receives,” Caldwell said. “We’re working hard, trying to get better every day. I feel we’re going to make a lot of plays. We’ve got some veterans and we’ve got some young guys who are hungry, and we’re trying to do whatever it takes to win a game.”

Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski promises to put all the wideouts in position to make plays.

“They’re trying to move people around, get everybody the ball and let us use our talent,” Caldwell said. “Get it in the playmakers’ hands and let ‘em make plays.”

What does it take to be a good kickoff returner?

“You’ve got to have speed, quickness,” Caldwell added. “When you see a hole, you’ve got to go hit it. There ain’t no stutterin’ or waiting around. When you see it, go get it. There are 11 hawks out there trying to eat you up, so you’ve got to go.”

Caldwell is also the club’s “Wildcat.” In the Bengals’ 16-6 victory over Kansas City in the season finale (Dec. 28), Caldwell had five catches for 34 yards and rushed four times for 49 yards. He did not score, but did well enough that he’ll be utilized in the “Wildcat” formation more in 2009.

Imagine … Quarterback Carson Palmer lining up at flanker with 66,000 Bengals fans praying Caldwell doesn’t throw him the ball.

Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment More: Bengals

Bengals trivia: Who Am I?

By Chick Ludwig | Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 09:16 AM

I was one of PB’s messenger guards.

I loved lifting weights.

My teammates called me “Hercky.”

I blocked for the Essex Express.

My hometown hosts rodeo events.

Who am I?

Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment More: Bengals

Who am I and what am I doing now?

By Chick Ludwig | Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 12:02 AM

This is a recent photo of me …

I loved playing 13 seasons in the NFL.

I thought my future was in music after I retired from playing football.

After all, Ray Buchanan and I did a rap tune called The Hot Corner on the NFL Jams CD.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d end up where I’m at.

Who am I and what am I doing now?

Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment More: Bengals