The Bengals improved almost immediately under LeBeau. They led at halftime in his first two games before losing. They were flat, losing 15-0, at Pittsburgh, before upsetting Denver and winning at Cleveland. You might not be a first-rounder. You might be a free agent.
Guys love that.
Ravens coach Brian Billick has noticed the difference in Cincinnati under LeBeau. And it has been relatively successful. Smith was knocked out of the first Baltimore game. The Bengals started two rookie wide receivers, Peter Warrick and Ron Dugans, but LeBeau recently promoted the second-year Yeast ahead of Dugans. Featured back Corey Dillon has gained more than 100 yards rushing in three of the five games under LeBeau, and 95 in a fourth.