Cincinnati Bengals History | 1979 - Bengals.com

1979

Summary

Fullback Pete Johnson powered his way to 15 TDs, a club record at the time. But the team finished 4-12 in its only full season under head coach Homer Rice, who was released the day after the Dec. 16 season finale. The team struggled despite a plus-15 mark in turnover differential (44 takeaways, 29 giveaways). On Dec. 28, Rice was replaced by former Cleveland Browns head coach Forrest Gregg, who resigned as head coach of the CFL Toronto Argonauts to take the job. During the season, controversy flared over the publication of "PB: The Paul Brown Story," an autobiography written by Brown in collaboration with sportswriter Jack Clary. The book included lengthy and explicit criticism of Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell, who had fired Brown as Cleveland head coach after the 1962 season. Modell made a formal complaint to the league office, charging Brown with violating league policy on public criticism of other teams' management. Brown eventually was fined $10,000 by Pete Rozelle, whose appointment as NFL Commissioner in 1960 had been spearheaded by Brown. After paying his fine, Brown told reporters, "I have sent (Rozelle) his check, but I stand by the book as written. His (Rozelle's) action is not based on any judgment on the facts I have presented." Prior to the season, on Jan. 17, the Bengals created the coaching staff's first full-time position in charge of special teams, hiring Frank Gansz. On Nov. 14, after an injury to C Blair Bush, C Bob Johnson was coaxed out of retirement and played the remainder of the season. Johnson was the team's original No. 1 draft pick in 1968, and when he hung up his cleats for good after the '79 season, it marked the final departure of the last player who had been on the inaugural '68 club. On Sept. 23 vs. Houston, Bengal Chris Bahr kicked a 55-yard FG, which would stand alone as longest in franchise history for 33 years, until Mike Nugent tied it in 2012.

781211-Bengals_Browner-AP_456054278654-NFL Photos-NEW

League Rankings

Table inside Article
TOTALRUSHPASS
OFFENSE23 (289.9)11 (145.6)24 (144.4)
DEFENSE28 (369.4)16 (138.7)27 (230.8)

Year Totals

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PLAYSFIRST DOWNSNET YDS RUSHNET YDS PASSTOTAL NET YDSPTS
OFFENSE1049289232923104639337
DEFENSE1052334221936925911421
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Individual Leaders

Table inside Article
PLAYERCATEGORY
Pete JohnsonScoring
Ken AndersonPassing
Pete JohnsonRushing
Don BassReceptions
Don BassReceiving Yards
Pat McInallyPunting
Vaughn LusbyPunt Returns
Deacon TurnerKickoff Returns
Chris BahrField Goals
Dick JauronInterceptions
Ross BrownerSacks

Coaching Staff

Table inside Article
COACHPOSITION
Homer RiceHead Coach
Howard BrinkerDefensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Boyd DowlerReceivers
Frank GanszSpecial Teams
Mike McCormackOffensive Line
Dick ModzelewskiDefensive Line
George SefcikOffensive Backfield
Charley WinnerDefensive Backfield
Kim WoodStrength

1979 NFL Draft: May 3-4

Table inside Article
ROUNDPLAYERPOSITIONCOLLEGESELECTION NUMBER
1aJack ThompsonQBWashington State3
1bCharles AlexanderRBLouisiana State12
2Dan RossTENortheastern30
3Barney CottonGNebraska59
4aJames WhiteDTAlbany State84
4bVaughn Lusby (acquired from Chicago in trade on 8-22-78)CBArkansas91
5Casey MerrillDECalifornia, Davis113
6Steve KreiderWRLehigh139
7Max MontoyaTUCLA168
8Howie KurnickLBCincinnati194
9Scott BurkSOklahoma State223
10Nathan PooleRBLouisville250
11Ken BungardaDEMissouri278
12Jim BrownerSNotre Dame304
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