CINCINNATI — Coach Marvin Lewis defended the hit by Vontaze Burfict that caused the NFL to suspend him for five games and insisted that the Bengals linebacker has changed his ways on the field to conform to the league’s emphasis on player safety.
Lewis said there’s nothing wrong with how Burfict leveled Chiefs running back Anthony Sherman during a preseason game,
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Vontaze has changed,
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The hit wasn’t penalized during the game,
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NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy pointed out in an email to The Associated Press that the league’s rulebook bans “unnecessary contact” against players who aren’t in position to defend themselves. Also,
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Sherman was coming out of the backfield but wasn’t the intended receiver when Burfict leveled him with a hit high to his chest as the pass went down the field.
Burfict has appealed the suspension. If it’s upheld,
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Jones also is suspended to start the season,
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The Bengals went 1-2 during Burfict’s three-game suspension last season,
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‘Who’s a starter in here?’ and the whole defense stands up,
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