Wyche Assails Team Practice for Raiders

Coach Sam Wyche gave a tongue-lashing to his Cincinnati Bengals players for what he perceived as a lackluster preparation for Sunday’s game against the Raiders in Los Angeles.

“There are a couple of players who aren’t happy with me right now,” Wyche said following a private session with his players after Wednesday’s practice. “I hope they’re so mad they’ll play better.”

“Maybe, as much as anything, we need to get ourselves back on track for the Raiders game,” Wyche said.

Quarterback Boomer Esiason said Wyche was pretty upset with some members of the team.

“In some respects, it was long overdue,” Esiason said. “I don’t blame him. The coaches aren’t paid to be our friends. They’re paid to be our critics.”