One Man Crime Wave

There is no question, he DOES put in the work.

2010-07-02T11:26:00.002-04:00

You have to give it to Chad, he does put in the work....and always has.

Researchers find trauma in Henry's Brain

2010-06-28T18:45:00.002-04:00

West Virginia University researchers have determined that Chris Henry's brain had significant damage presumably from his football career and not the tragic car accident that claimed his life.

The condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE is caused by multiple blows to the head. While the research is still in relative infancy, one of the researchers believes Henry's CTE contributed to his emotional volatility and poor decision making.

"I think it did," Researcher Julian Bailes said. "Superimposed on the acute brain injuries Chris suffered when he died, there was fairly extensive damage throughout his brain that was fully consistent with CTE. This syndrome is expressed not only as changes in the brain, but clinically, as behavioral changes."

Wow.

Just thinking of the previous cases like former Steelers Mike Webster and Justin Strzelczyk makes me wonder how much this altered Henry's ability to make the right choices at the right time. It's also possible that he had this condition for a long time since his indiscretions dated back through his college career.

This news makes me appreciate the changes Slim had instituted in his personal life when he died. Until the accident it appeared he had put his demons behind him and grown into a responsible family man. Now we know that the odds were stacked further against him not by his own demons, but by a medical problem he never knew he had.

We can only hope this research continues to answer questions regarding the prevention and treatment of CTE. But, if nothing else, Chris Henry has made everyone in the NFL more aware of the risks of their profession.

Darrin Simmons has many leather-bound books

2010-06-15T19:12:00.007-04:00

The daily practice updates Geoff Hobson gives this time of year are mostly as interesting and useful as radio traffic reports once you're already stuck in a jam.

However, Tuesday's update brought forward a question that had been festering on the back burner of my two-burner brain about who will do the kicking for this team now that Shayne Graham has taken is choking act to Baltimore?

Dave Rayner and Sir Mike Nugent of Ohio State lore are the two options battling for the loneliest and most athletically awkward position on a football team. College awesomeness aside, Nugent has been a bust professionally and Dave Rayner sounds like protagonist in a failed SciFi channel pilot.

But Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons has developed a strategy of coaxing the cream to the top in this open competition by making Nugent and Rayner kick under the pressure of their teammates having to practice longer. You see half the team got to call it a day early if Rayner made his kicks, and the other half would join them if Nugent matched him.

"Yeah, I'm happy they hit them. I'd say 90 guys are happy," said specials teams coach Darrin Simmons. "Yeah, you like. It's a competition. ... This won't be the last one."

So Rayner and Nugent matched each other and the whole team got out of practice early and presumably hit up the two places I would in that situation, Skyline and Graeters. Except for Carson. He had to save room for John Morrell smoked sausage.

I think this is a brilliant, if not tad high school football-ish way of creating pressure situations for the battling kickers to compete.

So kudos to Mr. Simmons and here is to more creative ways of making the kickers sweat out the misses before the season starts.

Ced said it the best

2010-06-09T14:41:00.002-04:00

Cedric Benson on his running style:

"Until you get the ball and find the hole, it’s like slow motion. Really smooth. A little bit like music playing on the beach and then when that hole opens up it’s like heavy metal. Yeah, Sinatra to Metallica. Spitting on the crowd. Biting the heads off chickens."

AWESOME!

Reggie Kelly - Future Bengals Coach?

2010-05-21T13:55:00.005-04:00

I know I haven't posted on OneManCrimeWave for quite some time, and I would like to start back by posting about a guy that I believe doesn't get enough credit - Reggie Kelly. Although he's been getting some positive press here recently, I still don't believe he gets all the credit he deserves for everything he does both on and off the field.

So frequently in the NFL we become infatuated with superstar players with huge egos, but in my opinion the real superstars are the players like Reggie Kelly who weren't necessarily blessed with all the physical tools to be considered an "elite" player but still does whatever it takes to make his team better. Let's face it - Reggie Kelly is a damn good athlete or he would be in the NFL, but he doesn't possess the same God given ability as Jermaine Gresham. Some guys let their competitive nature prohibit them from mentoring younger players who are trying to steal their job and ability to provide for their family....but not Reggie Kelly.

The stories I've been reading about Kelly's willingness to mentor younger guys like Gresham and Chase Coffman have been very inspiring. Kelly is a true class act who is humbly doing whatever it takes to make the Cincinnati Bengals a better football team, even if that means sacrificing his own personal ambitions in the process.

With all that I've read, I would just like to say that I sincerely hope Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis remember all the sacrifices that Kelly has made for this organization when he can no longer buckle his chinstrap and play the game of football at the professional level. It's one thing for a guy to consider himself a TRUE team player when he doesn't have the physically ability to play the game any longer, but it's another when a guy has been doing it his entire career.

Although I don't believe Reggie Kelly has much gas left in the tank, it is my sincere hope that the Bengals will find a place for him within the organization where he can continue doing the thing he's best at - TEACHING. The NFL needs people like Reggie Kelly just as much as they do those like Chad Ochocinco.....and make no mistake about it, in his own way Reggie Kelly IS a superstar.

Pacman Jones,Gibril Wilson, Reggie Kelly, Skydiving and Brian Cushing

2010-05-14T10:06:00.004-04:00

Alright it's time for an all-encompassing post covering the items I have been too busy(Don't laugh too hard) to attack individually.

Pacman:

Leading off is everyone's favorite jackass, Pacman Jones. I don't think anyone actually liked or was shocked by this move. I won't waste time by reviewing his history or spewing my opinions on how morally reprehensible the Bengals are for signing this guy. All I know is from a production point of view, there is no point of view. Before he decided to fight the guy hired to fight people for him in Dallas, he was the third, sometimes fourth corner for Dallas. So where is the value?

The corner position is the deepest position on the Bengals roster and they just added a talented rookie via the draft in Brandon Ghee. So what is the purpose of signing a guy with this amount of baggage who has a good chance of being cut before the season begins? Ultimately it is a low-risk move but the potential reward isn't that great either.

Gibby:

The Gibril Wilson signing is yet another lateral move at the safety position. Since Marvin has been here they have been content with signing middle-of-the-road/declining veterans at safety like Kim Herring, Ifeanyi Ohalete, Dexter Jackson, Chris Crocker or Roy Williams. When Kim Herring was signed I thought he would be a good guy to keep the position warm until they drafted someone. I thought the same with Dexter Jackson, Chris Crocker and Roy Williams. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me half a dozen times and I am a moron.

Wilson will provide depth and more likely be a starter should a strong gust of wind hit Roy Williams and end his season. The guy has won a Super Bowl and had some solid seasons but he's not a difference maker. I'm still left asking when will they invest a high pick or some dough into an above average safety?

Reginald:

After the secondary got a shot of mediocrity in the arm, the Bengals addressed team leadership by resigning Reggie Kelly. Every single player on the team loves Reggie Kelly so having him around can only mean good things. It's move that needed to be done and suddenly the tight end group looks pretty nasty. Assuming Kelly is fully recovered, the Bengals now have a fantastic blocking tight end, the best all-around tight end from the draft and a wild card in Chase Coffman. (I'd like to admit being 100 percent wrong about a post I made last season about Kelly getting hurt being a potentially good thing. Oops.)

So what does this mean for my boy Daniel 'Don't call me Ben' Coats? I imagine he will be battling it out with Chase Coffman and it will ultimately come down to whether you want a guy who can catch or a guy who can block and slap balls intended for him out of the air.

Skydiving:

This has to be the worst idea ever right? I appreciate the charitable effort but with the bad luck this franchise and its fans have endured doesn't this just scream "NOOO!" like Ki-jana Carter's knee? Lets push the one reason the Bengals have been competitive out of a plane, that sounds like a great idea. Steelers fans are probably sitting back and thinking this is the first bit of good news in a year.

Douchey McDoucher aka Houston linebacker Brian Cushing:

I hate this guy. I hate even more that the idiot AP voters decided to reward him the Rookie of the Year a second time after a revote prompted by his positive test for HGC. HGC is only found in a man's body if he has a particularly lethal tumor on his testicles or if he injected it as a masking agent for steroids. Well, Cushing tested positive in September, played extremely well, and appears to be healthy today. If he had a tumor in September it is safe to say he wouldn't have been playing. That leaves one option yet he continues to deny taking any banned substance.

Yesterday Cushing had a press conference and he said he lived in fear during last season that he may have a tumor. Really? All season long? I know if I feared I had a tumor on my jiblets, I'd have some doctors cold hands inspecting them within the hour. Using the potential of cancer as a distraction from the evident cheating he chose to partake in is as pathetic as a Steelers fan writing poetry. Next time you cheat just blame it on the Swine Flu and I'd respect you more.

Bengals Draft Review

2010-04-24T18:23:00.007-04:00

Round 1, 21st overall: TE Jermaine Gresham

I'm not sure anyone was surprised by this pick and I am completely OK with that. In fact, I was more worried the Bengals were going to screw up and pass on Gresham and shock us all by picking Jimmy Clausen or Tim Tebow. Anyway, Gresham was the perfect pick at 21 and filled a need that has been glaring for...well forever. Looking around the AFC North there are some pretty good weapons at tight end and it's nice to finally presume the Bengals will have one themselves.

Round 2, 54th overall: DE Carlos Dunlap

For the second straight year the Bengals picked a defensive player that fell to their spot in the second round because of off the field issues. Whether or not Dunlap's DUI was an isolated incident I still think this was a guy they couldn't pass on. I mean honestly, who doesn't try to snag a nap while waiting at a red light? Dunlap has good size and backed up the Bengals decision with great production in the SEC. I'm going to make a bold prediction here and say that Dunlap will end up starting over Robert Geathers at some point next season.

Round 3, 84th overall: WR Jordan Shipley

This pick made me jump up and shout in joy which, in turn, caused me to spill my glass of draft bourbon and interrupt my roommates musings on the trade-down-and-accumulate strategy of Bill Belichick. So Mr. Shipley, your career better be worth more than a glass of cheap bourbon. Many people have compared Shipley to Wes Welker(probably because it's the first white receiver that anyone can think of) but his college stats would indicate he's more polished and capable of being a number one receiver. Of course the Bengals don't need him to fill that role so Shipley will try and fill the slot role this team has lacked since TJ's departure. Bye Bye Jerome Simpson.

Round 3, 96th overall: CB Brandon Ghee

Before the draft Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer expressed their interest in improving the depth at corner. Brandon Ghee does more than fill that need. Should he develop into a solid option at corner it will give the Bengals the option of not resigning Jonathan Joseph. Ghee was very productive at Wake Forest and has the size and speed to look the part of an NFL corner. The addition of Ghee and Dunlap give the Bengals defense the possibility of going from a really good defense to an elite defense. But what about their need at safety?

Round 4, 120th overall: DT Geno Atkins

One thing I have learned from Mike Zimmer is that he always wants more defensive linemen. Enter Geno Atkins. Despite picking up a really good player in Dunlap just two rounds earlier, the Bengals again invested in the line and got a guy that will likely rotate with Sims, Peko and Johnson inside. His 33.5 tackles for a loss and 11 career sacks will probably translate into pass-rushing assignments for Atkins as well.

Round 4, 131st overall: LB Rodderick Muckelroy

Who can complain about picking up a linebacker from Texas? The guy was a tackling machine for a team that perennially is in the conversation as title contenders and according to linebacker coach Jeff Fitzgerald, he knew the assignments of every player on the Texas defense for any given play. He may have to work his way onto the field via special teams initially, but Muckelroy definitely gives the Bengals some flexiblity with Maualuga's possible transition inside. With how much Mike Zimmer likes to work in different linebacking combinations, the potential to make some plays early for Muckelroy is there. But really dude, where is the safety?

Round 5, 152nd overall: G Otis Hudson

The guy was a Big Ten recruit initially playing at Minnesota but transferred to Eastern Illinois to have a better defined role. At this point he will surely be considered a project for line coach Paul Alexander. But who knows, with how much unbalanced line sets the Bengals used last year this guy could see some time if he has a good training camp and preseason. But it's too early to say whether or not he could be a long term replacement for Bobbie Williams.

Round 6, 191st overall: WR Dezmond Briscoe

I doubt there was another wide receiver in the draft with his production at a big program that was still around in the sixth round. Why? Well this is the Bengals, why do you think? He was arrested once and landed a suspension during the spring of his senior season that lasted through the first game of the season. Still, the risk of him doing something stupid is worth the production and potential he brings. I'll take the 31 touchdowns, 219 catches, 3240 career yards and 1 arrest stat line out of the sixth round any day.

Round 7, 228th overall: C/G Reggie Stevens

Another Big 12 guy wraps up the Bengals draft. Did the Bengals only send their lone scout to Big 12 games or did they go to Dave Lapham for advice? Anyway, Stevens played guard and center in college and gives Paul Alexander another project that could or more likely couldn't ultimately make an impact. But lets remember TJ was a seventh-rounder and Kyle Cook wasn't even drafted and he's got some pretty awesome hair.

Bob's not so expert analysis:

I felt like the Bengals had a pretty good draft and would slap a grade of B on this bad boy. Of course you can never know how good a draft is until a couple seasons down the road but Zane and I loved last year's draft and we saw the impact of those guys right away.

The picks of Carlos Dunlap and Jordan Shipley really jump out to me as the biggest value grabs of this draft. The Ghee pick was a good one as well as you can never have enough good corners in a league where passing is the best currency. But the one player that I think has the biggest chance to surprise people is Dezmond Briscoe. If he can find a role model or an extremely clingy girlfriend to help keep him out of trouble I think the guy could be a legitimate target for Carson for many years.

Speaking of Carson, he's got to feel like I did when my parents bought me a Power Wheel 19 years ago(Only this year did I find out the only reason they bought me a PW was because I got concussed while they were busy not supervising their eldest son). Gresham, Shipley and Briscoe are going to make life a lot easier for Carson.

The one thing that bothers me is the lack of a safety being selected. Going into the draft I felt like it was the one area, besides tight end, that was desperate for an upgrade. But looking at the spots where the Bengals picked it would have been a reach for them to take the guys that were available just for the sake of taking a safety. Of course there is a lot of off-season before they start playing and you never know what veterans will be cut in that time period and become available.

One last thought. I think the NFL did themselves a favor by splitting up the draft over three days. That has been reflected in the ratings but it also gives teams another chance to reevaluate their boards thus causing more trades. It also gives me another reason to have some beers and ignore the gorgeous spring weather for an additional two days.

Below the belt jab at the Browns:

Sweet second-rounder with TJ Ward. The guy never played a full season at Oregon and has had more injuries than I've had swing and misses with attractive women(It's a lot, trust me). The dude had to have his knee drained every day one season. It sounds like a joke but if I were Ward, I would seriously be concerned for my life. Think about all the Staph infections the Browns have had recently. Joe Jurevicius is actually suing the team over his Staph infection woes. LeCharles Bentley almost lost his leg while under the teams care. It's no longer about having a good career Mr. Ward, it's about life or death.

Ghiaciuc!

2010-04-08T15:50:00.002-04:00

Browns fans have mistakenly been dubbing this off season as the beginning of the Mike Holmgren Era. As of today their glimmers of hope have met with the black death that is the beginning of the Eric Ghiaciuc Era. I'd feel sympathetic if the signing wasn't so hilarious. Of course the Browns have Alex Mack but Ghiaciuc will find a way to supplant him. He could always sprinkle some staph dust on an exposed Alex Mack paper cut. Or Ghiaciuc could wreck into Mack's car and blame it on his reverse bench press skills not translating to reverse driving. Or the ever reliable "Airborne Eric" routine would work. If you aren't familiar with this maneuver the ingredients are Ghiaciuc and any nose tackle in the league. Mix them together and who ever is standing behind Ghiaciuc is instantly injured by a flailing, flying 290-pound pile of uselessness.

Enjoy Cleveland!

All I hear from Pittsburgh is crickets

2010-03-29T12:32:00.006-04:00

Isn't it funny how the most boisterous and obnoxious fans have been silenced for the last few months? I mean it's really quite amazing. Compound a season where the Bengals smoked them like a couple of Cuban cigars with two sexual assault accusations upon their quarterback and it's like the entire city of Pittsburgh swore off speaking for Lent.

But what's this now? Santonio Holmes is now being accused of assault on a female? Well, well, well. Holmes' believed that because he is a football player he "can't get in trouble". If the Steelers fans are as remotely as classy as we Bengals fans, they should come down on their players, as we do, to stifle this burgeoning sense of entitlement that Steelers players clearly feel is their birthright. But hey, in Holmes' case at least it's his first problem right?

Wrong.

Remember the marijuana possession charges? Remember this retina scorcher? Remember the assault charges in Ohio? Remember he already had three kids before leaving school?

I personally didn't find it to be a stretch that he would take his douchery to the next level by slinging a glass at a woman for sitting on a couch. Indeed I could tell you a dozen stories about his misgivings while at Ohio State that were swept under the rug by the Columbus media contingent of which I was once a part.

So the time for Steelers fans to yuk it up because another Bengal got busted are over. Like it or not, their franchise is taking a big PR hit. The difference between the Bengals' legal problems and the Steelers' is that Mike Brown pursues players with pasts as to get a bargain. The Steelers, on the other hand, place a high value on character and weed out players who prove to be morons(i.e. Plaxico Burress and Joey Porter).

So my question is, are they going to stick by their moral standard and cut Holmes and Roethlisberger loose should these accusations be proven true? Or will that prove to be a double standard in the case of their two superstar douche bags?

It's not like the precedent hasn't been set either. Cedric Wilson may not have been as high-profile as Holmes and Roethlisberger, but he was cut the day after his domestic violence arrest.

Looks like the shoe is on the other foot.

Free Agency Update

2010-03-17T13:33:00.002-04:00

The Bengals have retained the services of safety Roy Williams. Frankly I don't understand why. The guy moves like the line at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and has forearms made of balsa wood. I suppose if nothing else he could give the Bengals depth at safety presuming they finally invest a high draft pick in that position.

They also agreed on a deal with Tank Johnson who played really well despite having a foot injury for most of the season. It will be interesting to see if he can bring a better pass rush next season on two healthy wheels.

Also the flirtations with free agent guard Richie Incognito have ended now that he's in a monogamous relationship with Bill Parcells. Frankly, I would have liked him at right guard if the Bengals are unable to keep Bobbie Williams. He brings a nasty, some say dirty, style of play that I would have liked to hear Pittsburgh fans whine about.

The remaining needs for this team, in my estimation are guard, blocking tight end, safety, receiving tight end, nickel corner, and running back/full back.

Bengals sign WR Chris Davis

2010-03-12T14:02:00.002-05:00

The Bengals made a minor pick up today signing former Titans wide receiver Chris Davis. Who is Chris Davis? No one.

He's had six more receptions in his NFL career than he's had DUI's. That is to say seven career receptions for 69 yards. He has returned kicks for the Titans so perhaps this was more of a special teams move.

The Bengals should shift their focus to the left guard position. Bobbie Williams' agent recently told Geoff Hobson that the team has yet to make a legitimate offer to his client. While Bobbie Williams is 34 it seems there is no heir-apparent on the roster. Evan Mathis is probably the best option on the roster but the draft does have some appealing prospects.

Mike Iupati, Idaho
Mike Johnson, Alabama
John Jerry(Bobbie Williams Clone), Ole Miss
Sergio Render, Virginia Tech
Jeff Byars, USC

Weighing in on Bryant

2010-03-11T13:03:00.002-05:00

After the acquisition of Antonio Bryant all the clamoring for Chad's compliment can cease. I've allowed some time to elapse and I'm prepared to make my final judgment on the Bengals courtship of Bryant, T.O. and Brandon Marshall.

I like the end result.

Bryant might not have the consistent stats Marshall and T.O. possess, but there is one thing Bryant has consistently not had, a decent quarterback. As Geoff Hobson points out on his article at Bengals.com, Bryant's breakout season with the Buccaneers came with Jeff Garcia chucking the ball around. And unfortunately for Bryant, Garcia was the only decent QB to ever throw to him. The other quarterbacks Bryant has worked with in his career? Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson, Trent Dilfer, Alex Smith, Charlie Frye and Josh Freeman. Those guys suck.

If Bryant had been receiving balls from Donovan McNabb, Steve Young, Tony Romo or Jay Cutler and Kyle Orton I think he would have a few more 1,000 yard seasons. It will be interesting to see how Bryant plays now that he is reunited with an upper-echelon quarterback.

Despite having his problems in the past, namely a blow up with Bill Parcells, Bryant's personality seems to be a a little more stable than T.O. and Marshall. And while Marshall would offer a long-term solution, he would also command a huge amount of money the Brown family would be unwilling to dole out. Chad might have wanted T.O. but he would have been a one-year player considering his age and his character issues are well documented.

The middle ground was Bryant and I think Bengals fans, in time, are going to realize he was the best option of the three(Sorry Zane).

Antonio Bryant signs

2010-03-10T15:34:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Cincinnati Mr. Bryant. We hope your stay here is productive and problem free. We expect you to be more productive than your predecessor. One word of advice, please stay clear of Northern Kentucky authorities. They loooove busting them some Bengals.

Swing and a Miss

2010-03-07T11:03:00.003-05:00

Spring Training and free agency coincide and to celebrate the return of baseball the Bengals have struck out in the Anquan Boldin sweepstakes. What makes it sting even more is the only team in the league more depraved of wide receiver depth was the Ravens and now the Bengals will have to see Boldin twice a year.

Oye.

But hey there are still options out there. Namely Antonio Bryant. Bryant has had a bizarre career with the Cowboys, Browns, 49ers and Buccaneers. After seven seasons in the league he has only had two 1,000 yard receiving seasons the more recent of the two coming in 2008 with Tampa Bay. That same season he had seven Touchdowns topping his previous best of six during his rookie season.

The inconsistency is a little suspicious and he has had his share of diva receiver(redundant?) moments. Still I would rather take Bryant over the next option, Terrell Owens. ProFootballTalk.com and practically every other outlet reports the Bengals have an interest in T.O. and have contacted his agent Drew "Next Question" Rosenhaus.

Joy.

Chad Ochocinco has made it no secret that he wants the 37-year-old T.O. in Cincinnati but recently Carson Palmer replied in a text about the situation to Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson:

"His past doesn't bother me at all. If any QB can deal with extravagant WR's it's me."

I hope he is right. Right now it's looking more and more like T.O. and Ochocinco will be getting their wish.

The only other options floating around are former Bill Josh Reed and former Raven Derrick Mason. Mason will probably retire or be back with the Ravens and Reed has never had 600 yards receiving or more than two touchdowns in a season. I suppose you could include Brandon Marshall on the list of available wide outs but who really thinks Mike Brown has the wherewithal to pull that off?

Expecting the Bengals to pull the trigger right at the start of free agency might have been naive considering the Kim Herring's and Ben Utecht's of previous Bengal's free agencies. Mea Culpa. But a splash is needed to improve the passing attack of this team. Matt Jones is not going to cut it.

Pull the Trigger Mikey!

2010-03-04T09:27:00.005-05:00

The news out of Arizona is the Cardinals only want a third-round pick for outstanding wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

Do it. Do it. Get this guy to Cincinnati immediately. So what if he's battled injuries for the past two seasons, so what if he's turning thirty, he's still a thousand times better than any options the Bengals have in their system right now and unlike a draft pick, Boldin is a proven receiver in this league.

The Bengals have had more compensatory draft picks than anyone in the league for the past two years so they can afford to let one third-rounder go. Also consider the fact they'll likely pick up a third-round pick for losing TJ and perhaps a late pick for losing Stacy Andrews. This is a low-risk high-reward situation that makes as much and more sense than any Mike Brown has deployed.

Boldin will likely want an extension, and deservedly so, but axing Laveranues Coles should make enough room for that to be a non-issue. There will not be an easier opportunity to upgrade the Bengals pathetic receiving group again. If the Cardinals wanted a second-rounder for him I would still say pull the trigger.

In five out of his seven seasons Boldin has had over 1,000 yards receiving and had more than 80 receptions. He's a big, physical guy who punishes defensive backs and fights for yardage after the catch. There is no other option through the draft, restricted free agency or free agency that has a lower asking price. No excuses.

81 should be in stripes.

Marvin vs. Mike and an Imaginative Stretch

2010-02-26T17:21:00.004-05:00

This article by Mr. Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer should have Bengals fans perturbed.

Marvin spoke to the media today about his contract status with the Bengals and delivered a clear message whilst speaking as vaguely as possible.

"There’s a lot of things that go into that. In the direction of things that we’re doing and how we’re doing things that are important to me,” Lewis said. “There were things when I started in this job in 2003 that were important and we can’t change those. They have to stay on track and I have to make sure we’re continuing to progress that way. Those are the things that are more important to me as anything.

“I’m talking about structure, decision and how we do things and how I have the ability to do things that give us an opportunity to win football games.”

I hear you loud and clear Marvin. The contract extensions offered by Mike Brown clearly rescind some of Marvin's control over team decision-making. Kudos to Marvin for making it public knowledge that Mike Brown still wants control of the team despite the most pathetic record and resume of any GM in the history of history.

It's disturbing that the owner of the team wants to take away control from the best coach his franchise has seen since Sam Wyche. In fact, its downright insane to try and break up the formula that has given the best glimmer of hope and success to its franchise in nearly two decades. Or is it?

(Conspiracy Alert)

Recently the Brown family offered Hamilton County a list of financial concessions to help the county through its economic issues. Our friends at WhoDeyRevolution.com break it down beautifully in a four-part diatribe. One of the offers the Bengals made to the county came with the stipulation that the franchise would have the freedom to move out of Cincinnati years before the current lease agreement would allow. Coincidentally there has been increasing buzz by Los Angeles developers that they would make a move to LA by an NFL franchise a very comfortable one.

See what I am driving at?

Hamilton County is in such rough shape right now they may have no choice but to take the Bengals offer just to free up some of the ridiculous money tied into Paul Brown Stadium. If that happens the Bengals have an opportunity to jet and what better excuse to leave than lack of fan support? Hence blowing up a quazi-functioning arrangement with Marvin Lewis and sinking back into the middle ages.

Convoluted? Yes. Needless Speculation? Yes. Alcohol-induced? Pfft its 5 o'clock somewhere and that somewhere is here! But I digress. This could be nothing more than Mike Brown being a pain-in-the-ass negotiator which is his calling card, but I have always been suspicious of the Brown family's loyalty to Cincinnati. And with LA waving the flag of the second largest media market in the country it wouldn't be a stretch to see Mike Brown rubbing SPF 50 on his glossy dome.

In Marvin We Trust

2010-02-24T00:19:00.001-05:00

It's Official....the Bengals sign WR Matt Jones

2010-02-12T13:08:00.004-05:00

Well....it's official, at 12:05 today the Cincinnati Bengals sign troubled wide receiver Matt Jones to a 1-year contract worth roughly $700,000.

Matt isn't the only "Jones" to be courted by the Bengals this week, the team also had Pacman Jones in for a visit as well.

Personally, I'm not thrilled with this signing because I'm not sure Matt brings a lot to this organization other than a couple run-ins with the law to add to our already sterling reputation around the league. At least Pacman and T.O. bring SOMETHING to the organization....a little TALENT. If we are going to take a chance on a player with a troubled past, shouldn't we make sure they can contribute on the field? I'm not sure Matt can, or is willing to put in the effort, to fill a void in our offense.

If there is one positive to come from this signing, it's that Bob and I have found yet another possible poster child of "OneManCrimeWave." There is certainly no shortage of possible candidates.

When is enough enough?

2010-02-12T01:19:00.003-05:00

The Bengals have reportedly offered a contract to criminal Matt Jones formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars and are interested in criminal Donte Stallworth of the Cleveland Browns according to Profootballtalk.com

Even though both players did not play in 2009 and they deserve to claw for a job like the rest of America currently is, the Bengals are seemingly interested in both. I am fed up. Playoff appearance or not I do not want to be cheering on guys like this. Mike Brown might think he is repeatedly presenting himself as a redeemer, but all I see is a bargain-seeking cheapskate looking to get a deal at the expense of a city's reputation and pride.

I'd rather Betty White play wide receiver for the Bengals than either of these rejects.

Censoring what I have to say about Mike Brown right now is killing me a little each curse at a time.

UPDATE: ProFootballTalk.com is also reporting the Bengals have given Pacman Jones a work out. Brilliant. Let the punchlines continue.

Retrospect

2010-01-29T14:56:00.000-05:00

The Saints are going to the Superbowl. Tell any Saints fan during the Aaron Brooks era that their team would be in the Superbowl by the end of the decade and they would probably be skeptical. That should give Bengals fans some hope that maybe our next Superbowl appearance isn't too far away.

Ten wins and a playoff birth should also supply some hope as well. Looking back on this season the one word I can use to describe it is bizarre. How often does a Bengals season start with the spotlight, supplied by Hard Knocks, on the Bengals? How often does tragedy strike the same team twice? How often does a Bengals team own its division and keep the Steelers out of the playoffs? It's not the norm as we know it but there are certain things about this bizarre season we could all get used to.

A couple moments defined this season and will stick out in my memory as the key points of the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals.

- Brandon Stokley catching the dream-smashing tip and running 80 yards started the season on a sour note. That type of play would presumably have a devastating affect on Bengals teams of the past but the team rallied the next week to beat a playoff team in the Packers.

- Both victories over the Steelers let the Superbowl Champions know they weren't going to Miami. For once Steelers fans have absolutely nothing to say after this season because the Bengals were undeniably the better team. However, the Bengals did do the Steelers a favor by giving James Harrison more time this off season to read his first non-picture book.

- The passing of Vicki Zimmer and Chris Henry gave us perspective and appreciation of those individuals in a way only tragedy can provide. The bonds between teammates, coaches, families and fans were made more tangible than any of us thought possible when we were robbed of two good people.

- The hard-fought victory of Kansas City sealed the ownership of the division and just the second playoff appearance in 19 years for the Bengals. I know I celebrated that win like fans of the Colts or Patriots celebrate conference championships.

Who can't wait until the draft?

Wild Card

2010-01-08T19:33:00.004-05:00

Well there they are. The Bengals are in the playoffs. This happens about as often as me talking the pants off a super model. So do what I am doing Bengals fans and bask in the fact that we are nationally relevant if only for three hours of a cold January day.

I hope the players and coaches are looking back to see what got them to this point and are realizing what a rare and special this chance is for this franchise. Tomorrow is a opportunity to make an impact on the lives of a group of fans that has been through the lowest of lows by giving them a victory and a reason to feel warm inside when the weather is hellbent on doing the opposite.

This match up is the classic small market versus big market clash. New York has the spotlight constantly burning their collective retina, while Cincinnati is a name you only recognize from the back of your Proctor and Gamble shampoo bottle. Jets fans have their gripes, some justified, but no group of fans has waited longer and endured more mediocrity and idiocy than those wearing orange and black.

This could be the start of a Superbowl run. This could be a quick exit. This could be the start of a dynasty. This could be a fluke in a sad history. This could make our year. This could make us sick.

Cincinnati Bengals,
That's the team we're gonna cheer to victory.

Who Dey!

Tragedy in Stripes

2009-12-17T18:59:00.004-05:00

A few years ago he was the punchline to every Bengals joke. He embarrassed the city with his comedy of errors and left us scratching our heads over whether he would ever straighten out. He did.

It took Chris Henry a little longer than most but he found his place in life and that place was in Cincinnati providing for his fiance and small children as a professional athlete.

As a player we knew him as the physically gifted deep-threat who caught the pass against Pittsburgh we will never forget. As a person we can choose to remember him for his mistakes or see the whole picture and remember him as the guy who was destined for the bottom, but battled back to the top.

The Bengals may be relevant again because of their record but fans around the country should realize this team's success is built around redemption stories, none of which was more impressive than Henry's journey.

RIP Chris.

Bengals to pay tribute to Henry

2009-12-17T13:36:00.001-05:00

From Ctrent....

The Bengals will be wearing this sticker on the helmets for the rest of the 2009 season in dedication to Chris "Slim" Henry.

R.I.P. Slim

2009-12-17T10:04:00.003-05:00

ESPN is reporting that Chris Henry has passed away this morning at the age of 26. It is an extremely sad day in Bengals History. Slim......you will be missed!

Update: I encourage everyone to read the following article on espn.com about Chris Henry's life transformation. It really is a sad day for Bengals fans....read it here.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris Henry

2009-12-16T18:45:00.003-05:00

According to numerous sources, Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has sustained life threatening injuries after being involved in a "domestic dispute" with his finacee in Charlotte, N.C.

While very few details are available at this time, it appears he and his fiancee were involved in an argument and she tried to drive away in a pickup truck, Henry jumped in the back and fell out.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris and his family....

Official report from Bengals.com