Hello, Bengal fans (and after tonight, maybe some foes). This is Mrs. Stripe, writing on behalf of an angry, depressed and disheartened Mr. Stripe. A Mr. Stripe that only an hour ago vowed to not even watch the SUPER BOWL. We’re in dire straits here, people.
So, did you watch the game? Okay, I guess that’s a rhetorical question. How many of you went to the game? What was the feeling of the crowd? On the other side of the “tube,” it sounded as if the crowd was pumped up, which I was psyched about. I also was happy to hear some boo’s from the crowd. I’m glad the fans attending the game let the team know how they feel. Maybe next season instead of listening to play calls from the coaches, the players should enlist the input of the crowd. Shouting means nice job-do it again; booing means drop the idea and don’t do it again.
My immediate thought after the game was– CLEAN HOUSE. Okay, except keep Cedric Benson. Many of you know how vehemently Mr. Stripe hates Shayne Graham. You can only imagine how vengeful he felt during the game tonight. And did you know he drives a Ferrari? Not that I’m happy with Chad Ochocinco right now (and disregard the oddly giant truck he gave himself today as a birthday gift…) but he drives around a Mercury Marauder. WHEN YOU ARE A KICKER IN THE NFL, AND A CRUMMY ONE AT THAT… you should save your dollar bills for a rainy day. Don’t be driving around a Ferrari for heaven’s sake. I know, I know, there have been many a time where Shayne has saved the game, sure, fine, I’ll accept that. But I will never forget on Dec. 31, 2006 when he missed a very important field goal in the final game of the season and we missed out on going to the playoffs (I remember it because it was myself and Mr. Stripe’s first football game together and our seats were in the end zone Graham was kicking towards)- DEAR MR. BROWN, SHAYNE GRAHAM IS A HOT MESS, GET RID OF HIM. Many thanks!
Moving right along… Carson Palmer. I read a few moments ago on Cincinnati.com a comment from a Bengal fan that likened Mr. Palmer to that of a Mr. Ken Griffey, Jr. Lots of hype and winning promises that ended with nothing but frustration and mediocrity. I think it’s a good connection to make– Palmer is to Bengal fans what Griffey was like to Reds fans… and if history speaks for itself, Palmer’s departure won’t mean much. Look, I know lots of people think Carson is great, fantastic, best thing to happen to Cincinnati. I disagree and have always disagree. I want to see a QB with fire. I want to see a QB that wants to win and gets fired up when we lose. I know, I know… gotta respect that Southern Californian laid-back calmness. But, I’m sorry, this is the NFL. People pay thousands of dollars a year for season tickets because they want to be entertained and they want to SEE A WINNING TEAM PLAY. DEAR MR. BROWN, SEND CARSON PALMER TO A THERAPIST SO HE CAN FIND THE EMOTION INSIDE OF HIM. Many thanks!
Finally, I would like to send a note of thanks to Mr. Cedric Benson. Ced, you have been the light of the season. You are a team player and have given every ounce to Bengal fans of blood, sweat and tears possible. I wholeheartedly feel there are only a handful of players on this team that actually care about winning, and you are one of them. I teared up watching you play against the Bears when you totally kicked their butts and the Bears fans surrounding us in the stands were stunned and embarrassed. YOU GOT THEM. Boo-yah.
A couple last notes. Would also like to thank Dhani Jones, whose jersey I will be purchasing prior to the next season. You da bomb and your line of bow ties is great, too. Thanks for being a team leader on defense and thank you for being you (OH! And for doing those funny Febreze commercials…). Also, does anyone else think that even though Chad’s off-field antics have affected his play this season? Granted this season’s activity has been about him playing video games instead of complaining about how bad the team was and how he wanted out, I still think they took a detrimental toll on his weekly play. WHY is it OK for him to be out shopping Fifth Ave. with his mom before the Jets game last week? Befuddles me.
Ok– hope you all are doing something fun tonight to get your spirits back up. Hopefully Mr. Stripe will be able to get out of his slump and post here soon 
