By Shane Bulcher
Guest Blogger
Well Bengal fans, times are tough.
It seems like Bengaldom is currently in the midst of a recession, as we take hit after hit.
Personally, I have taken a beating lately from our rival fans, and it’s worse than ever. Which says a lot, considering the decade we went through known as the 90’s. I think what makes the latest string of disappointments more sour than ever is the fact that just two seasons ago we were rejoicing and celebrating our promising team.
It wasn’t all that long ago Bengal fans were watching Carson and Co. compete for a division title. At the time they were even being mentioned as Super Bowl contenders.
It all started to change on that fateful night, December 15th, 2005. That was the night of Chris Henry’s first arrest, for marijuana possession (he was pulled over for speeding and police found marijuana in his shoe). Most didn’t think too much of the incident at the time and most thought that Henry would get a slap on the wrist and soon enough it would all be forgotten, but it was just the beginning.
Henry’s arrest seemed to trigger a domino effect with Bengal players and run-ins with the law. Soon enough Henry was in trouble again (this time in Florida), then came a DUI for Deltha O’Neal, Reggie McNeal’s drug possession and Eric Steinbach’s boating under the influence (BUI). By the time first rounder Johnathan Joseph was arrested in January 2007, nine players were arrested in all.
All of the incidences have taken a serious toll, in many ways. The team’s overall play hasn’t been anywhere near the same since the arrest melee that followed the ‘05 season, and it’s really affected the fan base and league wide perception. ESPN has had more Bengals’ coverage than ever, but it’s for all the wrong reasons.
This off season has probably been the hardest to deal with. It all started with Chad Johnson, declaring that he was demanding a trade, change of scenery, a breath of fresh air, or whatever he’s calling it now. Then came a free agency in which we lost several key players (albeit from a poor defense) and only added two solid players. Then came two big misses on defensive tackle trades, the most costly being Shaun Rogers, and the salt in the wound being that he went to our in state rival, the Brownies.
However, there’s some good news from this off-season, the league awarded the team with four compensation picks, including a third rounder. With these grueling months past us, we can only hope that it’s time that Cinci makes some moves to energize the team and the fans. In the draft there are two pro bowl caliber tackles (Glen Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis) that are just what the doctor ordered. The Bengals are in dire need of a big play maker to clog the middle of the field and free up the linebackers, and I believe these guys can do just that. The only problem is, both of them will almost certainly be gone when the Bengals are on the clock with the ninth pick. In order to get one of the two elite tackles, the Bengals will need to part ways with some picks.
I am sure most of you fans have been catching serious trash talk from anyone not a fan of the Bengals, due to the recent media blitz. It’s gotten so bad that some of the Bengal faithful are growing weary of the arrests and management, to the point that many are losing hope. It has been tough, but it’s only April, and once the season kicks off, the offseason will be nothing but a distant memory. If the Bengals can step it up on defense with the addition of coordinator Mike Zimmer, and get their offense back on track, then there’s no reason that they can’t do what the Packers did last season and Saints the season before; rebound, make the playoffs and be a contender again. Don’t lose faith, we still have Carson, Marvin and many other reasons to believe that our team can get back on the track to greatness.
12 comments ↓
Great points. I can only add that Chad is going through the “Corey Dillon” stage of being so angry with the Bengals head office that he forgets about the devoted fans who have cheered him on more then any other player. I wish he could follow T.J.’s lead and just play the game, cash his checks and appreciate the god given talent he has and the devotion of the Bengals fans who continue to support the Bengals through thick and thin.
Adam,
A very good bit of writing, you are sounding more professional on a daily basis, bravo.
You never know if Woody actually knows what is going on or if he doesn’t. It is a mystery.
You made some great points, Shane Bulcher. Being a Bengals fan is rough these days, but I’m hopeful that the Bengals can focus week-to-week on the game itself. Well Done, great addition to Bengalstripes!
Welcome Auntie and Ben-Gal!
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great article, really something to really think about.Hopefully Chris Henry”s situation will teach the other players a lesson.
I’m really rooting for Marvin to turn this sinking Titanic around, but I’m not sure he’s the guy. If things don’t go well the first 4 games the outcry from the fans will become deafening.
And, other than the Cowboys, can you name me a quality organization that doesn’t have a GM? Brown should get the heck out of the way, but there’s no reason to believe he will. Until that happens…we just cross our fingers.
The Browns fans I know already have them in the play-offs this year. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve got reason to be happy this off-season. With the Bengals seemingly falling apart, and PB & Balt doing not much to help their case this year. It does look good for them. But I think the main thing is I can see(hope for) some overconfidence in the Browns. They don’t have a star QB, and I think that is their chink in the armor. Either you have Anderson, which could fall back into his mistake prone self, or a rookie.
The Bengals on the other hand have a star QB, in a likely to be depleted receiver corps. I like the Bengals chances of grabbing another reciever more than the Browns chances that Charlie or Brady can equal a Carson Palmer. That is my hope for the year, and one of these extra picks that Cincy has this draft.
Who knows, maybe since no one has high hopes for the Bengals we will come out and surprise everyone. For the past three years we have been saying the Bengals need to live up to thier potential, but since we do not seem to have much potential this season we could be surprised at what the Bengals bring us.
Personally, I’m glad to see Chris Henry go. He was too much of a liability. He made a couple great plays in the start of his Bengal career, but after that when he did get to play I wasn’t impressed. So I’m not sad to see him go…good ridance I say. He would have been banned for the entire season anyway…waste of money.
And the WR who shall not be named, is only out for his selfish personal gain and not in it for the team. And what do they always say “the team is only as strong as the weakest player”.
PS. Living in Atlanta, I haven’t taken anymore slack than I usually do for being a Bengals fan but then again, they can’t say much with all the recent Falcon drama. The WR and Chris may be making career suicide but no dogs were harmed.
After the draft and whatever happens with that; the Bengals need a serious mental evaluation and therapy. Some, but not all are all about being spoiled bad boy brats. That my friends, will kill the team effort worse than anything! This is no joke…hire a professional shrink team to get the Bengals back to the jungle in the best frame of mind for a winning season! Oh, and don’t bother calling Dr. Phil…get a real certified sports shrink. Stat!
Half the people in Atlanta don’t know there is a football team in town. I’m sure they are confused what the name of the city’s NFL team is - is it the Atlanta Falcons or the Georgia Force?
That is dawg country.
NICE ARTICLE BUT CHAD IS A UNGRATFUL PIECE OF CRAP AND IM SORRY DID YOU FORGET V.G. FROM THE O.S.U.
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