As Cincinnati picks up the pieces from the fury of Ike (and let me just say this: if all it takes to bring us to our knees is a stiff wind, than all these enemies of the USA can forget about nuclear weapons) it's a good time to examine the state of your Cincinnati Bengals. Notice, I didn't say 'our' Cincinnati Bengals. They're all yours until further notice.
Why should we not have seen this coming? This is, after all with few exceptions, the same team that we have hear last year. And how did that work out? The owner undercut his coach and brought back the poster child for "Bad Bengals" (Chris Henry) and the coach and his staff summarily cut the locker room cop and conscience (Wille Anderson), a running back who has performed well in bad weather (Rudi Johnson) and a cornerback who would be a decent nickel back in a young secondary (Deltha O'Neal).
This is a football team without direction and without a plan. Do yourself a favor and vote on this poll I have at the top of the page. I'll bet the final prediction tally will be 3-13, or worse.
The Bengals, and rightfully so, continue to get lampooned by the national media. In his Monday posting on si.com, former NFL personnel direction Mike Lombardi gives the Bengals a "D" for their efforts this week. I think that's generous.
Meantime, over at cbssports.com, scroll down to see what Clark Judge thinks about what's going on here in Cincinnati. He also thinks Marvin Lewis is in trouble in this post. I don't agree. Marvin isn't quitting and the Bengals owner doesn't pay people to not work. This situation exists through the 2010 season.
It appears as though referee Ed Hoculi won't be working the Super Bowl next February. Not after blowing that call in Denver Sunday. And not after the NFL said this today.
See, and you thought you had a tough weekend....
THE BROO VIEW: Cincinnati's Legendary Sportscaster Offer His Thoughts On The Ever Changing World Of Sports
