The Cincinnati Bengals should think about lower ticket prices to close the home schedule
by Kirkendall on Nov 7, 2009 11:10 AM EST
in Analysis
25 comments
For the third time this year, the Bengals need help selling out Sunday's game. On Friday afternoon, while the deadline approached, Local 12, the Bengals and Kroger worked together to sellout the remaining tickets available to assure that the game will be broadcasted in the Cincinnati market. Kroger and Local 12 were in large part why the Bengals were seen on local television during opening weekend against the Denver Broncos.
Kroger is planning on giving away 250 pairs of tickets "members of the military" which will be distributed "at Kroger stores in Hyde Park (10-11 a.m.); Lebanon, Union and Fairborn (11 a.m.-noon) and Anderson Towne Center (1-2 p.m.) today."
Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn writes in a statement:
“We are thrilled with the response from our fans, Kroger and Local12, and we are pleased that Bengals fans across the region can watch our game on Sunday. We have great fans and their vocal support will give us a real home field advantage for this big AFC North game. We are especially pleased that we will have so many members of the Military on hand.”
If the Bengals can not sell a game out, against a division rival while in first place, you have to wonder if this isn't another sign that the Bengals should be more aware of the area and their loyal fanbase. On Friday a released government report says "the U.S. unemployment rate hit a 26-year high of 10.2 percent last month." The state of Ohio's unemployment rate hovers around 10.1% in September (lost 258,100 jobs in one year). Kentucky's jobless rate is 10.9% and Indiana's is 9.6% in September. On Tuesday, Ohio voters voted to legalize Casinos by six points in an effort to bring money and jobs to the state. Hamilton county recently passed a $209 million general fund budget, which is $29.6 million less than last year and the smallest since 1999. An October 20 Middletown Journal article writes that jobless numbers in Hamilton County are at 10.8%, which actually feel from the previous month of 11.6%.
In one respect, the Bengals are helping out by assuring tickets are sold in one way or another. While Cincinnatians are struggling to sellout games at Paul Brown Stadium, the fifth home game will ultimately be sold out. However, the home games this year have mostly hosted teams that are in playoff races, such as Denver and Houston (wild card), or games with bigger fanbases like Pittsburgh and Chicago.
If we base on what we've seen this year, I find it hard to believe that the Bengals will be able to sellout their remaining home games. Cleveland could sellout, because most football fans in this state are either Bengals fans or Browns fans. After that, the Bengals host the Lions and Chiefs to close out the home schedule. Yikes.
With the economy and some many that remain jobless, I think it's time that the Bengals examine the possibility of reduced ticket prices for the remainder of this year. As of now, games against the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, the cheapest tickets remain at $64 through Ticket Master. Add to area parking, as well as concessions, and your price could easily top $90. And of course, you're not going alone. So let's add a few tickets for friends and/or family. Many can't justify that cost of even the cheapest ticket available.
Think of the advantages. Cheaper tickets means availability to more people, maybe even children who could become the future generation of Bengals fans who would buy tickets in 2020. Do the Bengals recognize that? It's a great public relations effort, with a fanbase that really doesn't trust the Bengals front office and hasn't for years. If they're looking at the bottom line, the Bengals won't have to eat the cost of those unsold tickets.
Now we'd be trivial not to mention that the Bengals wiped out the remaining tickets against the Ravens and plan to donate them. That's a great start. While they're looking to help out, the Bengals should keep trying, reaching out to a community that's struggling right now, even though the citizens of Hamilton County gave the team one hell of a stadium deal. Let's reciprocate the love a little for fans who could use a little help to support cheering for the team they've cheered for all of our lives.
25 comments | 0 recs |
Final Practice/Injury Report: Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
by Kirkendall on Nov 7, 2009 10:21 AM EST
in Injury
0 comments
CINCINNATI BENGALS
| QUESTIONABLE | PROBABLE | |
| T Andre Smith (foot) | RB Jeremi Johnson (knee) | |
| S Roy Williams (forearm) | DT Tank Johnson (foot) | |
| S Tom Nelson (shoulder) | ||
| RB Bernard Scott (knee) |
BALTIMORE RAVENS
| QUESTIONABLE | PROBABLE | |
| S Haruki Nakamura (chest) | LB Prescott Burgess (illness) | |
| DT Haloti Ngata (ankle) | TE Todd Heap (ankle) | |
| S Tom Zbikowski (illness) | LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder) | |
| LS Matt Katula (elbow) | ||
| RB Le'Ron McClain (shoulder) | ||
| CB Frank Walker (illness) |
Practice
| BENGALS | WED | THUR | FRI |
| RB Jeremi Johnson (knee) | LP | LP | FP |
| S Tom Nelson (shoulder) | LP | LP | FP |
| S Roy Williams (forearm) | LP | LP | LP |
| RB Bernard Scott (knee) | FP | FP | FP |
| T Andre Smith (foot) | FP | FP | FP |
| DT Tank Johnson (foot) | -- | -- | LP |
| RAVENS | WED | THUR | FRI |
| LB Prescott Burgess (illness) | DNP | FP | FP |
| LS Matt Katula (elbow) | DNP | DNP | FP |
| S Haruki Nakamura (chest) | DNP | LP | FP |
| DT Haloti Ngata (ankle) | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| CB Frank Walker (illness) | DNP | FP | FP |
| S Tom Zbikowski (illness) | DNP | LP | LP |
| TE Todd Heap (ankle) | LP | LP | FP |
| RB Le'Ron McClain (shoulder) | LP | LP | FP |
| LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder) | FP | FP | FP |
0 comments | 0 recs |
With the Bengals Flexing Their Muscle; Will NBC Flex Their Schedule?
by Jay McDonnell on Nov 6, 2009 8:30 PM EST
in I Wonder..
7 comments
When the prime time football schedule was released months ago, it was easy to expect not to see the Bengals a part of it. With the season they had last year, why should NBC, ESPN and the NFL Network reward a team with only 4 wins by putting them on the schedule? Oh, wait; the Browns got 2 games on prime time this year with just 4 wins from last season. Oh, well. I wonder if ESPN and the NFL Network wish they could flex their schedule.
This season has been far different from last season. The Bengals have already won more games this season, which is not yet half over, then they did all of last year. Plus, those wins put them in the middle of the AFC North Division title race with the defending Super Bowl Chumps, I mean Champs Pittsburgh Steelers. The majority of those wins have had the kind of ending the networks love; close, hotly contested with a last minute scoring drive to win the game. This was all unexpected from a team that was unable to score points or keep the opposition from doing so.
7 comments | 0 recs |
Will We See Andre Smith Against the Ravens?
by IFChris on Nov 6, 2009 4:32 PM EST
in I Wonder..
13 comments
Is this the weekend the Bengals see their first round draft pick hit the field for the first time this season? Considering what we were told going into the bye week, no doubt many Bengals fans were thinking, "Yes, I'll finally get to see Andre Smith play when the Ravens come to town," however, those thoughts might have been a bit premature. It's either that or Marvin Lewis just wants to keep everybody on their toes.
Or he's just practicing his non-committal skills.
Offensive line coach Paul Alexander would not discuss Smith's status. On Wednesday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Smith "would have to be one of the best 45 guys" to suit up.
So yeah, that sounds like an "I'll never tell" if there ever was one. It seems the Bengals staff seems really hesitant to use any of the offensive rookies at their disposal. Granted, Smith's ankle and his weight have been issues, but while every other team in the NFL showcases their new offensive talent, the Bengals take "wait and see" to a totally different level.
Now, if you are a defensive rookie with miles of potential, you'll have every opportunity to play through your mistakes. Unfortunately, that same level of approval seems to be missing for known college stars like Chase Coffman, and now Smith. Of course, the lack of Andre Smith "he's playing" talk might just be gamesmanship on the behalf of the coaches. Or it could very well be Lewis and his staff doesn't want Smith to stop working hard, and they feel any news about playing time could affect Smith's preparation.
Considering how well the Bengals have been running the ball, it's hard to not think how an Andre Smith, a player known as being an incredible run-blocker, might improve that aspect even more.
13 comments | 0 recs |
Breaking: Game between Bengals and Ravens sells out
by Kirkendall on Nov 6, 2009 3:35 PM EST
in Analysis
16 comments
Just when you think the Bengals are bound for their first non-sellout in nearly 50 games, somehow, someone (fans perhaps?) pull through. Local 12 Tweets that "*BREAKING NEWS* Bengals game WILL AIR Sunday at 1 p.m. on Local 12. Game is sold out!!" (via Joe Reedy's tweet because we actually don't follow local 12)
No word on how many were sold to fans, or to an area company or to a player looking to hand them out on Saturday. In fact, the team has yet to make the announcement official. We'll update as news breaks through.
But yea. Bengals. Ravens. Local 12. Time to kick some ass.
16 comments | 0 recs |
Blackout deadline approaches for Bengals; Chad isn't sensitive to how the Ravens feel
by Kirkendall on Nov 6, 2009 11:49 AM EST
in Analysis
14 comments
Like the other two times the Bengals were granted television extensions, we'll be waiting anxiously to see if the Bengals sellout Sunday, or if we're forced to listen to the radio and day dream of our boys in Lord of the Rings garb -- Andrew Whitworth is Sam, Carson Palmer is Frodo and Ray Lewis is Gollum. If it's like before, we'll get bits and pieces of information preceding a mid-afternoon announcement. So bit and piece #1: C Trent got a tweet that someone is going to the game "compliments of WKRC." Yea?
Sometimes you just have to appreciate right now and worry about tomorrow the next day. When Lance McAlister listed topics that are off the table when discussing the Cincinnati Bengals, WDR took exception. Lance said:
Off the table
Ever stop and consider the sports talk radio topics that are off the table with the Bengals winning?
Talk of......
1. Staging a walkout during a game
2. Banners to fly over the stadium or take into the game
3. Burning tickets
4. Boycotting sponsors
5. Firing the coach/who the next coach should be?
6. Who should they draft?
7. Billboards
8. Urinal cakes
9. The next task from Who Dey Revolution
10. What team to adopt?
11. Do you root for them to lose to embarrass Mike into change and get a better draft pick?
In response, WDR writes:
Clearly this list is directed towards WDR and its followers, seeing as how we're mentioned by name along with many of our actions towards instituting change and it correctly points out how some Bengals' fans typically stop supporting us when the team wins.
Once again, the cold-hard, un-Coors Light sponsored facts: this nice little run to begin the season, in the larger scheme, means nothing. Yes, nothing. Mike Brown continues running his organization in the same manner as he has since taking over, with methods that directly go against the "goal" of competing (like still employing only one full-time scout). Mike Brown, for the most part, put this team together using these same out-of-date, lazy and cheap methods that make reaching sustained success unrealistic.
But I ask this. Did Chick Ludwig give the quote of the day?
By not selling out Paul Brown Stadium against the Ravens, Bengals fans have spoken. You wanted a winner and finally got a winner. Now you’re turning your backs on the team. You prayed for rain. Now you’re complaining about the mud. Congratulations …
Levi Jones to start for the Redskins? Former Bengals left tackle Levi Jones signed with the Washington Redskins on October 20. In a Washington Post piece, David Elfin writes that "Levi Jones might make his first start at the position for the Redskins on Sunday at Atlanta." Jones was cut by the Bengals during the offseason:
"I have missed [18 games in seven seasons], but they label me injury-prone?" he said. "I've never been on injured reserve. To have that knock, I definitely want to get that off and show people that I'm back... and try to return to the elite status I once had."
Does one become King if they predict the future? Peter King predicts that the Bengals will lose to the Ravens by ten points.
Cincinnati is 3-1 in the past four in this series at Paul Brown Stadium. The 1: Baltimore 34, Cincy 3 last November. In this one, I say the Ray Rice Show continues. "He's better than we thought he was,'' John Harbaugh told me the other day. "He was pretty much an inside runner at Rutgers, but his blitz pickup and receiving skills are so much better than we thought.''
I rarely make predictions. It's not because I don't like it. No. It's because my crystal ball I used to see into the the future broke a few months ago after I threw my controller because a middle linebacker in Madden 10 made this impossible catch over the middle when he was twenty yards away while I was making my throw. Prick.
Who Dey Fans calls it a season sweep. Chick Ludwig calls it a three-point win.
The story of Cedric Benson fascinates. Sports Illustrated's Damon Hack chronicles Cedric Benson's return to the league as not just an effective running back, but a pretty good one.
The Bengals signed him on Sept. 30, and after two games he had earned the starting job. By the end of the 2008 season he'd rediscovered the power-running form that had made him one of the most accomplished backs in college football history—over the last three games for Cincy, Benson rushed for 355 yards. The resurgence has carried over to 2009. In Week 5 he became the first back in 40 games to run for more than 100 yards against the Ravens, pounding out 120 yards on 27 carries in a 17--14 win at Baltimore. And ultimate redemption came two Sundays ago at Paul Brown Stadium, when he gouged Chicago for a career-high 189 yards and a touchdown in a 45--10 romp that improved Cincinnati's record to 5--2 and certified the Bengals as a playoff contender.
If he continues at this pace, one has to believe that Benson is the leading candidate for comeback player of the year award.
If you're a Bengals fan and you don't like Chad, you kick puppies. Except for Tim, of course. As far as we know, Chad Ochocinco is 0-1 when sending gift care packages to opposing defenses the week that they play.
"I got a special package being delivered to the Ravens' secondary -- actually the whole defense," Ochocinco said. "I just want to send my condolences right now. You're welcome ahead of time."
My favorite quote in the ESPN piece is when James Walker asked Chad about the Ravens attitude after losing the first meeting on a last second touchdown.
"I can care less how they feel," Ochocinco said bluntly. "I can care less about their attitude. All of them."
That's our boy.
More, more, says Number Five.
Carson Palmer has thrown for 2,506 yards and 13 touchdowns in ten meetings against the Baltimore Ravens. Better still, he's 7-3.
It's still uncertain if Andre Smith will play this Sunday.
Robert Geathers and Michael Johnson are both looking to turn around disappointing starts to their season.
14 comments | 0 recs |
Bengals granted extension to sellout game against the Baltimore Ravens
by Kirkendall on Nov 5, 2009 3:34 PM EST
in Analysis
10 comments
Anytime you go three for three, that's really good. Unless the subject is rejection from women. But batting 1.000 is good by most standards. So far the Bengals have had three games that didn't sellout by the deadline (the third being against the Ravens). Cincinnati was granted a 24-hour extension to sell 3,000 tickets with the new deadline being 1 PM on Friday.
Said Bengals ticket sales manager Andrew Brown in a statement: “We still have approximately 3000 tickets to sell, so it’s by no means assured we can avert a blackout. But we are pleased to have the chance for some great closing sales to keep our sellout streak alive.”
Through seven games, Bengals ratings locally are up 36 percent with a 33.9 rating and 58 percent market share (it was 25.0/49 last year). That is the second biggest increase in the league with Arizona leading at 37 percent.
After not selling out either preseason game for the first time since 2005, the Bengals went down to the wire in order to sell out the regular-season opener against Denver when the team, Kroger and WKRC-TV (Channel 12) bought the remaining tickets. For the Houston game, Motorola bought the remaining tickets.
10 comments | 0 recs |
Practice Report: Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
by Kirkendall on Nov 5, 2009 9:52 AM EST
in Injury
13 comments
Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening, we'll (TRY TO) update the practice/injury chart leading up to Sunday's game. The chart is pretty self-explanatory. If the player is listed as out, they're out for the game. If they did not participate, they didn't practice. If they were limited, then they only participated during a portion of practice (typically means missing 11-on-11 drills). If the player is listed as full participation, it simply means that they practiced fully and that the only reason they're listed is because injury was an issue the week before.
Practice
| BENGALS | WED | THUR | FRI |
| RB Jeremi Johnson (knee) | LP | LP | |
| S Tom Nelson (shoulder) | LP | LP | |
| S Roy Williams (forearm) | LP | LP | |
| RB Bernard Scott (knee) | FP | FP | |
| T Andre Smith (foot) | FP | FP | |
| RAVENS | WED | THUR | FRI |
| LB Prescott Burgess (illness) | DNP | FP | |
| LS Matt Katula (elbow) | DNP | DNP | |
| S Haruki Nakamura (chest) | DNP | LP | |
| DT Haloti Ngata (ankle) | DNP | DNP | |
| CB Frank Walker (illness) | DNP | FP | |
| S Tom Zbikowski (illness) | DNP | LP | |
| TE Todd Heap (ankle) | LP | LP | |
| RB Le'Ron McClain (shoulder) | LP | LP | |
| LB Jarret Johnson (shoulder) | FP | FP |
13 comments | 0 recs |
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AFC North Standings
| W | L | T | PF | PA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
5 | 2 | 0 | 163 | 128 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
5 | 2 | 0 | 167 | 129 |
|
Baltimore
|
4 | 3 | 0 | 199 | 137 |
|
Cleveland
|
1 | 7 | 0 | 78 | 209 |
(updated 11.3.2009 at 4:44 AM EST)
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