When CJ Attacks: Voodoo Dolls wouldn't be so bad if they worked

If you, or your friends, have tickets and don't plan on going. WDR's sixth task was a huge success; local media promoted it, national media noticed it. And it makes everyone happy. If you have friends with tickets but plan to do something else during the season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, then donate them to Lighthouse Youth Services. I've redirected several friends there now, who originally intended to put them on CJ (CincyJungle) to sell at face value. Whether they did or not, I'm not sure. They're not on this site, so we could only assume.

Something you have to wonder. Does Carson Palmer really enjoy being promoted as such a wimp, that he can't play football the rest of this year because he's in "harm's way"? Who could be a fan of that type of mindset with their quarterback, their appointed team leader? Again, if he's healthy and wants to play, then go for it. Give the Bengals some off-season momentum, or inspiration, or something to be proud of; being a worry wart isn't something to be proud of, is it Butters? The team not forcing him onto IR earlier in the season with a constant wrecking ball easily passing the offensive line, notwithstanding.

Shutout of the Pro Bowl. I think if a team is 2-11-1, then there's no way in the world that they should showcase anyone in the Pro Bowl. True, it's an individual award given to those that performed above their peers at their position. With that said, the Bengals aren't likely to send anyone to the Pro Bowl. Of the most likely, T.J. Houshmandzadeh just isn't impressing the league at wide receiver like he did last season. Even though his 92 receptions ranks third, his 904 yards receiving (17th), four touchdowns (t-27th), 9.8 yards-per-reception (t-136th), and 51 first down receptions (t-10th) just won't cut it. Yes, he's the best player on the team this year. Yes, it would be really unwise to let him go free agency after this year. Both I've actively promoted. But one of the best receivers in the NFL this year? I just can't make that case.

Another that wishes to be woken when Palmer returns. James Walker wishes to be woken up when Palmer "may" play. So that's the deal with the Bengals coverage this year. Joke of a team or not, ESPN's AFC North blog has been primarily about three teams, the Ravens, Browns and Steelers. We understand the point of better teams getting better coverage, but all you have to worry about is four teams. Four. Even so, I think Walker does a fantastic job of those three teams, but c'mon. Where's the 2-11-1 Bengals love?

Technicality is becoming an idiot's nature. Yesterday we spoke about instant replay (well, I did, all of you were perfectly obedient school children... gold stars for all!). Today I wanted to briefly point out an annoyance with Sunday's Steelers / Ravens finale (if you don't call me a hypocrite for busting James Walker's chops above, then you have no sense of humor). Well, not the actual game. Nearly unanimously, people think that yes, Santonio Holmes DID cross the goalline. ESPN with their wicked technology stuff, glowed the goalline, highlighted the football to prove that Holmes is in. But that's not the point; the point is that the replay was inconclusive, therefore shouldn't have been reversed. So, yes, people watched the replay and said, "yea, he's probably in." But "it's not conclusive."

If you looked at the replay, said to yourself, yea, he's in, how can you go back and say, "but it's not conclusive." We understand spin doctors, truth serums and voodoo dolls more than being totally knocked unconscious by a word like "indisputable". This normally wouldn't be a big deal with me, but I heard about this more than President Bush's ninja-like reflexes avoiding a size ten. No, two size tens.

And also take note to those replay detractors (Paul Daugherty), that this play brought up the tuck rule -- Patriots and Raiders game in 2001. The Tuck Rule. Seven years ago. Replay works just fine, especially if you have to back seven years ago. The system employed by the NFL, not so much. Then again, maybe it's just Walt Coleman. Didn't he do both games?

Q and A with John Clayton.