Cincinnati Bengals (4-1) Links and Notes: First place edition

There is much to talk about today, the day that the Bengals finally get some love in national media. We actually  got more than simple AP recaps to today's game. CBS, SI and ESPN took special note of the Cardiac Cats.

What a game. Without further ado, links to the multitude of photos and stories following the Bengals' 4th straight victory.

• As always, post-game quotes from both sides. The Ravens players blame a lack of execution, Ed Reed almost blames the refs. Coach Harbaugh gives the Bengals props. Cedric Benson describes his day as "awesome," and we get a feel for the closeness of this locker room as it rallied around Mike Zimmer.
• And we'll turn to the local guys at the Enquirer. Leading off is Joe Reedy's recap. As always, Joe's stuff is worth the read. Reedy also put together a short-form recap (man, Leon Hall is good). Paul Daugherty was extraordinarily active on Sunday, writing 2 post-game articles instead of his customary one! First, Doc pays tribute to the excellence in coaching - and in humanity - that we've found in Mike Zimmer, and attests to the community in the locker room that this Bengals fan is sold on. Daugherty also found time to talk to Cedric Benson, and really, you gotta love this kid. He's been the best in the NFL dating back to last December, and it's hard to argue he's a fluke. The Bengals offense can smash some mouth, and if having a 100+ yard rusher against the Ravens doesn't prove it to the pundits, nothing will.
  
• Finishing up from the Enquirer from some not-so-usual suspects, Ryan Ernst has some notes following the game, primarily telling us that Brad St. Louis is no longer a good player. Ernst also has a good quote from Chad, who apparently is sporting a black-eye after Ray Lewis lit him up. The Enquirer also had some GREAT photos from this game. I couldn't pick just one, but felt it was appropriate to continue to highlight our favorite coach.
• In other local media, here's Geoff Hobson's recap: "We've got no talent, just heart. No talent, just heart." - Andrew Whitworth. Nice to hear that Whit, after hearing TJ talk about talent all these years. Heart is apparently better than talent, because heart has us 4-1, and 3-0 on the road.
  
• CNati.com is a cool sports journalism site dedicated to covering Cincinnati sports. They should, however, begin to recognize Cincy Jungle as a "trusted" website and start carrying links to our stories. Please, C. Trent? Anywho, here's their recap... and their version of "BSL is no good." The cool thing about CNati are the unique quotes and angles, and good photography.
  
• Onto the national media's lovin's! First stop, national sports mega-conglomorate ESPN. Not only are we a lead story, but James Walker did a special piece to highlight the Bengals' win for Zim. Walker has to feel pretty good about his pre-season prediction of the Bengals as a darkhorse. More from ESPN: John Clayton says the Bengals are defying logic. I didn't notice that, I just noticed that we know how to win games. Next up, SI.com's Don Banks prominantly features the Bengals in his snap judgments. We're now officially his "surprise team of the year." Move over, Broncos! Moving on, CBS Sportsline has a video recap and Clark Judge writes that the Bengals are for real. Make room on the bandwagon.
• So much national media lovin', we get two whole bullets. Jimmy Johnson, writing  for Fox Sports, says that the Bengals cannot be overlooked. "The Bengals are so much better than anyone gave them credit for; no one was really prepared for this. Without one fluke play in the loss to the Broncos, they would be 5-0." PFT editor Mike Florio is sold on the Bengals too.
  
• NFL.com's Steve Wyche has an excellent review of the game with plenty of video and quotes. They take lots of angles and I think it's a really good recap. Oh yeah, it's another "Bengals are for real" article.
• To cap it all off, the LA Times' - Los Angeles! - Sam Farmer's weekly NFL column highlights the Bengals as one of the best teams in the league. Feels good, don't it?