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.

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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.

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This little discovery is... Well, it's disappointing is what it is.  I was perusing around the NFL's online pro shop, seeing if -- God forbid -- the had any of these monstrosities for the Cincinnati Bengals.  Fortunately, that answer is no, but that's about the only good news I saw while I was looking at the Bengals apparel inventory -- especially when I started looking at the jerseys.

For one, Odell Thurman jerseys are still available, albeit at discount.  Mind you, Thurman hasn't played a down for the Bengals since 2005, but yet, you can still rock his jersey if his rookie season meant that much to you.  The awesome jersey hits don't stop there either -- there are jerseys for Rudi Johnson, Housh, and Deltha O'Neal.  In fact, there are as many jerseys for non-Bengals (three) as there are for current Bengals (Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco and Rey Maualuga).

Oh, and adding insult to the injury that is the Andre Smith debacle, there's also a jersey for him as well.  Truth be told, I've almost bought it like five or six times already.  I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold out; and you are damn right that pun was intended.  As for the Bengals.com pro shop, they have a larger selection with players like Leon Hall and Robert Geathers, but they too have jerseys for Thurman and Housh, not to mention David Pollack -- although, I'm a little more supportive of that last one.

I suppose some of this is common knowledge around here, but it would be nice to see NFL.com keep a current inventory of Bengals jerseys as well as the obvious back stock they are trying to get rid of.

Besides, I thought the NFL gave their back stock to third-world countries.

This post might not be what you think it is and it may very well be more suited for the Fan Posts section, but something occurred to me while we've been going back in time, to the beginning of last year's Summer of Favre: I'm glad the Bengals aren't in need of a quarterback, because I don't think I could take it if Brett Favre was somehow interested in playing in Cincinnati.

Now, I'm not going to go into some violent evisceration of Farve, ala Big Daddy Drew -- I'm just not that eloquent with cuss words -- but the fact remains:  Favre's repetitive attention whore/diva act makes me happy the Bengals have Carson Palmer. 

Dude, if you want to play, play.  Just don't have televised conversations with Ed Werder saying how you are "unequivocally" done.

Because of your premature utterances about your career, you've become a laughing stock, and believe me, as fans of the Bengals franchise, we can recognize a laughing stock as well as any fanbase.

Will the Vikings be better than the Bengals if/when Favre signs?  Probably, but I take solace in the fact that Bengals fans won't be sitting there nervously waiting for our quarterback's first four interception game -- one that will surely come at a most inopportune time -- as he predictably returns to the bad habits that help stain an otherwise impressive career.

Now, if the Bengals can just protect Palmer's face for an entire season, he might be able to fulfill some of that endless potential he's so well known for.

Having some wondering moments? Me too.

I wonder...

...what we should expect against the Dolphins.

I hate to sound confident -- they've burnt my expectations like a wild fire -- but there's no reason that the Bengals can't pull this out. At first, when the Dolphins were making a run at being the most defeated NFL team of all-time, I wasn't just scared of losing -- I was petrified. Like most of you, I didn't want another chapter of Bengals futility to remind us that our struggles are far from being distant.

Then again, the Bengals have played down to their competition all season. They lost to the 5-10 49ers -- who are currently riding a two-game winning streak winning three of their past five. They lost to the 7-8 Cardinals -- who are decent, but lost after the Bengals did a poor job protecting the football. The Bengals also lost to the 4-11 Chiefs, barely beat the 3-12 Jets and were smoked by the 7-8 Bills. These are teams that all of us expected the Bengals to win.

...will Kenny Irons be ready next season?

In a piece by Mark Curnutte, Irons feels like he's on target of "being medically cleared in time to participate in training camp next July."

...then what?

With the season Kenny Watson is having, it's hard to simply say to him, thanks, but you're going back to your old role. Most expect Rudi Johnson to be playing his final game of the season Sunday -- if he indeed plays. And sadly, you have to always have someone on the roster or practice squad to replace the oft-injured Chris Perry. So if Irons comes back, and he plays, what should we expect?

I think Watson has provided enough to be given a shot as the team's feature back. If Rudi Johnson leaves, that will give a three-man competition for the team's feature back.

...what about DeDe Dorsey?

To me, that all depends on Chris Perry. If the team keeps Perry, then I don't see Dorsey on the active roster. I also don't see Dorsey willing to sit on the practice squad waiting for Perry to get hurt. To keep Dorsey, the only thing the Bengals can do, with the talent at that position competing for playing time next season, is hope that another team doesn't pick him up.

However, that completely changes if the team decides to let Perry go out of fear of injury.

The Cincinnati Enquirer picked up the story about Bengals tickets this year being available and sold at less than face value. Even though the tickets are sold through ticket agencies (who buy games in bulk) and Ebay-like websites, the the two remaining home games (Rams, Browns) are still sell outs -- no television blackouts.

Speaking of color-outs. I work in Dayton, but travel from a city that was once a nice old small town in Mason. What a drive. If it wasn't for the snow piling up with ice pelts slamming into my car, it was the 12 cars off the road I counted. The several lanes shutdown on 75 south. Or the constant slush that imprints itself on my windshield forcing me to clear out my windshield washer fluid reservoir. Then, as you see in the primer, we're going to have a high of 66 degrees at gametime. Most people that have logged years of residency in Ohio typically say, "Don't like the weather, wait until tomorrow." There's no truer description of Ohio than that.

But the snow did bring Santa Claus out of the North Pole for foster children.

To say that I've had a crazy past few days would be a complete understatement. As typical with normal life, I've had some real curve balls thrown my way. A fire at my apartment complex forced general evacuations when Missouri and Oklahoma prepared to kickoff Saturday night around the time West Virginia missed a field goal against Pittsburgh. Where's the justice in that? Two great games with massive Ohio State implications are being played while I stood outside in the cold blustery wind for what seemed like a plane ride from New York to Los Angeles. Thankfully, my cousin showed up and kept me company while watching the show the firefighters put on like synchronized harmony. It was cool. Don't worry. We extinguished the fire long before the fire department showed up.

Eventually, we got back in and watched, perhaps, just perhaps, the greatest single day for the Ohio State Buckeyes while not even playing a down for two weeks -- a talking point from people that suggest Ohio State shouldn't be in. Nevermind the two losses by LSU and the two times they lost their #1 ranking. Nevermind that USC is playing great right now, with two losses in a conference where they too, don't have a conference championship game. It's all about schedule, brother. That's why Hawaii's perfect record isn't even in consideration for the National title. It seems to me that no matter who you put in the National Championship game, the reactions will be the same. It's the WRONG MATCH-UP. Perhaps. But they are not addressing the actual teams in the National Championship game. No. They are attacking the higher-ups in the sport for not having a playoff. Why have two polls and a computer determine rankings?

No, I'm not going into a BCS vs. Playoffs rant. I did take the opportunity to enjoy the simple tangent because I'm psyched as hell the Buckeyes will be back in the National Championship game to amend their disaster last season. And to be a life-long Buckeyes fan, I have to admit, it's pretty damned cool to see this again. Since 2002, the Buckeyes will have been in three National Championship games. That's unheard of in this day of parity college football.

Dude, you're still rambling about college football. I know. I tend to accidentally transform posts taking a tangent and making it the feature feature piece. Whereas the feature piece becomes the tangent. Trippy, yo. You're seeing how I operate. I'm thankful to have such a little voice in my head that tells me to talk about the Cincinnati Bengals. Today, we all need that. Something to move on and realize this team just isn't going anywhere. But in a positive manner that doesn't force us to raise our hands in disgust or become born-again binge drinkers.

I'm trying. Don't get me wrong. I want to rant about them but there's really nothing that can be said that hasn't been said. Our superstars routinely fail to show up against great teams. They flounder their opportunities in must-win games dating back to the last three games in 2006. Our wide receiver, quickly recognized as the greatest receiver in Bengals history, isn't supported by the fans and the team makes hints at selfishness that we've all determined was directed at Chad -- hey, we haven't been told to assume differently. And obviously the argument for greatest franchise wide receiver is completely based on perspectives. For instance, older fans have tremendous memories with a guy like Isaac Curtis or Eddie Brown or Tim McGee and definitely Dan Ross -- I know he's a tight end, but a tremendous receiver as tight end. Even more would appreciate Cris Collinsworth if it weren't for his perceived arrogance on the radio or television. See what I mean? Tangent! Then again, I'm just musing out loud... would that eliminate tangents? Is this the most times you've seen the word "tangent" in one spot?

Anyway, I've said all I'm going to say about what troubles this team. I was tricked into believing 2007 would repeat 2005 based on the hope that the 2006 injury bug was truly dead. The bug didn't die. It turned into a full-blown 10-foot insect with enough strength to enslave you in preparation for the return of Planet X with all its prophetical glory. I was tricked into believing that the team "turned" it around against Tennessee only to conclude that their injuries have hurt them just as much along with a quarterback that's still considered potentially good.

And as long as we're shot down in the dark by an increasingly perceived egomaniacal coach, an owner with football senses that are not only dull, but dead and superstar players that are called out, mysteriously, by their head coach as selfish, we really won't know. We can assume. But where does that get us? Mostly reactions that we don't know much about football.

The Return of the Bungles, II
OK, I'm using the phrase way too much to be a credible Bengals fan. I suppose we all say wacky things when wacky events take place on wacky days. I'm confident that I'm not alone. Tickets, previously hard to come by, aren't only available, but available below face value.

Through all the wacky stuff... here's evidence that things are wacky out of control.

Did you know: That Rudi Johnson and James Farrior are pretty close?

Speaking of the Rams.

...if we're going to actually hear about Chad Johnson's celebration during rare domination.

In his weekly "observations" Mike Sando says:

I don't understand the comment. Palmer is widely regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks playing in the NFL. Not to mention, he won the Pro Bowl MVP last year. Just saying, he gets recognized. But recognition has never been an issue with Palmer. Mike, take the time out of your day and watch Palmer at the press conference or simply read his quotes. He's unassuming and modest as hell. He genuinely wants to help the team win and if it was primarily his choice, he'd never talk to the media. Being recognized isn't something he seeks. Even so, he's still recognized as one of the top quarterbacks playing.

If you're going to complain about Palmer's recognition, then why does the company you work for headline Johnson's name rather than Palmer's in the post-game recap piece? Is this something internal? Perhaps it's simply a gaff, as they say -- and I'm not referring to the Gulf Atlantic Florida Fishing magazine. Like I said, I just didn't get the comment. But the point was driven. It really has nothing to do with Palmer. It has everything to do with Chad Johnson's celebration

I'm not going to make a stink about DEFENDING Chad's celebration. I figure the team is all that matters, not the misguided sensitivities of either the national or local media. And John Thornton, the one of the team's Captains, said:

Now, I'm assuming that it doesn't matter what the Captain -- not some ordinary fellow in the lockerroom -- approved. Why? Because we need something to point out that's fatally wrong with this team. Just observe this week. It'll be like Chad converted into a werewolf that's 50 times worse than Satan and rummaged through an orphanage. Seriously, just observe and you'll learn the definition of over-reaction. But as long as the word "if" applies -- like "if" the Bengals lost by the three points the Titans recorded after Chad's first touchdown as if HE were fully responsible for the Titans driving down the field for a field goal -- only to hindsight and backseat drivers, then we're alright.

I probably won't dig into the topic anymore -- the team won, that's all I care about. But let's take a few pictures taken by Jeff Swinger from the Cincinnati Enquirer on Chad's celebrations.

This picture actually shows the weight of Cincinnati lift off both Marvin and Chad's shoulders.

Since we think that, unless you want to avoid a double-negative that you could be preaching about Marvin applying towards Chad, we also want to celebrate Chad's celebration with his big offensive linemen.

Finally, here's a picture of Chad and Palmer celebrating. The best of all. Recognize!

...how a few minutes in a standard year can be that big of a difference.

I don't think we had a chance against the Bills. We ensured a loss no matter what we did. Instead, go back to the Arizona game. A game we really should have won. The team's 5-6 record -- sitting in the world of elves, Hobbits and Wizards -- would create a scenario that would have the Bengals breathing down the Browns' necks. The Browns have the second wild card spot. Even so, there's five games left this season. Could the Bengals accidentally fall into the playoffs? If they plan to, they have to beat Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The others -- St. Louis (PBS), at San Francisco and at Miami -- are very winnable games. When Chad Johnson told Peter King Sunday Night that the Bengals could run the table if they beat Pittsburgh, he wasn't kidding. But in order for the Bengals to have a shot, they must win out.

Being 4-7 means you need help. A lot of it. I don't expect to overtake the Steelers for the division, but a Wild Card after the Jacksonville Jaguars -- need I remind you, isn't the most consistent of teams in recent seasons -- is very realistic. Then you look at the Browns remaining schedule. They don't face anyone, currently, with a winning record. The "Home/Away" means their opponent's season record at either home or away.

The one thing going for the Bengals is that Sunday is a remarkably nerve-wrecking (yes, wrecking) day for teams like the Browns clutching on that sixth playoff seed with their lives. Upsets are inevitable -- especially against teams that have plenty to prove but nothing to lose. What works against the Bengals? The Browns have a pretty fluff schedule remaining. Another thing going for the Bengals however is that the Browns still sport the league's worst defense. Here's hoping that bites them.

The Buffalo loss could have lasting affects also. The Bills (5-6) beat the Bengals and now own the tie-breaker. But their road during the season's remaining five games is much more difficult than the Browns.

Note: Washington, Philadelphia and New York (Giants) are 6-2 against the AFC. We need the Browns to beat the Bills. Well, in fact, we need everyone to beat the Bills and then everyone to beat the Browns. I understand there's other teams out there that are in the same boat as the Bengals. Such as Titans (6-5), Broncos (5-6) and Chiefs (4-7 and tie-breaker against Cincinnati). So, like I said, we need a lot of help. But it's there. Of course, then there's Pittsburgh...

...if Cincinnati will actually not be eliminated from the playoffs by Pittsburgh like the past two years.

Blitzburgh said, "Honestly, I'm a bit surprised by the decision. The Jaguars at the Colts seems like a more obvious choice, with 1st place on the line in the AFC South." There's truth to that. And if I were a casual football observer, with no major interests in either game, the Jags and Colts might be the more entertaining match-up. But the thing with flex scheduling is that networks feared NBC would cherry-pick their best games. So the league heavily consults with the networks to help everyone preserve their marquee games. No way in their right mind would CBS allow the Colts and Jaguars be moved off their networks. Fox has the Saints and Buccaneers, Giants and Bears, Seattle and Philadelphia and the Lions and Vikings (the team that smoked Eli Manning and the Giants). Irregardless, the Bengals and Steelers prove to be the more interesting match-up. Why?

There's history there. The Bengals, until redemption sought after 2005 Wild Card Game #1, were shutout of last year's playoffs after Santonio Holmes scored on a 67-yard pass -- more like 10-yard pass, missed tackle and open field. The loss eliminated the Bengals from the playoffs. In a way, the Steelers have been the one road block in the past two seasons for the Bengals post-season plans. They've eliminated us twice in the past two seasons.

The game itself might mean little if the Bengals win. If we lose, then we'll ensure the season will not finish above .500. If we win, then we drag out our playoff chances for one another week.