When you think of Michael Vick, the word "mistake" is hardly a common one. A mistake would be missing an exit on the highway. A mistake would be cooking a steak medium well when you wanted it medium rare. A mistake is misinterpretation of an email because the responder left caps lock on. A mistake is listening to Velvet Revolver with the expectation that it's going to be good.

Chad's opinion differs.

Iron Family

Tonight was supposed to be the David Jr vs. Kenny Irons brother match-up.

The Bengals Farm Maze

For $6, you can guide through this maze for boxes and Bengals trivia. Pretty sweet.

Either later today, or tomorrow morning, we'll release Monday Night's preview. That will, like the others, will appear in the Diaries to the right. As of now, it's more or less a press release. When we hit the regular season the preview will include press releases, interviews with opposing bloggers and updated stats... plus more when we have it.

Hurt tight ends waived

Bobby Blizzard and Sean Mulcahy were placed on waivers. Likely no one will pick either up and both tight ends would go on IR to rehab. [Curnutte's blog]

More on Lemar Marshall

"Yeah, I mean, guys are welcoming me. I played with a couple (Kenny Watson). It's a blessing right now. I'm trying to make the best of it. It feels good to be on a team. I didn't have long to sit out. God gave me the opportunity. It feels good to be home. Once the season starts, I'll be bombarded with tickets." - Lemar Marshall on coming back home.

"It means that everybody has to pick it up," Lapham said. "Guys that thought maybe they had it made may not have it made as easily as they thought. Lemar is another guy to compete for a job. (Head coach Marvin Lewis) knows all about him. He gives them a lot of versatility. He's like Landon Johnson, but a more experienced Landon. He can play every linebacker position and special teams." - Dave "Mr. Bengal" Lapham on picking up Marshall.

More on Bengals.com

Jones still practicing

Levi Jones is practicing for the third straight day... with knee braces on both knees. [Bengals.com]

A Sam Wyche sighting

[The State]

First, the praise writer portion of this post: I appreciate Paul Daugherty's columns. They are well thoughtout. I appreciate writers that can take a stand on a position and stick with it. You may not agree with his opinions, but the guy has style.

Now, the point of the post:
Hamilton County Municipal Judge John Burlew went on the offensive against the NFL for "promoting alcohol consumption during games but punishing their employees for drinking" calling the NFL hypocrites. The judge has a point, doesn't he?

You can't lay blame of Odell Thurman against the NFL because they promote alcohol. Daugherty takes the judge to task.

Good news on the injury front.

Levi Jones is back to practice and Lewis didn't rule out "Perry starting the season on the roster instead of the physically unable to perform list". Jones could start against Atlanta Monday Night. Also, Jeremi Johnson is back.

Q & A with Chris Perry. [DDN]
Perry says rehab is 'going well' [DDN]

Other notes in above linked articles.

• No Trotter for you!
• Henderson placed on IR for the year Tuesday

Other articles.

• On Skyler Green

Is Brooks on the edge of losing his starting job before preseason game #3?

Appears that way. He's been pretty bland in the first two games... enter Ed Hartwell. Plus...

Could Alex Stepanovich be the odd center out?

[DDN]

Other nuggets

"It's time for me to show guys and myself that I can play at this level," Rucker said. "They only know me as a guy that's just been here. It's a good feeling to be out there battling with guys instead of standing around."
- Frostee Rucker on being back on the field.

But Lemar Marshall?

He was officially signed Thursday.
Bengals sign LB [Curnutte's Blog]

The last two seasons, the former St. X player has 202 tackles, 3.5 sacks and four interceptions -- one returned for touchdown. [NFL.com]

Last night, around my 1 a.m. bedtime, it sounded as if local crickets were making sounds towards the full moon. Problem is, there was no full moon. And the only cricket making sounds was inside my place under a massive dresser. There's a lot of things to drive a man mad. And laying in bed, hearing an over-audioization of chirping until 4 a.m., is one of them.

I live in a very old apartment complex that's creaky and holy. Not that kind of holy. There's holes underneath the foundation with cracks that reach up the base. So during summer, I see the occasional bug. Not many. But there is a roster. I'm terrified of spiders. Hated them since they've crawled up my leg in right field during those intense dandelion observations with the occasional baseball breaking the horizon during my T-ball years. But the roster is why I don't kill the spiders. They're natures' cleaning service. And business is good.

But there's also a myth. If you kill one spider, the others stay away. Almost like, "Yo, Frederick, I think I see Carlos five clicks away from the dishwasher." "Ah, man. That sucks, he owes me $9". I killed one about two weeks ago. So, if one believes in myths, I didn't have my maid service while the cricket from hell caused his reckless cricketing anarchy. It was a long process. At first, I thought he was outside near my window. The first reason I believed he was inside, is that I stood up and the chirping stopped. Like I would totally forget he was there. Of course, the cricket didn't note that I wasn't a predator looking for a meal. I was just one pissed off cranky bastard with a 7-iron. Eventually I triangulated the position and eliminated the anti-sleep Darth Cricket. Then a carriage of horses with a big bed and fluffy pillows took me off to the house of Sandman.

Second casualty

The second major Bengals casualty is Eric Henderson. Curnutte says there's a "chance he could be" placed on season-ending IR"

Cuts

There's been three cuts so far -- as of Monday morning.

• Jeff Smith - QB (Georgetown College)
• Bryan Andrews - DE (Wake Forest)
• Elliot Seifert - OT (Temple)

What they're saying..

• Chick's predictions and mock rosters.
• Preseason loss doesn't foreshadow season [DDN]
• Hobson's five observations

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli published his five observations about the Cincinnati Bengals. If you follow the Bengals with any regularity, this is pretty much status quo information -- and stuff we've already covered.

His first observation was that the Bengals defense needs more bite.

Pasquarelli specifically pointed at a thin group of linebackers. The expectations of Ahmad Brooks are unwarranted right now -- especially being shutout of tackles against Detroit. He says of Brooks, "Middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks, a third-round choice in the 2006 supplemental draft, has first-round skills. But for all his physical impressiveness, he doesn't seem to make a lot of plays, and had zero tackles in the preseason opener."

In his second observation, he talks about the youth in the secondary. Pasquarelli expects good things from Nedu Ndukwe. For a time this offseason, ESPN's senior football writer, repeatedly said that the Bengals coaching staff are disappointed in Madieu Williams. This time around, he says that the coaching staff feels that Williams is "back on track".

The third observation is the loss of Chris Henry.

The fourth observation is the offensive line. Having lost Rich Braham and Eric Steinbach, the Bengals will employee Eric Ghiaciuc and either Andrew Whitworth (no mention) or Stacy Andrews. Add that to realistic chance that Willie Anderson and Levi Jones could miss some time at the start of the regular season. Bobbie Williams could be the only player that starts on the line that started in last year's opener.

Pasquarelli finishes up with his fifth observation -- defensive tackles.

The case for Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman, while the player's union sits on their hands awaiting order from NFL Chancellor Roger Goodell regarding Thurman's appeal, is heading to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. As mentioned before, Thurman isn't just suspended -- he's expelled from the league until Goodell approves his reinstatement.

Bengals medical staff

I'm not a doctor nor do I have any connection with medicine -- except for bottles of aspirin Saturday and Sunday morning. But we're heard several times about misdiagnosis that's expanded the delay which a player makes their return after off-season procedures.

Now Willie Anderson, possibly preparing for a missed start against the Ravens in regular season game #1, is frustrated because it took so long to address the actual problem.

Hobson is saying that he could be out against Baltimore and "a lot more games than that." Just to explain how serious the mysterious injury is, Anderson says the procedure either works or bad news comes out.

Left tackle, Levi Jones could miss some time also.

I get the feeling that injury will be a big issue this season.

Bengals/Saints practice

The Bengals and Saints are conducting joint practices together. Kevin Kaesviharn and Brian Simmons reunite with old 'mates. Kenny Chesney will suit up as a wide receiver and workout with the Saints.

Go to Canal Street Chronicles.

Two back system

The Bengals cursed designation of #2 back lands players in the medical ward. Some successful teams in last year's playoffs employed a two-running back system. And it's not like they are equal partners -- the talent as the #2 back, more of a specialty back than a relief back, allows for an added dimension on offense. That's the trend at least. The Saints are the leading examples of a two-back system adding dynamics to a team's offense.

Flash back

Remembering the Bengals 31-16 win at New Orleans.

Len Pasquarelli wrote a good piece on Rudi Johnson being one of the league's premier workhorses. Like previous off-seasons, Rudi has spent time redeveloping his body to withstand the pounding and condition. This off-season he's working on his leg power.

Site note: I will have pre-game stuff soon.

Where are they now?

• Former Bengals quarterback, Virgil Carter, made a surprise visit to Georgetown.
• Ross Browner and Pete Johnson will play in the inaugural 2007 Celebrity Golf Tournament at Deer Creek Golf Club in Saulsbury

Also...

• Chick Ludwig's memorable moments.
• Quincy Wilson's disorderly conduct charge could be dropped -- just has to remain clean for four more months.
• Justin Smith is getting smarter about his line to the quarterback.
• The Chad Johnson/Madieu Williams fight seems to be behind them. However, Marvin Lewis hopes the team practices better, not less, in December.
• Willie is BACK. Well, in camp. Not practicing. Actually, he's in a walking boot.
• Keiwan Ratliff has "leveled off".

The first pre-season game is scheduled tonight at 7:30pm at Detroit. We'll blog the game, so have a beer and a pretzel and join us about that time.

Things to look for...

• The Bengals wide receivers after Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Who will take #3 job and run with it?
• Ahmad Brooks. Has the development we've been bombarded with going to reflect in the game?
• Bengals cornerbacks. I've made the assertion that the Bengals could have the best cornerback group. I want to see how Deltha O'Neal and Leon Hall look and how much Keiwan Ratliff goes from great pre-season practice guy, to solid gamer.
• Kenny Irons.
• The Bengals defensive tackles. Rotation. Performance. Effort.

Any other ideas?

I've been unexpectedly away the past few days. So let's run down some old stuff.

It was surprising the total disdain some (not all) Bengals fans had for Jon Kitna. Not only was he class act, a man with strong convictions, but he was also a decent quarterback and a great mentor. For a period of time, pre-Marvin Lewis, he brought the only significant chance, behind Corey Dillon, to win football games. His numbers will never rival those of Carson Palmer. He made some boneheaded decisions, like many players, with his fumbles and weak-handed tosses. All in all, I think he had a relatively successful, if not reborn, time in Cincinnati.

Kitna had a tremendous influence on Carson Palmer and excited to see old mates.

Saints are marching to Cincinnati

The New Orleans Saints will be making their way to Cincinnati for a two team workout.

Notes

• Kenny Irons finished with 65 yards rushing on 10 attempts including a 24-yard run -- which he fumbled.
• McNeal bounces back after a poor Mock game.
• Settle down. Even though he's wearing his knee brace, Palmer says nothing is wrong.
• Rookie secondary looking to make an impact.
• On Scott Kooistra, Marvin Lewis said:

  "Scott has been a guy that has backed up the spots and obviously he had an excellent scrimmage on Friday night; it's the best football he's been playing," head coach Marvin Lewis said Monday. "He was a guy that now, coming out of there, you feel a lot better about.

  "When he goes in there, he fares pretty well. He's a big, tough guy. He's strong. He comes with the right attitude. He's an extremely hard worker."

• Hobson has great pieces on Landon Johnson and Domata Peko. He also talks linebackers.

Tab Perry, after having his hip checked out Thursday, will "probably" miss the remaining practices and games this weekend to rest his hip, Hobson reports Perry's agent as saying.

Bo Jackson suffered the same injury as Perry and retired after suffering a degenerative hip. Luckily, doctors and team personnel have expressed that Perry's injury wasn't as serious.

Glenn Holt, during Thursdays practice, was out of uniform watching from the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury Wednesday night.

You know, Chad is humble, no seriously

Some Bengals fans really don't like it when Chad opens his yap -- "just shut up and play" some are heard shouting on the local sports radio. Since Chad came along between 2002 and 2003, he's been nothing but a breath of fresh air. Sometimes he takes the bulk of frustration -- some justified, some not. But his antics usually (not including playoff game #1 in 2005) keeps people in good spirits.

But if he scores against Baltimore, you're going to have the laugh of a lifetime.

Bengals intrasquad scrimmage

The game will be aired on 1530 AM. I will listen and post notes either at the game's conclusion or Saturday morning.

Linebacker cut

Carmeron Siskowic was waived by the team Thursday. See Siskowic signs post here.

Tight end signed

This week, three tight ends went down that could see significant rehab time. So the team signed a 6-7, 256-pound tight end from Yale, New Orleans and Tampa Bay. Nate Lawrie -- career: 15 games, two receptions, 32 yards receiving -- holds the season (72 receptions) and career receiving (116 receptions) records at Yale as a tight end. He once caught 16 passes against Colgate during the I-AA playoffs.
[Yale.edu]

Irons will be the future Iron man

Kenny Irons is appearing to be a great pick up. Not just for his abilities, but his approach as a team guy. Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson are helping the "pup" and Irons is proving to have that iron man mentality.

The top 40 moments

Bengals.com is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Bengals football by remembering the 40 most memorable moments in team history. Today, moment #40, remembers the Bengals 58-48 win over the Cleveland Browns when Deltha O'Neal returned an interception in the closing moments for a touchdown that sealed the win.

I wrote for BengalsZone at the time. Here's that trip down memory lane.