By now I assume you've heard that the Bengals have had 0 players selected to the Pro Bowl. You've probably also heard that Chad Ochocinco has since dismissed the NFL All-Star Game since the Bengals will be playing in the Superbowl the following week anyway. Here's the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Who are your biggest snubs? Who's in that doesn't deserve it?
- Sports Illustrated's Don Banks and Jim Trotter both think that Dhani Jones was the one Bengal most deserving of Pro Bowl recognition. I'll be curious to find out who is at least an alternate. I've gotta assume Ced Benson, Leon Hall, Dhani Jones, and/or Chad Ochocinco drew some heavy votes.
- Yahoo! Sports' MJD takes his eraser to the Pro Bowl squads. The only change he makes that involves Cincinnati is replacing Champ Bailey with Leon Hall. Joe Reedy also thinks that the Champ Bailey selection is questionable. I'm inclined to agree with him and MJD, Leon Hall has been excellent for the majority of the year.
- CBS Sports' Pete Prisco only talks about Bobbie Williams as far as Bengals go in his "snubs" article.
- CNati.com thinks that the Bengals had a bunch of candidates that may end up being alternates. Not that it matters, of course. SUPERBOWL, BABY!
- Moving on, John Eradi highlights Brian "Mr. Cluch" Leonard's season with the Bengals. What an acquisition this guy turned out to be. Give up nothing, get 2-3 wins in return. Chris Crocker called Leonard the team's MVP.
- Apparently Chad Ochocinco is a trashtalker. He's been spewing Twittertalk about Darrelle Revis preceding the Bengals' trip to NYC this weekend. The New York Times' Matt Gagne has the story.
- Power Rankings: Yahoo - 6, ESPN - 7, CBS Sports (noting the awful passing game) - 7, Fox Sports - 10 (they dropped 4 spots after a win and Green Bay is ahead of them, so take that as you will).
- DVOA rankings from Football Outsiders suggest that the Bengals are over-performing. Their computers and stat nerds say Cincinnati's performance should have yielded about 8, not 10 wins.
- Football Outsiders' all-rookie team features 3 Bengals. Guess who? Rey Maualuga (get better soon!), Michael Johnson, and Kevin Huber.
Luckily, media perceptions and All Star games don't really matter in this league. The Bengals are in the playoffs for the second time this decade, and have the potential to beat anyone in a 1-and-done scenario. I still think we probably want to play the Jets in the first round. But it doesn't matter, we'll eventually beat the Chargers, Colts, and Cardinals anyway. How's that for a prediction?