Flashback To 2007: An Amusing Reaction To A Loss Against Buffalo

Though clouds blotted out piercing blue skies, pockets of sunshine still penetrated the field during another fine Sunday afternoon. The Cincinnati Bengals took a 21-16 lead over the Buffalo Bills on November 4, 2007 following Jeremi Johnson's one-yard touchdown reception int the third quarter. It felt good. The Bengals were finally going to beat the Bills. Then the Bills outscored the Bengals 17-0 in the fourth quarter, beating Cincinnati 33-21. This is not to be confused by the 31-14 lead turned into an 18-point loss in 2010.

The only reason I'm bringing up a game nearly five years old was largely due to humor and nostalgia while referencing older stories for a previous posting. I came across this headline that I wrote on November 5, 2007: "The 2007 Cincinnati Bengals are simply awful." How artistic.

I have no other word to use describing the performance, effort and motivation to win other than awful. The performance of this offense and defense were awful. The effort, was awful. I wonder if "awful" should be used describing winning motivation -- or even desire. No, I won't use awful. The effort just isn't there. At least awful would describe some sort of effort. When there is no effort, there is no description. The Bengals talk like they want to win, and I'm sure they mean it.

But what's the one prevailing theme this season -- other than awful? It's talk. We here it. We read it. But the team that so many call talented, continue to talk like they think they deserve a thing. We hear and read that the Bengals offense is one of the best. It isn't. It's far from it.

For the next 3,235 words I ranted.

The only reason I bring this is up is largely for entertainment. It amused me to reflect on something five years ago, though it now feels like a story decades old. Hey there's nothing going on around the NFL, save for league issues that has nothing to do with the Bengals.