The G-men went into Pitt and did them, and wouldn't you know, in 4th quarter comeback style. Does this surprise anyone?  Its what they do. They win on the road in the clutch. Is there any doubt now who is the beat team in the NFL?

Another quick note: Did you see the Raven's highlights? If not they are here:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=29631&season=2008&displayPage=tab_gamecenter

The wildcat with two QB's? Wow. I remember that high school that was running a version of this offense, but who thought it would work in the NFL? And how about Flacco? A rushing td, a passing td, and almost a recieving td. Wow.

Here is a photo that sums up the whole Bengals butt whooping.

Here is yet another insightful piece from www.nationalfootballpost.com Matthew Bowen discusses taking other players out. Recently there has been alot of talk about the Bengals not responding to Hines Ward caving Keith Rivers face in. Im more apt to think it is like Mathew describes than what current players/coaches say. But who knows?

Player's Journal: Bounties

Bounties. We usually here about them in cop movies, but wouldn't you know it-the media has taken Baltimore Ravens' linebacker Terrell Suggs' comments and run with them. Shocking, I know. But, as we sit here Thursday, we have to wonder if this stuff is really going on?

You remember the Packers and Bears games of the mid-80's, don't you? Packer players wore towels with the jersey numbers of the Bears' players on them-Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, Willie Gault, etc. This was before free agency, before fines, and before repercussions would rain down (Pac-Man style) from the commissioner's office. However, times have changed, and this is frowned upon by the league-just as extra sugar is for your kids.

But, does it really happen? I'm sorry to say-YES.

I've been in meeting rooms in the NFL, or in the hotel on Saturday nights when it was talked about. Knock a player out of the game and you might find an envelope with cash in your hand come Monday morning. Player's chipped in (money was put up for taking a guy out of the game), and that was that. I can't say that it was meant to physicaly maim a player, end his career, but, it was meant to send him to the locker room. But, here's the dilemma at hand folks-it wasn't a cheap shot. That wasn't tolerated. No guy in this league is going to take the risk of ending some guy's season (or worse-his career) by doing something that wasn't in the rules of the game. This was about guys picking out a player and going after them-within the rules of the game. Ask Rashard Mendenhall. The Ravens were after him during that  Monday night game. Mendenhall ran off tackle, Ray Lewis was waiting and delivered a clean blow at the point of attack.. See you later Rookie. Was that dirty? No, no, and no.

All these rumors that seem to be flying across web sites, radio waves, and most likely at happy hour tonight are bogus. I would never try to knock a guy out the game and see him ending up on the back of the John Deer as it rolled off the field, waving to the crowd, seeing the season come to an end-while I figure out how much money is was going to cost me when that letter from the NFL showed up in my locker on Wednesday morning. NFL players don't do that kind of stuff.

But, I would be lying if I didn't admit that I went after a guy or two in my career. Does that make me a dirty player? I highly doubt it, but you can make your own opinion on that (my email address is matthew.bowen@nationalfootballpost.com if you care to tell me your own opinion).Let's put it this way-if you can knock a guy out of the game, and that helps you win that game, then I don't see the problem in it (if it does without a blow to the knee, the head, etc, etc, etc). Plain and simple-this kind of "bounty" isn't a new revelation in football player's lines of work. It happens every Sunday.

Maybe it is too hard to explain, and I'm sure you wouldn't see it in your line of work-or even mine now (unless I went after Fantasy Expert Joe Fortenbaugh and hit him in the knees), but it is part of the NFL culture. Don't turn a blind eye to this situation, because it isn't going away. EVERY TEAM talks about it-particularly defensive players-but only a select few have the lack of common sense to talk about it with the media. Now Roger Goodell has a new issue to address, and fines will come down harder than you have ever imagined. A late hit, a helmet blow-they will all be analyzed, and the league will come out with a big explanation on how they are cutting down on "Player Bounties."

That's good-but they are a little late in the game.

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In an unrelated story: the Giants are still the best team, and are poised for another Super Bowl run.

This will be a great game. With NY doing what cincy couldnt. Here is some quotes from Mike Tomlin's presser yesterday about the Champs

FROM MIKE TOMLIN'S PRESS CONFERENCE...Why the defending Super Bowl-champion Giants are one of the best teams in the NFL: "They're a great team because they're great up front offensively and defensively. I think they're arguably the best (offensive) line, not only in football but the best line I've seen in quite some time. They went 7-1 last year on the road. When you're good in the trenches you can win football games, regardless of the location. We respect that. We know what's coming in here."The importance of quality depth in the NFL: "People's ability to adjust and plug people in and keep the train moving, those are the teams that are going to be successful. That's why guys like Limas Sweed need to prepare to play and Dallas Baker and so forth. You can pick names across any position. Sometimes the star players dominate so much of our thought that we fail to realize there are a bunch of young and developing guys trying to master the craft because they know that the opportunity's going to await. That's what it's about for us."

...adjust and plug people in and keep....moving....

Isnt that one of the things that makes the steelers good year in and year out? I think so. I guess these comments arent earth shattering or anything. But I think this could be one of the best games of the year. So it deserves your attention. Although it wont be on TV because of the Bengals. Thank go for www.nfl.com.

I am only speaking for myself on this. First, my take on "the hit heard round the nati".

I was at the game. It was one of the best hits of the game. One of the mant reasons I watch the NFL is because of big hits just like that one. As a Bengals fan, Im pretty resigned. So it didnt cave my chest in when I saw Rivers get knocked the @#!$ out. I was stoked that somebody got lit up. Sorry.

And as far as Hines Ward goes, I hate that f---ing guy. But I hate him because of that $hit-eating grin hes always wearing. And even more than that, its when he did the Ickey shuffle in the 2005 playoff game. That got me hating him. That said, hes a great player, and I wish the Bengals had even 1 player as tough as him on offense.

This whole story reminded me of a great story by Tom Wolfe. Its from the book "The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby". This is a sweet collection of Tom Wolfe's short storie and essays. Hes great, other books by Wolfe include "The Right Stuff" "Bonfire of the Vanities" and my personal favorite "The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test".

Anyway the story is about what Wolfe calls the most American sport: the demolition derby. He talks about people going to races, while not admitting it maybe even to themselves, to see wrecks. This is waaaaay before Nascar,but even today the highlights of races include two things: wrecks and the finish. So, then the demolition derby is all wrecks and no race. It eliminates the bull, if you will, and comes up pure. Its a great story, you should check out anything by Tom Wolfe.

Dear Bengals Fan,

We still have plenty of room on the NY Giants bandwagon. Think about it. You are going to root for some team in the playoffs. It may as well be the Giants. I mean the band wagon will be packed and stacked(as Seg would say) anyway. I'd just like to invite you on now. Granted you are always welcome. And you can jump off anytime. Its time to face facts. Come to the blue side.......there is power in the blue side.

Who would you rather root for? 

Or....