EXPECTATIONS:

I expect the Bengals offensive line to step up and do their jobs.  Protect Carson and give him some breathing room to operate.  Create some good push and holes for "Mean Chris Perry" and Kenny Watson to run through (even though these guys have been running well already, they need it now more than ever).

Boy are the Bengals thin at receiver...I was checking out bengals.com and saw that Glenn Holt, Antonio Chatman, and Jerome Simpson will be making the start.  Hell, maybe I should suit up and try to walk on...but all jokes aside, I am expecting that these guys to step their game up...they are professionals and should play that way.

The situation at WR agains speaks to the need for a GM and expanded scouting department.  I am tired of hearing Brat and Lewis say Simpson is not ready...then why did you pick him in the 2nd round?  Regardless, he needs to prove all naysayers wrong (including myself).

It was good to see the Bengals running some 3 and 5-step drop quick hitters against Detroit...they were effective.  With this group of WRs, they will have to do a lot more of that and maybe abandon a lot of the downfield gameplan.

I expect the Bengals to focus heavily on the run, like they promised all offseason.  They have to be patient with it though and stick with it even if it looks like it is not doing much...eventually that defense will soften up.  (They should've already cut Jeremi Johnson for his lack of discipline, but oh well, par for the course).

I expect them to put together a decent first drive...maybe not scoring but earning a couple first downs, and setting up good field position (which is really what the game of football is all about-defending a long field and trying to score from a short one).

I expect Zimmer to have a plan to get some pressure on the QB.  I don't mean blitz every down, because eventually the Saints and Brees will burn you deep. C'mon D line have some    Pride and put just a little pressure on the QB.

It is hard for an NFL secondary to stop the pass if the QB has all day...so expect more of the same scorchings if Brees has all day to survey the field and throw.  I cannot speak to the injured/absent players except, fughedaboutit...the Bengals who are there have to go out there with pride and do the best they can do.

Finally, I expect a little freaking passion and fire fellas...
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It is showdown time, showtime, time for a little comeuppance, a little revenge, settling of a score, a grudgematch:

  USA's Redeem Team vs. Argentina (Semifinal, Fri. Aug 22, 10:15 a.m. EST)

I chose this pic because with this team it is not about individuals but about a team coming together to play this game how it was meant to be played, and they are getting the results.

Well, just so you know, Argentina knocked the US out of the semifinals in the '04 games and went on to win gold.  If the US wins, they get to play for gold, it's very simple.  I am not going to go into big analysis I've got this link for game preview if you're interested:

http://www.usabasketball.com/news.php?news_page=08_moly_preview_07

Other than that, alls I have to say is: U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!...ad infinitum
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Also don't forget, when any of you get tired of the Phelps media onslaught...I will provide MP free shelter! haha (just joking, kinda)
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Be good everybody and don't forget to spread: