OK just for discussion here, we all agree that Mike Brown is the problem with the Bengals and that we need a solid football man to be the GM of the team. Let's examine what that GM should do. If I were somehow named GM of  the Bengals here are a few of the moves I'd make. Pretty much every GM who is hired brings in his own handpicked coach. I guess I'd bring in a proven winner, with experience, and a disciplinarian to get this franchise turned around. Maybe Brian Billick could finally bring an innovative offense to the Queen City?? If you don't like Billick maybe you back up the Brink's truck to Bill Cowher's house? Maybe Jimmy Johnson could work his magic in Porkopolis?? Nonetheless I'd bring in the best coach I could get. I'd trade or release every malcontent who wants out. Chad Johnson, Levi Jones, John Thornton come readily to mind. After that I'd purge the guys who can't play such as Ghiacuic, Chris Perry, and Bobbie Williams. I'd certainly try to build through the draft first and foremost, but I'd make sure to fill the roster with solid veterans(not superstars) until the draft picks were ready to play. I'd make a commitment to building from the inside out meaning I'd make the offensive and defensive lines a priority especially through the draft. We certainly are in desperate need of a difference maker at Left Offensive Tackle and a pass rusher or three on the defensive side of the ball. I guess it goes without saying I'd retool the scouting department to get it up to the level of the elite in the NFL so that when we signed or drafted players they would be the right players to get. Carson Palmer is 28 so he has maybe 10 decent years left. He is certainly the cornerstone this franchise has to build around. So knowing that you have a good QB is a solid place to start. We all know this is unlikely to happen, but let's hear what moves you'd add?? What do you disagree with??? How would you make this team better?????

It's been a while since I have done this, but a way I have coped with Bengals futility in the past was to pick a "playoff" team to root for. The past few years the Bengals were at least mathematically alive for the playoffs until near the end of the season. However, when they were putrid I would jump on a bandwagon of a team who caught my interest during the season. For example, in 1999 it was easy to be a fan of the St Louis Rams with them being a team that had a former grocery stock man as their QB. So I rode along with them through their championship year. Other years I might pick a favorite OSU Buckeye player's team and follow them till the end of their season. The Titans come to mind when Eddie George was in his heyday.  I am also a sucker for underdog teams that overachieved such as the year the Cardinals won a playoff game. So with this season being over for the Bengals and me being a big pro football fan I need to find a "surrogate" team to follow. On my current radar are the Buffalo Bills. They weren't expected to win their division since the Patriots were coming off a record setting season. The Bills also have a couple OSU Buckeyes in Whitner and Youboty. Turk Schonert is also their offensive coordinator and I was a big fan of Turk's as Bengal backup QB. Speaking of him, if Marvin gets the axe, he'd be at the top of the list one would imagine to be the next Cincinnati head coach. I also like the way the Eagles play defense. Maybe they could be my "team" for the next couple of months?? You could never go wrong rooting for Peyton Manning and the Colts, I suppose. Does anyone else do anything remotely similar to this??? Who knows, but I will keep my eye open to find a team worth rooting for and maybe next year the Bengals will give us all a reason to get back on their bandwagon??? I know, probably not!!!! ;-)

Sometimes as a Bengals fan, you have to throw common sense out the window. Cedric Benson was a bust in Chicago. To top that off he was also a cancer both on and off the field. Mr. Benson was such a professional, he forced the Bears to move a pro's pro like Thomas Jones off the roster, because the team wasn't big enough for both of them. In addition when he wasn't whining about playing time, he gets in trouble with the law. Not once, but twice in a very short period of time. So the Bengals are in need of a healthy running back and they choose this potential powder keg. The Redeemer himself I'd bet, Mike Brown had his hands all over this move. The Bengals are no longer a football team trying to win, but a last chance home for troubled football players. You can almost bet Chris Henry gets the call to resume his career as well in the very near future. I guess Mr. Brown figures if he can't win, he might as well save some souls and careers to prove what a genious he is. If this wasn't true, it wouldn't be quite as comical or pathetic. Another proud move by the Bengals!!

Where do you start with this game? How about the stats?? Cleveland 134 yards rushing/ Cincinnati 69 yards rushing. Let's examine those 69 yards for a moment. Chris Perry had 12 carries for 28 yards, a 2.3ypc avg. Fitzpatrick ran for his life for another 41 yards. So on the 12 times we tried to run the ball we got 28 yards. I doubt a team has ever won a game with 28 yards rushing on their called rushing plays, but even throwing in the QB's yardage they still had 2 fumbles lost. Cleveland had 127 passing yards/Cincinnati 142 passing yards. Cleveland had 3 passes intercepted/Cincinnati 1. Cleveland possessed the ball for 34:02/Cincinnati 25:58. Time management has killed this team as much as anything this season. We were out of timeouts with 13:15 left in the 4th quarter. Maybe if we were able to get the right players out on the field for plays we may have a bit of time left to mount a comeback???? I am hard pressed to find any positives at all in this game. Maybe Fanene had a big play or two on defense. Chatman had a nice play after he broke a tackle. We can end the Bengals would be a better team talk with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB for once and for all. He did little to help the team win. Our offensive line continues to be a major problem. It would appear a top 5 draft pick is on the horizon. Possibly the top overall pick if things fall our way!!!! In summary what a disgrace this team has been to this point on the season.