MINNOWS OF THE AFC ARE THE HEROES OF THE AFC
The Bengals were considered minnows of the AFC. But now they have so much to celebrate after defeating the lowly Lions 41-17 to clinch their first division title since 1990. With their division title victory, the Bengals merchandise is a winner for retailers, as fans stock up for the holidays and to cheer up the team’s first playoff game in 15 years. Sales of merchandise for the 11-3 Bengals this year have almost quadrupled. Winners sell, on no second thoughts!
Back in 1990, the Bengals countered various ups and downs before winning the AFC title. Back then, quarterback Boomer Esiason, The Blond Bomber, was slingin' the ball. Left offensive tackle Anthony Munoz, who went on to become the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in 1998, was protection perfection. And the team was led by strong safety David Fulcher. The Bengals rallied for victories over Houston (40-20) and Cleveland (21-14) to win the division. They once again knocked the Astros in a wild-card playoff game, 41-14, but eventually fell to the Los Angeles Raiders, 20-10, in the L.A. Coliseum. That season was highly contentious since the club experienced its highest high and lowest low in a span of one-week from Oct. 1-7. The same season twelve players were accused of rape and eight others were accused of watching, but no criminal charges were filed against them. The lady accepted a $30,000 payment from several players as the compensation and after that signed a waiver which meant that she would not get any more money. Now the bygones are bygones.
This season the triplets of Carson, Chad and Rudi are all set on their way to rewriting the Bengals offensive record books though the defense ranks in the lower part of the league in many categories. Quarterback Carson Palmer with his stellar outing has solidified the squad as a legitimate Super Bowl candidate. With two games remaining to close out the regular season, the Bengals can finish 13-3, which would be their best record in franchise history.
HONOR FOR PALMER
Twice this season Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer has won the FedEx Express NFL Player of the Week and he's up for the honor again this week, but for the third time winning the fans' support and vote a seems to be a little tougher for Palmer. Palmer completed 19 of 26 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Bengals' 21-9 win at Baltimore last Sunday to help the team get better to 7-2. But he has to counter a stiff competition from Indianapolis' Peyton Manning and Atlanta's Michael Vick. Manning was 28 of 37 for 321 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as the Colts defeated New England to 40-21 on the road Monday night. Vick led the Falcons to a 17-10 win at Miami by throwing for 228 yards and one touchdown. Sunday was the fifth time this season that Palmer failed to throw an interception in a game this season. He was able to achieve the same accomplishment just once last season in 13 starts. His passer rating of 128.4 against the Ravens gives him eight games this season out of nine that he's had a 100-plus passer rating. He has finished with a passer rating of 100 or more 12 times in 22 starts, including 11 of his last 12 starts. The other prospects for the honors are Shaun Alexander of Seattle (and Boone County High School), Kansas City's Larry Johnson and San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson.
BENGALS PAT-DOWN POLICY
The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County officials have signed an agreement permitting the team to pat down fans entering Paul Brown Stadium for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Fans who don't like being patted down before entering Sunday's Bengals home game can sell their tickets. The fans would have to deal with the pat downs and there is also a possibility that Sunday's Bengals-Steelers game could add delay and perplexity to what was already shaping up as a super-crowded, frenzied day around the downtown stadium. The beginning of pat down is an unfortunate development but is unavoidable as the NFL packed stadiums could be vulnerable - and attractive - to terrorists. The Bengals have started working closely with the stadium manager, NFL security representatives and with local officials to implement the pat downs as efficiently as possible. But it seems what’s annoying the fans are the inconvenience and embarrassment of the searches. The Sunday’s game which is already being anticipated to become one of the biggest of the season anywhere in the NFL can bring chaos due to gridlock around the stadium, particularly with tailgating's soaring popularity. Moreover, dealing with security searches may be difficult particularly when the fans' high spirits will be well lubricated by pre-game tailgating libations.
To bring it to everybody’s notice I would love to mention that all stadiums, except Chicago’s Soldier Field, are now conducting pat downs, and they have gone smoothly with the cooperation of fans.
Bengals News
Tampa Bay turned two early Bengals turnovers into 10 points and limited them to two field goals, winning the preseason opener for both teams, 20-6, Monday night
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer was 3-for-8 passing for 74 yards and a first-possession interception that bounced off T.J. Houshmandzadeh's hands into the arms of Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber.
"We did do some good things in the passing game," Palmer said. "It can always be better, though."
The Buccaneers took a 6-3 lead on the next possession when Gramatica was good from 46 yards. The Bucs hurt themselves with two 15-yard penalties after having a first and 10 from the Bengals 11. A clipping penalty, followed by a leg-whip block, pushed the Buccaneers back to first and 39 from the 40
The Bengals settled for a 32-yard field goal from Graham for a 13-6 score.
The Bengals appeared to suffer one serious injury Monday night. Punter Kyle Richardson said in the locker room that he tore a biceps muscle and that it would likely require surgery
Team Information
The Cincinnati Bengals are a National Football League team based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The home stadium of the Cincinnati Bengals is the Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Bengals have been to two Super Bowls, but unfortunately have lost both of them.
They have also been unable to win any league championships to date.
Among the Cincinnati Bengals Hall of Famers are Anthony Muñoz and Charlie Joiner.
The Cincinnati Bengals were formed in 1968 and played in the American Football League until 1969, then the team moved to the National Football League (NHL) in 1970
The team has won two Conference Championships in 1982(AFC) and 1988(AFC), have acquired five Division Championships (AFC Central 1970, 1973, 1981, 1988 and 1990), and have appeared in the playoffs seven times(1970, 1973, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1988 and 1990).
Bengals re-sign RB Rudi Johnson to one-year deal
CINCINNATI (Ticker) - Rudi Johnson, who will enter the 2004 season as a featured running back, on Tuesday was re-signed to a one-year contract by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Johnson was a restricted free agent after last season, but the Bengals made sure he would remain with the club by tendering a one-year, $1.8 million offer. No team opted to match the offer, which would have required giving the Bengals a first- and third-round pick.
Last season, Johnson emerged after Corey Dillon suffered a groin injury and rushed for a career-high 957 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games.
Johnson's spot as a starter was solidified when Dillon was traded to the New England Patriots in the offseason.
Cincinnati did take Michigan running back Chris Perry in the first round of April's draft, but he will start the season in a backup role
