On behalf of the Fan-Sided Blogs network, I wanted to come on here and make a statement.

First off, we want to thank ex-blogger Dave Howard, who recently resigned from this gig, for his service. Even though we disagreed on this situation, Dave’s a nice guy, a soldier and patriot and was a solid blogger and part of our team.

The word team, however, is an important part of what I am going to get to.

When the Bengals decided to sue us, they served papers to my brother, not Dave, and we were the ones under fire. It is easy for a blogger to sit here and want to fight the good fight when he won’t potentially lose thousands of dollars and a family small business he is passionate about.

Were we happy about the suit? Fuck no, we weren’t. We found their claims to “Welcome to the Jungle” and the team’s colors redunkulous. At the same time, we knew we were coming to a misslefight with a plastic butter knife, so, yeah, from our POV we had no choice but to fight for what we could keep and then remove all of the Bengals’ trademarks from our site.

Our plan was to make the changes, and then fight the Bengals with our blog, our words and our humor after the fact. Our blogger wanted to straight up fight the case, and launched an attack before we had any idea what was going on, and before he had even read the letter. We have never censored any blogger of ours, but in the end this is our blog and our network, and, again, it was our asses being sued. Additionally, we knew this fight could damage each of our blogs and our league-wide relationship with the NFL. We simply unpublished the post until we could hold a phone conversation with said blogger, so we could get on the same page. He refused and quit.

We have put his post back up, because he has complained about it and refuses to talk to us about it or change it, even after reading the letter and having all the facts. Again, we are not into censorship, so we put the post back up promptly.

We just wanted to:

A.) Officially state that while we are cooperating with the Bengals, we are not happy about this suit and think it’s bullshit. Going to court is just not the smart fight for us at all at this time. I will say the the Bengals are delusional if they think we are the ones doing its franchise “irreparable harm.” Um, I think Chris Henry, Odell Thurmon and Co. handled that long before Stripe Hype’s inception.

B.) State that we have done everything we can to help Dave and Stripe Hype, but we must defend ourselves when we are being accuse of censorship. We don’t censor our bloggers, we were simply trying to step back, take a deep breath and look at what was best for the network, something a certain someone didn’t want to do. We promptly put the blog post back up when we knew this is what he wanted to do regardless of our input. If anything, I’d call it temporary screening, lol…

That’s our unofficial official statement on the matter. We are cooperating with the suit, amicably parting ways with Dave and seeking a new blogger (e-mail us at fansided@gmail.com).

Thanks for reading…

- Adam Best

Fan-Sided Blogs Co-Director

Well, looks like the Cincinnati Bengals are first in something. The fansided.com blog network is a collaboration of fan NFL blogs run by fans of the teams. Cincinnati has contacted our main office to threaten us with a lawsuit over using pictures (that are out in the public domain) that we gave copyright credit to the Bengals organization for. We have been forced into a redesign, as we cannot defend ourselves against Mike Brown’s deep pockets. Funny, we’ve been in touch with the Bengals (PR Director Jack Brennan) via email several times (me personally). I’ve invited him to browse the site, comment and make suggestions for our site to a benefit to the Bengals organization. Instead, we get a lawsuit threatened against us (why, Mr. Brennan, could you not just ask us to make changes?).

The Bengals claim we used copyrighted photos and logos. However, we’ve been asking for access for months as a media outlet to be able to interview players, take our own photos, etc. We’ve been turned down, stating that the Bengals “do not issue credentials to non-traditional media”. They sure will sue non-traditional media though, won’t they?

Odd, a fan site, ran by a fan who has been creative in getting access to players to do interviews, and has been less critical that the “traditional media” because I am a fan of the team, and yet Mike Brown wants to attack us. How come, Mr. Brown, are you not going after Channel 12, and Fox19 for using the big “B” logo in their graphics? Please, don’t insult me telling me the media is paying rights to use that logo.

Well, as of today, I quit blogging anything positive on behalf of the Cincinnati Clowns. I’m sure this is what Geoff Hobson would want as well as Mike Brown. Hobson came from the Enquirer as a beat writer of the Bengals. Now he works directly for the team. He’s the only writer for their site, and if you disagree with his commentary, he’ll simply disparage you for it. He writes the same types of stories week end and week out, and if you email him a story suggestion, it goes unheeded, and most often, unresponsive. I don’t write the same types of articles he does, and I get solid readership for a one man blog site that isn’t paid isn’t supported by a multi-million privately held company funded by PUBLIC funds.

As for Mike Brown, he probably doesn’t know Stripehype.com exists. Jack Brennan, Mr. PR, does know. The lawyers obviously know. The NFL knows (cause they emailed us about a day after the Bengals did with a threat because of the use of the NFL Draft Logo, of which they were given copyright credit for).

This also means that I cannot give away the Utecht Jersey. My apologies for all of you who were commenting and posting in order to win it. A privately owned jersey, autographed by the player on his own time, and because I’m promoting it as “a Cincinnati Bengals Jersey” I have been accused of copyright infringement for using their trademarked name. So be warned Cincy fans (of which I am no longer), you better refer to your hometown NFL team as “those guys on the river that play football” or Mikey’s boys will come after you looking for more money. Doesn’t it seem like he’s gouged us all enough? Is Mike Brown related to Simon Leis somehow? Seems like the jack-booted Gestapo tactics that the Unpopular Hamilton County Sheriff uses has infiltrated the Bengals PR and Legal departments.

Good luck Bengals fans. I won’t take the Bengals intimidation tactics lying down. For the record, I did not take down the logos/graphics or other material in question. The fansided senior editors did that on their own accord, prior to contacting me. I had no control, and would not have done it myself. As a former Army Ranger, I don’t get intimidated. The Bengals will soon learn that, even if I never change a thing. I will, however, expose them for the organization they truly are, not the organization they try to portray.

Looks like the players aren’t the only ones associated with the Bengals in legal trouble. I’m not even associated with them, and I’m in trouble. Hmmm..maybe a symptom of the organization after all??
GO BROWNS!!

Given the story in the Cincinnati Enquirer seems like we’ll be down to 8 linebackers and 1 draftee. I thought a clear message was sent with Chris Henry’s quick release. Although this story has some ring to it as someone who is being vindictive and trying to get something for nothing, just having put yourself in that position is stupid.

The Bengals waived linebackers Anthony Schlegel and Roy Manning, leaving the team with nine linebackers on the roster, not including drafted Keith Rivers (he hasn’t been signed yet). That doesn’t bode well for fans looking for the Bengals to go to a 3-4 defense permanently. Rumor has it new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer likes to employ a multi-look defense. Often he will show a 3-4 and 4-3 look within the same defensive series to confuse the quarterback and offensive line blocking schemes. With 10 linebackers (assuming Rivers will sign), a 3-4 defense with the Bengals history of injured LB’s would be risky.

Former NFL MVP (2005) RB Shaun Alexander is scheduled to visit his hometown team this coming Monday in what is being termed a “preliminary visit”.  I’m not exactly sure what that means, but just the fact that he’s coming here shows the Bengals will continue to attempt to upgrade at every position. I would think alot of what may/may not happen with the Bengals is dependent on the health of his ankle/legs.

Second round selection Jerome Simpson says that he’s been reading what people say of him. He says people will be fans of his sooner than they think. What he DOESN’T yet know (and if he’s reading this, he knows now) it won’t take much for the Jerome Simpson jerseys to fly off the shelf. Here’s our advice to Mr. Simpson:
- Catch the ball when it’s thrown to you
- Run solid routes, and run the route you’re SUPPOSED to run on any given play
- Don’t be a grandstanding media whore, enjoy the game and celebrate the wins
- Don’t run your mouth to the media/fans about negativity
- STAY OUT OF TROUBLE OFF THE FIELD

If you follow the simple advice above, you WILL be a star, and very shortly Cincy fans will say Ocho who?

You guys are doing great with constructive comments on the draft. I don’t agree with some, couldn’t agree more with others, but hey, that’s why I love this stuff so much. I will say this, I WANT the Bengals to prove me wrong, I WANT this massive OT from Kansas to jump in at guard and demolish Cleveland’s NT (anyone catch his name, Rogers or something?? lol) and I also WANT to have to post an apology at the end of the season for being wrong all along.

I think Rivers will contribute and getting Thurman back (if he plays at the same or near same level) will be a huge upgrade at LB for us over the last 2 years. I believe Sims can be useful if he’ll keep himself out of trouble, and possibly this safety might be a sleeper. I would like to see the following upgrades:

- 2-3 rookies on special teams be contributors. Return one for a TD, block a kick, force fumbles, do SOMETHING

- Rivers to NOT be out of position and to be able to tackle someone alone in the open field and not miss

- Sims to actually use that 340 lb frame to plug up a hole

- Anthony Collins to be the next guard to be dominant in the league or at least be able to push some of these fat Dlineman around and get some cushion for the running game

- Jerome Simpson to be able to run a GOOD route, AND hold onto the ball and catch it before he tries to run the ball

The rookie mini-camp is this coming weekend. We’ll get our first dose of how these guys look and what kind of ethic and attitude they’ll have.

As for the draft grading, I’ll stick by my grade of D. I’m going to let these guys prove me wrong, which I’ll gladly admit if so. But, as of this morning, I’m not the only one to say the Bengals drafted poorly, just the first one to say it. The Yahoo Insiders give the Bengals a D-  and ESPN gave the Bengals the #1 Losers spot in the draft.

I’m thinking it can’t be all bad. I mean, no one knew TJ Housmandzadeh coming out of Oregon except as the teammate of Chad Johnson in college, and now look at him. So I will leave the door open some that we could all be wrong. I think 2 or 3 will have immediate playing time, 2 or 3 more on s

Well, here it is Monday. The much anticipated draft came in like a lion, and went out like a sheep. We’ve been fleeced. We see a WR coming out of Florida who until the National Title game really wasn’t the biggest draw on the Florida team. With WR Caldwell out of Coastal Carolina (ok, before Saturday, who knew where that school even was?). We got a big boy for the defensive line, but he’s in trouble with the law on occasion (sound familiar?) We got a big OT from Kansas, who may turn out to be the steal of the draft when it comes to OT’s. We got a TE that wasn’t needed as a draft pick (would have probably still be there as a undrafted Free Agent). A DE/LB in Angelo Craig from UC that isn’t a scrub, but was a position that could have been drafted for another OL or DL. We drafted a safety (Ndukwe, White, Jackson, Busing, Jones, more..) that really wasn’t a need. We did get a top LB (or at least he projects to be a top LB), we got the OT Collins that could be a help.

All I can say is this: The Bengals had 10 draft picks. From where I’m sitting, we got 4, maybe 5, players that can help out. The rest will either not make the team, or be yet another legal distraction off the field. I’m not a proponent of having traded CJ for a first round pick. I don’t want to reward him for his poor behavior and lack of ethic. However, if I had known the Bengals would draft this poorly and not be able to get up to ensure they got Ellis, I would have clamored for the trade to get the extra first round pick to trade up with.

My grade for this draft : D

Well, Cincinnati has now drafted two WR’s in the first four rounds (5 picks total for them). They have a new LB, new DT and new OT as well. Merril Hoge from ESPN reported Cincy’s asking price for a trade for CJ was steep, which of course it should have been. First, I am opposed to trading CJ to give in to the tactics of him and his agent. He signed his contract for long term, he needs to be a man and live up to the contract he signed. Secondly, it sends a strong message to the NFL that if you sign a contract then play these games to get out of it, you will sit. Look at Pickens. In the end, he got to leave to the Titans, and ended up a bust. Look at Corey Dillon, yes he got his ring in NE, but where is he now?? He wasn’t even the difference maker in getting the Pats to the Super Bowl.

I am certain that before training camp starts, CJ will be with another team. However, I am hopeful that he goes to a team that will still struggle with him. He wants traded? Trade him to Minnesota, New Orleans, Oakland, San Francisco or the Jets. Give him all he wants, other than trading him to Dallas. Let him suffer somewhere else, so we don’t have to suffer his immature act any longer.

Goodbye Ocho Cinco. No matter what happens now, the fans will not support you. If they do, shame on them.

Updated: Seventh round pick Mario Urrutia, WR Louisville. Finally a player in this region of the draft that can at least return kicks and play on special teams.

 Seventh round pick OLB Angelo Craig, a local product from the University of Cincinnati. What a wasted pick, not because of the player, but because of the position. We don’t need a 7th round LB to come in that isn’t going to compete for a starting spot. We need OL that can provide depth and we need WR that can catch and run a route, along with a DL-man that can stop someone.

Updated: Sixth round pick TE Matt Sherry from Villanova is a mystery pick to me. We have 3 TE’s on the roster with NFL experience and another rookie. This pick could have been a solid Center/Guard for the O-line. I don’t know about some of these picks today. If I had to grade this draft now, I’d go C at best and I’m considering a D+.  I’m hoping something comes out of mini-camp or training camp to say “Ah ha, ok..I didn’t know that about….” and surprise me on one of these picks. The 6th round Fatboy for the middle of the line was probably a good pick, if he can stay out of legal trouble.  

Updated: Sixth round pick DB Corey Lynch from Appalachian State. A relative unknown, that could find his way into the lineup as a nickle or future starter, seems to play alot like Kesvaharn and has good instincts but maybe a little undersized. Add about 10 pounds to this guy and who knows. Should contribute to special teams pretty quickly though.

Updated: Fith Round pick NT Jason Shirley from Fresno State. He’s another one with off-field problems, but is a big body at 340 that is reported to play like a 300 pounder. That could bode well as a late round DT convert, assuming he can stay out of trouble. 

Updated: Fourth round pick OT Anthony Collins from Kansas. As predicted earlier, the Bengals are not drafting to the best player available philosophy. They are drafting to their needs after the first round. However, I still cannot help but wonder how they decided on second rounder Jerome Simpson from a small school when DeSean Jackson and other higher rated players were still available. We all have commented on the scouting, and Cincy’s ability to draft a quality receiver AND one that isn’t still having gansta fantasies seems to be a difficult combination for them (a la Carl Pickens, Chris Henry, now Chad Johnson, and a score of others). Name the top 5 WR’s the Bengals have drafted in the last 4 years, still in the league or still playing for the Bengals, and isn’t always in trouble with the law. TJ is the only one I can think of . The next pick in the fifth round should be interesting. It appears that the Bengals are drafting the best player available, to the position they want. Seems like a targeted draft, choosing whomever is left on the board at that time. But if the best player available is a CB, they won’t draft him. They’ll look for the best DL, OL, RB or WR on the board. Those are their biggest holes to plug.  The fifth round is a good spot to pick up an OL that won’t cost them alot, and could be an immediate or second year player.  They might be able to pick up a WR there that can play special teams immediately as well.

Updated: Third round pick DT Pat Sims Jr from Auburn. While not the best DT in the draft, his stock had risen some from his workouts. The compensatory third round pick by the Bengals is Andre Caldwell, WR. I had said the Bengals would go WR or OL with this pick. I predict in the fourth round we see an OL or RB coming our way . Does he replace the value lost in Eric Steinbach (the reason why the Bengals have this pick)?

Updated: Second round pick Jerome Simpson, WR Coastal Carolina. Looks like the CJ saga just went into high gear.

 First round pick a surprise. Not because they took Rivers, it was well known that he was on the Bengals short list. However the trades by New Orleans and Jacksonville to get ahead of the Bengals to grab Ellis and Harvey were surprises. Cincinnati’s second round pick is on the clock in 11 minutes, and it is very possible we’ll see a WR picked up to offeset the suddenly thin WR corps, due in large part to Chad Johnson’s series of immature comment.

If anyone read the transcripts from Coach Lewis’ press conference yesterday, they will note the following:

- We have not received an offer for Chad Johnson from Washington
- Chad Johnson won’t be traded

2-3 hours later, we heard this from the very same lips of Coach Lewis

- We rec’d a contact from Washington in regards to Chad Johnson, and we turned it down
- Chad Johnson will count $8M against our cap in 2008 if released or traded before June 1

What does all that mean??

It means, after June 1st, when his $8m salary cap hit can be spread into 2009, expect to see Ocho Cinco traded away where the team that gets him and more afford to cover the cap hit the Bengals will undoubtedly want to recoup.

Don’t fret Bengals fans, ole #85 is certainly on his way out the door of Cincinnati.