A major media outlet finally notices that the Ocho Imbroglio is…over.
Yes, it has been an offseason of Chad Johnson mood swings in Cincinnati. And the pendulum, the way we hear it, has swung toward peace.
Props to PFW’s Mike Wilkening for going against the grain. Now maybe the rest of the sports media will follow suit.
Not that I’m getting my hopes up…

While the Marvin Lewis-era drafts have brought little better results than ones under prior regimes, free agency has been much more productive on Lewis’ watch. His arrival in Cincinnati clearly elevated the team in the eyes of free agents, and his no-nonsense approach to free agency was a welcome change from years past.
During the Long Dark stretching from 1991 to 2002, the free agent period was an annual embarrassment. Every year, groups of quality free agent players would troop through town, meet with the Bengals, chat up the local media and generate excitement among the fan base. Then, their ticket [...]

Since the draft was next on my list of Marvin Lewis-era flashbacks, I suppose it’s only appropriate that a back-and-forth has broken out between Cincy Jungle and WDR over who’s to blame for Chris Henry and Odell Thurman. My view is that this debate constitutes a classic case of missing the forest for the trees. Odell and Henry are just two examples of a poor Bengals draft strategy that pre-dated Lewis’ arrival and hasn’t changed much since.
Lewis-era headcases like Odell and Henry are pikers compared to Carl Pickens, Corey Dillon and Tremain Mack. And the Bengals’ recent bad luck with [...]

Continuing a review of the Marvin Lewis era in Cincinnati, here’s a look at the five best games — one from each year — of his tenure.
2003: My personal favorite from this season was the Bengals’ week 13 victory over the hated Steelers in Pittsburgh when, with less than a minute to play, QB Jon Kitna led the Bengals on a 52-yard TD drive to win the game. But the greatest Bengals game of 2003 — and one of the greatest of the Lewis era — was indisputably the week 11 victory over the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. It was [...]

With about a month left until training camp starts, it’s a good time to review the Marvin Lewis era in Cincinnati. First up, the five worst games — one from each year — of his tenure. We’ll look at the five best games, plus some other stuff, in upcoming installments.
2003: In Lewis’ first year, the Bengals got off to a terrible start, dropping their first three games, including a heartbreaking 3-point loss in Oakland in week 2. But the team recovered, winning three of the following four games and coming into a week 9 contest at Arizona with the chance to [...]

Explanation here. Moron.

It’s Chad Johnson video day. Here he is on ESPN with Stephen Smith, making little sense, as usual. Click here for Chad horsing around on the phone with Eisen and Portis on NFL Network.
Pro Football Weekly hears that FB Jeremi Johnson’s job is safe.
Agreed: It’s put up or shut up time for center Eric Ghiacuic.
Keep dreaming, Rexx. Shee-it, those dyed pigeons of yours couldn’t beat us opening day last year, when we were missing our starting LT, starting SSLB, No. 3 wideout, had an MLB playing with a groin tear and were coming off an even more tumultuous offseason! There’s [...]

Memo from the Rubbing Salt in the Wound Dep’t: The Chickster rehashes the Greg Cook story. Cook was recently dubbed the No. 1 one-shot wonder of all time by NFL.com.
WDR gripes about not having details of Domato Peko’s new deal. Clearly, they need to check in with Cincy Jungle more often.
Dawg Pound Daily doesn’t think much of the Bengals chances this year.
Oh, joy: The assault and criminal damaging trial of former Bengals WR Chris Henry kicks off today.
Pro Fantasy Sports predicts TE Ben Utecht will catch at least 50 passes and score 5 to 6 TDs in 2008.

George Carlin passes.

The Chickster thinks RB Chris Perry could be on the outside looking in at the end of August. His sleeper at running back, undrafted free agent James Johnson, was almost a Chief.
While DeDe Dorsey’s hammy injury in minicamp points out the folly of predicting rosters in June, my money says that Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson and Perry all make the final cut, Dorsey and Kenny Irons start the season on the PUP list, and James Johnson ends up on the practice squad.
J-Joe looks like he’s rounding back into form. Joseph was hampered by a foot injury for much of 2007.
The [...]