Since the high point of most Bengals’ seasons over the last two decades has been draft day I, like many Cincinnati fans, am something of a draftnik. I admit to having a weakness for the silliness that is “mock drafts,” and since the Bengals are well out of playoff contention, I’ve begun to brows the early mocks posted around the intertubes. One of my first stops every year is Walter Cherepinsky’s site. And indeed, Walter already has a three-round mock up — updated yesterday to boot. Here’s how he sees the first three rounds shaking out for the Bengals.
Round one, [...]

Bengals safety Dexter Jackson has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury in practice yesterday. Jackson, who has a long history of injury issues, had struggled to stay healthy, but when he returned two weeks ago he was quickly inserted in place of second-year player Marvin White in an effort to limit big plays in the passing game.
Obviously, given the way Houston’s Matt Schaub picked the Bengals apart last week, that didn’t work out so well.
To replace Jackson, the Bengals signed journeyman safety Chris Crocker. Originally a third-round pick by Cleveland in 2003, Crocker has also spent [...]

Kirk notes that the 2009 nomination list for the Pro Football Hall of Fame is out, and boasts five Bengals among its 133 names. Included in that number — again — is Kenny Anderson, whose absence from the Hall is an absolute crime. The Cold Hard Football Facts documented the case three years ago, and it’s no less compelling now than it was then.
Anderson deserves a jacket and a bust.

Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh guaranteeing that the Bengals won’t go 0-16.
“If the season ends and we don’t win a game,” Houshmandzadeh vowed, “I will walk from my house to the NFL Network studios.”

So, why did the New York Jets sign practice squad player James Ihidigbo, an undrafted free agent safety out of Massachusetts, onto their 52-man roster? The Jets Insider story is behind the firewall, but teh google reveals:
The Cincinnati Bengals attempted to sign Ihedigbo to their regular roster, so if the Jets didn’t do that same, they would have lost the promising safety.
And so we got John Busing back instead, I suppose. Always good to know you were the first second choice of an 0-8 team, eh?
Speaking of choices, kirk points out that the deadline for extending contracts whose salaries and [...]

OK, not really. “Save the season,” that is. But the team did bring back John Busing to fill the spot opened when Corey Lynch was placed on IR.
For absolutely no reason whatsoever, I’ve always rooted for Busing, and was disappointed when he got caught in a numbers game at the end of camp. So while it stinks to have the promising youngster Lynch hurt, it’s good to see Busing back. Not that I expect it will make any difference in the win/loss column, but at this point I will take what few wan rays of sunshine I can get.

…with a vlog from Jeanne, Fansided’s Jaguars blogger from BlackandTeal.com. It seems that the Jags stink, too. But worry not, Jeanne, the Bengals are just what the doctor ordered for a struggling Jacksonville squad!

Adding injury to the insult that is this season, Bengals rookie S Corey Lynch has been placed in IR with a knee injury.
Lynch, best known for blocking this kick, was a sixth-round selection last April, and had been having a solid rookie campaign, with a sack, a pick and 8 tackles in limited action.

Cincinnati Enquirer sports columnist Paul Daugherty ponders the possibilities of 0-16:
After 18 years, would the imperfect, defeated season move the embarrassment meter into the red zone? Would it force ownership to join the 21st century? Would it make those who make the decisions finally drop their arrogance and stubbornness, and their beliefs that they know what they’re doing?
In a word, no. And even Doc knows it, admitting a couple sentences later that “the chances of 0-16 and a change in how things are done are equally remote.” I take issue with that statement only in that I believe the chance [...]