You know, I’ve read a lot of dumb things in my life. Hell, I’ve written a lot of dumb things in my life. Twenty-one years ago, I graduated from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University with a degree in journalism (specifically a BS, which I always found appropriate). And for two decades I have made a living putting electronic ink to computer keyboards.
I note this only to emphasize my level of disappointment with this piece of shit.
And yeah, I’m talking to you, Chick. You let them put your name on this?
Let’s just fisk the first few sentences.
It [...]

Central Michigan offensive lineman available in July 16 supplemental draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ first attempt to entice wary and cash-strapped fans into buying available season tickets fell flat, and four-game ticket packs go on sale Monday.
Will the Bengals’ 44-game sellout streak be broken opening day? We’ll see. And if it is, will it be because fans are fed up, or just broke?
My guess is: a bit of both. The Bengals’ finish last season didn’t give anyone but masochists a reason to spend their money, but the sputtering economy has everyone running scared. Americans are stuffing their mattresses at record rates, and NFL tickets are just one thing they aren’t buying. [...]

Too much orange Kool-Ade gives BJ indigestion. But Kirk’s got my back. To that I’d add only that, while the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line does indeed have numerous question marks, they are of a different quality than those facing the line in the run-up to 2008.
Last summer, Bengals fans were wondering if either tackle could play at all. Neither Levi Jones nor Willie Anderson had been right since the end of 2005. Both had skipped the team’s voluntary offseason program (OK, Willie showed up for the last week) in 2008. Levi, after sparring with coaches in the 2007 offseason, had [...]

That sound you hear is a roaring Niagra of orange Kool-Ade pouring over the edge of Bandwagon Falls. First came the Cryptkeeper, who calls Cincinnati a potential surprise team.
I might not buy Chad Ochocinco’s playoff guarantee, but I guarantee the Bengals will be good on offense as long as Carson Palmer is healthy. Andre Caldwell is showing some promise as a slot receiver. Ochocinco is back to being a top-level receiver after training hard this offseason. On defense, Mike Zimmer has a decent group with good speed and improved ability to pressure the quarterback. My concern might be the offensive [...]

Snoooore…CHUK!….Huuk…cough, cough, wha…? Oh, sorry, ’scuse me, drifted off there for a bit. Wow, that was some first day of minicamp for the Bengals, eh? In the morning, C Kyle Cook and LB Dhani Jones got into a scuffle after Cook told Jones bow ties were for wimps. In the afternoon, Cincinnati’s newest fast-casual restaurant, J.T. O’Sullivan’s, announced its lineup of 12 meals under $12, and practice was called after the coaching staff fainted dead away when K Shayne Graham made a 55-yard field goal.
Oh, and we’re going to the playoffs.

Well, at least some things never change-o.
In addition to camp, [...]

Yeah, I’m still here. Apologies once again for the lack of updates, but between a new job and the arrival of summer, yours truly has found that the days are just packed.
Fortunately, the Bengals are doing their part, continuing the kind of only-eventful-in-a-good-way offseason that’s been all too rare in Cincinnati. There’s been an early rookie signing, QB Carson Palmer continue to serve up the Kool-Ade and the team kicks off its three-day minicamp today with all their key players, including WR Chad Ochocinco, present and accounted for. The Chickster previews minicamp here.
That’s all for now. I’ll try to [...]

Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco arrived in Cincinnati today, much to the surprise of just about everyone. After passing a physical, he took part in his first voluntary workout since 2007.
Insert applause here.
Last night, after reading Chad’s plea for fan support on bengals.com, I wrote a short post entitled “Get On A Plane” which internet connection issues prevented me from posting. I give it in full:
So I see that Chad Ochocinco says that he needs he fans to embrace him again. For whatever it’s worth, Chad, I’m in your corner — but you want some love, you need to walk [...]

Note: this was written yesterday, but the network was experiencing technical difficulties. Please pardon our dust. Now, on to (belated) business:
Apologies for the lack of posts recently, but my paying gig is absorbing all my time of late, so my gratis ramblings here have taken a hit. Anyone out there interested in helping out around these parts, feel free to drop me a line at stripehype (at) yahoo.com.
Doesn’t look like I’ve missed much, though. I see former center Eric Ghiaciuc is talking about how Chad Ochocinco’s antics always had him looking over his shoulder. Well, y’know, maybe if he’d kept [...]