Archive for July, 2010

While most of the other Bengals blogs go dark – or pretty frickin’ close – before training camp, StripeHype will still be going strong in the immediate future. Today’s post revolves around the Bengals ratings for EA Sports’ Madden 2011 video game. The Bengals did much better in this year’s version, but I still have a few complaints. (Don’t I always?) Here they are in no particular order: -Tank Johnson seems a bit underrated at 77 (ratings are out of 100) -Matt Jones isn’t present on the list and Jerome Simpson is a ridiculous 57. Even if the kid is [...]

The AFC North Ultimate Roster has sparked quite a bit of conversation. Here are a few points of contention from Joe over at FanSided’s Ravens site, the Ebony Bird. QB: Ben Roethlisberger. It’s about what he is as a player, and with that said, he’s far better than Palmer. Slot: I think this should be a fullback. That’s the AFC North’s claim to fame, smashmouth football where the fullback knocks guys over. With that said, I’ve gotta say Le’Ron McClain NT: Casey Hampton. Rogers is close, but Hampton is just that little bit better. Punter: Sam Koch-He is one of [...]

The FanSided Network is putting together an all-star roster for each division and the braintrust has put me in charge of the AFC North. (Apparently, they are that desperate). I tried my best to put my homerism aside and compile the division’s best roster. On offense, I went with three wideouts and only one running back. On defense, I went with a 3-4 since the Bengals are the only 4-3 team (it also squeezed out some Bengals players). I also wrote a few comments when I felt like it.  Here’s the list: Offense LT:  Joe Thomas, Cleveland – You could [...]

In the latest issue, ESPN the Magazine releases this year’s Ultimate Team Rankings (which are also available online), in which teams from all four major sports are ranked based on different criteria (wins over the last three years, fan relations, ownership, affordability, stadium experience, players, coaches, title track). The Bengals finished an abysmal 90, which is a little bit low. I mean, they’re far from a world class organization, but they’re better than the Pittsburgh Pirates (No. 82). Isn’t everyone? The team was held back by a 118 score in fan relations, which suggests borderline torture of a fan base. [...]