Stripe Hype » vancemeek

Stripehype Interview: Kevin Zeitler

vancemeek — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:15:19 +0000

The turnaround of the Cincinnati Bengals franchise can be attributed in large part to solid work in recent NFL drafts, and then the hard work and development of those players. Many of the players who have been instrumental in the success of the team over the past few years are the product of great drafting and dedication. One of the weaknesses of the 2011 playoff team was the offensive line, which struggled mightily, and needed upgraded. One of those upgrades was 2012 first round draft pick Kevin Zeitler, who immediately took the right guard position by the horns and never let go.

Stripehype.com spoke to Zeitler after the draft last year, and now he’s kind enough to be back for a follow up after a tremendous season in which he proved he was absolutely worth the 27th pick of the draft. It looks like he will be starting in Cincinnati for years to come, and after his play this year, that’s definitely a good thing.

VM: How would you rate your first NFL season, and how did it compare to your expectations coming in?

I would say my first NFL season was decent. I did some things well, but also made some stupid mistakes. It was a bit easier than I expected.

VM: At the draft, Bengals fans were enamored with David DeCastro. Do you feel any extra competition between the two of you as a result?

David is a great player, and I know he’ll have a strong season next year when his knee is fully healed. I wouldn’t say there is any extra competition with us. I do consider myself to be competing with all other guards in the league though.

One Wish

vancemeek — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 02:57:52 +0000

There’s a lot that I could do with but a single wish. So much could be done to improve my year. I could wish that my Cincinnati Bengals wouldn’t suck, that we’d have a run at the top, and better yet, the Steelers would have a turn at the bottom of the league for 20 years or so. Andy Dalton really WOULD be Joe Montana, with A.J. Green as his Jerry Rice. There would be no more legal troubles. Mike Brown would hire a GM, build a practice bubble, get some scouts, and hire a great HC. Bengals fans could finally be rewarded for years of loyalty.

Or my Kentucky Wildcats could become even more dominant. We’d win 3 straight championships, beating Duke in the finals of every game, at least 1 of them at the last second so I can stop seeing Christian Laettner every March. John Calipari could stop being compared with Rick Pitino, and would sign a lifetime contract, and more importantly, would really honor it. We’d sign the best players every year, and the NCAA would never investigate us once.

The Cincinnati Reds would become the Big Red Machine once more. Joey Votto would never leave, and win multiple MVPs in a Reds uniform, while a few Cy Young awards would come this way too. Albert Pujols would sign and break the all-time HR record in Cincinnati, on a grand slam to clinch the division, against the Braves, who would suck for all-time.

Week in Review: 24 Hours in the Life of a Bengals Fan

vancemeek — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 02:10:39 +0000

8:00 AM-Wake up feeling a sense of excitement that it’s Sunday, but also with a gnawing dread because…….well, it’s Sunday.
9:00 AM-Have breakfast, something light in case it comes back up later is preferable. After breakfast, you run to town for last minute provisions for the day, including nachos, beer and aspirin. The guy who checks you out has a ‘who dey’ tattoo, so you think “this is going to be a good day”
10:00 AM-Open up your first beer, kiss your wife, pet your dog, read to your kids.
11:00 AM-You go into game mode, call your buddy to talk about how you will put it together and win today. You can’t lose really. Have another beer.
1:00 PM-Game time. You got the beer and nachos ready. Time to watch your team go to work.
1:15 PM-You ask an empty room “Why did we run the ball there? Is Marvin Lewis dense?”
1:30 PM-Your wife asks why you are screaming at the TV. You look at her like she’s from another planet, and have another beer.
2:00 PM-It’s obvious that the team is trying to lull the other team into a false sense of security, then they’ll strike.
2:05 PM-Marvin Lewis is a moron. Your grandmother could do a better job.
2:30 PM-Halftime. You empty your bladder, grab another beer. Call you buddy to discuss strategy, and settle in for the definite comeback.
3:00 PM-Your kid asks a question to which you reply “DIDN’T I TELL YOU NOT TO INTERRUPT MY BALLGAME?!?!?! YOU’RE GROUNDED!”
3:30 PM-Down just 3 now. You knew it was coming. You were never worried.
4:00 PM-You throw the remote through the window, pull off your Bengals hat and stomp on it, scream about how stupid that a-hole Marvin Lewis is, and kick your dog.
4:30 PM-Sit through a lecture from your wife about how it’s just a game, and you need to calm down.