Cincinnati Bengals: The NFL's Good Guys?

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Jun 11, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown (left) walks with quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the Cincinnati Bengals had been labeled as a team who took on all problematic players. Talent trumped disposition and the Bengals would always favor talent to improve the team. Other fan bases enjoyed our method of selecting/signing players, making the team a butt of many jokes. The list of players arrested is extensive: Cedric Benson, Jerome Simpson, Odell Thurman, Chris Henry, A.J. Nicholson, Frostee Rucker, Deltha O’Neal, Eric Steinbach to just name a few. A majority of these arrests occurred in 2006. Yet despite this lengthy list, the Bengals have turned it around in a big way. I contend the Bengals have now become one of the NFL’s good guys.

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Since Marvin Lewis was brought back after lengthy discussions with owner Mike Brown in 2011, some considerations were made for Lewis’ benefit. According to the linked NFL wire report, Lewis wanted to stay, but only if there were changes in how the team operates. These changes weren’t expounded upon by Lewis or Brown, but by connecting the dots, we can see the subtle alterations in the Bengals’ procedure.

In my first article for Stripe Hype, I mentioned Duke Tobin has taken a more decision-maker role for the Bengals. Tobin has been with the Bengals since 2002 and he has collaborated with Lewis to reform their draft/free agency strategy. The results of their efforts has not only helped the team on the field, but also rehabilitate their off field image.

Next: Some Players Who Underline the Bengals Transformation