Unwanted Bengals are becoming Bill Belichick’s treasure
By Emile Pierce
There are lots of scenarios that can make Bengals fans go nuts. But, watching Bill Belichick build a pipeline from Cincy to New England is crazy.
Sometimes you have to wonder about the timing of things. What some people call a coincidence, others consider a natural occurrence. But, when you look at the state of affairs between the Bengals and Patriots, it seems like repeat mode. If the late great Yogi Berra was around, it would be deja vu all over again. When Rex Burkhead turned the Baltimore Ravens D into Swiss cheese in Week 17, the writing was on the wall. He had that superstar game everyone was waiting for.
Burkhead was supposed to be the Bengals’ answer for the anemic running attack that truly lacked punch. For the majority of the year (actually, his career with the Bengals), Rex was a fixture on the sidelines waiting for a chance to shine. When it came, the Bengals weren’t ready. Let me rephrase that. It was a case of money over talent once again and Mike Brown isn’t going to be held captive. Burkhead wanted to start and it wasn’t happening with Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard under contract.
Hill is in the last year of his rookie contract and Gio just signed a nice wallet bulging deal. According to Spotrac, Mr. Bernard is being paid swell by the Browns. So, no matter what went down, Gio is in the Queen City for the duration of his contract. Mike is an upright guy like that.
But, I digress. This is about The Evil Empire and how they have been siphoning talent from the Bengals. Yeah, that’s how I feel.
Baby Hawk Made Me Think Of This
Say what you must about Bill Belichick. But, the man knows how to get the job done. Call it favoritism, cheating, buying the refs, the luck of the football gods…whatever. All I know is there seems to be a pipeline from Cincinnati to New England.
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When I saw that the Patriots had added (sigh) Andrew Hawkins to the Empire, I was furious. Well, not furious as much as jealous. Hawkins deserves to be with a winner. But, my ego deserves to cheer for a Super Bowl contender too. Okay. It’s not about me. I’m happy for Hawkins. But, I’m sick and tired of Belichick grabbing talent that Lewis & Co. decides doesn’t fit the team anymore.
The names of former Bengals to play for Belichick is sobering. Any hardcore fan remembers the exodus of Corey Dillon. We can’t forget about Chad Johnson. Last year, Matt Lengel was plucked from the practice squad. Now, fans have to endure the sight of Burkhead doing what he does best…for the Pats.
Honestly, the sight of Burkhead slicing through defenses behind the Bengals patchwork O-Line was my hope for 2017. But, obviously, the focus has to switch to Hill, Bernard and young Joe Mixon.
Salty? Yes, very. Hopefully, Lewis won’t overlook the talent–seen and unseen–of this year’s draft class. Watching more talent chill on the sidelines and then slide over to New England would be the last straw. Seemingly, Belichick has his sights set on Marvin’s castoffs.