Bengals fans tolerate it because the franchise has the ability to start to instill just enough hope from the fans after years of mediocrity (often times worse than being mediocre). You have the playoff runs this decade for example.

 

Because of these good years every now and then Bengals fans think they can win in spite of Brown only to have their thoughts of making a push in the AFC ruined the following years. It's always spun as something, Ki-Jana Carter got hurt and never became a stud, Akili Smith was terrible, Carson Palmer had his career ruined by injuries, etc. It's a never ending cycle. I'll pull this thread up in 10 years (if possible) and 3 or 4 more excuses will be added to the list. It just comes with the territory IMO. For goodness sake, you would have thought Cincy signed the 2004 version of TO or something.

 

The Saints were terrible a really short time ago and won the title last year. Arizona was terrible not long ago and played Pitt a couple years ago in the SB. The area fans are optimistic at times b/c the NFL allows you to be that way. I agree though that Brown has been terrible.

The Pats are totally different than the Bengals. Sure they have taken their chances, but the guys they go after are on a short leash. Everyone in Foxboro is expendible with the exception of Tom Brady. Difference to me is that Pats added pieces in Dillon and Moss, the Bengals build their season on guys like TO, Benson, Tank, Pacman, etc.

 

The Pats are partly the same as the Bengals in free agency. They don't get a ton of players and don't sign huge contracts very often, but the ones they get are some times character risks. The difference is they don't sign all character risks and all of their guys haven't had legal issues. They would take an Owens if they needed b/c he wants to win and he's older. I agree they wouldn't take every Tank Johsnon, Pac Man Jones, Matt Jones, Benson, and others who are in legal trouble over and over.

The Saints were terrible a really short time ago and won the title last year. Arizona was terrible not long ago and played Pitt a couple years ago in the SB. The area fans are optimistic at times b/c the NFL allows you to be that way. I agree though that Brown has been terrible.

 

Arizona and New Orleans signed guys that turned out to be HOF QBs to go with what seems like two really good coaches. Both drafted well. Cincy signs whoever has a big name and comes cheap. I see no comparison outside of the fact all 3 were horrible teams not too long ago.

The Pats are partly the same as the Bengals in free agency. They don't get a ton of players and don't sign huge contracts very often, but the ones they get are some times character risks. The difference is they don't sign all character risks and all of their guys haven't had legal issues. They would take an Owens if they needed b/c he wants to win and he's older. I agree they wouldn't take every Tank Johsnon, Pac Man Jones, Matt Jones, Benson, and others who are in legal trouble over and over.

 

They would not be banking the season on TO though since they didn't do it with Moss who was 10 times more talented and much younger when he came. TO is suppose to be the answer to the Bengals WR problems according to Chad and Palmer and the fans.

Arizona and New Orleans signed guys that turned out to be HOF QBs to go with what seems like two really good coaches. Both drafted well. Cincy signs whoever has a big name and comes cheap. I see no comparison outside of the fact all 3 were horrible teams not too long ago.

 

The Saints were bad with Brees too. I think they even missed the playoffs the year before last. My point is they have some talented players and fans have seen other bad teams and franchises win.

They would not be banking the season on TO though since they didn't do it with Moss who was 10 times more talented and much younger when he came. TO is suppose to be the answer to the Bengals WR problems according to Chad and Palmer and the fans.

 

He's part of the answer. He hopefully can replace what Henry gave them. Shipley in 3 WR sets and Gresham being a threat are a big part of the optimism too. Before Brown became the redeemer they couldn't get any free agents. TO will work for a year.

The Saints were bad with Brees too. I think they even missed the playoffs the year before last. My point is they have some talented players and fans have seen other bad teams and franchises win.

 

I think they were more average than bad two years ago but I could be mistaken. Difference is (to me at least) that teams like the Saints and Cardinals added guys like Brees, Warner, Sharper, Vilma and the Bengals add guys like the 40 year old malcontent TO (who I've always liked but lets be realistic), a guy with one foot in the league and one foot in prison in Pacman, Matt "Tyrone Biggums" Jones, etc. They got a good player in Benson but let's see if he can stay motivated this year. That's really the difference I think. Those bad teams took guys that they new were going to play and play hard, the Bengals have to pray that Benson stays motivated, TO stays level-headed, and Pacman and MJ stay out of jail.

 

The Bengals have some talent this year but this team has the potential to really blow up in the face of the organization really quickly. Maybe they won't, but its really possible that they will. I really like Chad so I hope they don't but I think there is a realistic possibility. It's the Bengals way. It's like a QB getting drafted to the Lions (though I hope my boy Stafford changes that), a coach going to Oakland.

I think they were more average than bad two years ago but I could be mistaken. Difference is (to me at least) that teams like the Saints and Cardinals added guys like Brees, Warner, Sharper, Vilma and the Bengals add guys like the 40 year old malcontent TO (who I've always liked but lets be realistic), a guy with one foot in the league and one foot in prison in Pacman, Matt "Tyrone Biggums" Jones, etc. They got a good player in Benson but let's see if he can stay motivated this year. That's really the difference I think. Those bad teams took guys that they new were going to play and play hard, the Bengals have to pray that Benson stays motivated, TO stays level-headed, and Pacman and MJ stay out of jail.

 

The Bengals have some talent this year but this team has the potential to really blow up in the face of the organization really quickly. Maybe they won't, but its really possible that they will. I really like Chad so I hope they don't but I think there is a realistic possibility. It's the Bengals way. It's like a QB getting drafted to the Lions (though I hope my boy Stafford changes that), a coach going to Oakland.

 

TO, the player, was just what the Bengals needed. A WR who can catch balls over the middle & take some pressure off of #85. With the addition of TO & Shipley, the offense is much improved. Add in Gresham, and it's not even a fair comparison to last year's offense. TO is not the long-term answer, but he has looked very capable this preseason.

TO, the player, was just what the Bengals needed. A WR who can catch balls over the middle & take some pressure off of #85. With the addition of TO & Shipley, the offense is much improved. Add in Gresham, and it's not even a fair comparison to last year's offense. TO is not the long-term answer, but he has looked very capable this preseason.

 

TO catching balls over the middle should be an oxymoron. It's just not what he has ever done and the Bengals seem bent on making it work. If you sign TO I think you have to throw him bombs, it's what he does and he does/did it better than just about anyone. I think the underneath stuff should be Chad, Shipley and Gresham but that's JMO.

 

Also it seemed to me like the Bengals were forcing the ball to TO. If they do that in the regular season that could get ugly. If they don't get it to him enough it will get ugly.

Like I said earlier the Bengals do just enough to give their fans hope.........................

 

We'll see how it works out this year. Maybe this is the year they finally break through to the upper tier of the NFL.

Like I said earlier the Bengals do just enough to give their fans hope.........................

 

We'll see how it works out this year. Maybe this is the year they finally break through to the upper tier of the NFL.

 

I agree. He has to do more now b/c he can't sell tickets.

 

I think they have the talent to win against everyone in the league. Like you mentioned earlier it will be interesting to see how the pieces that have had legal issues and the pieces that have their own tv shows mesh this year. If they start out of the gate 0-2 it could be really entertaining.