I have been listening to 1530 Homer on the way home from work pretty well daily. Lance McCallister generally hosts the show and Andrew Hawkins, who is trying to break into the broadcast business, does a weekly show as well. There must be some edict or something that being "homer" is the greatest sin a talk host can commit.

If you listen to Lance would would think the Reds are simply the worst team ever. Nothing but complaints and insults, especially towards Dusty Baker. I have to resist the urge to call in and tell him the truthful fact that a hitting coach in a single A minor league team know more about the game of baseball than he or many of his "I know baseball" callers. I begin to wonder if he has worn a jock since Jr. High - if then. He can't manage a positive vibe - ever. Listening to him is flat depressing.

Then there is Hawkins. Last night he talked about the Bengals draft picks. According to him, we drafted a CB in Dre who can't cover, wasted a 1st round pick on a Guard and Sanu is slow and plodding and years away from contributing. I don't want to hear a typical homeristic rant but this guy said nothing positive at all while constantly reminding us that he had big news coming at the end of the show that we needed to stay tuned for. What it ended up being was a promotion of his new blog. I am really getting tired of clueless sports talk hosts and talentless ex jocks with way too large of an opinion of themselves. We need to demand better. From now on I will slip my Clapton CD in on the way home. Okay, I got it off my chest. I feel better now. Thanks for allowing me to rant.

I have posted this on Cincy Jungle and I am interested to see what other team's fans have to say. Who do you think is going to be the player picked in the lower rounds who will become a high level difference maker? Who is the guy who nobody expects to play at a high level and ends up being the steal of the draft? I am not talking about 1st round or, to a lesser extent, 2nd round picks. I am talking about the guy who comes out of the blue to be a real player. Tom Brady is a perfect example. I picked Robert Turbin.

What do I mean by a darkhorse player? It is a player that people don't expect to have a big impact but surprises everyone by outperforming expectaions having a big immediate impact. First round and 2nd round picks, to a lesser extent, aren't darkhorse candidates. They are expected to make an immediate impact. My pick is Turbin. He isn't on the list of top 5 runningbacks but I think he can play. Who is your's?

My apologies to Charles Dickens. This season was the tale of three teams. The first is the team we thought they would be in training camp, complete dogs. Few if any predicted more than 5-6 wins, and those were the more optimistic types. Rookie QB, rookie #1 WR, and questions everywhere. Carson gone. Chad gone (a little less regretably). Most of the addition was by subtraction whit Brat being gone and replaces by another rookie in his debut, the younger brother of someone who we knew was talented. ML was back as was Zimmer but our hopes, as usual, were on that distant and ever in the future goal of actually making some noise, maybe in a couple of years. Who Dey was replaced with Maybe Some Dey, but not soon. Then the second team arrived. We catch a break in Cleveland and we are actually finding ourselves rootong for a team that competed. 6-2 at the half exorcised the demons of the first team. Daltin was great, for a rookie and Green was unbelieveable. Our Dline dominated in a way we never saw coming. This in spite of losing Shipley early and Bobbie for a while. The team went from glass completely empty to overflowing. These were the good times. Ah, I remember them well. The boards were bubbling over with optimism and the feeling of being able to walk around in our Bengals gear with our chests puffed out was fun. We were drunk with optimism The Carson Palmer trade was the Yeager Bomb that put us under the table. Then the third team arrived. Oh boy. The air began to leak out of our over inflated chests as Pittsburgh and Baltimore came around to put us back in our box. Reality set in and we found out that we were not either the first of the three teams or the second but somewhere in between and the hangover from the previous "night on the town" set in leaving us just a bit ill and kneeling in front of the crapper but still functioning and strangely hopeful. We sort of staggered our way to the playoffs and got our asses handed to us. Reality is a bitch. But, lets look at reality. The team isn't as good as we delusionally hoped but far better than we once feared. The future is brighet even if we can't see it right now as the dark cloud from Houston hasn't quite blown over. So, I say to all true Bengals fans. Wipe the dregs of the upchucked bits of the end of the season from your chin. Grab the commode and lift yourselves up from your knees and grab that cup of coffee known as hope. Drop in as couple of lumps of Free Agency pour in five draft picks in the first three rounds. There is still life out there and a new year dawns, full of hope and anticipation. Hell, we just might be yealling "Who Dey" again before you know it. "Please sir, may I have some more?"

I have a good friend, Dave, who I hadn't seen for a while since he hda moved to Toledo for his job. I invited him to join myself and a few buddies on a weekend Walleye fishing trip to Port Clinton a few years back. When he arrived I could tell that he was upset about something and I took him aside to find out what was bothering him and to see if I could help a buddy out. I found out that he had missed the 6th number on a Pick-6 lottery ticket for a million dollars. I did my best to console him and in doing so learned the rest of the story. It went something like this: "Well, Dave did you win anything?" "Yea, I won $10,000." "Dave, when you brought the ticket, did you expect to win?" "No, I only brought it on a lark." "Okay, Dave let me get this straight. You win $10,000 you never expected to win and you are pissed because it wasn't $1,000,000? That seems kinda silly to me. You should be happy that you won the 10 grand. Hell, I would be doing the Walter Houston dance fron the Treasures os the Sierra Madre." He looked over to me and gave me a big smile and a manhug. "You are so right John. Thanks for setting me straight. I needed that." Dave was happy and had a great time on the boat for two days. I think we can all take a lesson from Dave. None of us expected this team to do anything when the season started. Yet, many here are pissed that this team is only twice as good as we thought they would be and not three times as good. We have an unexpectedly good team this year. We have a strong draft coming up and another one after that. All of us should be very happy with that. I understood the disapoimntment that Dave felt when the last number didn't come up and I also understand the disapointment that our playoff hopes took a hit last weekend in a hard loss. But, lets not let that undermine the positives we are seeing this year. The future is potentially very bright. Don't let the fact that unrealistic dreams fell short. Be happy that this team is better than we dreamed they would be when the season started. Take a happy and optimistic view. I, at least find that to be more fun. But maybe that is just me.

Hello Texans fans! I and other Bengals fans I am sure will do out best to answer questions you may have about our team and we will probably have a few ourselves. Lets try to keep is high level football discussion. You guys don't see us often ans we don't see you much as well. I am sure that we can have some good, respectful and insightful interaction. So, lets go. This is going to be a big game for all of us.

could keep me from being a Bengals fan. I have no idea how good we are and I have no idea if it is possible that the next 10 years could be the Bengals decade. But win or lose the one thing that would drive me away from the teams is - us - the fans. If by chance we find the success that the Steelers and Ravens have enjoyed for the last 10 years or so, I pray that we can find a way to retain our class and humility. I must say most of my time on the Ravens and Steelers boards has been met with courtesy and respect. But there are contingents in those fan bases and, I am sad to say in our own at times, that reeks of utter classlessness. If I ever see that that unsavory minority becomes the majority here I just don't think I could remain faithfull to it. I love it here. I have a great time chatting with everyone here. You are informed and consciencious fans. You can be witty and funny and relevant. I would hope that on the eve of what I believe could be a new day here for us we will continue to be who we are now.

There are quite a few people over on CJ who know the team as well of better than I do, but I will do my best to answer any questions you may have. If you are at all like me as a fan of an AFCN team you probably follow the other teams in the division pretty well, so this post is probably not as neccessary here as it would be with teams we don't face often, but just in case, I will do my best and I am sure others from the Bengals board will join in and answer questions I fall a bit short on.

I frequently go to the next opponent's board and talk football the week before the game. If you have any questions I may have either an answer or a relatively informed opinion. I do not talk or respond to smack. This is kind of a standard request that I make. How about we agree to be men (or ladies) and agree that a penalty is only a penalty if it is called. There are penalties on just about every play that can be called, but as for me, and I hope you, they don't matter. If we lose this week you will not see me making excuses about bad calls. I would appreciate the same consideration. Now, ask away.

Okay, I thought that might get your attention. No, I do not think Daltom sucks at all. It is the nickname. The only on that I like, and I really don't go much for nicknames at all, is "Roadhouse".  It counjus up a much more appropriate image. I posted this on one of the threads but I am hoping that I get more people behind it with a fan post. The "Red Rifle" reminds me a a 9 year old playing cowboys and indians. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I played cowboys and indians  - but I was 9. How about "Roadhouse" if any nickname is needed at all. I would rather him have none than the "Red Rifle". That nickname just gives me the creeps for some reason.

Are you suffering from a nagging headache?

Do you have a persistent aching acid feeling in your stomach that reoccurs on winter Sundays, say around 4:00 PM?

Do you have an annoying ringing in your ears as you try to fall asleep while your nagging brain sends torrents of nonstop thoughts circling thru your head until you feel the need for a couple of double shots of Wild Turkey 101?

Have you tried all of the products that promise quick relief only to find you have been scammed?

Have you tried therapy only to find it ineffective?

How about meditation, yoga or tantric sex?

Nothing worked? The pain just seems to get worse? Have you found that you can't cure cancer with a topical ointment?.

Well, take two aspirin and wash it down with that Turkey Double shot and call me in the morning at bengalsnextstep@yahoo.com. I do not promise you a quick fix. I do not promise that I can heal you. I do however promise that you will feel better just knowing that you did something more than complain and I also promise that there will not be any side effects such as thoughts of suicide, stomach cramps or anal leakage. I assure you that if you get on board that I will do my very best to put your support to work to good effect.

Regards, JJ

P.S. No I am not really a doctor. I didn't even play one on TV. I am actually not a healer. It is, in fact, my intent to see to it that MB spends a few sleepless nights with his arms wrapped around a very large bottle of Pepto. I cannot however do it alone. In fact I cannot do it at all. You, the collective you, however, can.

Or, maybe you think this will just heal itself - or maybe you just don't care anymore. If so, stop lying to yourself and step forward and be counted.

Imagine if you will a beautiful, well adorned dining room. The table is set with the finest crystal, dinnerware and silver forks, knives and spoons. Around the table sit the Bengal upper level including Mike and Katie, Marvin, Brat and Zim. Their plates are filled with prime rib, a steaming baked potato slavered with butter and sour cream. Goblets of iced water set beside a goblet of a fine burgundy. A hot apple pie sets on the serving table awaiting the server to add a scoop of french vanilla ice cream when they have finished the main course.

Imagine a dog wandering around the room after drinking the last of the stale water out of his dish and eating the last few crumbs of cheap dog food from his bowl. He wines a bit, drawing a look of ire from MB who is reluctant to get up, kick him and drag him out to the porch, as he doesn't want air his cruelty in front of his guests. The dog walks up to Marvin who cuts a bit of fat from his prime rib and gives it to the dog who swallows it happily and then goes over to Zim. Zim pats the dog on the head and slices a piece of lean meat from his plate and drops it into the dog mouth. Wagging his tail, he walks over to Brat who simply rubs his ear and offers nothing. The dog goes to stand between MB and Katie and looks up to them with sad eyes.. They look at each other and MB nods to Katie who drops a piece of crust from her bread that she wasn't going to eat anyway. The dog goes away - still hungry, but at least he got something, right?

Now imagine the same scene in Pittsburg. The dog is sleeping peacefully on a lambskin in front of the fireplace sleeping contentedly after eating his fill of the finest beef and lamp dog food, leaving the large bowl half full because he just couldn't eat that much. His water dish is full of clear cool water. He sleeps the sleep of contentment.

In case you havn't figured it out, in this little tale we fans are the dog and the last two wins are the table scraps that we are happy to get because - well we are so damn hungry. These small bites leave us ever hopeful that some day we will be able to sleep on the lambskin in front of the fire and eat the finest. Of course, that will probably never happen. MB knows it but he can't let us know it. He needs us to be the obedient pet who will roll over and play dead upon his command to keep the dream alive and well - eat his table scraps, like a good dog. I don't know about you, but I am getting tired of cheap food, luke warm water in a dirty bowl and table scraps served with a condescending pat on the head. The accommodations in Pittsburg, Baltimore, NE and Indy are getting more attractive all the time. But, I, like most good dogs, suffer from the affliction of loyaty, but one day I just might just have had enough abuse and strike back. 

Who am I kidding? We are all good dogs now, aren't we? Woof. Woof.

     

If you have not read the previous fanpost entitled "How upset are we. Really." This will not make much sense to you. I will not repeat that I have already posted. Go there and read it along with the responses if you are interested. The other post began to get too large and muddled for me to be concise. Read it and join me on the e-mail address below if you are upset enough to do something about our situation.

Let me reiterate once again. I will only be a part of a respectful and professional effort. No MB smack or insults. Respect and professionalism is critical to a serious effort.

I would also like to express my appreciation to this site and Josh and other officials of this site. Thank you for providing an initial forum for us.

The web e-mail I promised is bengalsnextstep@yahoo.com. Join me there so we can see if we are ready for the next step. But, read the other noted fan post first. Everything you need to know at this point is there and in the responses. Everyone have a good day.

I actually started this FanPost several times and, being unsure how it would be received, deleted it each time. Perhaps I should have done it again this time,  but, not being one who is not afraid to err (nothing is accomplished by those afraid to fail) I think I just may have the fortitude to press the 'Publish' button below. If you read this I guess I did.

 

We, Democrat or Republican, Liberal or Conservative, have just witnessed, what I consider to be a major lesson in the past election. Love them - or - hate them the Tea Party movement illustrated the power of people who are fed up with politics as usual not just bitching and complaining but actually feeling so upset that they actually did something. How did they become effective? They put out the numbers. They became visible. They forced debate and demanded that they be heard. The drove their point home using the only weapons they have, public demonstration and the power of the one thing that politicians care about - their vote. The real point here is that real and impactfull demonstrations of their power, which they had all along but rediscovered, is required. They did it because the believed in their cause enough to act.

 

Just how much do we really care about the Bengal's situation? Obviously, just about everyone on this site wants things to change - a few perhaps enough to try to do something about it. In the past a few parties tried, but their efforts weren't strong enough and persistant enough to be effective. Too many of us sat on the sidelines and said "good for them, it is about time someone did something." As a result MB simply brushed it aside with a "this too will pass" attitude. There was no motivation to change as the effects on him were so minor that when told that the masses were hungry for wins he simply told them to eat losses.

This leads me to the question that is the title of this post. Just how upset are we? Really. Are we finally upset to the point where we will actually do something big enough and persistent enough that MB simple cannot ignore it? Something that not only gets MB's attention or the local media's attention but the national media and league office's attention? I will tell you right now that a few hunderd or even a few thousand active participants for a month or so will not get it done. It will take 10's of thousands for a long time. It has to be something that MB cannot ignore because it hits him too hard for too long where it hurts.

 

With the Tea Party it was the loss of votes that hurt by threatening the cushy power lifestyle of the individual politicians and went further to hurt their parent organization, in this case, the Democratic party and on to the President. They take the Tea Party seriously now, don't they?

 

How do we, if we decide to do it, go about it. I don't know - I must be honest. But I do have some ideas. Let me first of all say this, I am not interested in being the leader of any movement. I am kinda trolling for someone more skilled than I to help make something happen - if we are really that upset - and I am not sold on that yet.

 

We need to hit MB thru at least 4 different venues.

1. We need to appeal to his sense of fairness, tell him our concerns and ask him to consider our wishes. We have already done that to the point where he recenty issued a statement that, in essence, told us all to go to Hell.

2. We need to flood the league offices, not with e-mails, but physical mail, hand written. We need to let Goodell know that there is a new day in Cincinnati Bengal Nation and we are not just complaining. We are preparing to act. A few hundred will not do. It must be thousands a day. To the point where it cannot be ignored.

3. We need to flood the local media to the point where it is news. Set up fan demonstrations and rallys. We need to take out full page ads - not just once - but frequently. We need to find and support someone who can do a professional job of being the face of the movement and handle the finances, transactions and communication. (NOT ME!) Maybe 'Bulldog' Dieters or someone like him.

4. We need to back all of this up with the one thing that MB cannot ignore for long. We need to hit him in the pocket book. We need to stop buying Bengals related gear and stop going to Training Camp, Preseason games and regular season games. We need to focus a protest where for at least one or two games PB Stadium looks like a ghost town.

 

Here is the big question. Are we, the Bengals fans, willing to do that? Nothing short of a total effort will have any effect  Are most of us going to say "well everyone else is participating - I don't need to?" Are we willing to go out to all of our friends and relatives and recruit them and allow this to fusion reaction - or will we let it fizzle? MB wants us to believe ,like the Borg, that resistance is futile. It isn't MB depends on a regular flow of big dollars and if we can cut his fan revenue by even as little as 30-40% he cannot ignore it. If only that percentage of Bengal fans join the 'cause' he would have to take note. Remember, there are other Bengal Sites (sorry Josh) where fans feel the same way. If we can all unite we CAN at least slap the guy who is insulting us.

If we are not willing to put enough of our effort - and a little bit of money (if 10 thousand contribute $1 that will but a full page add in a major paper) - into it then we simply need to shut the hell up and let Czar Brown continue to look down and laugh at us while we continue to suffer.

Okay, I have put this out there. Just how upset are we? Really. Are we sheep or wolves? Are we a storm to be reckoned with or simply a tempest in a teapot? I don't know,  you tell me. I can only say that it isn't a requirement that we all stand tall but it seems to me that we at least need to stand up. Unless of course, we really don't care that much and aren't really as upset as we talk like we are. It that is the case I guess that is okay. But I will tell you something a very wise man - my father - told me when I was young. You deserve whatever you are willing to put up with.

Mr. Brown, We have been a loyal fan base for all of your 20 years as owner/general manager of the Bengals. During that time you have rewarded us with a couple of playoff appearances, no playoff wins ans a multitude of losing seasons. We, the fans have done our part. You have a new stadium and a team that, even as poorly as it has performed, has more than doubled in value. You are wealthy and getting richer by the minute. I begrudge you none of that. 

 

We deserve better than we have received. We have stepped up. Now it is time for you to step up because, though it may look like business as usual, it isn't. Down here in the fan's world there is genuine unrest. We are sad, tired and not doing as well financially as we would like for the most part. We are asking nothing more than what fans all over the country have. We want to be able to shed our troubles for just a few hours after we have worked hard all week, taken care of our families, helped our children with their home work, taken out the trash, mowed the grass, struggled under our car to repair it and everything else we are depended on to do. The Bengals are one of those things we look forward to  - just those few hours on Sunday and a few minutes here on sites like this.

 

We do not have palacial estates and fancy cars for the most part. We live in modest homes, try to get another year out of a car that need replacing, eat meal we can make cheaply at home and cut coupons to try to stretch our dollar just to keep going.We have a lot of stress wondering if we can keep our jobs or even find one.

By contrast you have it pretty good. You should be singing and dancing as a happy man. You have wealth and security of a nature unknown to almost all of us. And you got all of it in one way or another from the pockets of none other than us. Is it too much to ask that you, after years of failed attempts, swallow just a little of your pride and admit that you can do better by hiring a good general manager, provide up to date facilities, hire a few scouts and make a true, real attempt to put a winning team on the field? You can do all of that and still be rich beyond the dreams of Averace. We as fans would like just once to root for a team that not only can have an occasional winning season only to fall back to mediocracy but can, like the fans in Pittsburg and Baltimore, have a few years of continued success. We are thirsty for it. We deserve it. You are the only one who can make it happen.

On behalf of all Bengal fans I am humbly asking you to step up, abandon the failed policies of the past and bring a new day for us. Bring in what you need, get an indoor practice facility, hire scouts, sign the players they recommend, let the coaches coach and bring in a good professional GM to tie it all together. If you don't want to do it for us - do it in the name of your father - a man we truly respected and loved. If you do, I promise you will gain something that you have never known - the respect and affections of the good people who root for the Bengals.

Respectfully, Junglejohn

P.S. Scroll down and read. I am confident that other of my Bengal fan bretheren and sisters will support what I have just said.

The interception on 3rd down illustrated almost all of what is wrong with the team. There are 3 1/2 points.

1. Carson should not have thrown the pass into such tight coverage. Bad decision making.

2. The call for a pass here should never have been made. Idiotic coaching.

3. Chad should have caught the ball. Too little concentration and drive.

If any one of the above three things went the other way we probably win the game. The 3 biggest problems - all in one play.

3 1/2 If the Oline could have kept the pocket clean things could have been better. But maybe not, thus only 1/2 a point.

 

We won't even go into the soft and ineffective D in the last minute and a half. That is a whole different can of worms.

 

Guys. That is a lot to turn around. If they can do it they deserve kudos.

In the 90's we were bad. We knew we were bad, We never expected to win on any given Sunday. I would watch the game just to see if we could make a game of it. If we won I was happy btu if we lost it was Okay. It was expected. Now we get some players and become competitive and expectations are high. But, in the end we really are just the same old Bengals. I am not sure my Bengal fandom can survive this. Some one out there throw me a rope. No- wait - I would probably just use it to hang myself.

We had the same record last year and everyone was having a good time. After our wins this year it seems that all I read is how angry everyone is. Is that a commentary on the team or us? Have we become jaded? If we win 10 games looking the same as we do now, will we still be angry? Have we taken the fun out of being a Bengals fan? I really miss enjoying the game. 

I have not been a regular poster on the Ravens board for quite a whilw but during my time here I did get to know several Ravens fans. Sometime it became rather dicey but I am here to speak well of one of your own. One of your regular posters has stepped up to the plate and demonstrated his loyalty and courage. He has earned my respect. Jackma recently enlisted in the U.S.Army. I hope the posters on Ravens Nation will join me in placing Jackma in their prayers and send along their best wishes. I am proud of him. You should be too.

I have always been suspicious of the strength of schedule they release every year. It is always based on the previous years records and the only thing that stays the same in the NFL is that teams change.  Yes there are some relative constants in teams like the Colts, Patriots, Steelers and yes, Baltimore but even their play varies and eventuall all dynasties fall. There are also teams, like the Bengals who went from 4-12 to 10-6 whose opponents marked them down as a win before the season started and got a big surprise.

The drafting of even one difference maker such as maybe Suh can affect changes greater than just the play in their position. FAs can be brought in that completely transform teams who played below .500 and put them over the top. They also can leave the team they were on in shambles.

What I would like to see is a comparison between the SOS prior to the season compared to the actual SOS after it. I don't know of anyone who has done that. Do you? How much do you think the SOS for this year has been affected by the draft?   For example I think the Seahawks will be better and the Texans will be worse. What do you think?

There are several way to look at a draft. Part of that is determined by how many holes you have to fill and a decision if you want to improve more in the interest of the long term or the short term. The Bengals, in my opinion, did well on both counts. Much of what I am going to try to do in this post is, I will admit, pretty subjective. I tried to view it as reasonably but whenever you apply numbers, which are digital, to the real world, which is analog, there will always be gaps but I have tried to do just that.

I have decided to use a numerical scale of 1 to 10 with 5 being the performance of an average NFL player. I will identify the 22 starting positions by player but since some lost time due to injury I decided to factor in the performance of their backup. I did this for the 09 season and what I see as realistic in 2010 based on the total effect of another year of experience both as individuals and as a unit. For example, an improvement on one position group may affect the performance group such as an improve pass rush making things easier for D backfield. 2010 estimations also include the performance of those I think will replace current starters.

  I used the only opinions for which I am the foremost expert - my own. I fully expect your opinions to be different and perhaps even more valid but my purpose is to illustrate a point not to necessarily be totally accurate. My assumption is that you need an average of 6.0 to7 as a team to be in serious playoff contention. OK here goes:

O Position                09       10                        D Position                  09          10

QB Palmer               6.0       7.0                      DE Odom                   6.5         7.0

RB Benson              8.0       8.5                      DE Johnson              6.5          7.0

TE whoever              3.0      6.0                      DT Peko                      7.0         7.5

LT Whit                     5.5      6.5                       DT Tank                      6.0         7.0

LG whoever             4.5      5.5                       LB Rey                        6.5          7.0

C  Cook                    5.0      6.0                       LB Jones                    7.0          7.0

RG  Bobby               5.5       6.0                      LB Rivers                    6.0          6.5

RT whoever             4.5       6.0                     FS Crocker                  6.0          6.5

WR Chad                 6.5       7.0                     SS Roy                         6.0          6.0

WR Coles                4.0       6.0                     CB Hall                        8.5           9.0

Slot Caldwell          4.0        6.0                    CB Joseph                   8.0          8.5

          Totals           56.5      70.5                                                        67.5          79.0

           Ave,               5.14     6.4                                                           6.14          7.18

       09 Ave (O & D) = 5.64                 

       10 Ave (O & D)= 6.80

I am sure some one will check my math but I think it is correct. The result indicates that last year we were just what I think we were a team that was actually reforming and rebuilding who did a bit better than we could expect but it also shows that we are a stronger and more valid playoff contender.

Please enjoy tearing my assessment apart. I feel good about the upcoming season and this illustrates why. I realize that I didn't include several factors such as kicker and ST play which means to play of a lot of our players are not factored in. I am happy to stand by and explain the reasoning for any of my numbers but am also quite willing to ammend them where a consensus shows them faulty.

I think it would be interesting to see the thoughts of fans all the teams in the AFCN about where they see their and the other teams in the division regarding needs and potential for the next season. I have my opinions but I am more interested in what you think. I will respond later. I am proud that my team, The Bengals, is in this division as it is one with a tough and competitive identity and is among if not the best in the NFL evidenced by the fact that we seem to have two teams in the playoffs on a regular basis. 

As you know the teams in a division play the same schedule for 14 games with the only difference being home and away. Each team plays 2 games unique to them. This year in the NFC North the Breakdown is as follows:

Bengals  = Texans & Jets

Baltimore = Patriots and Colts

Cleveland = Bills & Jags

Pittsburg = Titans and Dolphins

If the Bengals are to go further than the regular season everything has to go their way, but if it does do you think these two unique games can be a factor? The Texans and Jets are decent teams but I would rather play them than the Titans, Dolphins, Patriots or Colts. What do you guys think?