Finally

via J Reedy

"After saying before the Senior Bowl that he wasn’t ready to give fans the heads of any assistant coaches, Lewis gave Bengaldom the one they wanted the most — offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowksi.

Two days after arriving home from the Senior Bowl, the Bengals parted ways with their offensive coordinator of 10 years on Monday. The team said that the process of finding Bratkowski’s replacement has begun.

Said head coach Marvin Lewis in a statement: “I want to thank Bob for his role in helping us win two division championships but after reviewing our season in depth, we’ve decided it’s best for the team to make this change at this time.”

Lewis did say before the Senior Bowl that the opportunity to make changes still existed after they got back from Mobile, Ala."

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2011/01/31/bratkowski-fired-as-offensive-coordinator/

 John Clayton, on the long snapper situation: The Bengals "brought in Nathan Hodel as a possible candidate to replace him, but it looks like they'll keep St. Louis for 1 more week, but there could be changes"

Hodel long snapped for the Cardinals from '02-'08, so he has experience.

Hopefully, St. Louis gets it together and we never have to think about him, or any other long snapper again, but it's good to have an option if StL keeps going Rick Ankiel on us.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/3956/countdown-daily-week-5-huddle-afc-north

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3714715

PITTSBURGH -- The Cincinnati Bengals have deactivated receiver Chad Ocho Cinco for Thursday night's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers for violation of a team rule. The Bengals would not elaborate further on why Ocho Cinco was deactivated. The team said there will be no comment until after the game. The Steelers (7-3) will host the Bengals (1-8-1) at 8:15 p.m. ET at Heinz Field.

Reserve receiver Chris Henry likely will start in place of Ocho Cinco.

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While the hit was not late, Ward clearly lines him up, dips his head before impact, and then rises into Rivers’ chin, using the hardest part of his uniform, his helmet, to slam into one of the most vulnerable areas of a football player, under the face mask.

The manner of impact may look like a coincidence, but look at the links below.  In each case, Hines Ward lowers his head, and then rises into the chin of an unsuspecting man.  .

Football is a violent game, but it is a game.  The repeated manner in which Ward blindsides players leads one to believe that he understands what will happen when he commits such an act, and if this is so, it is cowardly, unconscionable, and not in the spirit of the game.

A broken jaw and a concussion can have lifelong side effects.  Football is dangerous enough when played ethically, and Ward’s behavior can not stand.

Rivers Cincinnati

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS1kETsSb4E

Reed Baltimore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2iG0HDqgv4&NR=1

Holly Cleveland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NJYruxZ4Zg

Reed Baltimore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2iG0HDqgv4&NR=1

Scott Baltimore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFuFTwLaufE