What do the Bengals have to do...

[derekshank]

The point is, people like Golic are waiting for the Bengals to become the Bungles rather than just admiting that what they have accomplished this season is legitimate and impressive.

I see. I do wonder though, if another team who'd played so poorly last year as the Bengals did (for whatever reason) had risen to such heights so fast -- would they be receiving the same grain-of-salt sort of treatment? The Vikings won their division last year, and the Saints have been mostly competitive since their last playoff berth.

Perhaps the best example is Denver, who was mostly expected to blow serious chunder this season. They didn't start garnering serious attention until they beat New England, but plenty of people were still not completely sold on them. Now that they're struggling, suddenly the pundits are comparing the two division lead chokes of 2008 and now. I think that's the treatment the Bengals are getting from guys like Golic. Only the biggest of morons is going to apply 1997 logic to 2009.

Yeah. Denver is a good example of another team that people didn't really believe in. On the other hand, they don't exactly have the strength of schedule the Bengals have either. Baltimore and Pittsburgh sweeps have to count for something.

Last year the Dolphins quickly became media darlings despite being awful the year before. Why? The Wildcat?

I guess the the Bengals were sexier, people would be more inclined to believe.

And like I previously said. I don't mind someone being biased against the Bengals. Just be forthcoming about it. No more "If the handle their business next week, we'll know" s**t.

[Esiason#7]

To be honest - it is a hurdle - this team has always had trouble with west coast trips

To look at it another way, its an opportunity for this team to separate itself of yet another piece of the past - "bengals dont win on the west coast"

Obviously Chargers will be harder than Oakland

I think the Chargers game is at PBS.

The Chargers game is in San Deigo, the week after we play at Minnesota.

[kingwilly]

To be honest - it is a hurdle - this team has always had trouble with west coast trips

To look at it another way, its an opportunity for this team to separate itself of yet another piece of the past - "bengals dont win on the west coast"

Obviously Chargers will be harder than Oakland

I think the Chargers game is at PBS.

The Chargers game is in San Deigo, the week after we play at Minnesota.

I was at the game in Sand Diego that last time the bengals travelled there and won convincingly.

At Oakland, I guess it is a trap game but their offense is inept to an extreme. The Oakland defense has teeth and the game could be more of a grind than any of us would like but getting the win is all that matters.

Golic is a toad. His IQ is only just higher than his jacket size. In act, the Mike & Mike show is one of the least engaging or insightful radio shows I can think of. Golic is not ever going to give any credit to the Bengals, and that is fine. He can toa his way along, fine by me.

[Jet23]

To be honest - it is a hurdle - this team has always had trouble with west coast trips

To look at it another way, its an opportunity for this team to separate itself of yet another piece of the past - "bengals dont win on the west coast"

Obviously Chargers will be harder than Oakland

I think the Chargers game is at PBS.

The Chargers game is in San Deigo, the week after we play at Minnesota.

I was at the game in Sand Diego that last time the bengals travelled there and won convincingly.

At Oakland, I guess it is a trap game but their offense is inept to an extreme. The Oakland defense has teeth and the game could be more of a grind than any of us would like but getting the win is all that matters.

Golic is a toad. His IQ is only just higher than his jacket size. In act, the Mike & Mike show is one of the least engaging or insightful radio shows I can think of. Golic is not ever going to give any credit to the Bengals, and that is fine. He can toa his way along, fine by me.

I do listen to Mike & Mike and I have to admit I listen for entertainment more than insight. But, I have heard Golic give much love to the Bengals. I do not think it is out of line to wonder if the Bengals can handle this level of success. They have cleared every obstacle up to now and there is no reason to believe they will not clear this one as well. But, the question is still out there.

[kingwilly]

I do listen to Mike & Mike and I have to admit I listen for entertainment more than insight. But, I have heard Golic give much love to the Bengals. I do not think it is out of line to wonder if the Bengals can handle this level of success. They have cleared every obstacle up to now and there is no reason to believe they will not clear this one as well. But, the question is still out there.

I understand his point: Can the Bengals win the games they SHOULD win?

Pittsburgh lost to Cincy Sunday after a tough road game at Denver on Monday. Not an excuse but it contributes to the idea that Pitt was not at their best Sunday. Football guys, those who've played, know that is a tough scenario. I think Golic, who plaed the game, has some of that clouding his short-term judgement.

However, the tone of his issue in giving the Bengals true credit is the problem. He keeps saying "show me again", after the team continues its winning.

I don't really care what the media thinks, though it is interesting that the commetary is so varied. Most are showing the type of reaction you'd expect after manhandling the two teams in the AFC championship game TWICE! (even Peter King is sipping some kool-aid today), and going undefeated on the road so far this season. There will always be doubters, as the contrarian POV also sells.

[derekshank]

Anyone happen to catch Around The Horn today?

Just further proof. 3 guys who last week said the Steelers were the best team in the NFL now believe the Colts and Patriots to be the only two teams in the AFC that have a legitimate Super Bowl shot.

"The Bengals are a good story, but not a real contender."

Bring it guys! Keep showing how stupid you are!

[kingwilly]

Anyone happen to catch Around The Horn today?

Just further proof. 3 guys who last week said the Steelers were the best team in the NFL now believe the Colts and Patriots to be the only two teams in the AFC that have a legitimate Super Bowl shot.

"The Bengals are a good story, but not a real contender."

Bring it guys! Keep showing how stupid you are!

Just watching it here. Blackistone and Marrioti think the Bengals are serious contenders and Paige and Plaschke don't.

Paige is a dipschit. Plaschke is 40W bulb.

not much else to say.

Cowherd called the Bengals elite on his sportsnation show today. he says they beat the ravens twice, the steelers twice and they are elite and have as good a shot (at SB) as anyone.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Why do you guys care about this stuff exactly?

[derekshank]

Why do you guys care about this stuff exactly?

Well Shula, we all have some sort of emotional investment in the Bengals.

We've all taken our lumps for the last 20 years, listened to the media call them the Bungles and make fun of them on late night television. It was all deserved.

Now that the Bengals are actually winning games, is it too much to ask that the opposite occur? Some respect from a supposed unbiased source is warranted.

[kingwilly]

Why do you guys care about this stuff exactly?

Well Shula, we all have some sort of emotional investment in the Bengals.

We've all taken our lumps for the last 20 years, listened to the media call them the Bungles and make fun of them on late night television. It was all deserved.

Now that the Bengals are actually winning games, is it too much to ask that the opposite occur? Some respect from a supposed unbiased source is warranted.

It goes deepe than that even.

It goes hand-in-hand with watching the tunaround for this team. Recall last year how long it took to get to 2 wins? This team is on the way to being the only team to turn around from last year. And doing it with cast-offs and scratch/dents.

Hearing the media report on the turnaround and change from a losing team to a winning team is satisfying because I tink we all have known this team could win, since 2005, but for some reason could not get it together.

For me, it took getting a guy like Benson and bringing in Mike Zimmer to change the culture of losing/poor play on the defensive side of the ball.

Hearing the media recognize and report on what we've known for years validates what we've believed in and, now that it is happening, it feels great.

[gregstephens]

Why do you guys care about this stuff exactly?

Well Shula, we all have some sort of emotional investment in the Bengals.

We've all taken our lumps for the last 20 years, listened to the media call them the Bungles and make fun of them on late night television. It was all deserved.

Now that the Bengals are actually winning games, is it too much to ask that the opposite occur? Some respect from a supposed unbiased source is warranted.

I don't give a crap about their respect. I want us always to play like underdogs, with a chip and something to prove. We started believing all the hype in 2005 and became a one-and-done in the playoffs. "Well that was only because Palmer got hurt," blah blah blah. A team like this one with an attitude wouldn't have let him get hurt.

[kingwilly]

Why do you guys care about this stuff exactly?

Well Shula, we all have some sort of emotional investment in the Bengals.

We've all taken our lumps for the last 20 years, listened to the media call them the Bungles and make fun of them on late night television. It was all deserved.

Now that the Bengals are actually winning games, is it too much to ask that the opposite occur? Some respect from a supposed unbiased source is warranted.

I don't give a crap about their respect. I want us always to play like underdogs, with a chip and something to prove. We started believing all the hype in 2005 and became a one-and-done in the playoffs. "Well that was only because Palmer got hurt," blah blah blah. A team like this one with an attitude wouldn't have let him get hurt.

I don't think it will, or want it to, impact the team.

This team still does have quite a lot to prove. They have 10 more games to go till they can remove the chip from their shoulder.

In the mean time, the media can recognize the turn-around so far, observe the amount of time that has passed since this team has put together the type of team/winning they have so far this year, ie they can do their jobs: report and detail the facts, and then provide editorial context to those facts.

If the coaching staff does their jobs, and if the leaders on this team step up and set the tone, those facts should not have any bearing on the team and how they prepare, practice or compete.

For us fans, it is nice to have our suspicions and beliefs, no matter how blind or far-fetched, confirmed by the results on the field and the words in the media.

[derekshank]

Why do you guys care about this stuff exactly?

Well Shula, we all have some sort of emotional investment in the Bengals.

We've all taken our lumps for the last 20 years, listened to the media call them the Bungles and make fun of them on late night television. It was all deserved.

Now that the Bengals are actually winning games, is it too much to ask that the opposite occur? Some respect from a supposed unbiased source is warranted.

I don't give a crap about their respect. I want us always to play like underdogs, with a chip and something to prove. We started believing all the hype in 2005 and became a one-and-done in the playoffs. "Well that was only because Palmer got hurt," blah blah blah. A team like this one with an attitude wouldn't have let him get hurt.

I understand that sentiment. And there will be a certain amount of added sweetness that comes with a Super Bowl win if the media continues to doubt.

That said, I do get pissed off about the constant "Bungle" disrespect. I think a long-suffering Bengal fan has earned the right to walk around with his head high after sweeping the Steelers. We shouldn't have to listen to a bunch of idiots trying to explain away the greatness of the moment, simply because of history.

[Pidge]

The Chargers game is in San Deigo, the week after we play at Minnesota.

s**t, well that makes things a little more interesting.

[membengal]

Derek, right there with you. Greg, this isn't about the Bengals players, I am sure they could give a s**t. This is about me as fan. After 20 years of Bungles s**t (and I got to tell you, it grates to have people pretend the damn good football arc of 2003 - 06 didn't happen) from analysts and talking heads, it would be nice to have this genuine culture change in how they go about their business acknowleged. Even if it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

If only because it would, what's the word...be honest of them. No one can watch the last eight quarters of defensive football that this team has laid down and think anything other than they are not just legit, but, I got to tell you, have a potential late January air about them. When you can defend, worlds open up.

And there has been nothing fluky about their ability to defend.

[kingwilly]

The Chargers game is in San Deigo, the week after we play at Minnesota.

s**t, well that makes things a little more interesting.

If SD keeps winning, this could be the game to decide a playoff bye and where teams play.

I WILL be at that game. Anyone in/near SoCal is welcome to join. PM me and we can plan a BZ "outing". Hair, you're out here. Billy, you're in AZ... shot bus ride to SD (not to imply you ride the "short bus", just saying the ride will be short, time-wise).

[gregstephens]

Derek, right there with you. Greg, this isn't about the Bengals players, I am sure they could give a s**t. This is about me as fan. After 20 years of Bungles s**t (and I got to tell you, it grates to have people pretend the damn good football arc of 2003 - 06 didn't happen) from analysts and talking heads, it would be nice to have this genuine culture change in how they go about their business acknowleged. Even if it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

If only because it would, what's the word...be honest of them. No one can watch the last eight quarters of defensive football that this team has laid down and think anything other than they are not just legit, but, I got to tell you, have a potential late January air about them. When you can defend, worlds open up.

And there has been nothing fluky about their ability to defend.

mem, it is about the players. It's not about me as a fan. The media's opinion of the Bengals has never mattered to me, when they were going to Super Bowls, or scrapping Akili Smith off the turf. What do I care what non-jocks/has-been jocks say today about this club? This isn't the BCS, where opinions matter, right or wrong.

But the players react to the media. This team got tired of being the underdog and picked itself off the mat. Halfway through a season, in which they could still in theory finish 7-9 btw, I don't want them buying the superficial love of the media and getting off their attitude and game.

I understand what you are saying, in that it hurts your pride to keep hearing the media dog the Bengals year after year. My question is--why?

[membengal]

I thought derek covered it. If you don't get that, you don't get that.

[HoosierCat]

Well, the MNF preview guys are giving us lotsa love, tho according to Keyshawn, our head coach is "Marvin Harrison."

[bwillycuse]

OMG!!!!

Sapp and Faulk blow me away!!!!

Faulk - I wont believe in this team until the owner shows he wants to win.

Sapp - Thinks Larry Johnson is a bad deal and will disprupt lockerroom.

But overall sentiment is the bengals arent 'for real' unless they win the SB. When did NO win the Super Bowl? Gotta watch that. It was just on 5 minutes ago. Wow what idiots. Oh and Faulk named our RB depth - Benson, Scott, Leonard, DeDe Dorsey. Almost Marshall - how are your Rams doing?

[Pidge]

Faulk - I wont believe in this team until the owner shows he wants to win.

OK Marshall, that's an interesting stance to take. What would you do if the miracle happens and we do win it all? You're still not going to say this team (not sure what the team in this instance has to do with the organisational and admin side of things but hey, this is your ball we're playing with) is not for real?

Good luck with that.

[HoosierCat]

Well, I think Carter hit the nail on the head just before Key mangled our head coach's name. That point being, that the media aren't being honest with themselves about the Bengals, and that if it were just about any other team that had swept the Steelers and Bengals, they're be talking about them and the Super Bowl.

They get no respect because they're the Bengals.

Frankly, I fully expect that if they win the SB, the first comment we hear the next day will be, "OK, the Bengals won the World Championship, but we won't know if they're for real until they win it again next year."

[gregstephens]

I thought derek covered it. If you don't get that, you don't get that.

No, I'm sorry. I don't have your level of enlightenment yet. Forgive me. I don't get why anybody on this board gives a crap about what people that are paid to stir pots say about this team. And face it, that's what the sports media is paid to do. They suck up to the popular markets. They take the easy bashes. They double track and jump on bandwagons when it becomes the popular and ratings-wise thing to do.

But hey, keep losing the sleep over the whole 'respect' issue. I'll remain blissfully less educated than you and be happy in the team's performance. I have no reason to go all Terrill Owens because "that's my team you're talking about" and cry if they don't get enough love.

Of course, I already covered that as well. So if you don't get that, you don't get it.

[gregstephens]

Well, I think Carter hit the nail on the head just before Key mangled our head coach's name. That point being, that the media aren't being honest with themselves about the Bengals, and that if it were just about any other team that had swept the Steelers and Bengals, they're be talking about them and the Super Bowl.

They get no respect because they're the Bengals.

Frankly, I fully expect that if they win the SB, the first comment we hear the next day will be, "OK, the Bengals won the World Championship, but we won't know if they're for real until they win it again next year."

That nails it right on the head. Also why I won't piss my pants like others on here about who's loving the team this week.

[bwillycuse]

Bottom line for the whole respect thing is that there are at least 25 teams that envy the record and position we have in the 2009 season in the NFL. Only 3 teams have an easier road into the playoffs than us.