i saw this on a entire nfl forum

[AGrizzlyBaer]

its the steelers fans view of what we did in the off season

Cincinnati Bengals

2003: 8-8, Second Place.

Division Results (Game #): Loss Pittsburgh 10-17 (3), Win @Cleveland 21-14 (4), Win Baltimore 34-26 (6), Win @Pittsburgh 24-20 (12), Loss @Baltimore 13-31 (13), Loss Cleveland 14-22 (16)

NFL Ranking (per game basis):

Offense: Overall 13th 333.1 yards, Rush 13th 124.2 yards, Pass 12th 208.9 yards, Points 13th 21.6.

Defense: Overall 28th 351.3 yards, Rush 25th 138.6 yards, Pass 24th 212.6 yards, Points 28th 24.0.

Turnover Margin +2

Bengals’ Offseason Activity

Key Acquisitions: MLB Nate Webster, starter, FS Kim Herring, starter, RG Bobbie Williams, starter, LCB Deltha O’Neal, starter

Key Losses: RG Mike Goff, RCB Artrelle Hawkins, LCB Jeff Burris, LB Adrian Ross, RB Corey Dillon

Significant Draftees (Round): (1) RB Chris Perry, Michigan, (2) CB Keiwan Ratliff, Florida, (2) S Madieu Williams, Maryland, (3) LB Caleb Miller, Arkansas, (3) LB Landon Johnson, Purdue.

The Bengals were definitely busy after their breakout 2003 season ended. What they accomplished remains a question. Most experts view O’Neal and Williams as downgrades from former starters Artrelle Hawkins and Mike Goff, although O’Neal played in the Pro Bowl in 2002. Herring last saw the field in 2002, so the rust will have to be shaken off before he can become effective. The arrival of Webster pushes Kevin Hardy to the outside. Rudi Johnson, already looking for a new contract, will have to deal with the pressure of 1st round pick Chris Perry looking to hit the field. As of this writing, Perry and Ratliff had not signed. The Bungles may have simply forgotten about them, since they had 75 other draft picks.

Bengals’ Offense: While Marvin Lewis made the Bengals play with passion, some of the moves on the offensive side of the ball will be heavily scrutinized. He replaces one of the more productive QB’s in the league with 2003 #1 overall pick Carson Palmer. On Lewis’ behalf, he already stated that the top cat of the 2003 draft will have a tight collar, so Kitna could return sooner than later. Early reports out of the Jungle state that Marvin and O-Coordinator Bob Bratkowski feel Palmer’s progress has been significant in min-camp. He certainly has more weapons and a better O-line than former first round flops David Klingler and Akili Smith. Back-up Kitna will be ready to take the helm should the striped cats’ attack falter. Palmer’s insertion into the line-up will likely reduce the effectiveness of 1,300 yard Pro Owl receiver Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick, who enters the final year of his rookie contract looking to post big numbers to see the big money. In the backfield, Rudi Johnson experienced more offseason highs and lows than Ricky Williams. In a show of confidence in Rudi, the Bengals finally rid themselves of Whiny Dillon, and then they usurped that boost by drafting Perry in the first round. Rudi wants a new contract based on his performance in 2003, when he carried for over 150 yards in three games, but the Bengals appear to be looking beyond him already. Perry is a better receiver than Rudi, and he should get some chances in third down situations. Starting left tackle Levi Jones and left guard Eric Steinbach are hurting as camp enters its second week.

Bengals’ Defense: The Dolphins’ defense was proud of its “No-name” moniker in their early 70’s heyday. The orange and black attack may be trying to mimic this approach, but it looks more like the “John Doe” defense – they have no identity. If this team was to ascend into the playoffs, the defense would be the key. Other than their +2 in turnovers, they ranked 24th or lower in every major defensive category, including permitting a brutal 4.8 yards per rush. To address this concern, they drafted Perry at RB out of Michigan. Their revamped secondary will consist of three new starters, so lack of continuity early in the year will be a good excuse for the simple fact that they can't tackle and cover. Even Tommy Two-Pick carved up the Bengals for an average of 275 yards in two games last year. One new body that may help is Nate Webster from the Buccaneers. The new MLB will allow Kevin Hardy to move to his natural position on the outside. Hardy admitted himself that he was often out of position in the Bengals one-gap scheme. Webster’s experience with a winner could add some much needed swagger to this unit.

Bengals’ Special Teams: The Bengals coverage units were solid, ranking 10th on kickoffs and 11th on punts, but their return game was pretty vanilla. On kickoffs, if you looked hard enough, you could actually see Brandon Bennett praying that the ball would slice out of bounds. Warrick did provide a slippery 10.9 yards per punt return last year, including a 68-yard TD in their upset win over the Chiefs. PK Shayne Graham knocked in 88% of his FG’s in 2003 and was perfect on extra points. The punting game was bad enough that there will be a competition between incumbent Kyle Richardson and Eddie Johnson, formerly of the Vikings.

Bengals in 2004: A lot was made of Marvin Lewis' effect on the Bengals last year. Management showed their appreciation for the Bengals first non-losing season since the advent of the Internet by giving him a $2+ million a year, four-year extension. Maybe Rooney and Co. secretly head up the front office in Cincy, too. You can't deny their 8-8 record would be like an undefeated season for top tier franchises. If the 2003 Queen City Kitties were anything, they were consistently schizophrenic. They started and ended the 2003 season like the old Bungholes, posting a 1-4 record out of the gate, and stumbling to the finish at 1-3, which included pathetic displays against Baltimore and Cleveland when the playoffs were within reach. Sandwiched in the middle of this moldy bun of a year was a filet mignon 6-1 record, with wins over three playoff teams. Consider also that they lost to Arizona, Buffalo, and Oakland in 2003, and all I can say with confidence for 2004 is don't lay money on their games. With an offense destined to initially suffer under Palmer, and the decision in the offseason to replace lackluster personnel on defense with equally mediocre players, 8-8 would be welcome in 2004. Teams will still be able to run and pass on their D, and the offense won't be as explosive under Heisman Boy. 6-10 in 2004 sounds about right.

i love the losing hawkins and burris as bad things

[kevnz]

Most experts view O’Neal and Williams as downgrades from former starters Artrelle Hawkins and Mike Goff,

Name one expert!!! I mean one!!!! I have never laughed so hard reading a serious article before....Man, I've got better cover skills than toast, and I'm a slow short dude.....Just cause somebody can post something on the internet doesn't make them experts and whoever wrote that deserves to be slapped...I mean honestly. Where did it come from? I think they need some smack sent their way....

[jjakq27]

If O'Neill is a downgrade from Hawkins then he must play on crutches or something.

[HoosierCat]

its the steelers fans view of what we did in the off season

Cincinnati Bengals

That tells me all I need to know. I've no idea why, except to suppose that it's some kind of weird "action/opposite reaction" thing, but Steeler fans have been homer-ish to the point of psychosis this offseason. Even the densest Clown fan seems to (at least dimly) understand that the Clowns aren't going to be very good this year, and I've actually found myself being upbraided by Crow fans for not having enough faith in Marvin! But the Pitt fans are nuts. My favorite bit from them this year is when they start talking about their "No. 9 D" from last year and how they're going to kick even more butt on D this year. When I point out that they dumped a whole bunch of vets on D and replaced them with career backups and rooks, they turn around and tell me, "oh, those guys we let go sucked."

[wookie]

The comment about how Palmer's insertion into the starting role will hurt CJ and Warrick!!! Obviously the person who wrote this has no clue, 1) how hard Johnson works, and that he could be a great WR with just about anyone at QB, 2) how good Palmer's arm really is, and 3) that he also has Washington to carve up what used to be a Steel Curtain defense, but now resembles something more like Chiffon.

Maybe this was also written prior to the scrimmage and mock game when Palmer and Johnson were putting on a show that would have turned most D coordinators blood to ice!!

[skyline]

I don't know guys...this steelers fan's post really makes me nervous!!! He makes very logical and valid points!!

*and thus concludes today's lesson in sarcasm 101*