The Bengals are two seasons removed from their glorious return to the top of the AFC North, winning that division with an 11-5 record and making the playoffs for the first time since Moses was a baby.
2006 saw the Bengals return to a flat 8-8 record and miss out on the playoffs literally by one failed field goal in the Broncos game. Fans scratched their heads, but understood. Carson Palmer was coming back from a career threatening injury in the opening round of the playoffs from the season before. David Pollack broke his neck and missed fourteen games. Odell Thurman had issues. Rich Braham was injured, thus weakening the offensive line.
2007 was a different season. The offensive line was settled with new faces. Carson Palmer was one hundred percent. The defense was shored up and ready to go. Or, at least, these are the items the Bengals wished its fan base to believe in pre-season.
2007 has tanked. Every team goes through seasons like this. The Saints have struggled this year. The Rams were touted highly in pre-season. The Jets were 10-6 last season and look at them now. The Bengals are 5-9 and, but for the imploding Ravens, would be the worst team in the North. Yeah, even with the surprising Browns.
The frustrating part? No one in the Bengals' organization is saying anything to give fans hope next season. At least try to placate me with excuses about Kenny Irons, the back of the future, being injured. "Well, if we'd had Chris Henry all season, as we will next season."
"Our linebackers were injured, but Jeanty, Miller, Johnson and the rest of the crew will be healthy and ready to play in 2008."
"Carson and Chad have had a slump, but they'll work it out in post-season."
Nothing.
The Bengals have tucked their tails between their legs and won't even give its fans a reason to hold on to hope for the future. Result? Tickets can be had below face value. I have no doubt merchandising is down. Morale of BengalsNation? Back to 2003-2004 levels.
Come on, people. Give me something to hold on to. At this point, I want to buy anything.
