A team on the rise. I am not saying this on account of the success thus far in 2005, I am simply saying this because the team's rise has been apparent since the end of 2002. After 12 seasons of losing, Team
President Mike Brown (somehow the son of Paul Brown) finally opened his eyes and realized his fans were tired of waiting for the playoffs as
well as a .500 season, and if he wanted to
see another day, he would have to take initiative and hire a legitimate coaching staff. This occurred when Brown hired Marvin Lewis, the
genius behind the 2000 Super
Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens. Lewis is a tough but fair
coach who brings out the best in his players. Lewis also should have been hired as a head
coach much sooner.
Soon this will make Brown look brilliant on account of his ability to build up a team. The
Cincinnati Bengals have not had a truly successful season since the 1988 season when they finished 12-4 and came very close to defeating the San Fransisco 49ers in Super
Bowl 23. The Bengals endured a horrendous and humiliating decade following that Super
Bowl loss.
Currently the Bengals have one of the best young quarterbacks in Carson Palmer, a consistent and durable halfback in Rudi Johnson, a group of talented wide receivers such as the vocal Chad Johnson, and a young improved defense guided by Marvin Lewis's expertise. The Bengals have become one of the more
fun teams to watch in football and are currently playing their hearts out to compete with the likes of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North Division. The Bengals have devoted fans who have stuck with this franchise throughout all of the losing seasons. The Bengals will officially drop the "Bungles" term this season when they turn heads not only in the media but around the league as well.