| The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing their 39th | | | | Coach Marvin Lewis' saving grace. |
| season for the team, 41st season if you count | | | | What about departures that will affect the team |
| the pre-NFL days. Their record in 2007 amounted | | | | in 2008? The team has lost Safety Madieu |
| to a dismal 7-9 win-loss score. The Cincinnati | | | | Williams to the Minnesota Vikings, along with |
| Bengals have never won an NFL Championship, | | | | defensive end Justin Smith who found greener |
| though they did score conference championships | | | | pastures with the San Francisco 49ers and |
| in 1981 and 1988. Additionally, the team won | | | | linebacker Landon Johnson who signed on with the |
| division titles for the AFC Central in 1970, 1973, | | | | Carolina Panthers. Additionally, the team lost David |
| 1981, 1988 and 1990, while winning the AFC | | | | Pollack, who has officially retired due to a major |
| division championship in 2005. Victory is not | | | | injury. The team also lost two players because of |
| impossible for the Bengals, though it has eluded | | | | off-the-field controversies. Chris Henry was |
| them for quite a while. What's the blame for the | | | | released after news spread about his alleged |
| team's losing streak? It could very well be the | | | | involvement in an assault case in the city of |
| result of some intense competition, as the | | | | Cincinnati. Odell Thurman, was also suspended for |
| Bengals face one of the toughest playing | | | | two consecutive years after violating the NFL's |
| schedules of all NFL teams. In 2008 they will be | | | | substance abuse policy though he was reinstated |
| facing the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland | | | | this past May. |
| Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Indianapolis | | | | How about some signings that may bring good |
| Colts, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia | | | | news to the Bengals in 2008? The team has |
| Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington | | | | acquired the talents of Ben Utecht a tight end |
| Redskins and last year's Super Bowl winner the | | | | with the Indianapolis Colts, Antwan Odom, a |
| New York Giants. | | | | defensive end with the Tennessee Titans and |
| As far as coaching goes, things are remaining | | | | Doug Gabriel, a wide receiver with the Oakland |
| status quo, at least when it comes to the | | | | Raiders. |
| direction of head coach Marvin Lewis. This is | | | | What about Chad Johnson? Chad Johnson has |
| Lewis' fifth year with the Bengals. Offensive | | | | enjoyed better stats than a typical wide receiver |
| coordinator Bob Bratkowski has also remained | | | | and is a force to be reckoned with. This may |
| with the team. The only factor that Bengals | | | | explain why he changed agents and is now |
| owner Mike Brown determined was that the | | | | represented by Drew Rosenhaus. At the present |
| defense of the team was weak. Therefore, out | | | | time it is rumored he may choose to refuse |
| goes defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan who | | | | participation in the upcoming training camp with |
| is soon replaced by Mike Zimmer. Linebacker | | | | the Bengals or even for the entire upcoming |
| coach Ricky Hunley was also replaced by Jeff | | | | season if he's not traded. Johnson was apparently |
| FitzGerald. What's interesting about the Bengals is | | | | miffed with some comments made by head |
| that their coach usually plans a theme about the | | | | coach Marvin Lewis months ago. |
| upcoming season. The 2008 theme for the | | | | What can you say except that the Cincinnati |
| Cincinnati Bengals is "Now." As in, now it's about | | | | Bengals are facing an uphill battle for the next |
| time for the Bengals to start winning! The theme | | | | season? |
| idea must be very popular and is apparently | | | | |