The Bengals welcome you to “Kiss Da Baby”

By Gayle Saunders

Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals season couldn’t have been any worse. They were winless in the first half of the 2008 season.  Pro Bowlesq QB Carson Palmer only played four games, due to an injured elbow, and to top that off a club-record 23 players went on the Reserve/Injured list, that even included their first round draft pick Keith Rivers with a broken Jaw.  

So where did last season leave the Bengals?  A 4-11-1 record, 23 players on the Injured reserve, an unmotivated  Ocho Cinco, a departed Pro-Bowl reciever TJ Houshmandzadeh, a Pro-Bowl Caliber Quarterback with no Pro-Bowl to go to.  At the end of the day, you saw a team that faced adversity and most of the time, it got the best of them.  

Although Defensively, under the guidance of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, they winded up with a No. 12 league ranking defense in net yards, allowing 325.5 yards per game. The franchise landmarks were both the best since 2001. The Bengals also matched a franchise record over the last three games of 2008, by going through nine consecutive quarters without allowing a touchdown.

Fast forward to November 13, 2009.  Where are the Bengals today?   Carson Palmer is playing with swagger and most importantly playing healthy. Cinncinati is off to a 6-2 start and Collectively they are a much healthier team, a defense rebuilt on veterans with experience who have bought into Mike Zimmer’s system.  The Linebackers are the anchor of this defense, with the USC Connection in Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga, along with the happy go lucky Dhani Jones.  The Defense is currently the number 2 defense in the NFL against the run, only giving up 83.9 yards rushing per game.  

Today in Cincinnati, they have a running game that leaves Cedric Benson second in the league in rushing with 837 yards averaging 104.6 yards a game.  Cedric has a 4.2 yrds per carry and has 6 TDS, not only is he effective in the run game, but he is also a receiving threat out of the backfield.  Most importantly, you have to look at the Offensive line first. As they say, it all starts in the trenches. You would have to believe that statement is true.   The offensive line is providing huge holes and major running lanes for Benson, when Cincinnati has at least 25 rushing attempts in a game under Marvin Lewis they are 26-1.  

When it comes to the passing game, they are also giving Carson the time he needs to be effective in the passing game. Chad is 7th in recieving yards in the NFL with 639 yards. He has 44 receptions and 5 TDS. Palmer and Ocho are definitley back to their ways. Palmer has been able to spread the ball to his receivers week in and week out.  Now that he has Cedric Benson toting the rock, he’s been able to lean on the running game, allowing Carson to focus on making plays and leading his offense without everything resting on his right arm. 

The Bengals have stood tall behind their Head coach Marvin Lewis.  He has encouraged the team to play as one. When Mike Zimmer’s wife passed away right before the Ravens game, the team came together and rallied behind one of their own.  When a team trusts eachother and they come together as one, it can make a unit play on a whole other level.   In a postgame press conference, someone asked coach Marvin Lewis what Zimmer told the team after the game. 

Zimmer said, ‘You know how Vikki felt about all of you. She’s up there now in heaven smiling at you,’ ” Lewis recalled. “Win or lose, she loved you guys”

With a win this weekend, The Bengals would be one game away from sweeping the AFC north!  They have not beaten the Steelers two consecutive times since 1998, but you best believe they are up to the challenge against Pittsburgh. 

Today the Cincinnati Bengals are playing with one focused mindset and have rose to the challenge, proving to all the doubters out there, that yes indeed they are for real. In other words, Cincinnati would like to let the league know if they don’t like it…They can “Kiss the baby!”