A FEW MO' THINGS, 11/27/12
I addressed a simple question on the blog last night: "Are the Bengals for real."
My answer depended on the definition of "for real."
If "for real," you're talking about championship-caliber, the answer is no. If "for real" means that the Bengals can consistently beat the elite-level teams in the league, then the answer is no. If "for real" means that they're a legit playoff team, the answer is yes.
Maybe you disagree, and according to Twitter, many of you did. That's okay. It's a subjective question. But if they're not "for real" it's not because after all, they're the Bengals.
I've heard that a lot the last few days. "They are, after all, the Bengals." We know what the franchise's history is, and yes, it's created a jaded cynicism that I can be guilty of. But it's blatantly unfair to hold the history of previous teams against this one. It's a different team. More important, it looks like a different type of team.
The favorable schedule helps. The next three are winnable. In fact, the way the Bengals are playing, I'd argue the next three games should be won. I could be all scientific and run through a bunch of stats or make sure I satiated everyone's need to see their favorite player mentioned by droning on about how so many players are playing well at so many different positions, but I'll spare you.
The point is that the Bengals are playing very well right now, as well as they have in a long time. And for the next three weeks at least, the competition isn't exactly taking a turn for the better.
Will they beat Pittsburgh at Heinz Field? Not sure I'd pick the orange and black quite yet. Can the win against the Ravens in week 17? Again, not so sure. But given the way the Bengals are trending, and given the issues surrounding the Steelers right now and what the Ravens might have sewn up by the time the season's final game rolls around, I'm not exactly chalking them up as losses either.
The Bengals are, right now, in a four-team race for two spots. Tiebreakers being what they are, history being what it is, the way this team is playing, and who they playing against these next three weeks indicate that while they may or may not be "for real," they postseason hopes most definitely are.
-"So what, Mo. They're just going to lose in the first round anyway."
And?
If that tempers your enthusiasm, fine. I get it. The Bengals would probably be stiff underdogs against any of the probable AFC division winners. And I don't thinkI would pick them. But you can't finally get that breakthrough postseason win if you don't indeed make the postseason. And I don't see any downside to continuing to play measuring stick games against the best competition in the league.
Even if the Bengals do lose early.
Let's get there first.
-Brian Kelly will be coaching the national championship game. This rankles some UC fans. (You've just read my first-ever use of the word "rankles.") Not me. I kinda like the fact that one of the most significant figures in Bearcat football history has a chance to win a championship. And I think it's kinda cool that "University of Cincinnati" will probably me mouthed by the announcers a few times during the BCS title game broadcast.
-Butch Jones might leave. Or he might stay. My question: Is there really anything wrong with being knows as a place that helps coaches get to where they want to?
-Jonathan Broxton and the Reds are close to a deal. The domino effect is that Aroldis Chapman would probably move into the rotation. I'm sorta tired of this topic, but it is a great topic because there's really no wrong answer. I lean toward him remaining a reliever, but are there worse things than taking one of the game's most dominant pitchers and moving him into an already high-quality rotation? And are there worse things than having to resort to him closing if it doesn't work?
-Yikes.
-Oh No! Athletes don't treat their games as life or death and they indeed do not want to maime their opponents! BE ANGRY!
-Here's what will become a weekly plea for you to stalk me.
WATCH ME CHANNEL MY INNER ANSEL ADAMS ON INSTAGRAM.
Deep down inside, I am a 14 year-old girl.
-Pole dancing for charity? Pole dancing for charity.
-I'll do a radio show for charity today. The name of the charity will be "Clear Channel Media and Entertainment." It starts at 3:04 on ESPN1530. A rundown comes later. Here's a dancing hockey mascot.
