Wait, the Bengals Are Good Now?

The national media will always hate the Bengals. The Browns, Ravens and especially the Steelers have so many homers that for most pundits the 2006 crime spree is the only thing the Bengals conjure. But those who actually follow the Bengals closely have all reluctantly started to admit that this team is looking really good.

Just about every local Bengals publication I puruse with any regularity (with the sole exception of CBSsports) has Cincinnati poised to repeat a winning season and a playoff berth. Of course every team is optimistic after the draft, not knowing just how much production they'll get from their rookies and dreaming about the best. But Bengals fans are not the most optimistic of NFL fans - in fact outside of maybe Detroit they're probably the most pessimistic.

So it really means something when some Bengals beat writers actually give the team credit. And if every other blog in town is going to write a Bengals-to-the-Superbowl? article in May, I will not be left out. So let's look at some examples of what others are saying.

Cincyjungle.com has run posts from practically all of their writers with the proclaimation that the Bengals are poised to repeat a successful season, and in theory will be even better than last year. Pat Kirwin of NFL.com believes the Bengals are a "Tier 2" team, meaning that they should make the playoffs. Even WhoDeyRevolution, who exist to insist that owner Mike Brown shouldn't make football decisions for his team, have admitted that the Bengals, somehow, are good. I could go on.

And You Thought Howard Stern Was the King of All Media

Two offseasons ago, Chad Johnson went on a tirade against the Cincinnati Bengals, trying to force a trade out of town.  Eventually, he changed his last name to Ochocinco.

Last offseason the Ocho discovered Twitter and UStream and took up a well publicized boxing regiment while looking forward to starring in HBO's Hard Knocks.

This offseason Chad has apparently decided to conquer reality television.  According to ProFootballTalk.com, Chad will not only compete in Dancing With the Stars but will host a VH1 dating show tentatively titled The Tournament.

I tracked down the details, via ESPN.go.com:  The first 10 episodes will feature Ochocinco finding 85 women interested in dating him, which will then be whittled down to sixteen lucky ladies.  Specifically there will be four from each region of the country.  So it's kind of like a March Madness bracket.  That must be why it's called The Tournament.

Another fun fact: When Chad chooses a girl to advance he gives them a "game ball."

Now some fun quotes from Executive Vice President of VH1 Jeff Olde, via ESPN.go.com:

"Ochocinco is one of the most electrifying individuals in sports today.  His bigger-than-life personality on- and off-the-field and his notorious skills as a social networker, connecting daily with his fans, makes him a perfect fit for VH1.

"This Show will not only give viewers a look inside his professional life, but also reveal his softer more romantic side when playing a very different kind of game."

Well I can't imagine not watching it now!