Thank You, Andy

Last week, the Cincinnati Bengals officially released Andy Dalton making the Red Rile an NFL free agent for the first time since he entered the league in 2011. Dalton was the starting quarterback for the Bengals ever since the team drafted him out of Texas Christian University. Even though Bengals fans knew this day was coming ever since the “Bungle for Burrow” mantra took over Cincinnati last season, it was still a bit of shock as Dalton had been with the team for nearly a decade. 

As a lifelong Bengals fan, I can honestly say I have never had more fun watching this team than during Dalton’s nine years behind center. In 2011, he and fellow rookie draft pick A.J. Green gave fans hope after Chad Johnson wound up with the New England Patriots and Carson Palmer threatened to retire if the Bengals did not trade him. In his first season, Dalton helped lead the team to a 9-7 record and a playoff appearance as a wildcard team when everybody thought the Bengals would finish last in the league. This playoff appearance was the first of five consecutive seasons in which the Bengals would qualify for the postseason.

The Bengals would earn wildcard berths again in 2012 and 2014 and would win the AFC North Division in 2013 and in 2015. During that stretch, Dalton and the Bengals had some of the most exciting wins in franchise history. In 2012, they marched into Pittsburgh and won on a late field goal that knocked the Steelers out of playoff contention while clinching a playoff spot for the Bengals. During their 8-0 home record season of 2013, the Bengals beat the Green Bay Packers in comeback fashion. In 2014, the Bengals beat the Denver Broncos in a Monday night thriller that clinched a postseason spot. In 2015, Dalton helped lead a furious late game come from behind victory over the Seattle Seahawks in overtime which I still consider to be my all-time favorite Bengals game. 

Despite Dalton’s regular season success, the one knock on his career with the Bengals is the lack of postseason victories. The Bengals were 0-5 in the playoffs during that five year stretch, and Dalton was often blamed for the team’s postseason losses. However, Dalton will still go down in Bengals history as one of the franchise’s best quarterbacks. He set a few franchise records and is more than deserving of a Bengals Hall of Fame election (if the Bengals ever create a team Hall of Fame).

If I could say one thing to Andy Dalton, it would be thank you. Thank you for coming to the Bengals when the team was in turmoil and helping establish a culture of winning. Thank you for all your work in the community and helping make the city of Cincinnati a better place. Thank you for being an excellent representation of the Bengals franchise for nearly a decade. Thank you, Andy. 

Bengals Recap 2019

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps the Cincinnati Bengals' 2019 season. 

Football Frustration

The Cincinnati Bengals are beyond a shadow of a doubt the most frustrating team to be a fan of in the Queen City. The team is often regarded as stale, stubborn, and behind the times. Last Tuesday showcased that sentiment in spades.

With the NFL trade deadline approaching at 4PM on 10/29, the only news to break from the Bengals front office was that quarterback Andy Dalton would be benched after the bye week in favor of starting rookie Ryan Finley who was taken in the fourth round of the draft. I support the move. Dalton is essentially a lame duck quarterback at this point and the Bengals need to see what they have in Finley before the 2020 NFL draft. Unfortunately, that was the only move the Bengals made.

Reports were swirling that other teams had reached out to the Bengals regarding Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Dre Kirkpatrick, Tyler Eifert, and A.J. Green. Some serious draft picks could've been acquired in exchange for any of the guys listed and yet the Bengals did not pull the trigger on a single trade. Green alone could have garnered a first round pick and considering how he can walk away at the end of the season, it is baffling that this team did not move him as there is no guarantee he will sign another Bengals contract.

Coach Zac Taylor was heard multiple times throughout the week leading up to the trade deadline that they want to evaluate the current roster. I really hope somebody was telling him to say that, as bad as that sounds. When your team is 0-8, what is there to evaluate? The Bengals suck this season. That is your evaluation. Expecting something different with the same aging cast of characters next season? That's insanity. What's more insane than that? Being a Bengals fan.

Despite all the frustration the Bengals give me every week and the absolute incompetence demonstrated by the ownership and front office, I am still a fan. For some stupid reason, I am still invested in this franchise and want to see them succeed. That is why it is beyond infuriating to watch this franchise do nothing at the trade deadline. Instead of trading away players to gather draft picks that can help rebuild the franchise, the Bengals stayed stagnant and appear consent with the way things are.

Obviously, the fans are not content. The city of Cincinnati is not content. There needs to be a big change or shakeup within the Bengals organization. Something that would revitalize the fanbase and take this team to the next level is desperately needed. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen. As for now, expect more of the same old, incompetent Bengals.

Who Dey...

The Boo Birds and the Bengals

This past Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals dropped a massive turd on the field for their 2019 NFL home opener when they were waxed by the San Francisco 49ers 41-17. I was in attendance and stayed for the entire game. I can honestly say it was the worst Bengals game I have watched in person. Fans justifiably booed this team and left the game early. 

I had to have been one of maybe 200 Bengals fans left in the stands. The 49ers faithful stayed until the end and greatly outnumbered the remaining fans of the Bengals. Chants of "Let's go Niners" echoed throughout Paul Brown Stadium. It was a deflating loss that drained me of all optimism that I had following the encouraging performance the Bengals turned in against the Seattle Seahawks. 

During post game interviews, quarterback Andy Dalton and running back Joe Mixon said they did not like the fans booing. My first thought on this is for both Dalton and Mixon was to grow up and not complain about it. Fans have a right to boo. It comes with the price of admission. If I spend some of my hard earned money on a ticket to see my favorite football team play in person, I will boo until I have no voice left if they play like absolute garbage. 

Another thought that came to mind was that if they don't want fans booing, don't give them a reason to boo. There was very little to cheer for on Sunday. On the other hand, there was a ton to boo. Dropped passes, an interception, a fumble, blown coverage, and a missed field goal are a few of the many reasons fans had to boo the Bengals. You know what? I'm also going boo Dalton and Mixon's comments. Boooooooooooooooo!

Don't get me wrong. I love Dalton, Mixon, and the Bengals. I have been and always will be a faithful member of Who Dey Nation. But if this team gives me a reason to boo, I'm going to do just that. In conclusion, if the Bengals want to hear cheers over boos, then give the fans a reason to cheer. If not, expect the boo birds to continue to circle Paul Brown Stadium. 

Bengals Training Camp 2019

With the Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati dominating the Cincinnati summer sports scene, it is easy to become mesmerized by the action that unfolds on the diamond and on the pitch. Soon though, Cincinnati sports fans will be able to take in the action of the gridiron as the Bengals officially start their 2019 training camp.

Training camp starts on Saturday, July 27, in Dayton. It will then move to Cincinnati on Sunday, July 28, and last until Monday August 12. Gates will open 30 minutes before practice starts with most practices starting at 3 p.m. The only exception is when practice starts at 2:30 p.m. on July 27 in which case gates will open at 1:30 p.m. The Family DEY practice on August 3 will also have an earlier entrance time beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Practices are held on the practice field right next to Paul Brown Stadium. The only practices not held on the practice field will be the one in Dayton and the Family Day event on August 3. The Family Day practice will be held inside Paul Brown Stadium and will feature a lot of activities and a giveaway for kids. If you are an autograph hunter like me, the family day practice is the best training camp session to attend as every player is available for autographs once practice concludes.

The Cincinnati Bengals training camp is a great way to check out the team up close and personal. It is really cool to witness the current players mix it up the rookie draft picks and see how well they mesh together. It is also a great opportunity to get some autographs from your favorite Bengals players! Attending training camp is something that I highly recommend as every true Bengals fan needs to experience it before the season starts.

Who Dey!

Bengals Recap 2018

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps the 2018 season of the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Cincinnati Bengals 2018 Season Outlook

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone previews the 2018 season of the Cincinnati Bengals. Please note that this was filmed a few weeks before the start of the regular season. Anything said in this video might have changed by the first game.

Training Camp 2018

With the Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati dominating the Cincinnati summer sports scene, it is easy to become mesmerized by the action that unfolds on the diamond and on the pitch. Soon though, Cincinnati sports fans will be able to take in the action of the gridiron as the Bengals officially start their 2018 training camp.

Training camp starts on Thursday July 26 and goes until Saturday August 11. Gates will open 30 minutes before practice starts with most practices starting at 3 p.m. The only exceptions are when practice starts at 6 p.m. on Friday August 3, and 1 p.m. on Saturday August 4.

Practices are also held on the practice field right next to Paul Brown Stadium. The only practice not held on the practice field will be the Family Day event on August 4. The Family Day practice will be held inside Paul Brown Stadium and will feature a lot of activities and a giveaway for kids. If you are an autograph hunter like me, the family day practice is the best training camp session to attend as every player is available for autographs once practice concludes.

The Cincinnati Bengals training camp is a great way to check out the team up close and personal. It is really cool to witness the current players mix it up the rookie draft picks and see how well they mesh together. It is also a great opportunity to get some autographs from your favorite Bengals players! Attending training camp is something that I highly recommend as every true Bengals fan needs to experience it before the season starts.

Who Dey!

Who Dey Draft 2018

The 2018 NFL Draft has come and gone, and it was a chance for my beloved Cincinnati Bengals to address some of the issues that plagued this team the past two seasons. The biggest of these problems was the offensive line. For the last two years, Andy Dalton was seemingly running for his life every other play. That is why many NFL Draft experts predicted that the Bengals would select an offensive lineman in the first round.

Despite rumors that the Bengals would take quarterback Lamar Jackson out of the University of Louisville, the franchise selected center Billy Price out of Ohio State University. Price replaces center Russell Bodine who signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency. Hopefully he can prove to be a better center than Bodine and provide adequate blocking for Dalton.

In the second round, the Bengals selected safety Jessie Bates III out of Wake Forest. The Bengals are hoping he can help cover slots and and allow them to stay in base defense. In the third round, the team took defensive end Sam Hubbard out of Ohio State. Hopefully he can help strengthen the pass rush. They also selected Malik Jefferson. He is a linebacker out of Texas. With Vontaze Burfict facing a suspension to start the season as well as his injury history, I feel like the Jefferson’s selection is self explanatory.

The Bengals had one selection in the fourth round, and the chose Miami Hurricane running back Mark Walton. With Jeremy Hill joing former Bengals running back Rex Burkhead in New England, the Bengals were down to Joe Mixon and Gio Bernard. Walton will probably be the new third string back as well as contribute on special teams.

In the fifth round, the Bengals had three picks. First they selected cornerback Davontae Harris out of Illinois State. With Adam Jones currently a free agent, Harris adds some depth to the cornerback position. The Bengals then selected Andrew Brown. The former Virginia Cavalier defensive tackle will most likely see some time on the field behind Geno Atkins. Their final fifth round pick was Darius Phillips out Western Michigan. He is a cornerback who could also be used as a returner.

The Bengals had no six round picks, but did make three selections in the seventh round. First was Toledo Rockets quarterback Logan Woodside. He will most likely be competing for a backup role or might even be the practice squad quarterback. Next was Rod Taylor, an offensive lineman out of the University of Mississippi. The Bengals have stated that they believe he can play either guard or tackle, and they are hoping his versatility can help bolster the offensive line. The final draft pick made by the Bengals in 2018 was wide receiver Auden Tate from Florida State University. He will compete for one of the receiver spots on the team as the Bengals have stated that they believe he can be a major target for Dalton.

Those are all of the 2018 draft picks of the Bengals. They addressed some of their offensive line needs, strengthened the defense, and hopefully picked up a few players that can help them win a Super Bowl Championship. On paper, I’d say that they had a good draft. Of course, we won’t really know how the draft picks pan out until the season starts.

Who Dey!

Adios AJ

The most popular backup quarterback in Cincinnati Bengals history is now an unrestricted free agent. AJ McCarron won his grievance against the Bengals and can now sign with any NFL team the he chooses. It is a big win for McCarron as he now has a shot to prove that he has what it takes to be a legitimate starting quarterback in the National Football League.

As for the Bengals, losing McCarron is a costly loss for the franchise as they will get nothing but a compensatory pick when McCarron signs with another team. Considering that the Bengals were on the verge of completing a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns’ second and third round draft picks, only getting one compensatory pick is a big time downgrade in terms of McCarron’s return value. Had the Browns been able to complete the trade on their end, we would be talking about how the Bengals essentially stole two picks from the Browns. Instead we are left to wonder what could have been if the trade had been finalized.

Speaking of what could have been, Who Dey Nation will be left to wonder what could have been should McCarron have been named the starting quarterback over Andy Dalton. I am not bashing on Dalton. I am a Dalton fan and think he is a good quarterback. I’m not saying he is elite, but when it comes to current day NFL teams, there are a number of franchises that would love to have Dalton throwing the ball. However, McCarron is a proven winner. Just check out film from his days with the Alabama Crimson Tide. When Dalton broke his thumb in 2015, McCarron stepped in and played well enough to not only help the team win a few games to close out the regular season, but he almost guided the Bengals to their first playoff win in 25 years. I would have like to see what McCarron could have done had he been the starter for an entire season.

Unfortunately, the Bengals had other plans. Instead of making the starting quarterback job up for grabs in training camp, Dalton was always going to get the nod over McCarron. I will always root for my Bengals, but I like McCarron and hope he gets a starting job on another team. Maybe he will show the Bengals what they were missing. Or maybe he will prove the Bengals were right in not making him a starting quarterback. Either way, I wish him nothing but the best…except when he plays he Bengals in which case I hope Geno Atkins or Carlos Dunlap take him to the ground with an earth shaking sack.

Who Dey!

Bengals Recap 2017

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps the 2017 season of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bengal Graphs 2017 Part 2

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows the different autographs he has gotten throughout the 2017 season of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Honoring the Legends

With the Cincinnati Bengals celebrating their 50^th anniversary, the team will be honoring some of the legends that helped make the franchise what it is today. There will be halftime ceremonies during the first two games of the year, and the list of former Bengals being honored is quite impressive.

Players being honored at the home opener against the Baltimore Ravens on September 10 include Ken Anderson, Isaac Curtis, Ken Riley, Lemar Parrish, Louis Breeden, Mike Reid, Ross Browner, Ken Avery, Al Beauchamp, Solomon Brannan, Gary Burley, Turk Schonert, and John Stofa. The next ceremony will take place four days later during the Septpember 14 Thursday night game against the Houston Texans. Players being honored include Chad Johnson, Cris Collinsworth, Max Montoya, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bill Bergey, Rich Braham, Ken Blackman, Neal Craig, Jonathan Fanene, Corey Mays, and Shaun Smith.

This is the first time that the Bengals are really acknowledging the past and thanking the players of yesteryear. I grew up watching guys like Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and it is awesome that they will be honored by the Bengals. Hopefully the team takes the next step by creating a team hall of fame or a ring of honor so that the contributions these players made to the franchise will never be forgotten.

Who Dey!

Cincinnati Bengals 2017 Season Outlook

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone previews the 2017 season of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Training Camp 2017

With the Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati dominating the Cincinnati summer sports scene, it is easy to become mesmerized by the action that unfolds on the diamond and on the pitch. Soon though, Cincinnati sports fans will be able to take in the action of the gridiron as the Bengals officially start their 2017 training camp.

Training camp starts on Friday July 28 and goes until Thursday August 10. Gates will open 30 minutes before practice starts with most practices starting at 3 p.m. The only exceptions are when practice starts at 6 p.m. on Friday August 4, 1 p.m. on Saturday August 5, 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday August 9, and 10:30 a.m. on Thursday August 11.

Practices are also held on the practice field right next to Paul Brown Stadium. The only practice not held on the practice field will be the Family Day event on August 5. The Family Day practice will be held inside Paul Brown Stadium and will feature a lot of activities and a giveaway for kids. If you are an autograph hunter like me, the family day practice is the best training camp session to attend as every player is available for autographs once practice concludes.

The Cincinnati Bengals training camp is a great way to check out the team up close and personal. It is really cool to witness the current players mix it up the rookie draft picks and see how well they mesh together. It is also a great opportunity to get some autographs from your favorite Bengals players! Attending training camp is something that I highly recommend as every true Bengals fan needs to experience it before the season starts.

Who Dey!

Bobblehead Collection 2016

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows his entire bobblehead collection.

Bengals Recap 2016

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone recaps the 2016 season of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Taken for Granted

Being a Cincinnati Bengals fan is not always the easiest thing. Aside from having to deal with the constant reminder that the Bengals have not won a playoff game since 1990, you also have to deal with internal conflicts and wars of words amongst fellow members of Who Dey Nation. There are constant debates of whether or not Marvin Lewis should be fired or if AJ McCarron should be the starting quarterback over Andy Dalton. While these internal arguments seemed to decrease within the last five years, the 2016 season has seen a resurgence of these debates. The conflicts are again raging on with the topic of whether or not Ken Zampese should remain offensive coordinator being thrown into the mix. But why are these arguments once again the main focus of Bengals fans? It is because the team will not make the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season.

After a very disappointing 2010 campaign in which the team finished with an abysmal 4-12 record, the franchise was essentially forced to hit the reset button. Star quarterback Carson Palmer refused to come back to the team, and the question of who would be behind center for the Bengals was a topic hot discussion during the offseason. In response to Palmer’s poor display of team leadership, the Bengals drafted Texas Christian University quarterback Andy Dalton in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. Dalton was paired with Bengals first round draft pick A.J. Green, a wide receiver out of the University of Georgia. Together the duo helped lead the Bengals to a 6-2 record through the first nine weeks of the 2011 season which prompted the team to trade Palmer to the Oakland Raiders for two future draft picks. The 2011 Bengals finished the season with a record of 9-7 and qualified for the playoffs as a wildcard team.

2011 marked the first of five consecutive years in which the Bengals qualified for the playoffs. They qualified as a wildcard team in 2011, 2012, and in 2014 and qualified as division champs in 2013 and in 2015. Bengals fans began to expect the team to become a yearly contender. Instead of hoping for the team to make the playoffs, fans began to hope that the team would find postseason success. Questioning if the team would make the playoffs became laughable. This state of mind was shared by nearly every member of Who Dey Nation including me.

I had no doubt that the team would once again reach the playoffs at the end of the 2016 season. In my Bengals 2016 season preview video, I predicted that the team would reach the postseason and win in the first round. That will not happen. I, like so many other Bengals fans, took playoff qualification for granted. What us fans have to realize is that making the playoffs is not a guarantee. Each game during the NFL season has huge consequences when it comes to the playoffs, and members of Who Dey Nation are getting an unpleasant reminder of those consequences this year.

I have come to terms with the fact that the Bengals will not be playing for a chance to win the Super Bowl this season. I have also realized that the opportunity to play for a Super Bowl title is not a guarantee. The 2016 season has proved that playoff qualification should not be taken for granted and that the five-year stretch of success the Bengals had could be difficult to duplicate in the future. I have learned my lesson, and I hope all Bengals fans as well as the entire Bengals franchise has learned their lesson as well. Hopefully 2017 will be a rebound year that will include a valuable trip to the playoffs.

Who Dey!

Bengal Graphs 2016

Ryan of Cincy Fan Zone shows off the different autographs he has gotten through the first four weeks of the 2016 NFL season.

My All-Time Favorite Cincinnati Bengals Game

With the 2016 NFL season officially underway, my Cincinnati Bengals are once again looking to end the playoff win draught that has plagued the Queen City for over 25 years. Being a lifelong Bengals fan, I have seen it all. I was a kid during the Dark Ages of the 1990s, and I have experienced the renaissance of this franchise during the Marvin Lewis era. I have seen dramatic comebacks and primetime meltdowns. I experienced the lowest of lows during the 2015 playoff implosion, but I have also experienced the highest of highs such as the 17 point comeback against the Seattle Seahawks. In fact, that is my all-time favorite Bengals game, and in this post, I will explain why.

The game between the Seahawks and my beloved Bengals happened during week 5 of the 2015 NFL season. The Bengals were riding a huge wave of momentum after sprinting out of the gates to a 4-0 start. The Seahawks were the Super Bowl champs in 2013 as well as the reigning 2014 NFC champions. This game had a big fight feel to it and was hyped in Cincinnati in the week leading up to the battle on the gridiron. Needless to say, it delivered.

The Bengals got off to a hot start by scoring on their opening drive and taking a 7-0 lead. The Seahawks responded later in the quarter and dominated the Bengals throughout the rest of the half and the entire third quarter. By the time the fourth and final quarter of play started, the Bengals were on the wrong end of a 24-7 score with the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” standing in their way. It was not looking good for Who Dey Nation.

Despite being down, the team was not out and still fought with determination and the will to win. Quarterback Andy Dalton connected with Tyler Eifert for a touchdown, Eifert’s second receiving touchdown of the game, to cut the lead to 10. Then with a little over three and half minutes left in the game, Dalton called an audible at the line of scrimmage and ran the ball into the end zone from five yards out to bring the Bengals within three points. Time was not on the home team’s side but the defense was able to force the Seahawks to punt the ball. After Adam Jones’ punt return was called back after a controversial fair catch call, the Bengals had one last shot to put points on the board.

They moved the ball down the field on a methodical drive that was highlighted by a tremendous diving catch by Tyler Eifert while the clock continued to tick. After a scramble by Dalton fell short of the first down marker, the offense rushed off the field as the special teams unit sprinted on with no timeouts left to use. Kicker Mike Nugent kicked the ball as time ran out, and the ball sailed through the uprights! The Bengals had tied the game at 24-24 and forced overtime!

Overtime was very competitive as both teams’ defensives were able to force stops. Neither team seemed able to break through and end the game with a scoring drive…until the Bengals were able to string together a couple of offensive plays that put them in a position to win the game. With a little over three and a half minutes left in overtime, Nugent ran onto the field to attempt a 42-yard field goal. The snap was good, the hold was good, and the kick began to sail to the left of the uprights in midflight. The ball hit the left post but banked in for the win! The stadium erupted with cheers, and I was going nuts on my couch! My beloved Cincinnati Bengals climbed out of a 17-point hole and defeated the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 in overtime!

This was the most exciting Bengals game I have ever watched. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and by the time it was over, I was exhausted. It was the peak of Bengals fever in 2015, and is one of the first games I think about when discussing the 2015 Bengals teams. It is my all-time favorite Bengals game as it had everything that makes the sport of football so thrilling to watch. To see how incredible this game was, check out the highlights here.

Who Dey!