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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > January > 22 > Entry
Waiting for the Bengals to make a move
ACCORDING TO MY TIMEX,
TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW
‘WOMP, WOMP, SIDE OF THE HEAD
WOMP-WOMP SIDE OF THE HEAD’
I’m waiting — quite patiently as a matter of fact — for the Cincinnati Bengals to make a move.
Any ol’ move just to show their fans that the franchise cares about winning.
It’s been 25 days since the club’s dismal 4-11-1 season ended. And while other teams are kicking, fighting, scratching and clawing to get better, the Calvin Coolidge-Martin Van Buren Bengals do absolutely nothing …
… Nothing except send letters to their season ticket holders expressing optimism about the 2009 season and letting them know that the time is coming when they must open their wallets and check books and get ready to cough up the cash for their season-ticket renewals.
I find it humorous that the Bengals are banking on two things in 2009: A new and improved quarterback Carson Palmer, and Bill Cowher’s prediction on CBS’ “NFL Today” that the Bengals will make the playoffs in ‘09.
The Bengals’ hands are temporarily tied because their coaching staff is in Mobile, Ala., coaching the North squad in the Senior Bowl All-Star Game.
At some point after they arrive home, the hatchet must swing and the guillotine must fall on an offensive staff that coached its unit to league rankings of 32nd in points (12.8 per game), 32nd in yards (245.4), 30th in passing yards (150.4) and 29th in rushing yards (95.0).
I was reminded of the Bengals’ coaching staff recently when I watched a Clint Eastwood Classic.
“Hang ‘em High.”
The theme of continuity must end. The time for change is now.
I believe in now.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
January 22, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
It’s still too early for the Bengals spin machine to start churning full steam, Chick. In the short term, they’ll paint Marvin and the gang coaching at the Senior Bowl as a surefire indicator of a strong draft class to come this year. But any draft related optimism will be tempered by the usual excuses for not pursuing top-flight free agents. I wonder which 2nd or 3rd stringer from what playoff team will be this year’s savior? Can’t wait to find out.By Robert Young
January 22, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Chick change is occurring. Look at the 127 accounts available on just Craigs List this morning. The team refuses to change so the fans are. It’s the “theme” of fed up fans. And as far as the fans that say a true fan does not jump ship; well spend money on tickets for over 20 years on tickets and then get back to me about what a true fan is.By Roho Radio
January 22, 2009 12:34 PM | Link to this
We’ve already waited for an eternity for the Bengals to make a move…anything since MB has been there. Why waste time looking at your Timex, Chick?By photoman
January 22, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
I think you’re right Chick. I believe the Bengals are waiting ‘till after the Senior bowl to get rid of the OC BB. Why would anyone (ML)want to change to a new offensive strategy and keep the old OC staff? Seems the wait is about over. BUT, will it make a playoff contender of our Cincinnati Bengals? Probably not. We’ll just have to continue to outwait MB for real change to come in this organization. Meanwhile…we have our Chickster and his blog to keep hope alive.By Mike Brown
January 22, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
we went 4-3-1 in the second half of the season….jeez….we can’t please you people.By Don
January 23, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
It all changes when the Brown family decides they want to win and hires a GM and actually gives them control. Until then, they need to build the lines back up. That’s been the Eagles formula and even though they don’t win titles, I’d take a perenial playoff team any day. might not hurt to be bold and go after Mike Martz, either. He’s an a*s but he could turn the O around.By photoman
January 23, 2009 7:27 PM | Link to this
The real deep changing change will come when MB is completely gone from the Bengals organization. ‘till then we’ll just have to accept any superficial change we can get, and outwait the main man.By JMo
January 23, 2009 7:41 PM | Link to this
Im tired of talking about this. If the Bengals were going to fire Brat it would have happened by now. Its like they don’t even care anymore. Anyway not to bring anybody down Chick, but any news on what happened to Bobby Kemp in terms of his suicide? Its so terrible and I never heard about it until reading your colum. I was just watching the freezer bowl and that big int he came up with. He is sorely missed.By psychostats
January 23, 2009 11:00 PM | Link to this
Waiting for the Bengals. Waiting for Godot. Waiting for Elmo. It’s all the same: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksL_7WrhWOc&feature=relatedBy blindeye
January 24, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this
By my count the following teams have made coaching changes since the season ended. Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Detroit, Dallas, Cleveland, Denver, Indianapolis, NY Jets, San Fran, Oakland, Green Bay and Kansas City. The Bengals have done nothing. Is there any wonder why this team is a loser.By photoman
January 25, 2009 1:28 AM | Link to this
Any day now! The Bengals season is now over for the coaches too, with the Senior bowl have been completed. (ML is 0-2). Now I expect some Bengals coaching changes soon, but MB will still be here. So, we’ll just have to wait a little for the “Big” Bengals change.By photoman
January 25, 2009 1:31 AM | Link to this
Any day now! The Bengals season is now over for the coaches too, with the Senior bowl have been completed. (ML is 0-2). Now I expect some Bengals coaching changes soon, but MB will still be here. So, we’ll just have to wait a little while longer for the “Big” Bengals change.By Art Brooks
January 25, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this
Fire offensive coordinater Bratkowski.He is worthless.He was fired from Seattle and there is a reason why they let him go.All that talent on the bench and none being used,some of the recievers could have been utilized,but were not.Why draft if you are not going to use the talent!!!By Steven Ross
January 26, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this
Waiting for the Bengals to make significant changes reminds me of the Stooges saying something has two speeds: slow and stop. Business as usual.By nadfflictar
January 27, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this
The bengals should trade their first pick in the draft back a few spots to obtain another early draft pick. I think it is very possible if they are considering an OT, b/c there are 6 - 7 tackles listed as possible top 10 picks. I think the Bengals should release TJ and go after a veteran center. If we do these 2 things we will be able to get the best OT available and use the rest of the picks for defensive holes, a running back and a late wr. The problem is, this will never happen.By Garrett W
January 27, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
sometimes the answer is to simple - an adaquate back up quarterback would be the most sensable move - compare Fitzgerald to Matt Cassel - where would the Bengals be if they had had an adaquate Quarterback - certainly not 4-11-1 - not they are to close to tear it up now -By Garrett W
January 27, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
sometimes the answer is to simple - an adaquate back up quarterback would be the most sensable move - compare Fitzgerald to Matt Cassel - where would the Bengals be if they had had an adaquate Quarterback - certainly not 4-11-1 - no they are to close to tear it up now -By Chris
January 30, 2009 7:54 AM | Link to this
If any of you really think Cincy has a chance to be a winner next year you really need to get a life. Carson or not this team is far from being a winner as long as Chad is on the team. Keep supporting these idiots and making MB a rich man. It’s all a scam!!!By Cdog
January 30, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this
Well Chickster, I don’t think that the theme of “continuity” will change anytime soon considering Marvin just cited this as the key to success in 2009…it is Cincinnati after all, a place forever reluctant to join the world in its daily revolutions. Here’s an idea: pressure the QB and grab a C. The Bengals are unfortunately with a paucity of talent at numerous positions. The real problem relates to two things: 1. their collective inability to evaluate talent outside the first round of the draft, and 2. their unwillingness to do the things needed to compete—expand scouting, get a GM, exploit the salary cap to get the most value.By nyc
January 31, 2009 12:51 AM | Link to this
mb says…if you build him another new stadium…the bungals will go 5 - 11By boxter
February 1, 2009 8:04 AM | Link to this
The Bengals will go 5-11 next year. Palmer will play 5 games, get beat up again because of no line play and will choose to sit out the year like this year. Word is he is just playing out his contract. He does not want to be here anymore. Can’t blame him.By William
February 3, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
I wonder how much the Jersseys for the Cardinals are selling for these days…perhaps they can take my Palmer jersey in trade…without talking to TJ the Bengals are doomed to lose the only reciever worthy of respect on the team.By Kettering Kooks
February 4, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this
Clint Eastwood also said “A man has got to know his limitations.” I wish Mikey boy knew his…By Kettering Kooks
February 4, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this
Clint Eastwood also said “A man has got to know his limitations.” I wish Mikey boy knew his…