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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 > June > 18 > Entry
Bengals’ 2009 motto: ‘Fight Back!’
The last time I saw a Bengals player leave his position group in the locker room and approach another position group was 2005 when quarterback Jon Kitna left his cozy corner to play cards with the running backs during lunch.
Now I’m seeing outside linebacker Keith Rivers speaking with right guard Bobbie Williams and middle linebacker Dhani Jones talking to defensive tackle Tank Johnson.
The Queen City Kitties are actually crossing the Line of Demarcation and communicating with one another. What gives?
“The most pleasant thing has been the atmosphere here,” offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said on Thursday, June 18 — Day One of minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. “It’s been very upbeat.
“I’ve had players — guys who have been here a while — mention to me that there’s a very serious focus and intensity to everybody that they haven’t felt in a while. That’s a good sign.”
A humbling, embarrassing 4-11-1 record shook the team to its core in 2008. It was a wake-up call, a signal that talent doesn’t matter when it’s neither cohesive nor consistent.
From the depths of third place in the AFC North Division, a motto for 2009 was born — “Fight Back!” It’ll appear on players’ T-shirts soon.
“There’s an awareness of what we did last season wasn’t good enough,” head coach Marvin Lewis said. “This is a group of guys who are very proud and know where they want to be. Let’s just stay below this radar and keep doing things the way we want to do ‘em. We don’t need to talk about it, We’ve got to go prove it.”
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
June 18, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this
Fight back is close to my own personal barometer for the season: Whether they take the usual punch to the mouth from Baltimore and Pittsburgh and punch back or push over. I REALLY hope this is the PUNCH BACK year. We’ll see…By michaelallenstowe
June 18, 2009 11:23 PM | Link to this
I think this is a make or break season for Carson Palmer. The Bengals have the schedule rotation (AFC West, NFC North) in their favor this year like they did in 2005. If he gets protection and a decent running game, which is a big IF, this is his chance to lead the Bengals out of mediocrity and into the playoffs. If not, we’ll likely see major turnover in personnel and coaches and more rebuilding for years to come. In the end, it could be that these lost years would be remembered as a colossal waste of offensive talent that Mike Brown accidently put together. And at best, Palmer would be thought of as an Archie Manning-type with an entire career (except one snap) spent playing meaningless games.By Touchdown Troy
June 19, 2009 12:43 AM | Link to this
I think they will fight back and be the ones to smack Baltimore, Pitt, Clev, in the mouth. Eric Allen on ESPN likes the Bengal Defense.By R Young
June 19, 2009 8:20 AM | Link to this
Well Chick your moniker is correct. This team is as usual a bunch of kitties. nothing to be afraid of. MAS I tend to disagree about major turnover in personnel and coaches. Remember who the GM is, someone who feels change is evil.By TechGuy
June 19, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to hear that this is the environment in the locker room and on the field this year. But this should be the norm and not at all noteworthy. Here’s hoping it lasts beyond this season.By Reuben
June 24, 2009 10:57 PM | Link to this
The key is Benson and the O-line. If both hold up, Bengals are in the playoffs - dare I say easily.