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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer Updated 2:27 AM Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I was at a stoplight when I glanced up at the digital, rotating billboard to my left.

The first attention-getter, as its designers surely intended, was the photo of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer in full uniform in the process of throwing a pass. Then I read the text accompanying the photo: “Come Back.” The “B” in the text was in Bengals design, with the orange and the stripes.

Like everyone else who is already used to billboards advertising tickets for sports teams, I didn’t take much notice at first.

But, think about what the billboard’s message could be saying.

For the past several seasons, beginning with the hiring of Marvin Lewis as head coach, the Bengals had sustained a fairly steady stream of enthusiasm from its fan base — and also from those who were borderline interested in the years before that. The playoff appearance after the 2005 season bolstered that passion.

But the good feelings, at least from those not the most hard-core of fans, has worn off. And the Bengals are acknowledging that.

Come Back, they’re asking. We know some of you have left, they’re saying, but look at this exciting quarterback we have and all the fun you could be enjoying at Paul Brown Stadium.

The tail is between the legs. They seem to realize they need outreaches like an appearance on the HBO series produced by NFL Films, “Hard Knocks ’09.”

It always helps to say you’re sorry. At least for me, sitting at that stoplight, that’s what I took from the billboard.

Now, will people come back?

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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I feel from a lot of bengal fans they are optimistic and make a lot of excuses. I feel Mike Brown has tried to make this football team competitive. Marven I trust has made right desitions with players and picks and has made strides to address the issuses. Carson in his second season got us in the playoffs. Pitsburg who I hate, knew they would lose if they didn't take out Carson. I feel we had good drafts with promise that were lost to injury. Thats is what has kept the bengals down.

lonnie
9:59 AM, 9/12/2009

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i dont know which franchise is more pathetic...my sorry azz ny knicks...or the poor-excuse-for-a franchise bungals....

nyc
9:17 AM, 7/30/2009

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if the Bengals really wanted to say they're sorry Mike Brown would hand control of the team over to somebody who knows what they're doing and stop dragging fans through all seven layers of the inferno. not going to happen? well, then i guess the Bengals aren't really sorry.

thatsfine
12:55 AM, 7/30/2009

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I think the Browns are a worse franchise.

JJ
7:15 PM, 7/29/2009

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The Bengals have been a sorry franchise for close to 20 years. It's hard to think of a sorrier franchise.

PJ
4:28 PM, 7/29/2009

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