So much has already been written. So much has already been said about the importance of this weekend's matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Steelers. The story lines are thick and interwoven like an ugly Christmas sweater with reindeer antlers and a Santa hat hood. We know all about Hines Ward and Keith Rivers, of Kimo and Carson, of Lebeau and Anderson. We know all too well the heavy combined stench of thousands of dirty Steeler fans and their horrible, Terrible Towels as they invade our city and stadium year after year and emerge victorious year after year.
The players claim this is just another game. The players lie. It's a convenient lie players tell to maintain the mythical "Even-Keel." Everybody knows that the test of this season, the true identity of the 2009 Bengals lies in how they perform in this game.
The season so far has been a coin flip. A dismal start followed by an admirable effort and impressive road victory. The win, however was not without its ugly moments -- penalties and bad play by the quarterback made the game much closer than it should have been.
Can the Bengals beat the Steelers? I think they can. But to do so they need to do something they haven't been able to do consistently in many years. They need four quarters of their very best football.
To assist in that effort I have some words of support and/or advice for some of the key players. I hope they take it to heart.
To Carson: Please, please, please know where those safeties are.
To Daniel Coats: Get some Stick 'em or Elmer's or something. Seriously.
To Quan Cosby: You pop another return like that this week and I'll buy you a case of Pudding Pops and all the Jell-O you can eat for a year.
To Kevin Huber: Way to make special teams special.
To Antwan Odom: You got five sacks and I never saw a single silly dance (unlike the knucklehead Packer who did a ridiculous dance after one tackle for a loss.) Thank you for being classy. But if you drag number 7 down five times, Marv and Zim should have to re-enact the "Nobody puts baby in a corner" scene from Dirty Dancing with Zim playing the role Jennifer Gray made famous and Marv standing in for Patrick Swayze.
To the entire LB Core: Do me a favor and knock the perpetual smile off Hines Ward's face. If he's having that much fun, the Steelers must be doing good. In fact that will be my barometer for Sunday -- if he's grinnin', we ain't winnin'.
I'll be there Sunday, undoubtedly sandwiched between obnoxiously drunk Steeler fans. If I don't make it out alive, tell my family I died a believer.
I've always wondered if the Steeler's actually see this game as a rivalry. I mean sure they come down here for the game, but maybe it's just because it isn't a far drive and they know they can get tickets.
I would think Baltimore would be a bigger rival, they know they are going to get hit in the mouth when they play them and it'll be a tough faught game every time. I just don't see that between them and the Bengals.
That's OK. I realize this game is bigger for us than it is for them. But we're the ones that have to prove ourselves annually. Their fans at the stadium sure seem into it. I hope their team comes into this game flat to indifferent. It's like Spoon says, " You got no respect for the underdog, That's why you will not survive."
"To Quan Cosby: You pop another return like that this week and I'll buy you a case of Pudding Pops and all the Jell-O you can eat for a year." LMAO
The article was great, I wasn't so much saying it doesn't matter to the Steeler's as I was wondering out loud if they do see it as a big rivalry.
One of the best sports commentary articles I have read. If only someone on the team (Bengals) would read this and listen to the advice and maybe smack the smile off of Ward's face. He's like the freaking cheshire cat. And I would so get Odom's name tattooed on my neck. He's awesome.
I will cheer extra hard and truly believe in the Bengals, if for no other reason, just to see the Marv and Zim dance! (please tell me that it will be public. ) That surely will wipe the grin off Ward's face. I will have my Steelers' voodoo doll with pins in hand starting at 4:00 Sunday.
Being a season ticket holder for 8 years now, I have witnessed many heart wrenching losses at PBS, but I will always support my Bengals. When i read this article, i showed it to everyone i knew that would appreciate it. What an awesomely written article..couldnt have been stated any better... thanks for pumping me up for an awesome win yesterday!!! Who Dey!!!
Great Piece.... and even better WE WON!!! : ) GO BENGALS!!