Generational Rift

[Mean And Ang-a-Ree]

I hate to spread more doom and gloom in times like these, but I thought of something the other day that made me really worried about the future of the Bengals' fanbase.

For as lousy as the team has been for the last 20 years, there are still a ton of loyal fans. I don't mean season ticketholders-I mean people who call the team their own and watch them every Sunday. Most of these fans remember the olden days when the team was good, as well as the 2 SB appearances. Once you experience an awesome season and a SB run-you're pretty much hooked on that team for life. I personally remember the 88/89 season like it was yesterday-even though I was only 11 at the time. After I saw Boomer's playaction, the Ickey Shuffle, and the SWAT Team-there was no way I could adopt another team.

Through the 90s I still followed the team, even though I did not have the $$ to buy tickets to games. Then Marvin came-and it looked as if the team was investing in itself and its future. By that time I was in my mid-20s (a prime football demographic), had a bit more $$ and invested in the team as well by buying season tix. Now it is obvious that this team will never reach its full potential under the current system, and as a fan who cares, I cannot bring myself to support it financially.

My fear is that as time marches on, less and less of the potential fanbase will have remembered anything positive about this team-and thus will not have a reason to adopt them. I wonder if the team realizes this?

[Joe from Florence]

I hate to spread more doom and gloom in times like these, but I thought of something the other day that made me really worried about the future of the Bengals' fanbase.

For as lousy as the team has been for the last 20 years, there are still a ton of loyal fans. I don't mean season ticketholders-I mean people who call the team their own and watch them every Sunday. Most of these fans remember the olden days when the team was good, as well as the 2 SB appearances. Once you experience an awesome season and a SB run-you're pretty much hooked on that team for life. I personally remember the 88/89 season like it was yesterday-even though I was only 11 at the time. After I saw Boomer's playaction, the Ickey Shuffle, and the SWAT Team-there was no way I could adopt another team.

Through the 90s I still followed the team, even though I did not have the $$ to buy tickets to games. Then Marvin came-and it looked as if the team was investing in itself and its future. By that time I was in my mid-20s (a prime football demographic), had a bit more $$ and invested in the team as well by buying season tix. Now it is obvious that this team will never reach its full potential under the current system, and as a fan who cares, I cannot bring myself to support it financially.

My fear is that as time marches on, less and less of the potential fanbase will have remembered anything positive about this team-and thus will not have a reason to adopt them. I wonder if the team realizes this?
we've already gone thru a generation that hasn't witnessed any sort of winning here yet.

I have 3 kids, ages 22, 18, 15
only one of them was even born the last time the bengals were in the SB and she was under 1 year old.

2 of my kids have never even seen them win a playoff game.

that is sad.

[thefinalcut813]

We either have to wait til Brown dies(Sorry)......or til the grinch gets a heart!...Im getting so fed up with his BS.....He is just so rude also!.Just look at the Lewis resigning press conference, he was so rude to Brad Johansen.

[thefinalcut813]

we've already gone thru a generation that hasn't witnessed any sort of winning here yet.

I have 3 kids, ages 22, 18, 15
only one of them was even born the last time the bengals were in the SB and she was under 1 year old.

2 of my kids have never even seen them win a playoff game.

that is sad.

Do you honestly think he only cares about money?....im am really starting to believe it.Or is he just a terrible GM/Owner...Hold on ...Its both!

[jj22]

My fear is that as time marches on, less and less of the potential fanbase will have remembered anything positive about this team-and thus will not have a reason to adopt them.

That'll be the best decission they ever made. At least they won't be stuck with them like we are. Maybe they will adopt a franchise that has a legit chance to win a Superbowl each year.

[Mean And Ang-a-Ree]

That'll be the best decission they ever made. At least they won't be stuck with them like we are. Maybe they will adopt a franchise that has a legit chance to win a Superbowl each year.

I suppose, but if I would rather be surrounded with long-suffering Bengals fans than surrounded by Colts, Steelers, and Browns fans.

[Goose]

I hate to spread more doom and gloom in times like these, but I thought of something the other day that made me really worried about the future of the Bengals' fanbase.

For as lousy as the team has been for the last 20 years, there are still a ton of loyal fans. I don't mean season ticketholders-I mean people who call the team their own and watch them every Sunday. Most of these fans remember the olden days when the team was good, as well as the 2 SB appearances. Once you experience an awesome season and a SB run-you're pretty much hooked on that team for life. I personally remember the 88/89 season like it was yesterday-even though I was only 11 at the time. After I saw Boomer's playaction, the Ickey Shuffle, and the SWAT Team-there was no way I could adopt another team.

Through the 90s I still followed the team, even though I did not have the $$ to buy tickets to games. Then Marvin came-and it looked as if the team was investing in itself and its future. By that time I was in my mid-20s (a prime football demographic), had a bit more $$ and invested in the team as well by buying season tix. Now it is obvious that this team will never reach its full potential under the current system, and as a fan who cares, I cannot bring myself to support it financially.

My fear is that as time marches on, less and less of the potential fanbase will have remembered anything positive about this team-and thus will not have a reason to adopt them. I wonder if the team realizes this?

I've lived two superbowls and was used to throwing parties for playoffs and SB's. This under Mike has been at best a cheap imitation of a football organization.
I liked the hiring of ML at first, but was worried at the end of the season if he had lost the team. Star player now wants out. Maybe that answered the question. Standards on this team must be pretty low which is why they aren't a consistent team.
I am currently trying to sway myself and grand daughter to the Colts.

[Joe from Florence]

Do you honestly think he only cares about money?....im am really starting to believe it.Or is he just a terrible GM/Owner...Hold on ...Its both!
Here is what i truly think.


Mike Brown's first goal is to make money
Mike Brown wants to win, but doesn't want anyone else to have control over that.
I think he took his dad's advice after his dad got fired in Cleveland and will not allow anyone else to make decisions regarding this team except for him.
I think Mike Brown has no clue how to be succesful in this league. He is living in the past and is too stubborn to change his ways.
I think Mike Brown truly believes the rhetoric he spouts, such as the scouting etc.

Mike Brown everyonce in awhile will spout something in public that defines who he really is and how he really thinks.

Mike Brown doesn't talk in public a lot at all so the few times you can listen to him speak he never fails to drop a little nugget of info on how his mind works. I will give you some examples.

1. He had said "We lose money if we go to the playoffs"
2. if the season was extended to 18 games, he has said he doesn't want any home games in the month of january.
3. the scouting dept is fine, we are 10th in players drafted in games played in the last 10 years.

it's things like that that lead you to believe the guy really is clueless. he believes the stuff he says which is pretty scary.

so to sum it up, I believe Mike Brown wants to win, but profit margin is his #1 care. I also believe he truly thinks he knows how to make the team successful even after 20 years of losing.
He is set in his ways and no one will ever change his mind.

[Abspara]

My fear is that as time marches on, less and less of the potential fanbase will have remembered anything positive about this team-and thus will not have a reason to adopt them. I wonder if the team realizes this?

The Bengals don't care if you follow them or not.

[eoxyod]

The best year I've knowledgeably experienced was the 09 season. I started watching in 05, but really knew nothing. My fandom *****. Yet I'm still pulled in

[Who85Dey]

My fear is that as time marches on, less and less of the potential fanbase will have remembered anything positive about this team-and thus will not have a reason to adopt them. I wonder if the team realizes this?

Fans that have no connection to Cincinnati won't adopt them but fans will still be "born-in". For example, I was born in Louisiana, when my dad was stationed there in the Air Force. However, he's originally from Cincinnati and his parents lived in the house that he grew up in until they passed away. As a result, I was raised a Bengals fan. I'd watch the team play every Sunday with him and as I got older and really got into football, I became a die-hard too. My children will be the same way, I'm sure (at least they better be lol).

Plus, I converted my wife to the Bengals as well lol. Although her dad is from Detroit, so her switching her affinity from the Lions to the Bengals would actually be considered a SLIGHT upgrade lol

[Mean And Ang-a-Ree]

Joe-I think you are totally correct. He saw what happened to his dad and will never let that happen to him. It is so easy for him to be profitable, that he treats the football part as merely a hobby. It really makes me wish that NFL profitablilty were more dependant on attendance. My dream is that this is considered by the other owners when negotiating the CBA.

Although it seems that they don't care if we care-they have really been spoiled over the years both in terms of ticket sales and TV viewership. We are creatures of habit and love football. And most of us have been through so much that we will continue to pay attention. We have been largely taken for granted and I don't know if they realize this. If things continue, the old schoolers will still be around, but there will not be an inflow of new fans whatsoever. They seem like they don't care because they haven't yet had to.

[34inXXIII]

we've already gone thru a generation that hasn't witnessed any sort of winning here yet.

I have 3 kids, ages 22, 18, 15
only one of them was even born the last time the bengals were in the SB and she was under 1 year old.

2 of my kids have never even seen them win a playoff game.

that is sad.
The lack of recent success - and that's a very broad use of the term "recent" - is bad enough, but the organization's lack of recognition for the top players or teams in the franchise's past only widens that gap. You need look no further than the 40th Anniversary Team (http://www.bengals.com/team/history/all-time-team.html) voting. I have a hunch Palmer wouldn't quite be the leading vote getter at QB if there were a 44th Anniversary Team this year, nor would Houshmandzadeh be the #2 receiver.

If management had any sense of nostalgia and truly wanted to give something back to the fans through a celebration of the franchise's history - modest though it may be - they would do something like honor the 30th Anniversary of arguably the greatest team in franchise history: the 1981 AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, the team that gave the fans their first chance to experience a Super Bowl. Sadly, this kind of thing just doesn't happen with this franchise.

[XenoMorph]

I suppose, but if I would rather be surrounded with long-suffering Bengals fans than surrounded by Colts, Steelers, and Browns fans.

This... as a 28 year old 7 when last we went to a superbowl... i have lots of friends that are bengals fans so we are still here still watching the bengals lose.

even though it sounds bad it might take a kid from the make a wish foundation to move mike brown in the right direction. personally im ready from the next era of ownership ive already tried getting bill gates to come buy the team.

[CINwillWIN]

I am a born in Bengal fan. I have moved away from the area, but still carry the Bengals on my back with support. My wife adapted, but she even wonders why, after not seeing the light for countless losing seasons, she is there mearly to support me, not the Bengals.
Situation:
I believe my kids (because of me, and my obsession) will/has been affected. As my oldest already has. (12)He has been watching the games with me since he has been (9). He cheers, gets mad, shows true emotion right along side with me good or bad. It was great last season, he has always had jerseys his Mom or I bought him that he'd wear on Sunday with me, but on any other day, he would not wear anything Bengals, which I truely questioned in my mind, he is like my wife, he supports me, not the Bengals.
My oldest (to my surprise) wore his Bengals (9) jersey to his school for "Jean Day" which if the kids are good, they can have these days on a Friday, they usually are a uniform school. I was kinda proud...I was called in after lunch. He was sent to the office, he was sitting in a chair looking down, jersey still on, just looked upset to beat all. I asked what happened, the office person told me he never, ever once had a problem with Caleb (my son) ever in this school, but he was getting teased, and he snapped and started screaming obsenities toward the ones who were teasing him, he was then brought to the office for a time out. The office person telling me this was on Caleb's side for what he said, but what he said was obviously was not appropriate. I took him home.
I told him I was proud of him that he wore his jersey, but I also asked that was the reason you snapped right? He said it wasn't my fault, they were picking on me for wearing my Carson jersey, yes. Kids who were my friends before, that I usually got along with started to make me mad, and I didn't like what they were saying. I asked, like? They wore Steeler stuff. (I shrugged) He told me that I was a born loser, Bengals were the worst team in the NFL, and wouldn't stop. He said he looked at the kid poking the most fun wearing a Big Ben jersey: "I guess you like rape also!" Then I was sent to the office. I blame myself. He has never ever got into trouble of any kind before.
During the ride home, we had the talk.
He still supports the Bengals with me, we just have to refine our smack talk. (laughs)
I never had this problem living in the Cincinnati area growing up, we were all brainwashed together...outside the area, we are a punching bag. I hate that my kids are/were crusified for being a fans. This is my main disgust. Why we need a change.
Do it for the kids.

[fumblerooski]

I have raised all of my still very young children to be Bengals fans even though they have personally zero connection to Ohio. Many people joke that Child Protective Services will be visiting our home any day now because raising your kids as Bengals fans outside of Cincinnati is abuse.

[bfine32]

we've already gone thru a generation that hasn't witnessed any sort of winning here yet.

I have 3 kids, ages 22, 18, 15
only one of them was even born the last time the bengals were in the SB and she was under 1 year old.

2 of my kids have never even seen them win a playoff game.

that is sad.

Sad indeed. I see alot of the younger fans get blasted on here because they haven't "earned their stripes". It is incredible to think a 27 year old man or woman could have been a life-long Bengal fan and never enjoyed watching their team get a playoff win.

Atleast us older fans can re-live the Freezer Bowl, remember the Bills try to slow the sugar-huddle, ect...

[CINwillWIN]

Sad indeed. I see alot of the younger fans get blasted on here because they haven't "earned their stripes". It is incredible to think a 27 year old man or woman could have been a life-long Bengal fan and never enjoyed watching their team get a playoff win.

Atleast us older fans can re-live the Freezer Bowl, remember the Bills try to slow the sugar-huddle, ect...

AFC Central. What a division! :thumbsup:

http://images.checkoutmycards.com/zoom/509ae599-cc6c-4924-841c-e4fc614acc89.jpg

[NastiNati513]

thats the real "nitty gritty" ahahahaHere is what i truly think.


Mike Brown's first goal is to make money
Mike Brown wants to win, but doesn't want anyone else to have control over that.
I think he took his dad's advice after his dad got fired in Cleveland and will not allow anyone else to make decisions regarding this team except for him.
I think Mike Brown has no clue how to be succesful in this league. He is living in the past and is too stubborn to change his ways.
I think Mike Brown truly believes the rhetoric he spouts, such as the scouting etc.

Mike Brown everyonce in awhile will spout something in public that defines who he really is and how he really thinks.

Mike Brown doesn't talk in public a lot at all so the few times you can listen to him speak he never fails to drop a little nugget of info on how his mind works. I will give you some examples.

1. He had said "We lose money if we go to the playoffs"
2. if the season was extended to 18 games, he has said he doesn't want any home games in the month of january.
3. the scouting dept is fine, we are 10th in players drafted in games played in the last 10 years.

it's things like that that lead you to believe the guy really is clueless. he believes the stuff he says which is pretty scary.

so to sum it up, I believe Mike Brown wants to win, but profit margin is his #1 care. I also believe he truly thinks he knows how to make the team successful even after 20 years of losing.
He is set in his ways and no one will ever change his mind.

[Joe from Florence]

Sad indeed. I see alot of the younger fans get blasted on here because they haven't "earned their stripes". It is incredible to think a 27 year old man or woman could have been a life-long Bengal fan and never enjoyed watching their team get a playoff win.

Atleast us older fans can re-live the Freezer Bowl, remember the Bills try to slow the sugar-huddle, ect...yep, and then the very next year they used it and went on to 4 straight SB's. I still hate Marv Levy, the little whiny d-bag...he still takes credit for the hurry up offense. what a putz

[Joe from Florence]

The lack of recent success - and that's a very broad use of the term "recent" - is bad enough, but the organization's lack of recognition for the top players or teams in the franchise's past only widens that gap. You need look no further than the 40th Anniversary Team (http://www.bengals.com/team/history/all-time-team.html) voting. I have a hunch Palmer wouldn't quite be the leading vote getter at QB if there were a 44th Anniversary Team this year, nor would Houshmandzadeh be the #2 receiver.

If management had any sense of nostalgia and truly wanted to give something back to the fans through a celebration of the franchise's history - modest though it may be - they would do something like honor the 30th Anniversary of arguably the greatest team in franchise history: the 1981 AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, the team that gave the fans their first chance to experience a Super Bowl. Sadly, this kind of thing just doesn't happen with this franchise.
That has always been a huge beef with me. Why not honor your franchise with it's greatest players etc. Why not have a Hall of Fame, why not have retired jerseys etc. Mike Brown is all about business and no nostalgia what so ever and that is really sad.

[XenoMorph]

ill never root for another team at least in the AFC while the bengals still exist... but i might just stop watching football altogether... its more depressing to see other teams do well because they are ran well while our team has a nuklear explosion every few years. can we get a pro hockey team or something here in cinci thats not baseball......

[NastiNati513]

4real, just my opinion, but our relationship with the bengals org. resembles an abusive relationship

we hope for the best but get the worse
we spend money on em and get nothing in return
we are told they can change but they fall back to their old ways
we love em and they could care less about us
2 good years out of 20+

I could go on forever with this, feel free to add on

[Sideline Tweeting 101]

I have no connection what so ever to Cincinnati and I have been a Bengals fan since I can remember. The reason I started cheering for them was their helmet. As a small child it drew me in. My father is a life long Vikings fan for the same reason, and low and behold my son started cheering for Tampa Bay last year because he likes their helmet. BTW I live in TN and I am only 27 years old.

[Wyche'sWarrior]

AFC Central. What a division! :thumbsup:

http://images.checkoutmycards.com/zoom/509ae599-cc6c-4924-841c-e4fc614acc89.jpg
I forgot Desmond Howard played for the Jags.......

[CINwillWIN]

I forgot Desmond Howard played for the Jags.......

I forgot how weird it was that Houston of all places was considered "Central"...

[Wyche'sWarrior]

I hate to spread more doom and gloom in times like these, but I thought of something the other day that made me really worried about the future of the Bengals' fanbase.

For as lousy as the team has been for the last 20 years, there are still a ton of loyal fans. I don't mean season ticketholders-I mean people who call the team their own and watch them every Sunday. Most of these fans remember the olden days when the team was good, as well as the 2 SB appearances. Once you experience an awesome season and a SB run-you're pretty much hooked on that team for life. I personally remember the 88/89 season like it was yesterday-even though I was only 11 at the time. After I saw Boomer's playaction, the Ickey Shuffle, and the SWAT Team-there was no way I could adopt another team.

Through the 90s I still followed the team, even though I did not have the $$ to buy tickets to games. Then Marvin came-and it looked as if the team was investing in itself and its future. By that time I was in my mid-20s (a prime football demographic), had a bit more $$ and invested in the team as well by buying season tix. Now it is obvious that this team will never reach its full potential under the current system, and as a fan who cares, I cannot bring myself to support it financially.

My fear is that as time marches on, less and less of the potential fanbase will have remembered anything positive about this team-and thus will not have a reason to adopt them. I wonder if the team realizes this?I feel your pain.....I was born in '76......my first memories of NFL football are the Bengals. My grandmother was a huge Bengals and Reds fan, so that's all I've known. These last 21 years have taken their toll......I'm pretty much fed up and disgusted.

[Wyche'sWarrior]

I forgot how weird it was that Houston of all places was considered "Central"...
Yeah, about like TCU going to the Big East!