No single game has ever meant so much to one fan base

[tlotharw]

I generally agree, but let's not forget all of us on here are the most rabid of fans whether we crticize or we homerize. I am a life-long Cincinnatian and a fan since the inaugural, 1968 season and I am struck by the apathy or resignation of the local fan base. Only a win will make a difference with them.

This season was a great season for the Bengal Boards with back-to-bck winning seasons and playoff appearances all at the expense of Pittsburgh and their fans.

This may be a huge, franchise-defining game for the denizens of these boards, not so for the majority of the inhabitants of the seven hills. I am praying to the Goddess of Hope, but I can't watch these games anymore.

I am going to the UC game, I will wait and check the final score later tonight. If the win I will watch the replay. I hope I am watching later tonight.

[Lolli]

As bad as this team played, it is time to buy season tickets if you do not already have them.

There are 3 critical players to resign: Andre Smith, Michael Johnson and Adam Jones. There are some others that would be good to sign, but those are the 3 musts. Take care of them, plus another great draft, and we are heading to the AFC championship game next year.

[34inXXIII]

Originally Posted by tlotharw

I generally agree, but let's not forget all of us on here are the most rabid of fans whether we crticize or we homerize. I am a life-long Cincinnatian and a fan since the inaugural, 1968 season and I am struck by the apathy or resignation of the local fan base. Only a win will make a difference with them.

This season was a great season for the Bengal Boards with back-to-bck winning seasons and playoff appearances all at the expense of Pittsburgh and their fans.

This may be a huge, franchise-defining game for the denizens of these boards, not so for the majority of the inhabitants of the seven hills. I am praying to the Goddess of Hope, but I can't watch these games anymore.

I am going to the UC game, I will wait and check the final score later tonight. If the win I will watch the replay. I hope I am watching later tonight.

Looks like you made the right call. It's hard for me to criticize how anyone who endures the last couple of decades reacts to another ending like this.

We needed a win. We didn't get it. As I stated, I don't expect much to change on these boards during the offseason. Sure, there will be some reasons to be hopeful, but there will undoubtedly and understandably be a heavy dose of skepticism. In the end, we just have to deal with this and continue to endure, because that's what we do. That's what we've always done. We don't all do it the same way, but to each their own.

Living in an area with very few Bengals fans, I'm at least thankful to get to share it with each of you every year, regardless of the outcome. Thank you and Who Dey!

[tlotharw]

Originally Posted by 34inXXIII

Looks like you made the right call. It's hard for me to criticize how anyone who endures the last couple of decades reacts to another ending like this.

We needed a win. We didn't get it. As I stated, I don't expect much to change on these boards during the offseason. Sure, there will be some reasons to be hopeful, but there will undoubtedly and understandably be a heavy dose of skepticism. In the end, we just have to deal with this and continue to endure, because that's what we do. That's what we've always done. We don't all do it the same way, but to each their own.

Living in an area with very few Bengals fans, I'm at least thankful to get to share it with each of you every year, regardless of the outcome. Thank you and Who Dey!

What is sad is that after this season of significant breakthroughs with the back-to-back winning seasons and playoff appearances, this game was the single thing that could have changed the all-important local enthusiasm. I don't see more than one or two sellouts next year.

[34inXXIII]

Originally Posted by tlotharw

What is sad is that after this season of significant breakthroughs with the back-to-back winning seasons and playoff appearances, this game was the single thing that could have changed the all-important local enthusiasm. I don't see more than one or two sellouts next year.

Exactly right. That was the very point I was trying to make about how important this game was. A win - even an ugly one - would have been quite therapeutic.

I don't know how this will impact attendance next year, but they can't afford many missteps in the offseason. For better or worse, Marvin will be back on the sidelines next year. That alone will be a deal-breaker for some. Zimmer is a wild card as there are still 6 coaching vacancies that he will now have time to interview for (though we could be fortunate if his severe case of bluntness continues to turn off other owners). There are decisions to be made on some key players. The big focus, however, will be General Manager. The rumors that made their way public this week about internal rumbling about creating (or changing, depending on the semantics) the GM position will provide a point of emphasis for frustrated fans. If the Bengals make such a move, a lot of fans could buy into the changes that continue to be made. If they do not, other will use that as a sign that it is business as usual for Mike Brown.

I don't know how the offseason will play out, but I know I'm already ready for it to be over.

[wildcats forever]

Originally Posted by 34inXXIII

Looks like you made the right call. It's hard for me to criticize how anyone who endures the last couple of decades reacts to another ending like this.

We needed a win. We didn't get it. As I stated, I don't expect much to change on these boards during the offseason. Sure, there will be some reasons to be hopeful, but there will undoubtedly and understandably be a heavy dose of skepticism. In the end, we just have to deal with this and continue to endure, because that's what we do. That's what we've always done. We don't all do it the same way, but to each their own.

Living in an area with very few Bengals fans, I'm at least thankful to get to share it with each of you every year, regardless of the outcome. Thank you and Who Dey!

And as a Cincinnati area native, and Bengals fan since '68, thank you for your support from "far away". Hopeful is an honest feeling I have for this team, but I'm also skeptical about how much "progress" I'll ever see with the current culture in place. I still look back to the Paul Brown and Forrest Greg days as the era of when we were a constant force to be reckoned with, at least one that wasn't battered and fried like the years that followed .... all the way up to today. Yet, I'm "hopeful". Must be my zen-like philosophical nature (all things must pass). Just waiting ....