Count 2008 Olympic gold medalist Mary Wineberg, wife of Springfield Northeastern High School graduate Chris Wineberg, among those who are tired of hearing the Bengals' Chad Ocho Cinco run his mouth.
What you need to know about tonight's Bengals-Ravens game at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati:
Baltimore is the defending AFC North Division champ, and replacing the Ravens on that pedestal is Cincinnati's goal. Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is considered a defensive guru, while Ravens coach Brian Billick is often called an offensive genius. Ironically, the strengths of each club is on the opposite side of the ball. This tug of war features the Bengals' eighth-ranked offense against the Ravens' No. 1-ranked defense.
Scouting the Bengals
The offense is loaded with star power in QB Carson Palmer, WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and TB Rudi Johnson. But the line has two new starters in C Eric Ghiaciuc and LG Stacy Andrews, and the defense is extremely suspect. DEs Robert Geathers and Justin Smith need to pressure Ravens QB Steve McNair, create turnovers and provide the offense with good field position. The offense needs some long, sustained drives to keep the defense rested and fresh.
Scouting the Ravens
Led by LBs Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs, DL Trevor Pryce, Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata, CB Chris McAlister and FS Ed Reed, the defense is an awesome unit populated by playmakers. Offensively, McNair and TE Todd Heap give the Bengals fits, along with PK Matt Stover. Fantasy leaguers will want to activate TB Willis McGahee, too, because of his breakaway speed. McNair started all 16 games in 2006 for the time since 2002. If his 34-year-old body is still standing at game's end, the Ravens could be celebrating.
Numbers game
The Ravens lead the series, 13-9, but the Bengals have won four of the last five meetings and are 6-5 at home against Baltimore. In seven of their eight seasons of qualifying for postseason play, the Bengals have won the opener.
Injury report
Bengals: LB Rashad Jeanty (calf), S Ethan Kilmer (knee) and DE Frostee Rucker (hamstring) are out; C Eric Ghiaciuc (neck) is questionable; RT Willie Anderson (foot), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (knee), CB Johnathan Joseph (foot) and PK Shayne Graham (hip) are probable.
Ravens: LB Antwan Barnes (ankle), LT Jonathan Ogden (toe) and DT Trevor Pryce (back) are questionable; WR Mark Clayton (ankle), CB Samari Rolle (ankle), LB Gary Stills (chest) and TE Dan Wilcox (ankle) are probable.
Outcome
Everything broke perfectly for the Ravens (13-3) in '06, but tonight belongs to the Bengals. The final: Bengals 27, Ravens 17.
Updated: 6:50 p.m.
The agent for running back Cedric Benson says his client's work ethic is a classic Midwestern approach and is a good fit for a Cincinnati team in desperate need of backfield depth.
"If you look at his history before the Bears,...
Posted: 6:10 a.m.
If Ryan Fitzpatrick gets another shot to start Sunday in Dallas, the Bengals only have to look at their last 19 games to see the road map for getting a victory with a backup quarterback.
In that stretch they've played eight...
Opening comments: ML: My thoughts didn't change much after watching the three phases of the game on video. Sometimes the execution of the offense was not where we needed it to be, and we played pretty well for most of the day on special...
This is THE podcast for all Cincinnati Bengals fans.Twice a week, legendary Cincinnati sportscaster, Ken Broo, is joined by the editors, writers and publisher of the popular bi-weekly publication, Bengals ReportIn this up to the minute podcast, the discussion is all Bengals featuring interviews with your favorite Bengals players.Get the inside scoop on the Bengals and their upcoming games by placing Bengals Report on your list of favorites!
In this episode, Ken Broo and Bengals Report executive editor, Mark Hardin preview the Bengals vs Browns game coming up Sunday 92808. You'll hear comments from Carson Palmer, Chris Perry and Marvin Lewis. For the best in sports, visit Ken Broo's web site www.kenbroo.com
In this episode, Ken Broo and Bengals Report executive editor, Mark Hardin preview the Bengals upcoming game at the New York Giants. You'll hear comments from Bengals head coach, Marvin Lewis and quarterback Carson Palmer. For the best in sports, visit Ken Broo's web site www.kenbroo.com
In this episode, Ken Broo and Bengals Report executive editor, Mark Hardin review the Bengals loss to the Tennessee Titans in week #2 of the 2008 NFL season. You'll hear comments from head coach Marvin Lewis, running back Chris Perry and wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh. For the best in sports visit Ken's web site www.kenbroo.com.
