So far only the Saints have sold out their game. Bengals, Colts, and Packers still haven't.

 

How do the Packers not sell out?? I realize the forecast for Sunday is for 0-degree weather, but c'mon. I thought they bled yellow and green up there!

I think a couple of factors are involved.

 

First: the weather as you pointed out. Despite the city's unwavering support for the team in cold conditions, it will still deter people from going.

Second: They only entered the postseason on Sunday. Before that there was no guarantee they would be in, and two weeks before that they were a long shot. Most people probably counted them out of the playoffs and didn't bother to make plans, save time off, etc. to travel to Green Bay for the game (Green Bay is a tiny city with almost no nearby cities of significant size).

Third: I don't know how many people expect them to make it out of the Wild Card round, let alone advance to the Super Bowl.

With Ruby & Kroger & all giving tickets to so many military people, isn't this just an invitation for terrorists?

With Ruby & Kroger & all giving tickets to so many military people, isn't this just an invitation for terrorists?

 

LOL. We never had that problems with terrorists when the corporate sponsors bought a ton of the Browns tickets and gave them to the USO a few years ago.....

 

Good luck guys...

What really bothers me about Kroger and others buying tickets for the game (even if it is for soldiers) is that ultimately the winner in this move is the NFL. It's simply encouraging the NFL (who pays no taxes and is supported by tax dollars for stadiums in almost every city they have a presence in) to continue to fight for the blackout rules. Meanwhile the winter shelter in Cincinnati faced a $25k shortfall this year (even with it opening in mid-December and closing in February). And I realize that these organizations also support the homeless, or hungry, etc. But Jeff Ruby spent close to $9,000 on tickets to this game. Kroger likely spent upwards of $30k-40k for the tickets (they won't disclose how many they purchased only saying "hundreds").

 

Unfortunately supporting those in need doesn't get positive PR like preventing a blackout of a Bengals game and giving tickets to the military regardless of how little that actually helps them in life.

 

EDIT: Even though I'm being critical of all of this blackout hoopla, I still support the local sports teams and think they are very important for the city as a whole.

I am not into sorts at all. Dunno if these businesses profit from the Bengals at all. I had to fight my way into a Kroger recently because of the ben Gals blocking the door.....

Anyway, there's a palpable difference in the spirit of the city when a team is in the championship playoffs.

We'll see how that plays out when 1/3 of the stadium gets blown up Sunday and thousands of people are killed & maimed.

I'm stickin' with women's rollerderby.

I think a couple of factors are involved.

 

First: the weather as you pointed out. Despite the city's unwavering support for the team in cold conditions, it will still deter people from going.

Second: They only entered the postseason on Sunday. Before that there was no guarantee they would be in, and two weeks before that they were a long shot. Most people probably counted them out of the playoffs and didn't bother to make plans, save time off, etc. to travel to Green Bay for the game (Green Bay is a tiny city with almost no nearby cities of significant size).

Third: I don't know how many people expect them to make it out of the Wild Card round, let alone advance to the Super Bowl.

 

Also - With 60 inch HDTVs, to many it is simply more enjoyable to watch at home.  I know it is for me.  Instead of spending probably $100 to just get in for noesbleeds not to mention parking, I'd rather be in the comfort of my home (instead of zero degree weather), drink a $10 6-pack (instead of $10 for one beer), and be able to see the game in hi-def and see replays, etc.  Personally, I'd rather have some friends over for much cheaper and much more comfort. 

 

Easy for me to say though, the Browns will never make the playoffs. ....

And not have to worry about getting a DUI for that one beer. Overzealous DUI enforcement is the #1 enemy of the outside-of-the-home entertainment industry, especially in cities with little public transit.

I generally prefer to watch from home, too, if only due to the down markers projected onto the field. Makes the game so much easier to watch! Also commercial breaks are far less boring.

This thread has taken an odd twist.  Entertaining.  But odd.

The Bengals just announced that the game is officially a sellout.

 

Personally, I wasn't going to let the NFL's blackmail rules guilt me into buying a ticket.  I'm just glad I'll be able to watch CBS's over-the-air 1080 broadcast, rather than ADTHE or First Row Sports low-def streams.

I found out about Little Rock's streetcar from watching a First Row stream from there. I also like how the U.S. inadvertently funds it through web ads with Smokey the Bear.

Kinda messed up everyone is forgetting the fans that bought the bulk of the tickets.

I found this interesting on how the tickets are priced. I still don't know what the league does with the revenue.

 

"...All playoff ticket revenue goes to the NFL, which also sets the revenue target each team must hit for home playoff games. The Bengals’ target for Sunday’s ticket gross was $6.1 million, vice president Troy Blackburn said. After accounting for season ticket holders and fans who bought select game packages, the Bengals calculated the price at which the team had to sell remaining tickets, and established the $86 and $96 price points."

Silly article with a few anti-government barbs for good measure ha ha.

 

Bolts-Bengals cities compared: How much cheaper is a house in Cincinnati?

And Cincy's commute time is 0.4 seconds less!

By U-T San Diego

 

The NFL teams from San Diego and Cincinnati (it's in Ohio) face off Sunday.

 

The two cities are quite different, as is to be expected in comparing the southwestern-most major city in the continental United States, a city known for, well, you know, and a Midwestern metropolis that contributed to American culture with the first professional baseball team (the Red Stockings) and the first night baseball game played under lights. (See Choose Cincinatti Fun Facts. It also offers more information on the food items Cincy's mayor bet San Diego's mayor.)

 

U-T Business Columnist Dan McSwain, who has lived and worked in both cities, compared the cities and gave "the nod to Cincinnati as the better football town." This morning's U-T provided the following contrasts between the two bergs:

 

The cities

 

METRO AREA POPULATION

 

San Diego: 3,177,063 vs. Cincinnati: 2,146,560

 

YEAR FOUNDED

 

1769 vs. 1788

 

YEAR INCORPORATED

 

1850 vs. 1819

 

“America’s Finest City" vs. "The Queen City"

 

TALLEST BUILDING

 

One America Plaza, 500 ft., vs. Great American Tower, 660 feet

 

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/03/chargers-bengals-cincinnati-playoff-cities-hp/

I don't follow pro sports at all so forgive my ignorance. Do the cheerleaders wear white t-shirts for rainy January games?

Is there an online feed of just the cheerleaders?

 

thanks

Easy there, Tiger.  #whodey

Looks like Ohio needs 2 new pro quarterbacks.

Enquirer reports that Brown wanted Kaepernick and Gruden wanted Dalton. Gotta say, I think Mike was right for once.

That's why the team needs a gm.  Marvin has had enough chances sorry. Thanks for making us relevant though.

What's there not to understand, fellas?  The Bengals are only a middle-of-the-road team: Lewis and Gruden need to be fired; Dalton needs to go the way of Palmer; and Brown needs to be retired.  But none of these things will happen next year or ever.    :oops: :cry:

The team is getting drilled in national media.

^ http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/01/as_cleveland_browns_look_for_a.html

 

Take it with a grain of salt.... I don't have much respect for Branson Wright as a sports reporter.  But I think the point which comes accross in the headline is very real.  This league, right now, is all about QB play....... much moreso than I can ever remember.

Maybe teams should look at Qb's with the best stats with the worse Olines.

Jay Gruden is off to DC. He'll have a new toy in RG3. He was an inspired hire for the Bengals three years ago, but the offense has got to do something different after falling flat 3x in the playoffs.

 

Also, Adam Zimmer was hired so I take it that to means Daddy is sticking around.

When the Bengals Were Good

 

It's hard to remember, but 25 years ago, Cincinnati fielded one of the most innovative and influential teams in NFL history.

 

"...But the ’88 Bengals, the finest make ever to roll off the franchise assembly line, could step out of the DeLorean to take the field this Sunday and look startlingly up-to-date. Those Bengals helped give the league the no-huddle offense, the zone blitz, inside and outside zone-blocking schemes, and the general notion to spread defenses out to create mismatches — all building blocks of modern game plans."

 

http://grantland.com/features/remembering-1988-cincinnati-bengals/

Looks like Zimmer is gone. Why do they think he will be an awesome head couch? It's not like he going to run the defense where ever he goes. Why had Dick Lebeau sayed with Pittsburgh for so long ? He used to be a head couch for the Bengals. He was a bad head couch but awesome defensive couch.

It's a burden being the cradle of coaches. Now that all the head coaches have been settle, time for mock draft projections. CB and OL seems to be the priority.

Looks like Zimmer is gone. Why do they think he will be an awesome head couch? It's not like he going to run the defense where ever he goes. Why had Dick Lebeau sayed with Pittsburgh for so long ? He used to be a head couch for the Bengals. He was a bad head couch but awesome defensive couch.

 

Am I missing some inside joke here?

 

 

Nope.

 

He does not have the players the Bengals have. He's not going to magically turn that team around immediately.

 

 

I'll give you that..... but does he have reclining features?  What type of warranty does he come with?

Holy cow does he have balls.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?NoCache=1&Dato=20140122&Kategori=NEWS010801&Lopenr=301220058&Ref=AR

Holy cow does he have balls.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?NoCache=1&Dato=20140122&Kategori=NEWS010801&Lopenr=301220058&Ref=AR

 

Posted that article on the Banks Development thread also, due to "Agreement sets limits on building size at Banks". It is a really bad lease

for the County/taxpayers.

"After that, the team is entitled to an upfront payment from any naming rights deal of $16.67 million – an amount that goes up 6 percent a year.

 

Whatever is left over is then split 70/30 in the Bengals’ favor. "

 

Every time I read about the finer points of the Hamilton County/Bengals agreements I almost can’t help but laugh. It’s like a comedy skit or cartoon where some dimwit doesn’t know how to barter, and ends up paying more than the original asking price. In this case, I can picture the Bengals wanting their $16.67 million and the county jumping in and saying “okay, but only if we get 30% of whatever else is left over,” instead of trying to barter the $16.67 million down.

A lot of changes this week what with cutting Kyle Cook & James Harrison and losing Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, & Brandon Ghee to free agency. It also appears they won't match Cleveland's offer to Andrew Hawkins. Now, unfortunately, theres this:

 

Marvin Lewis signs 1-year extension

 

The Cincinnati Bengals signed coach Marvin Lewis to a one-year contract extension Friday.

 

His previous contract, renewed after the 2010 season, was set to expire after 2014.

 

Marvin Lewis has been with Cincinnati since 2003, the longest tenure of any coach other than Bill Belichick, who was hired by New England in 2000.

"Marvin has earned this commitment for the job he is doing," Bengals president and owner Mike Brown said. "We are one of only five teams to qualify for the playoffs the last three years, and our prospects are bright looking ahead.

 

Cont

Hmm.  The Bengals got a Browns reject.

You can do a lot worse than Jason Campbell as your backup QB.  FWIW, he had some of his best years playing for Hue Jackson in Oakland.

Hmm.  The Bengals got a Browns reject.

 

That's OK, the Browns just got a Bengals' hand-me-down. But I like Andrew "Baby Hawk" Hawkins.

I don't mind having Campbell as a backup, but I would have preferred the Bengals draft a young QB who could hopefully learn and develop fast enough to toss Raggedy Andy out in a year or so.  At the very least, we need some competition at the QB position to help motivate our worthless Ginger...

Signing Campbell doesn't preclude you from drafting a young QB.  It's not unusual to have two backups..... one a solid veteran and another a young project.

Since no one else has posted yet, Who Dey! When Baltimore went up in the 4th quarter, I definitely thought the Bengals were going to lose.  Having to settle for 5 field goals in the first half kept the opportunity open for Baltimore, which they eventually seized.  Credit the Bengals for coming right back, and  AJ Green for making a phenomenal catch and TD, but our redone efficiency needs to improve next week.

Dalton is good, not elite. Did Bredon Kay make the practice team. Dude is a total bad ass. Landry Jones survived in Cleveland because he was drafted higher.

 

Landry Jones survived in Cleveland because he was drafted higher.

 

Pittsburgh.  We have a....ummmmmm..... 'different' rookie QB

2 and 0. If we can stay away from injuries this could be a special year.

Slow start today, but this looks like a team that can go places.

I can't believe I am saying this, but I think we Bengals fans need to realize that this is the good old days as far as being a Bengals fan goes.  Sure, there are three straight playoff trips, but it's really in the talent on the roster more than anything.  Manhandling the Falcons despite not having our superstar WR (AJ), our second best WR (Marvin Jones), our (arguably) best defensive player (Burfict), our young TE with loads of potential (Eifert) (and who knows who else I am missing)?  Seriously?  The chances of that happening in the 90s would be less than zero.

 

Somehow, some way, the team has managed to accumulate a ton of talent over the last five years, and they now have the ability to win games that would have been guaranteed losses for the old Bengals.  Marvin Lewis gets a lot of grief, but after 12 years and five playoff trips--and building one of the most talented teams we've had in who knows how long--it's hard to argue he's not the best coach we've ever had.  And I don't know if it was the whole weird news conference/near firing/near leaving of Marvin 4 or 5 years ago or what, but something has definitely changed as far as draft results.

 

I don't know if Andy Dalton can get the Bengals to the Super Bowl, but I know that the team has a loaded defense, tons of talent on offense, and seems to be able to physically stay with anybody, and often exert their will on opponents, as they did today.  (No better indication of that than the 3rd down touchdown run where they brought in Peko to block with the extra O-lineman, essentially telling the Falcons it was going to be a run, and running it right over them anyway).  I am trying to let go my typical Bengal fandom, which normally involves thinking about the negative and waiting for the other shoe to drop, so that I can enjoy this team. 

^ Well said. I don't know if Dalton can do it, either, but with the limited data provided by 2 games he looks like he just might.

 

Present times have really been a "good old days" era for Cincinnati sports. The Reds have been making the playoffs, competing for (and sometimes winning) the division pennant. The Bengals have been making the playoffs regularly, and winning their division. And the Bearcats have been competing for and winning conference titles, and going to BCS bowls (and even finished the 09-10 season ranked third nationally).

 

But, in each of those cases, there is something leaving each team just shy of breakthrough success. It's been exciting but oh-so-frustrating! It's easy to imagine a future where each team slips back into decades of mediocrity, without any one of them winning a championship.

Meanwhile, the Browns have a loss and a razor-thin win and the fans are excited about being playoff contenders.

^Aww now you done gone and did it. I'm going to take your mother out for a nice seafood dinner and never call her again!

Bengals up over Tennessee 26-0 at the start of the 4th quarter. These boys continue to look legit.