This is exciting news! Lemar Marshall, former St. X Bomber, is coming home after signing a contract with the Bengals.

I was going to post about him when he was cut by the Redskins, encouraging the Bengals to sign him. But they went ahead and did it without my suggestion.

Now, even though I'm excited for this, I think that we should keep in mind that he was cut for a reason. I doubt he has a Pro Bowl year in him.

But he has a reputation as a great locker room guy, and a good leader. The year he established himself was when Marvin Lewis was the defensive coordinator. And as an experienced middle linebacker, I'm sure he'll help Ahmad Brooks learn how to lead the defense. And face it, as a St. X guy, you know he's smart.

I think this signing will have a big impact, but we won't see it in Marshall's numbers, but in the performance of the defense as a whole. How big of an impact do you think this signing will have?


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Today the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Ratliff appears to have fallen out of favor with some members of the coaching staff and could be released when the team has to cut down first to 75 players (Tuesday) and then 53 (Sept. 1).

What is strange is that just weeks ago in a previous post WhoDeyFans.com made mention of the way Keiwan was turning heads in camp. It looked like he was pushing for a job. If not here, at least somewhere.

What could it be? Discouragement? Attitude?

I’m discouraged. It would be nice to have a second rounder in the secondary. We’d benefit from a guy with aplenty of experience to help out the young corners, should Delta lose interest again. Instead it looks like we’ll be relying on the younger crop and placing coverage duties on Madeiu.

What happened? Coming out of Florida, he had just set a school record for punt return yards (860). Who would believe that? I have witnessed people cringing in the stadium when as Keiwan waits for the punt.

He has the tools. Before he was drafted he set a school record for interceptions in a season (9), and interceptions in a single game (3). He’d also been made the College Football All-America Team and won SEC defensive player of the year honors.

But here he is, in what looks like his last season in Cincinnati, having done little to warrant a #2 selection. While those around him of the 03 class have been busy making his high draft status look foolish. Julius Jones, Bob Sanders and Tank Johnson were drafted just a few spots ahead of him. And there is no doubt to the impact they’ve had on their respective teams.

Even on his own team, he has been overshadowed by Madeiu Williams, who was drafted seven spots later. And come to think of it, he’s been overshadowed by Landon Johnson, the last pick in the third round, Robert Geathers, drafted 117th overall and Stacy Andrews, drafted 123rd.

In the NFL everyone has talent, speed and skill. It’s the intangibles that move you up in the depth chart and into the starting lineup. By his draft position, college resume and the fact that he seems to occasionally turn heads, you know he has skill. Which makes you wonder, “what’s lacking?”

Could it be basic smarts? Is that too harsh? Try this one on for size. While he is fighting for a job in the preseason he had is four wisdom teeth removed. I am not a dentist. But I know that Wisdom teeth can pretty much come out, when you decide to take them out. I am not a football player. But I know I would not have surgery on my mouth, which would prevent me from eating solid food during the harshest training of the year while I am trying to earn a job.

Did I mention Keiwan has lost 11 pounds and is down to 178? That places him in second place for lightest Bengal. Judging by what we have seen of Keiwan in the past second place suits him.

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Preseason Week 3 – Falcons

Keys to the Game.
I wish the preseason games were over. The first preseason game is nice just to see some football. At this point, it’s not even really worth talking about, especially with the dude at work that won’t shut up about how the Bengals are terrible. People who freak out over preseason game performances probably also think that “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat actually fought each other for Miss Elizabeth. Remember when the Bengals worked the Patriots and the Colts in the preseason and all of the talk was how good the Bengals would be, only to have the Bengals blown out in the regular season? I’ll start making judgments when games count. Until then, the only issues are rookies getting experience and veterans staying healthy.

1) Willie and Levi: It’s hard to tell what is going on with these two with all of the mixed messages from the team. Literally in consecutive days this week, a story said Willie could possibly miss the entire season only to be followed by a story saying he could play Monday. What is going on with the Bengals’ medical staff? Whenever a Bengal is injured, it always seems like an estimate on their return is given. Then around the time the player should be returning, a second opinion reveals a different injury and a new timetable. Levi has subtly let it be known that he does not want to rehab his injury in Cincinnati because he does not trust the results. The NFL does not regulate medical staffs; it is up to each team to hire whomever they see fit to handle the job. Players do have protections and rights to second opinions through the Player’s Union, but in house staff is hired and works for the Bengals. Let’s just hope the medical staff isn’t an arm of Mike Brown’s past where he is known for penny pinching to enhance the bottom line. If so, maybe I could be hired as the Bengals’ team doctor, I would come very cheap. “Did I say you had a fracture? I meant to say it is broken. You may be able to play this week, but chances are you will never walk again.” Or the mixed messages could just be Marvin trying to keep the injuries under wraps and out of the media.

2) Lemar Marshall: This is a great signing for the Bengals, and not just because they get some hometown flavor. The Bengals have a solid core of linebackers they can start and rotate. Not a great group, but solid. Jeremiah Trotter was the big name on the cutting block that most Bengals fans noticed, but he was still cut. Trotter had a lower salary and cap value than Brian Simmons who the Bengals deemed not worth the salary. If the Eagles, who were on the hook for less viewed Trotter as not worth the salary, what does that say about him? Also add to that the fact the Andy Reid tried to talk Trotter into retiring. Trotter does bring a lot of attitude to middle linebacker, but he is also slowing down and offers no help at outside linebacker or special teams. Marshall, on the other hand, was one of Marvin’s guys while in Washington. He came into the league as a safety, so he can run, and he has played all linebacker positions. He now becomes the Bengals best linebacker in pass coverage. The signing gives the Bengals 5 legitimate starting linebackers – Brooks, Hartwell, Jeanty, Landon, and Marshall – who can rotate in any number of combinations. Combine that with Frazier, Landon, Marshall, and Miller on special teams and the Bengals linebackers control the game. Any player that is cut by another team is not going to be a front line player. Trotter is no longer a front line player, and neither is Marshall. But Marshall adds much more to the Bengals through his speed, smarts, and versatility than Trotter would bring.

What you do want to see: Willie or Levi at least make an appearance.
What you don’t want to see: Hours of Michael Vick coverage.

Match up of mullets: Alan Reuber vs Doug Datish

It’s hard to tell by the picture if Datish actually has a mullett. But if he does, this is an unbelievable piece of work that only someone from northern Ohio could sport. FALCONS WIN

Match up of Moustaches: DB coach Kevin Coyle vs RB coach Ollie Wilson

Again, only coaches have moustaches anymore. Are we ever going to see a moustache on a player? Until a player has a moustache, NOBODY WINS
Duel of the uglies: Jeff Rowe vs. Rod Coleman

Rod Coleman looks like he could scare a buffalo into committing suicide. FALCONS WIN

Battle of old men: Bryan Robinson(33) vs Wayne Gandy (36)

Wayne Gandy seems like he has been around forever and played for every team in the league. Plus he wears the Willie Anderson style plastic facemask that went out of production in the early 90s. FALCONS WIN

Biggest loser fan: Stormtrooper vs All of these dudes

Anytime you are cheering your hometown QB as he runs off the field and he shoots the dirty bird your way, you are a loser…..especially the moustached man whose kids are wearing Vick jerseys and waving. “CHECK THIS OUT A--HOLE DAD WITH YOUR A--HOLE KIDS!!!” FALCONS WIN

Trashiest looking cheerbabe: Lexi vs Shamea

The Falcon marks the spot when it comes to Shamea showing her team spirit. Further lines of seduction from her team bio:
Career Accomplishments or Experiences: Feature Dancer in the movie "Drumline"
Something My Squad Mates Don't Know About Me: Every bone in my body is extremely flexible!
HELLO!! Too bad the cheerleader bios don’t give out phone numbers.
This is quite a battle, but FALCONS WIN

Little known Falcons fact: In order to acquire the rights to Michael Vick, the Falcons traded their 1st and 3rd round draft picks in 2001, their 2nd round draft pick in 2002, and WR Tim Dwight. Those draft picks were used to select RB LaDainian Tomlinson, WR Reche Caldwell and CB Tay Cody. WHOOPS!
Around that time, Vick was using the alias Ron Mexico in order to visit clinics and receive treatment for herpes without people knowing. Later, a woman filed a lawsuit against him for knowingly giving her herpes. In the suit, which was settled out of court, the defendant was listed as Michael Vick AKA Ron Mexico.


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Things are looking good on the injury front for the Benglas according to Bengals.com. While Marvin is facing the knife on some torn ligaments in his own ankle, Levi and Big Willie look more and more healthy everyday. Willie has even said he will be ready for the showdown with the Ravens.

So all of you in Bengal land, sit back relax and hold on. With these guys in the lineup I am predicting an 11-5 season.


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For the second preseason game in a row the Bengals lost. Now we have to listen to all our friends and family say "Whats wrong with the Bengals". Let me start this post off by saying it is only pre-season folks.

Now on to what I liked:

- 3rd receiver: we all know Chris Henry is a stud and we will be without his services for the first 8 weeks of he season. However, from what I see Tab Perry is filling in just fine. If you look at the stat sheet he didn't do much. But Carson Palmer was at fault on two great plays where he under and over threw Tab as Tab beat a really good db in Mike McKenzie.

- Leon Hall, for the most part he kept his side of the field quiet and looked good in Run Support.

- Shayne G. Keep makin kicks man.

This is what I didn't like

- STUPID FANS WHO CRY TO MUCH AT PRESEASON

- Full price for a preseason game ticket

- The patchwork O-Line and no running game.

- Bennie Brazell might be the fastest guy on the field but he needs to catch the easy ones.

- Deltha O'Neil you need to channel the 05 guy and play some D

- Peter King (thought I would throw a jab).


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