Mike Brown's Bengals know their 44-game sellout streak is in trouble. Big trouble.
WDR has learned that the Bengals have petitioned the NFL to tailor their schedule to protect their sellout streak, which would prevent a local blackout here in Cincinnati. As we understand it, the Bengals have presented the following scenarios:
1) Sunday or Monday night, prime-time game for their first home game (against any opponent)
2) Their first home game is against the Browns or the Steelers (traditional sellouts)
3) Start the first two weeks of the season on the road, where they are 'confident' they can start 2-0 and build momentum going into Week 3 (preferably not the Chiefs, Lions or Texans).
In any of the three options, the thought is that if the Bengals can get some help early with the schedule, they will have a strong enough performance on the field that the rest of the season will sell itself (Again, this is the Bengals philosophy, definitely not mine).
Typically, the NFL does accommodate some special requests when it comes to scheduling, specifically when teams are opening and closing stadiums, and like to hand-pick opponents (Didn't work out so well for the Cowboys last year, now did it?)
Look, clearly it is in the Bengals best interest to keep that streak alive. The NFL schedule will be released in April, so we will see how much slack Roger Goodell will cut Mike Brown.
One insight to where the Bengals will play (home or road) is usually found in the Reds schedule, as they rarely schedule a home Reds game and a home Bengals game on the same day (Reds-Cubs and Bengals-Dolphins during Oktoberfest weekend in 2004 was an exception).
Going on that logic, the Reds are at home on 9/20 and 10/4...so one would think the Bengals will be playing at home at least once on 9/6 or 9/13.
I wonder if they considered maybe substituting high school teams for the first few games?
What about Odell Thurman bobble head or T.J Houshmanzadah jersey night?
Maybe free napkins or cups of water with each food purchase?
Gotta think out of the box.
Posted by: Rich | March 19, 2009 at 10:53 AM
How about an Odell Thurman beer koozie?
Posted by: Leo deTrotskyo | March 19, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Oktoberfest has sucked balls the past two seasons when the Bengals are out of town. They need to be home so we can get shitfaced to soften the blow of another Bengals opening day loss. But hey bad football is better than no football- Mike Brown.
Posted by: JMo | March 19, 2009 at 03:03 PM
dear nfl
please spot us 20 points for our first three games. im saving my money for next year so i can build through the draft, which since there will be no cap, will be a draft of volunteers, not the ones from Tennessee either.
thanks
bengals
Posted by: johnnyhollywood | March 19, 2009 at 09:46 PM
4) 1st-10th Week BYE's to allow Marvin enough time to motivate our practice squad into winning against sub-par teams therefore entering another offseason on a "high" note. (Keeps the money coming in)
Posted by: MIKEBROWN_MURDAYOURSELF | March 19, 2009 at 10:25 PM
And we are not all sending in a protest letter against Mikey's plea???? Let's swamp Roger's desk with complaints about Mikey's BS on this too!
Posted by: Puffy44 | March 20, 2009 at 01:30 AM
Free napkins with the food! Maybe if he were Dan Snyder rich. Please, I think it'd be more along the lines of free shade for half of the seats, and free sunlight for the other half. Or free views of the Roebling bridge (participation may vary by area).
Posted by: chaz | March 20, 2009 at 02:56 AM
Who is the source here stating this is what the Bengals want? Plus, why would you go on the road for the first 2 games? The weather will get worse as time goes along and less people will go to the games if the losing continues.
Posted by: TigerJ@w | March 20, 2009 at 03:08 AM
Wow. Mike Brown has real balls. This is like killing both your parents and then throwing yourself on the mercy of the court because you're an orphan.
Posted by: Scott Ricketts | March 20, 2009 at 07:30 AM
i just posted the link on the bengals message board, id love to see what some of them say :)
Posted by: Big Joe | March 20, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Puffy 44,
I agree. We need to get after the NFL for even considering this scheduling arangement. MB created this mess, so let him swim in his own sewage and reap the "rewards".
Posted by: Robinsgr | March 20, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Yet another completely fabricated, hate related, bengals made up story by WDR, well done men! lol! be proud...
Posted by: tony d | March 24, 2009 at 08:19 AM
I believe that game was play against the steelers in 04' when the reds played on the same day! I don't think I wrong, because I was there. If I'm wrong write me back.
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