NKU conducted a survey measuring interest and support of the Reds and Bengals, and the results are clear. Cincinnati is turning away from Mike Brown's Bengals and towards the Reds. This can not be only due to on field performance, because the Reds have been just as bad as the Bengals (or even worse). While comparing NFL and MLB teams performance is complicated, it is clear that the Reds have not performed better than the Bengals. The Reds have not been over .500 since 2000, while the Bengals were above .500 in 2005. The Reds have not made the playoffs since 1995, the Bengals made the playoffs in 2005. But why then did self identified Reds fans rise to 35% from 33%, while the Bengals dropped to 25% from 38%? Management. The Reds have not won. But they have convinced fans that they are at least making an effort. The Reds went out and hired a GM with a track record of success. Mike Brown is stuck with himself. More evidence why WDR will win and Mike Brown MUST change after the jump.
Contrary to what the Bengals want you to think, they will not sell out every game this year. The NKU survey found that 40% of fans who ATTENDED games last year, will attend LESS this year. This is not asking random fans whether they will go, or want to go. This is fans who actually went to games, are saying they will go to fewer games this year. The Bengals will face serious financial pain this year. While the Reds have realized that the economy is tough and they need to work with fans (5 Dollar Beer), the Bengals spend their time sending threatening letters to their season ticket holders. The most horrifying part of the article is the conclusion. Which says Bengals fans will return with an 8-8 season. It is up to WDR and all of the comrades to prevent this. We will not like Mike Brown's goal of an 8-8 season satisfy us. We deserve at team that expects and demands to win championships. WDR will continue to demand the Bengals to raise the bar.
“I’d say that the data indicates that most people in Cincinnati have given up on the Bengals for now,” he said. “We’re fed up right now, but as the rapid decline in Bengals support shows, we’re also very fickle. I’d bet that an 8-8 season would win the fans back in a heartbeat.”
Wrong, 8-8, is not good enough. Not even by a long shot. Nothing short of a playoff birth we apease me even in the slightlest.
Posted by: Thom Tadsen | April 02, 2009 at 02:22 PM
The season results, although important, are not the sure seller for me. After all, there are teams every year that have better management, better talent, a GM.. and still do not make the playoffs or have good years. The NFL is surely about teamwork, talent, and coaching that talent..
All I want is to see progression at THE START of the season. Not the last few games against non-playoff teams who care a little less than us at the time. I want to see the Bengals become a team who support each other and work hard to win.
SOMEONE CREATE ACCOUNTABILITY WITH LEADERSHIP! Palmer, Whitworth... whoever.. just someone get this team playing for the fans and the wins. I dunno, use Mikey Browns pic to get angry before a game, whatever... JUST GET DIRTY AND WIN
Posted by: MIKEBROWN_MURDAYOURSELF | April 02, 2009 at 03:25 PM
I have a question. Just say, for instance (and this is an IF, before you rip my head off), that the Bengals finish 11-5, make the playoffs, win the first game and then lose in the second round. What will the tone of this site be? Will they write it off as another "fluke" season and that they were "competitive" instead on Champions, etc.? Or will the tone be a little lighter and supportive of the team? No doubt that this is a different team with T.J. gone, possibly Chad and Levi gone and another 11 draft picks to be added, but what if that turns out to be what the team needed?--To get rid of the 'tards and bring in new blood. Not saying this success will happen, but I definitely would take it after suffering through the awful season that was 2008.
Posted by: BengalAnthony13 | April 02, 2009 at 04:03 PM
BengalAnthony13-
First of all, extremely unlikely. Second, we could play "What If?" all off-season. Last, true Revolutionaries will not be swayed by one "competitive" season. If you want to know what will bring us back, re-read the Manifesto.
Posted by: Leo deTrotskyo | April 02, 2009 at 04:28 PM
BengalAnthony13-
First of all, extremely unlikely. Second, we could play "What If?" all off-season. Last, true Revolutionaries will not be swayed by one "competitive" season. If you want to know what will bring us back, re-read the Manifesto.
Amen brother, Amen Anything short of the Super Bowl is shit. The Steelers already have 6, we are way the fuck behind.
Posted by: Thom Tadsen | April 02, 2009 at 04:48 PM
What if Mike Brown finally realizes that he knows nothing about how to PROPERLY run an NFL team and hires a non-family member as GM to make an honest attempt to make the Bengals a legitimate playoff/Super bowl team for more than one year. That's the only "what if" that will satisfy me.
Posted by: PAl | April 02, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Another shit ball season were we don't win the SuperBowl is just another shit ball season.
Posted by: Thom Tadsen | April 02, 2009 at 04:51 PM
hahahaha I should have known that my statement would have spawned a freak out session. I've read the "manifesto" many times and I thought that I was playing the "what if..?". I don't think that my hypothetical scenario is likely, either, as I stated above. I want a Super Bowl ring for the Bengals BADLY just like everyone else on this site, but I also would take an 11-5 record with a playoff victory over 4-11-1, 7-9, 8-8 records any day of the week. Call me an "untrue revolutionary" or a "Mike Brown supporter" (which I definitely am not) or whatever else for "accepting" 11-5 and a playoff victory. I was merely playing a hypothetical, not trying to stir the pot. I still enjoy the WDR site, keep it up.
Posted by: BengalAnthony13 | April 02, 2009 at 05:25 PM
You can't set your sights high enough, you really can't.
Posted by: MDCCCVXIX | April 02, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Amen MDCCCVXIX -
I don't think I'd be really satisfied with a single SB win, either. What I'd like to see is a system in place whereby Cincinnati turns into a HOF factory.
Posted by: Chaz | April 02, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Get rid of this fucking losing attitude, they are a professional team and should act like it
Posted by: K. Phelps | April 03, 2009 at 08:00 AM
BengalsAnthony:
I don't think you're asking a bad question. That being said...
I don't run the website, so I can't say I know how the overall tone would change. Myself, yes, I would be happy if the Bengals had the kind of year you just mentioned. But would I be satisfied? No. Every organization makes the playoffs every now and then, even Cincinnati and Detroit.
What differentiates the good ones from the bad ones is consistency. So while I may be happy that the Bengals went 11-5 and even won a playoff game, I would 1.) be supportive of the actions of the organization made that enabled that run to happen, but 2.) continue to be critical of the same actions (or lack thereof) we see year in and year out that prevent the team from being a consistent SB contender.
To me, the basic problem with what you're saying is that you present the situation as an "either-or": either we support the team or bash them relentlessly. It should never be that simple. We should continue to praise smart moves by the Bengals; unfortunately, those are few and far between. Enter WDR.
Posted by: whymikeywhy | April 03, 2009 at 10:26 AM
whymiketwhy -
Well said. My response to BengalsAnthony was not intended to bash him, and he raises a good point. Many sheeple in this town would believe the team's problems to be solved with a 10-6 season and a playoff win. Those of us in WDR know better.
Posted by: Leo deTrotskyo | April 03, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Ok. I'm willing to donate a picture of my ex-wife to WDR to fire up the salary swallowers in the Bungs locker room before games and at halftime. I've been using it to scare away wolf spiders in my basement and for vampire protection, but nothing is too good for my comrades at WDR. This thing is like waving a red hankie in front of a bull, or a sack of white castle's in front of Bobbie Williams, or a subpoena in front of Chris Henry! Viva la Revolucion!
Posted by: ItmightbeJB | April 03, 2009 at 04:48 PM
The Reds have hired SEVERAL GM's and they all (excepting the current one) have been fired because they were hamstrung by Reds OWNERSHIP -- Walt Jocketty will find it out to be the same.
Remember when we had 'Wonder Boy", Jim Bowden? How's about Bob Quinn (after all, he was the guy who guided the front office and it's subsequent moves to the 'one-off' 1990 World Chamionship! What was Wayne Krivsky considered to be? The 'Wonder-kind'? He didn't last too long and wasn't too successful -- but then again, what did he have to work with -- and that is Reds Ownership that makes that decision.
See, the Reds did what you want Mikey Boy Brown to do and they still suck the ass out of a dead rhinocerous! What makes you think that Mikey Boy getting a GM is going to change anything? The Reds are pathetic because of ownership -- they were crappy under 'Uncle Carl' and they are equally disgusting under Castellini -- I don't care what amazing GM skills you have, if the owner is pathetic, you aren't going to do much. THe same holds for any 'GM' under the control of one Mikey Boy Brown.
Posted by: WCH | April 06, 2009 at 11:49 AM