Every year around this time, Mike Brown enlightens us with his annual talk with the Cincinnati media. Us fans can finally hear the thoughts of the head man, and his goals for the upcoming season. Seeing as how this is just about the only time we'll hear from him, this discussion must be worthwhile, right? Baghdad Hob, let's get the story.
Bengals president Mike Brown's annual appointment with the local scribes lasted less than 10 minutes Tuesday. But he left no doubt that he agrees wholeheartedly with the belief that 2009 is a critical year for his team.
I am confused, Mikey spent "less than 10 minutes" with the media. This is his "annual appointment" with the media. And in less than 10 minutes, he convinced fans that he cares? After 19 years of evidence showing he does not? And this is fixed in 10 minutes. He must have said some earth shattering statements like "Our goal is to get to the Super Bowl" or "We must win 11 games this year." Let's see what earth shattering statements Mikey made in these ten short minutes.
Given the team's quest to sell tickets in the middle of a stagnant economy and the NFL's uncertain labor future, Brown said he knows the importance of stemming a tide that has yielded three straight years of a declining record.
"Every year is the most important season, but as I stand here, is it an important season? You bet it's an important season," Brown said during the club's training camp media luncheon. "We're unhappy how we showed. Last year we disappointed ourselves as well as our public. That left a bad taste in the mouth. We want to get back on the field and prove we are a good team. We thought we should have been a good team last year. This year we want to prove we're a winning team. That it's the kind of team that can be a playoff team.
Mike was so disappointed that...he didn't change a thing. I
think I could use the three-dot approach with every statement he makes.
How about winning, Mike? You've said this garbage ever since you took
over. But please say the same cliches about improving your team. But
don't worry everyone, Mike wants to "prove we are a good team." That
is strange, when I play competitive sports my goal is to WIN, not to go in showing that I play well.
"We know this is an important year. That's felt by everyone in this organization," Brown said. "We disappointed our public and they let us know about it. It's something we didn't like hearing and we want to get out there and win them back."
Why exactly is this year more important that the previous ones? Oh, I see, Mike won't make his money putting a terrible product on the field in this economy like he has since he took over.
Now I get it. He said WIN, he said WIN!!!!!!!! Oh wait, he wants to win the fans back. Nothing about winning football games.
So I ask this: Does Mike know what winning is? It's pretty strange that in the whole portion of his interview talking about next year's team, he doesn't once refer to a goal of winning. Which sounds more important, "Winning" or "Playing Well"? Brown once again shows that he just wants to be good enough to draw in fans; whatever else happens with the team is just an added bonus. He'll be pleased if the Bengals go 8-8, earning the respect and loyalty of some weak fans back, not if his team gets to the playoffs.
This, Bengals' fans, is the man who's voice counts the most and who we're sadly all used to.
NOTE: Portion 2 of the interview to be posted later


QUEEN BEES !!!! QUEEEEEEEN BEEEEEEES !!!!!!!
Posted by: Delta5243 | July 29, 2009 at 04:41 PM
"This year we want to prove we're a winning team. That it's the kind of team that can be a playoff team."
Wow. I hope MB didn't just figure out that the teams that win are the ones that go to the playoffs. Then again, that would explain the last 20 years. Glad we got that straightened out.
Posted by: whymikeywhy | July 29, 2009 at 04:49 PM
To clarify Delta5243's comment for those not in the loop, an AP excerpt:
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Two teams that might have seemed like a logical destination -- the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals -- said they wouldn't pursue Vick.
Bengals owner Mike Brown refers to himself as "a redeemer" and is known for giving troubled players a second chance, or more. But Cincinnati has a full complement of quarterbacks, and starter Carson Palmer has fully recovered from an elbow injury that sidelined him for 12 games last season.
"When you have a situation like ours, he's a very difficult fit," Brown said of Vick. "Quarterbacks are like queen bees -- you can only have one of them before they start stepping on each other. And we have ours. Carson's the guy. That's why it just doesn't fit for here in a football sense."
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"Quarterbacks are like queen bees." Wisdom for the ages.
Posted by: Mockenrue | July 29, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Isn't the Queen Bee really not the Leader and only has all of her workers doing everything for her? Plus, a Queen Bee is a female. LOL What a maroon MFB is!
Posted by: TigerJ@w | July 29, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Why can't Mike Brown just kick the bucket already?
Posted by: MikeBrownIsScum | July 29, 2009 at 11:02 PM
MikeBrownIsScum: You are wondering why MBB hasn't kicked the bucket? Think about what you are 'saying,' because the alternative is even worse! You could have KBBB ruining (and I do mean ruining -- instead of 'running') the show.
Nope, the whole idea and the only way to get rid of the scourge that is the Brown Family was to get them to leave the city of Cincinnati. We had that chance 10 years ago. I 'voted' for it, too bad not enough others had done the same thing. You who didn't vote for it back then -- and are crying about it now... ...you have only to look in the mirror as you were the cause.
Posted by: WCH | July 30, 2009 at 01:58 AM
Thanks Mockenrue....I just cannot get that line out of my head..I keep saying it to random people throughout the day whenever football comes up....not to mention hearing that MFB "speech" was very similar to listening to Sarah Palin give her farewell, I'm quitting, fuck you guys speech....very hard to follow, a lot of contradictions, and overall just very painful to watch - due in part to me falling out of my chair on so many occasions because of my brain just shutting itself down.....
Posted by: Delta5243 | July 30, 2009 at 08:05 AM
and for the record....I see Mikey Boy as the "queen bee" not Carson..it makes a lot more sense if you look at it from that perspective
Posted by: Delta5243 | July 30, 2009 at 08:07 AM