Last week we published Comrade JM's letter where he ended his alligience with the Bengals until the team made some fundamental changes, and sent the team back his two remaining pieces of Bengals merchandise. We called it "The Nuclear Option," after an arcane legislative procedure in the US Senate where the simple will of the majority can override a filibuster.
The response we got from that letter was overwhelming and it surprised even us. Fans are sick of tired of losing and want do make their voice and frustration heard.
After another disappointing season, the 16th losing season in 20 years under Mike Brown, fans are fed up. And this year seems different. As Jason Buck wrote last week: "The reason 2010 is different than 2002 is that we know now. Back then, we didn't know whether a head coach could possibly change things around here. We didn't know whether a head coach could slowly, over time, convince Mike Brown to make the proper philosophical changes to the organization. Build a front office staff, build a indoor practice facility, hire a general manager who could establish a system for procuring players."
So now we are asking all fellow comrades to take JM's lead and return your merchandise, and loyalty, to the Bengals. Send a Christmas package to the team outlining why you can no longer support the team until you see change. Include your Bengals merchandise. And then send is a picture or video of what you sent back and your letter. We will pick a few of the best ones and re-post them here, and in exchange send you a FREE WDR shirt, from our friends at DonkeyTs.
Anyone who thinks the team is a great draft away from competing is totally delusional. Carson and Marvin (and anyone else) are basically powerless to do anything when you have the Brown family making all the decisions. It is not enough for fans to just not buy tickets. In the midst of a 10 game losing streak and on a blisteringly cold day, 57,000 still showed up yesterday to see the "Battle of Ohio." We need more Bengals fans to stand up and tell the team they have had enough. So send the Bengals a letter that describes why you can no longer support the team and include your remaining Bengals merchandise, and then tell us about it.
To check out Project Mayhem Tasks #1-9, click here.
UPDATE: Bengals address is:
Cincinnati Bengals
One Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, OH 45202
I dont know; my Odell Thurman jersey could really be worth something one day...
I don't even know why I still have that.
Posted by: Some Guy | December 20, 2010 at 11:42 AM
I'm worried that Mikey will repackage the merchandise as "slightly used" and then resell it at the "pro" shop for half price.
Posted by: fuzwuz | December 20, 2010 at 12:37 PM
You mean the semi-pro shop.
Posted by: JM | December 20, 2010 at 12:51 PM
I was in the Mason Dick's Sporting Goods store this past weekend and noticed that there was a huge wall (maybe 50' wide by 20' high) packed full from floor to ceiling with Bengals merchandise. It was marked 50% off. There was a much smaller section devoted to the UC Bearcats. It wasn't discounted.
Randy
Posted by: Randy | December 20, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Are you sure that there were 57,000 people there yesterday? The place looked and sounded like a ghost town on the telecast...
I think I might send a "care package" to "management" with a letter and a box of merch that I still have of failed Bengals draft picks. I've got some great Akili and Peter Warrick stuff. Might throw in some Pickens and Dillon stuff telling them what a joke the "Carl Pickens Clause" actually is and how pathetic it is that an organization would rather put clauses in players contracts that recoup money from any public bashing. ANY other rational human being would probably just say "damn, our OWN PLAYERS are ripping us for how we run things--we have to change EVERYTHING we do!". But, no, not the Bengals and the Brown family.
And Stalin is correct about the Bengals and their state. Though it looks as if they have some nice players (Dunlap, Shipley, Gresham), they need a complete enema within the front office and they need to bring in a hard-nosed, experienced coach to right the ship.
Posted by: TheCarlPickensClause | December 20, 2010 at 01:14 PM
My Chad Johnson jersey is going home!
Me likey.
Posted by: Rich | December 20, 2010 at 02:24 PM
I want to agree with you on the good young players thing but if you rewind 5-6 years you could have said the same thing about Henry-Steinbach-Geathers, who are now known as dead, gone, and a roster spot.
I'm not falling for the banana in the tail pipe again.
Posted by: JM | December 20, 2010 at 03:23 PM
Can you help lazy people like myself out and provide an address to ship my letter/merchandise to?
Posted by: Tommy the Tube | December 20, 2010 at 04:05 PM
LOVE IT! Thank you! Will retun Chad Johnson Jersey promptly. My Willie Jersey however will remain mine. Say what you will, but Willie was the fucking man (and should be a future HOF) and that's one piece of merchandise I aint parting with. (BTW, bought in 04, under false but very promising pretenses). Thanks again, I feel much better already.
Posted by: CurseofBoJackson | December 20, 2010 at 04:15 PM
I love the idea of shoving it back into Mikey Boy's face but I am terribly conflicted by returning merchandise in good condition to Mikey so that he can resell for a profit or donate it to a charity on his own where he can take the tax deduction. I would suggest irreparably defacing the property before sending it back.
Posted by: Comrade Ken | December 20, 2010 at 04:35 PM
That is paid attendance and it was actually a little over 56K. The stadium was half empty for sure. They report these numbers to try and exaggerate and promote their popularity, when in reality they are not telling the truth. Another slick way to try and deceive your customer. I am sure many tickets are owned by ticket brokers and they are the ones taking the loss. MFB still gets that ticket money, but what he does not get is the extra revenue from the person that walks through that gate and where MFB does not have to share with anyone. If you return your items, make sure you tear it up first so he cannot use it or give it to someone like Comrade Ken stated. About time WDR!
Posted by: TigerJ@w | December 20, 2010 at 05:20 PM
I mailed mine to:
Attn: Bengals Management
1 Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, OH 45202-3418
Posted by: JM | December 20, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Google "Cincinnati Bengals mailing address" to be sure.
Posted by: JM | December 20, 2010 at 06:14 PM
Wow, was glad to read this recent blog entry (though I have to admit, I was looking forward to the WDR blog/recap of the vs. Browns game, titled 'Well Whoop-De-Do
(although I can't help but be happy for the team for finally winning one)'
Posted by: Hofbraunow | December 20, 2010 at 11:03 PM
How has no one mentioned how mikey decided to turn off the heat in the cub section to save money??
Posted by: Rick | December 20, 2010 at 11:43 PM
I keep trying to tell Mike Brown, 'You know, if you like it then you shouldaputa ring on it'
but it seems that all he hears is 'If I like it then I *shouldn't* put a ring on it'...
dang double entendres...how's anybody supposed to get their point across nowadays?
I blame the hipsters
Posted by: Hofbraunow | December 21, 2010 at 12:30 AM
What I'm trying to say is that Mike Brown needs to quit whoring out the fanbase...I mean, dang
Posted by: Hofbraunow | December 21, 2010 at 12:34 AM
Someone once posted in a public forum, "You guys shouldn't post when you're drunk"
It made me laugh...that's so weak...scolding people thru the intertwines...like the old school punkers and footballers say in England, "Smash the buggers!"
(or is that 'match the butters'? Hmmm....)
Posted by: Hofbraunow | December 21, 2010 at 12:41 AM
I suggest rubbing the Bengals merchandise in dog crap before mailing. I think it sends the perfect holiday message.
Posted by: monotone man | December 21, 2010 at 01:18 AM
No. Please *don't* deface or ruin the merchandise before returning it. That would be petty and spiteful and sounds like something you would do in high school. Mikey also might use that to show how juvenile and mistaken our cause is. You can't give him any ammunition.
By all means, send it back. I love that idea. I would address them to Mike Brown an not Bengals Management. Think about the front office receiving hundreds of packages all addressed to Mike Brown.
Randy - pleasedont
Posted by: Randy | December 21, 2010 at 08:20 AM
MAKE SURE THAT THE MERCHANDISE IS TOTALLY OR PARTIALLY DESTROYED!!!
Mike Brown will most definitely try to sell/re-market used products for a second profit. If you cut a sleeve from a jersey, the bill off of a cap, or the finger off of a foam hand...these cannot be re-sold. Please be informed.
Posted by: ICEMAN | December 21, 2010 at 11:05 AM
Can we publicize this? I fear that MIke will minimize and hide this if at all possible. Can we publicize a drop site to PDoc who can cover it and track numbers so MIkey can't deny anything about what's occurring? Aree you guys already on that? Are you going to publicize the results to local media? What is the plan to make this task public knowledge?
Posted by: CurseofBoJackson | December 21, 2010 at 11:33 AM
I say send it to roger gooddell stating that mike is now costing the leauge money and we will no longer take it.
Or send it to Jerry Jones with a letter stating mike is costing him more money with the rev share because he is now turing away paying customers with the garbage he is putting out.
Posted by: Rk | December 21, 2010 at 02:01 PM
I wholeheartedly approve of this idea, though will retain my only jersey. I'm sorry, but a Carl Pickens jersey would better serve The Cause in my possession, and not Mike Brown's. I'm sure you understand the logic.
Posted by: Mockenrue | December 21, 2010 at 06:58 PM