Now this wakes us up from our Summer slumber - ESPN the Magazine has ranked the Bengals as the worst sports franchise out of all 122 teams in MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL. The Bengals ranked 7 spots behind the Atlanta Thrashers, a franchise that no longer exists.
Now are these rankings totally subjective and basically immeasurable? Of course. They are in no way scientific or statistically significant. And some of the rankings make you scratch your head. For example, from 2010 to 2011, the Bengals ranking in "Players" (effort on the court/field/ice and likeability off of it) dropped from 82nd to 122nd, and "Coaches" (Strength of on-field leadership) went from 60th to 114th. That's a pretty serious drop for a team that hasn't made that many changes, except for the firing of Brat and signing TO. "Affordability" (Price of tickets, parking and concession) dropped from 80th to 114th even though ticket prices didn't change.
So yeah, a little confusing. But some categories which make perfect sense include "Fan Relations" (openness and consideration of players, coaches and management toward fans), and "Title Track" (championships won, or expected to be won, during the lifetime of current fans). The Bengals ranked dead last in each of these categories. Not surprising for a team that has a long history of treating its fans like dirt and no track record of winning championships.
But what is the most suprising development from this whole ranking is that it actually motivated the Bengals to respond, in Baghdad Hob's "Who Dey Perspective" column on bengals.com. Most of the column is expected, but then they write something I have never seen in print or said by anyone affiliated with the Bengals - a firm commitment to win the Super Bowl:
Every person who works at Paul Brown Stadium wants the same thing – to win a Super Bowl for the fans and Cincinnati. Until we win that final Sunday of the season, we know we have fallen short of our goals and leave our fans unsatisfied and wanting more. We want more as well. Make no mistake … the goal every season is to win the Super Bowl.
This has been a WDR Manifesto since the beginning: "THAT the Mike Brown, Katie Blackburn, Marvin Lewis, along with every other member of the Bengals management, staff and personnel, state publicly to all Bengals fans, “I will do everything in my power to help the Cincinnati Bengals win a Super Bowl.” Sure, this was Bengals.com and not Mike Brown or Marvin, but heck, it's a start.
So, in summary, these rankings are pretty much meaningless, but also not suprising for lifelong Bengals fans, and maybe it has sparked the team to actually make more of a committment to actually winning and being more fan friendly.
Question is Mike Brown is so delusional, I wonder if we wont think a thing of this. His mantra is Im still making money, so who cares what others think. Hey why not keep the money he would normally pay a GM.
Posted by: Tyler from Cincy | June 17, 2011 at 04:49 PM
You know damn well Mike Brown will never see this. A subscription to ESPN magazine is about $50 more than Mikey Boy is willing to spend.
Posted by: Sly Vramavomovich | June 17, 2011 at 07:24 PM
We may become a real franchise one day when Katie Blackburn, aka Mrs. Ed, takes over.
Posted by: For the love of Sue... | June 17, 2011 at 10:45 PM
keep dreaming about the team "actually making more of a commitment to win...." they just know the amount of people that will see that article/broadcast on ESPN and they know they have to address it. It is damage control, that's it. The lockout is the only way we don't have a losing season....Hate to break it to you. Rookie QB+no O-line+suspect D+young players=more of the same....See you next year.
Posted by: Neutered Bengal | June 18, 2011 at 01:04 AM
Make no mistake … the goal every season is to win the Super Bowl.
Right.
What's a cubit?
Posted by: PaulBrownsBastardSon | June 18, 2011 at 01:16 AM
Is it the goal to win the super bowl this next season? With the rookie QB, the rookie receiver, and the new coordinator with no NFL play calling experience?
It was the goal to win the super bowl with Shula, Coslet, and Lebeau? With Klingler, Blake, and Akili.
Since they've actually come out and stated that winning the super bowl is their goal every year, doesn't it make them even more incompetent? I didn't think the team could seem like a worse failure than it is, but...........
We all know MFB is one of the owners resisting this deal right? He doesn't want the minimum cap to stay where it is. He wants to be able to spend less and pocket more.
Oh well.
Posted by: JM | June 18, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I always hear from the Kool Aid drinking crowd that the Sky is Not Falling, and they tell me to get a new schtick. Well, when is MFB going to get a new schtick? His cronies use the same exact excuse line by saying...Our record is not what we want it to be, for sure. How many times over the past 2 decades have you heard this and read this from someone within MFB's organization? I love his stats about winning the division. LOL How about this stat, The Bengals are not among the 31 out of 32 teams that have WON a playoff game in the last 20 years! Why does he not spout out this staff for people to see? His stats are a cover up to the real issues and problems this organization has, mainly, he is the problem. He is a BSer when it comes to saying they listen to the fans. If this were the case then they would have hired outside professional help to get this team winning consistently. They do not care about winning, MFB only cares about CASH! Your CASH! MFB will always be a LOSER!
Posted by: TigerJ@w | June 19, 2011 at 02:38 PM
i meant to say, spout out stat. you guys need to get an edit button or deletion button on this site.
Posted by: TigerJ@w | June 19, 2011 at 02:40 PM
This is the first who dey perspective that actually mentioned something taking place on the field, a super bowl win. All others have been Jack Brennan selling the fans as to why everything that ownership financially has done off the field is good for them and the city.
It's funny, I have met five bengal employees over the last 6 years and they all say the hate MFB but like working in the NFL so they stay.
Posted by: kotw65 | June 19, 2011 at 06:47 PM
cubit:
1. a unit of measure, used for measuring Lost Arks of Covenants
2. The box that Bengal Fan virginity comes in, that Mike Brown seems to own largely without protest or reproach, except for...
¡VIVA WDR!
Posted by: Hofbraunow | June 19, 2011 at 10:14 PM
Would that Mike Brown be smited (or at least chopped real good) by the large, foam rubber fan-hand of God
Posted by: Hofbraunow | June 19, 2011 at 10:20 PM
So they want to win a Super Bowl. That's not a surprise. What I didn't see is that they are committed to doing so - that they are willing to do "whatever it takes" (i.e. spend, or perhaps even lose money) to win that Super Bowl.
This is not news.
Posted by: Dan R. | June 20, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Ok Bengals.com. You don't feel that the ranking is fair.
Where would you rank yourself? Where should they have ranked Mike Brown's Bengals?
Somewhere in the 90's still sucks.
Posted by: JM | June 20, 2011 at 02:14 PM
The biggest surprise out of this whole posting on WDR is that the WDR folk actually hint that someway, some how, some where this horrible yet accurate ranking will possibly make Mike Beelzebrown and the rest of the crew tending to football purgatory on the banks of the Ohio River somehow more inspired to improve things in Bengaldom. Ain't no way, no how and no where that's going to happen as long as the Prince of Darkness has this franchise in his clutches. This franchise blows.
Your most humble and loyal servant,
Dixonator
P.S. I long for the relief death will bring!
Posted by: Dixonator | June 20, 2011 at 03:07 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/06/20/nfl-chicago-meeting/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a6&eref=sihp
Is there any doubt MFB and Ralph are going to sink the 2011 season?
Posted by: Wyatt | June 20, 2011 at 04:35 PM
The "Whodey Perspective" is just so incredibly insulting; the reasoning about this ESPN story is really irritating. So much of their defense was based on the premise that it merely reflected the fact that 2010 was a poor season. By pulling in 2005 and 2009, they attempt to show that in the big picture the franchise is successful. But as everyone who reads this blog knows, those two seasons (and they really weren't even all that successful -no playoff wins) were the exception to the rule over the last 20 years. It's bad enough that the franchise is so futile, but to use bogus statistics to try to convince their fans otherwise just pours salt in the wound.
Posted by: jd | June 20, 2011 at 05:24 PM
Agreed Wyatt. I read that they need 9 owners to block a vote. I don't think they'll get 9.
MFB was always a no vote. This deal will take compromise. Mike doesn't compromise.
Then again if he's the vote that fouls the whole thing up, every NFL fan can hate him like we do.
Posted by: JM | June 20, 2011 at 08:38 PM
The most insulting thing about this ranking is the little to no effort put out by management to quell the animosity that this ranking brings to ALL Bengals fans. One lame article on their official website telling everybody that they're stupid for reading too far into this ranking? Come on. I realize that professional sports franchises can't jump at every little media outburst that slings negative press their way, but you'd think they'd (the Browns) do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING in their power to appease the fans and let them know that they not only disagree, but will do what is necessary THIS SEASON to prove this ranking wrong. It's not like this was some Bengals fan's blog that ranked team's on a whim. This is a national publication, read by millions across the country, put out by the "Worldwide Leader in Sports", AKA ESPN. ESPN is quite possibly bigger and more popular than the Bengals themselves. People across the U.S. have seen this ranking, have undoubtedly chuckled and added an "of course" when they saw who was #122. And yet, the Brown's sit on their thumbs and twirl, while Bengal fans tear their hair out.
Like I said before: we are ALL gluttons for punishment for caring about this team.
Posted by: TheCarlPickensClause | June 21, 2011 at 01:16 PM
To be fair -- that's what you are right? FAIR? These 'ratings' came out prior to the Thrashers being sold and indeed, they are Winnepeg/Manitoba now -- it isn't like the franchise went tits up -- but then again, that little tidbit of information went out the winodw along with a clear and cogent informational. Right?
Furthermore, by ESPN's own words, the 'rankings' weren't about the best franchise in professional sports but rather a 'rating' of measuring "how much MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL franchises give back to the fans in exchange for all the time, money and emotion the fans invest in them." That is definitely DIFFERENT than an analysis of the "best franchise in sprofessional sports." A bit of a difference and much more than being semantical -- so don't use that excuse -- it makes you look 'stoopid'.
I could write and say that it is quite idiotic to invest emotion -- to begin with -- but then again, you already know that but certainly don't preach it.
Just to make sure that you understand this, to find out who is the best cannot translate to empirical data that jumps across regimens. Baseball is baseball, Football is footbal, etc. So right of the start, interweaving MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL etc., well that can't be used to figure out about teams -- all one has to do is to say that 'you aren't comparing apples to apples!'
Now if one wants to make a subjective statement -- that the Bengals are the worst NFL franchise, I could go for that -- however, remember, it is ONLY subjective -- not empirical.
If one wants to put empirical data up there, remember, you have to put it ALL up there -- not just the stuff that supports your argument -- that in and of itself is subjective. So if the Bengals rank dead last in turnovers (a BAD things, but I don't know if they do but I am just using this as an example, folks) failing to note that they are first in first downs (a good thing), well that is intentional and thus subjective in nature. Verstehe?
So, in the end, don't tell none of the truth, don't tell some of the truth, DO tell ALL of the truth -- or at least let people know the truth instead of trying to mask this as being what YOU state that it is. OK? Simple?
Posted by: wch | June 21, 2011 at 04:07 PM
Wow, WCH, that's a lot of words to say absolutely nothing. You can sit there and try to razzle dazzle into saying we're not necessarily the worst team in sports. But one thing's for sure, when we are ranked at the bottom of the barrel no one is surprised and certainly no fan of the bengals. And one thing is absolutely certain and has been a main stay ever since the Prince of Darkness took over 20 years ago, no one, and I mean absolutely no one would EVER consider putting the bengals in the conversation about franchises that treat their fans well. Anyone want to defend Mike Beelzebrown for that? Yeah, right. This franchise blows.
Your most humble and loyal servant,
Dixonator
P.S. I long for the relief death will bring!
Posted by: Dixonator | June 21, 2011 at 04:19 PM
very nice information, i would surely come again, thanks
Posted by: 北京飞美国机票 | June 29, 2011 at 10:37 PM
That was my thought,too.
Posted by: mbt sale | July 02, 2011 at 06:55 AM
Dang it Dixonator, I was going to say that....forget the rankings, the Bengals have been designated "The Franchise That Blows"
Posted by: Hofbraunow | July 10, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Many thanks for the article. I will have a link back to this information from our fresh blog. Thanks again.
http://www.cheaphatcaps.com
http://www.cheaphatcaps.com
http://www.cheaphatcaps.com
Posted by: New Era Hats | July 14, 2011 at 03:05 AM
Why did this happen? It happened because your loved one felt psychological pain so severe and unbearable that they believed it could only be stopped if they died. The pain was caused by depression, which was caused by something in their life and/or in their brain. If problems with drinking or drug abuse are present, they can make things seem much worse.
Posted by: Christian Louboutin Outlet | August 12, 2011 at 02:17 AM
Outdoor dining is such an obvious plus for downtown.
Posted by: mbt sale | September 10, 2011 at 06:13 AM
yes.
I am very happy to see a blog like this. It is very interesting. Keep it up! Nice Articles.
...
I have not yet done so but I know of the Company,and the work they do and they are a very professional bunch.
Posted by: ugg outlet | October 28, 2011 at 03:49 AM