CINCINNATI SPORTS THIS WEEK

Whodey?  How about those Cincinnati Bengals?  Even though the team has amazingly gone 4-2 to start this season, it has been difficult for them to gather anything more than a passing mention on national television sports programs.  Now, they are suddenly the topic of conversation everywhere.  There hasn't been such a positive feeling about the Cincinnati Bengals in this town, or in the country, for that matter, in a long, long time.  The dealing of Carson Palmer to the Oakland Raiders for far more than he is worth was the key.  Throw in the fact that Cedric Benson is getting off with a one-game suspension instead of three and the you have the formula for the masses to get downright giddy. 

Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, friends.   The guys in the stripped helmets are still in the easiest part of their schedule.  They can bask in the sunlight through the bye week and soak up all the positive rays coming in from the national media but reality is right around the corner.  In the NFL, you don't get anywhere unless you beat the guys in your own division.  The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens are surely not as impressed as the common man.  The stiff tests will come.  I guess, we just need to enjoy the good times while they last.  Or should I say, "Perhaps, we just need to enjoy the good times while they last."
:-)