ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL

 I began this series, Are You Ready for Some Football, on September 10 last year.  The Bengals were getting ready to open with the Minnesota Vikings.  Of course, I had no idea I'd be still writing it in February.  

To bring back memories, here are a few paragraphs from that entry.

Of course, the Bengals offense centers around Joe Burrow, his knee and the offensive line's ability to protect him.  We have all the pieces to be very good on offense if the line holds up.  We brought in a new line coach, Frank Pollack, which we are banking on to make a big difference.  

The new bright star we plucked from the draft, Ja'Marr Chase, has had his troubles, of all things, catching the ball in preseason.  That's not unusual for rookies but we need him to turn that around quickly.

Joe Mixon will handle all the running tasks and catching passes out of the backfield.  A big game from  him and things would look rosy for the home team. 

Head coach Zac Taylor might need a few wins to keep his job.  His best chance for help is a little skinny kid wearing number 2 on his jersey.  He is a rookie from the University of Florida named Evan McPherson who can kick a football through the goal posts from Covington, KY if he needs to.  A decent kicker last year would have brought home two or three more wins - minimum. 

Not much has changed in my mind.  The big sentence includes "if the line holds up."  That is still the case.  Let's face it, the Bengals have been extremely lucky to be where they are.  They're obviously not one of the two best teams in the league.  The Rams defensive line will run right over our guys like bumps in the road to the quarterback.    Expect #99 to be sitting on little Joey at the end of many plays.  When they have the ball, don't be angry that we can't cover #10; nobody in the league has had much luck especially now that #3 is running around catching balls also.  The #9 in blue will show you what a real NFL passing arm looks like.  I really don't give the Bengals much of a chance to win.  

There is one caveat.  In the bedroom of the son of LA Rams offensive lineman #77 Andrew Whitworth hangs a lifesize full body fathead with the likeness of one Joe Burrow.  It has been signed by Joe.  I think it's like a voodoo doll.  It's a magical symbol of sorcery.  It's a curse on the Rams.  The Bengals will prevail.  

FINI