THE BENGALS ARE HEADED TO MIAMI!
by Chad Ochoquatro
Up 10-6 over the red hot Broncos the Bengals were able to gain the
yardage needed to run out the clock, and run out the Broncos season,
as they took a few knees to punch their ticket to their first Power
Bowl appearance in franchise history.
It’s been
a long time coming for the franchise that has seen its ups and downs
over the past few years since owner Kyle Edele took over the team.
A few early playoff exits, and a few playoff misses have plagued this
team, as fans were starting to grow weary of their late season performances.
But this year the tide has turned.
When asked
about what was different this year, Coach Mike Ditka replied "Ditka
is God." While I fumbled over what the legend had just said,
it occurred to me, he was right. Over the past few years he
has been building this team, to what it is today. With a great
draft in 2009, and key off-season trades to bulk up the defense, Ditka
molded the team exactly the way he wanted. A hard nosed defense,
with a tough running attack. While this style of play has long
been avoided by other owners in the league, Ditka saw the silver lining.
The lining that has Bengals fans hopping on greyhound buses by the
masses to make it to Miami for the teams first Power Bowl.
They will be going up against the perennial powerhouse the Detroit
Lions. The Lions are coming into the game boasting the same
record. 15-1. That one loss coming at the hands of the Bengals.
"They are beatable, we've proven that," says Jim Kleinsasser, "and
to be the best you have to beat the best." Jimmy K, as he's
known around these parts, is undoubtedly the face of this franchise,
and has had a great part in the success of this team. "If I
could play on both sides of the ball this weekend, I would.
And I would hit Tom Brady so hard; Gisele would have my children,
although I think his first is already mine."
That type of enthusiasm for this game is
shared throughout the locker room, and is well needed. The Bengals
are going to have to come out firing on all cylinders, and leave everything
out there on the field. "This week will end with me using the
Sammy Baugh trophy as a beer cozy," Kleinsasser states, "PBR's on
me."
