State of Confusion in Cincinnati?

State of Confusion in Cincinnati?

When looking at the Cincinnati Bengals, it would be hard to fathom the level of frustration that exists. Since 1991, the Bengals have won more games than they've lost only once. The other 16 seasons, they've finished 8-8 or worse.

They have had a number of first round draft picks fail to live up to expectations for one reason or another during that span of time. Quarterback David Klingler (1992), running back Ki-Jana Carter (1995), linebacker Reinard Wilson (1997), quarterback Akili Smith (1999), running back Chris Perry (2004) and defensive end David Pollack (2005) head the list, but they have company. And the problem is that most of it is recent.

While Pollack cannot be blamed for his physical problems, the team is at fault for gambling in the second and third rounds of the 2005 draft by taking linebacker Odell Thurman and wide receiver Chris Henry, both of whom had had major character issues in college.

Both players were released by the team after numerous off the field problems and had served suspensions from the NFL for their behavior.

Unfortunately, the problems don't end there.

Defensive end Frostee Rucker, a third rounder in the 2006 draft and linebacker Ahmad Brooks, a third round pick in the 2006 supplemental draft, have also had legal problems.

If that isn't enough, wide receiver Chad Johnson has been lobbying for a trade for what seems forever now. Johnson apparently feels unappreciated in Cincinnati and took offense to being labeled as a "cancer" if you listen to at least one of his many remarks over the past few months. But he's also mentioned that the days of him worrying about people liking him are over and that he has to do what's right for him. And that includes getting out of a losing situation as he put it.

Johnson has said he will show up when required, but he's also said that he didn't plan on reporting to anything. And he obviously took offense to teammate Carson Palmer saying that he would attend mandatory workouts by saying, "I wish he would stay out of my business."

Speaking of Palmer, the quarterback reportedly wasn't too upset that Johnson and fellow wideout T. J. Houshmandzadeh had skipped voluntary workouts a few weeks back judging from his comments at the time.

But he changed his tune about a week later saying he felt the pair, "Should be at workouts trying to make the team better."

Houshmandzadeh has also weighed in with his opinion on the Ocho Cinco soap opera. In February, he said he could relate to how Johnson felt but thought he would return.

By April that had changed. Houshmandzadeh said that it may be in the best interest to trade his fellow wideout or, "It's going to be a problem."

Granted, being unhappy in Cincinnati is nothing new.

Can anyone remember when Cory Dillon was all smiles wearing a Bengals uniform?

Or maybe the name of Carl Pickens rings a bell when it comes to players in love with the thought of playing in Cincinnati?

The bottom line is that as hard as they may try to get back among the contenders, the Bengals have to not only overcome years of mistakes, but also contend with unhappy stars.

If all this is confusing, then imagine the level of frustration that exists in Cincinnati.

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