Amid Adversity and Tragedy, a Champion Emerged

Has there ever been an NFL franchise that has gone through quite what the Cincinnati Bengals did in 2009?  A calendar year that started dreadfully with fresh memories of a 4-win season culminated with a division championship and a playoff berth.  It was anything but a steady, uniform change of fortunes, though, that connected the two events.  There seemed to be more highs and lows than an entire summer at King’s Island.

The offseason arrived with all the obligatory questions that follow such a lost season, yet so many more.  Wither the fate of a coaching staff whose team has regressed since its last postseason three seasons ago and the franchise quarterback whose throwing elbow injury elicited far too many Tommy John references and a superstar wide receiver whose behavior in 2008 was forgetful in so many ways.  While one outspoken receiver, however, was insistent about his change of attitude and determined to mend his image, another outspoken receiver was allowed to walk away via free agency.  The move would be indicative of the shifting philosophy of the team away from the demanding receivers and towards a workhorse runner – a move reinforcing the “if you can’t beat them, join them” approach to a division featuring both participants in the previous season’s AFC Championship game.

Despite the loss of one the team’s top weapons in the process, it was in free agency were a “castoff” mentality would really begin to take shape with the resigning of Cedric Benson and the addition of the likes of Tank Johnson and former Pro Bowler Roy Williams.  That approach spilled over to draft weekend when the franchise took a gamble on Andre Smith in the first round and then picked up the oft-passed upon Rey Maualuga in the second.  When the final tally came in on the offseason acquisitions, the results seemed to show a change of fortunes in the Queen City.

Training camp arrived and, with it, the glaring spotlight bearing the name of “NFL Films”.  The Bengals were selected as the featured subject of the latest season of the acclaimed HBO series “Hard Knocks”.  It was a curious selection considering the franchise’s recent history and eclectic collection of athletes the team had assembled.  Some lamented the anticipated three ring circus-type atmosphere that could be expected from a group people viewed outside the organization as egomaniacs or trouble-makers.  To the contrary, though, the program revealed a team determined to put that stigma behind them and, in the process, brought many of its own fans even closer to the team they adore.  “Hard Knocks” would inevitably magnify many of the highs and lows the team would experience even long after the cameras stopped rolling.

The first significant emotional blow to this team came early in camp with the season-ending injury to starting tight end and team leader Reggie Kelly.  His loss was compounded by the career-threatening concussion to Ben Utecht, decimating the position.  It would become a disturbing trend for a team that would need to improve at least five games to have any chance at a playoff berth five months later.

Forging ahead, the time to take the field against players other than their own arrived and the preseason schedule got underway.  Game one, however, was also marred by a subtle, yet potentially devastating injury.  Carson Palmer’s ankle fell victim to a sprain that would prevent him from participating in the remaining exhibition contests.  Though the players and coaches remained steadfast without the franchise QB in the backfield, the sight once again of a Bengals offense without Carson under center made the fan base more than a little nervous.

Following one of those games – a lackluster loss to the Rams – “Hard Knocks” viewers were treated to one of those rare glimpses inside the locker room that they might not have otherwise had.  For those who have long wanted to see more of a Denny Green-style outburst from the head coach in times of turmoil, Marvin Lewis showed there’s most definitely a fire burning beneath his docile public demeanor with a candid tirade that challenged the locker room.  “It’s your football team; find a way to fix it!”  It was a stirring moment and one that could be looked back upon as a defining moment for this team.

At last, the regular season arrived and Carson returned, bringing with him the hopes of the fans for a chance that this team could prove 2008 was the exception, not the rule.  It was a nondescript affair against the Broncos with neither team producing much offensively until the Bengals marched down the field in exceptional fashion, scoring a touchdown and claiming a late lead.  It was one of those ugly wins that teams reluctantly discuss, but readily accept….or so it seemed.

There are any number of directions that ball could have floated off the hand of Leon Hall.  It could have been bumped directly up in the air, providing the opportunity for one of the swarming Bengals defenders to make a game saving interception.  It could have deflected over the intended receiver’s head and out of bounds.  It could have even wobbled into Brandon Marshall’s grasp, leaving the Broncos scrambling with little time on the clock to gain the additional yards needed to get into field goal range.

Of course, it didn’t quite play out that way.  Instead, Brandon Stokley was the recipient of the fortuitous redirection with no one in position to stop him for going the distance and scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 11 seconds remaining.  It would have been a devastating loss in any week, but especially in Week 1 when all the hopes and dreams that come with starting over are so fantastic, yet so fragile.

No one would have been surprised if the team promptly folded after such a difficult experience.  In fact, many expected it from this franchise.  Inside the walls of Paul Brown Stadium, though, they insisted that this was not the same team that shrunk away in the face of such adversity in the past.  On the not-so-frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, they delivered on those words with an effort that would outlast one of the league’s other young teams for their first victory of the season and first ever in the legendary stadium.  The game – featuring a breakout, 5-sack performance by Antwan Odom - elevated the spirits of the players, coaches and the fans.

Back on the right path, division opponents loomed and none bigger than the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.  To say they tend to have plenty of success against the Bengals, particularly in Cincinnati, is an understatement and the first half of their game showed few signs that the outcome would be any different.  Once again, adversity showed up at the PBS door wearing black and yellow.  Then the men in the tiger-striped helmets stubbornly proved once again that this is truly not the same team by erasing an 11-point deficit, the last seven with a stunning six minute drive to score the winning touchdown in the closing seconds.  They “Steelered” the Steelers and put the rest of the division on notice.

The following week in Cleveland, the Browns had the Bengals on the ropes, but Carson Comeback would not permit them to falter, throwing the scoring pass which would send the game to overtime.  With neither team threatening to score and the Bengals likely on their final drive and facing a 4^th and 10 in Cleveland territory, the field general and his fellow leaders coaxed Coach Lewis into going for the first down and a chance to win instead of effectively accepting a tie by punting.  What followed was something of a metamorphosis as Palmer, the seemingly lead-footed quarterback hampered for years by a rash of leg injuries, began to strip away the preconceived notion about his lack of mobility with one of the most memorable overtime scrambles by a quarterback since Michael Vick shredded the Minnesota Vikings.  One Shayne Graham field goal later, momentum in the AFC North was strongly on the side of the Bengals with a showdown coming in Baltimore.

Sadly, before the team could take the field against the Ravens, adversity would give way to tragedy.

Vikki Zimmer provided a motherly figure for the team, particularly those members of the defensive unit that her husband commands.  Her sudden passing brought grieving into the mix of an already overwhelming weekend and forced perspective onto a group of young men witnessing the sometimes cruel realities of life every time they stare into the eyes of their defensive coordinator.  When game day arrived, though, there was Mike Zimmer, bravely leading the troops into battle in enemy territory, and those men rallied around Zim in a most honorable fashion for a third consecutive last-minute “Cardiac Cat” finish.

In the window of time from the final 28 seconds of the Broncos game through the funeral of the beloved Mrs. Zimmer, the Bengals experienced a volume of emotion that few teams amass over an entire season.  Here they were with nearly three-quarters of their games lurking beyond the horizon and, unlike the 0-5 start from just a year ago that stifled them far too early in the season, they stood at 4-1 with a sweep of the first half of their division schedule and an enhanced sense of purpose.

Following a loss to the Texans by an emotionally drained crew further impacted by the season-ending injury to Antwan Odom, a recharged, refocused team dominated the Chicago Bears in their most complete effort of the season.  That set up their second run through their top division rivals – a pair of games that many of the more high-profile doubters deemed would truly determine the legitimacy of this squad.

The Bengals wasted no time erasing much of the doubt by hanging a quick 14 points on the Ravens and turning the game over to a defense that once again stifled one of the league’s top offenses in the first half of the season.  Meanwhile, Pittsburgh entered their rematch unbeaten since the thrilling loss to Cincinnati earlier in the season and with renewed confidence, once again being mentioned among the NFL’s elite.  With seemingly everything in the Steelers’ favor, the resiliency of the Bengals shined, holding their opponent out of the end zone and sweeping their second division rival in as many weeks.

Only one division opponent would stand between them and their first sweep of the entire AFC North.  That opportunity would come in a three game stretch against opponents who were closer to where the Bengals found themselves last season than this one.  It took only one game, though – fittingly on the west coast, where the franchise has traditionally struggled – to stumble.  Penalties, turnovers and red zone inefficiency would become an alarming trend for a team now expected to make the playoffs.  The team would force itself into a position to overcome not just the team across the field but the one in their own huddle at times.  After failing to do so in Oakland, they managed to get the job done the next two weeks – albeit in far closer contests than they probably should have been - including at home against Cleveland to go 6-0 within the division.  Despite the growing inconsistencies, particularly on offense, clinching the division and the playoff berth that comes with it was now just a single win away.

As a division title drew closer, the inconsistencies were still ever present and a matchup with the NFC North leading Vikings exposed them like the previous two opponents couldn’t resulting in a blowout loss that briefly tempered anticipation for the event.  Days later, yet another terrible tragedy plagued the franchise with the death of a bright young talent, a teammate, a close friend and (more importantly) a loving father to three children.  To outsiders, Chris Henry’s value on the field was evident.  Amongst the same group, his value in the locker room amongst his peers was largely unknown.  With his conscious and promising effort to put his previous transgressions well behind him, it was hoped that his story of redemption would become common knowledge as his performance on the field began living up to his grand potential.  Unfortunately, his passing prohibited that potential from being met, but it did start making that story known and some of the most gripping chapters of that tale were told through the tears of his teammates.

As with the passing of Vikki Zimmer, the Bengals found themselves grieving together on a plane.  The streaking San Diego Chargers – very difficult to beat even under normal circumstances – were the next team standing between them and the AFC North crown.  They were simultaneously lifted by Slim’s memory and weighed down by heavy hearts, yet they played arguably their best game in over a month.  Nonetheless, the Bolts did quite simply what they always do in December – win.  A late field goal negated a promising 11-point comeback to hand the Bengals as many last minute losses as they had last minute victories.  The demoralizing nature of sports had merged with devastating aspects of life.  It left the team with mounting pressure to secure the playoff spot that had once been taken for granted and they had to do it with a schedule that was down to just two games.

The final game of the calendar year was preceded by a journey to New Orleans to mourn their fallen teammate and celebrate his life at his funeral.  Back home, the organization proceeded with plans to honor Henry at the stadium during their next (and last) home game of the regular season.  The fans likewise made an awe-inspiring effort to acknowledge number 15 in their first collective opportunity to do so.  It created yet another emotional environment in which this team was set to perform.  Initially, it appeared they would succumb to immense weight resting upon them, but they managed to overcome with the defense leading the way once more.  The effort was punctuated with a suspenseful 98-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to earn a lead they would not relinquish.  The AFC North championship was theirs.  In a season that seemed to run the gamut of emotions more than once, this accomplishment brought not only the expected joy of a team goal met, but, even moreso, a sense of relief and a moment to reflect on those who helped make it possible only to be lost along the way.

At the end of twelve months filled with a myriad of adversity and unforeseeable tragedy, a champion emerged in Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday afternoon.  Make no mistake, however….this is not the team’s ultimate goal.  It is merely a part of the journey – albeit a significant one – towards their desired destination found on a lush green football field in Miami.  Regardless of where and when this season finally reaches its conclusion for these Bengals, they have much to be proud of….

And a tough act to follow in 2010.