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For the past 13 years, the Browns have been a bigger story than their intrastate rivals no matter how poorly they played -- or, for that matter, if they played at all.
That's how bad things have been for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns probably
generated more national headlines in their three-year absence than the Bengals
did while not missing a game.
That's all changed this year. The Los Angeles Clippers of the NFL have righted themselves under new coach Marvin Lewis.
The Bengals (8-7) head into the final week of the season with a chance to make
the playoffs and notch their first winning season since 1990. A victory against
the Browns (4-11) on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium coupled with a Baltimore Ravens
loss to Pittsburgh would satisfy both objectives.
"It's their attitude, they are playing with a different attitude and that's
95 percent of the game," Browns offensive lineman Shaun O'Hara said. "It's
the same players they have had playing, only with a lot more confidence."
The Cincinnati franchise is looking to trade in one title (Bungles) for another
(AFC North champions). This is an organization that posted a 55-137 record from
1991 to 2002.
• An organization where high draft picks underachieved or virtually disappeared.
• An organization that made news in 1999 when running back Ki-Jana Carter,
not management, purchased larger towels for the locker room.
• An organization sued in January by a Hamilton County commissioner claiming
the team violated its stadium lease by failing to be competitive.
"Throughout the city when you go places now, people want to talk to you
and congratulate you and thank you for bringing something back to the city they
can cheer for," said quarterback Jon Kitna, who has resurrected his career
this season.
The Bengals lost their first three games before beating the Browns, 21-14, a
victory that fueled a 7-2 run and vaulted them into the playoff hunt.
Lewis has earned much of the praise for the turnaround. He figures to be an
NFL Coach of the Year candidate along with Dallas' Bill Parcells and New England's
Bill Belichick.
"The coach is the biggest free agent they got this season," Browns
defensive lineman Kenard Lang said. "He has injected that new blood."
They have the league's longest current streak without a winning season. They
have won four or fewer games over the past 12 years. They were 2-14 last season.
"He has done a great job since he came here, saying that we're not here
to be mediocre and (settle for) moral victories," Kitna said. "We're
here to win a Super Bowl and if that's not your goal, you have a problem.
"He's done a great job weeding out guys who were not on the ship or on
the same page. He has come in here from Day 1 and took command of this team
and never has wavered within his beliefs."
Kitna's surprising season has allowed rookie quarterback Carson Palmer (the
No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft) to learn from the sideline. He has taken every
snap behind a strong line.
Rudi Johnson has emerged as the team's leading rusher with 905 yards to give
the Bengals a 1-2 punch with Corey Dillon.
Charismatic receiver Chad Johnson has developed into a Pro Bowler. His 55-yard
touchdown reception in the final seconds of the first half against the Browns
ranks as one of the team's biggest plays of the year.
"The task for us was to win that game, which ended up resulting in a win
and turned our season around," Kitna said.
The Bengals have been good at home, winners of six consecutive games, and respectable
in turnover differential, where they are ranked 10th in the NFL with a plus-3.
"They are a very good football team for a variety of reasons," Browns
coach Butch Davis said. "(One reason is) they have a done a good job protecting
the football."
Lewis said the season could not be considered a "total" success unless
the Bengals qualified for the playoffs. He believes the Bengals need to improve
on their athleticism and team speed, but is enthused by the attitude adjustment.
"We have worked very hard to do things to a certain standard.... We will
never settle for mediocrity in anything we do," Lewis said. "If we're
going to be in the NFL, let's be in the NFL. We stress in everything we do from
the top on down.... The glass is half full, not half empty."