Cincinnati Bengals

This play scheme was used by Ken Anderson during the Bengal's initial Super Bowl run. In 2003, the father-son combo of manager Bob Boone and third baseman Aaron Boone was broken when Bob was relieved and the upset Aaron traded to the New York Yankees. The West Coast Offense, which is commonly employed by many teams (most notably, it was used by San Fransisco during their dynasty, & the Buffalo during their domination of the AFC) is the popular name for the high-percentage passing scheme designed by Paul Brown and Bill Walsh. Riverfront Stadium was demolished in 2002, paving the way for the Great American Ball Park. West Coast Offense/Paul Brown's Offense. In 1999 they won 96 games, but lost to the New York Mets in a one game playoff. Most of the high-profile games (the various games for AFC Conference titles and regular season games) between the two lead to these changes in NFL rules. By 1995 the Reds were in the NLCS again, but lost to the Atlanta Braves.

The main rivals for AFC supremacy were the Buffalo Bills, coached by Marv Levy. Led by Chris Sabo, Barry Larkin, Eric Davis & Billy Hatcher in the field and by Jose Rijo, Tom Browning and the Nasty Boys of Rob Dibble, Norm Charlton and Randy Myers on the mound, the Reds took out the Pirates in the NLCS & swept the shocked Oakland Athletics in four straight. The tactic was used by the franchise from the late 80s while Sam Wyche was the coach. They started off 35-12 and maintained their lead throughout the year. By quickly setting up for the next play (often within 5-10 seconds after the last play despite being afforded 45 seconds) this hindered the other teams' defense from substituting situational players, regrouping for tactics, and, some suggest, increased the defenses' rate of fatigue (This is attributed to the belief that the offense dictates when a play starts so they tend to be more mentally relaxed and prepared for the start of a play where the defense must remain on a different level of alert before the play starts). In response to this tactic the NFL instituted several rules related to this tactic:. In 1990 the Reds under new manager Lou Pinella shocked baseball by leading the NL West from wire-to-wire. However, Sam Wyche, the current head coach of the Bengals in 1988, made the high-paced offense the standard modality for the ball club regardless of time remaining. In 1989, Pete Rose was banned from baseball by Commissioner Bart Giamatti, who declared Rose guilty of "conduct detrimental to baseball." Controversy also swirled around Reds owner Marge Schott who was accused several times of ethnic and racial slurs.

A No-Huddle Offense was commonly used by all teams when time in the game was running low. Among the highlights, Pete Rose became the all-time hits leader, Tom Browning threw a perfect game, and Chris Sabo was the 1988 National League Rookie of the Year.
No Huddle Offense. From 1985 to 1989 the Reds finished second 4 times. It has been suggested that this dance, done after Woods would score a touchdown, was the catalyst for the NFL instituting penalties against excessive celebratory performances, and before the 1989 season was over it was relegated to the sidelines. By the end of 1984, Pete Rose was hired to be the Reds player-manager. The most commonly recognized contribution comes from the "Ickey Shuffle", a celebratory dance created by Bengals running back Ickey Woods in his rookie season of 1988 during the Bengals' Super Bowl run. In 1984 Dave Parker & Tony Pérez were in Cincinnati uniforms.

The previous time the Bengals had had consecutive non-losing seasons was in 1989 and 1990. In 1984 the Reds began to move up, depending on trades and some minor leaguers. This achievement is normally unimpressive when compared to the rest of the league, but after over a decade of exceptionally poor performance, back-to-back non-losing seasons was encouraging for Bengals' fans. Johnny Bench retired in 1983. In 2003 and 2004, the Bengals had 8-8 records under Marvin Lewis, in his first two seasons with the team. In 1981 the Reds had the best overall record in baseball, but thanks to a mid-season players' strike, they finished second in the division in both of the half-seasons that were created; to commemorate this, a team photo was taken, accompanied by a banner that read "Baseball's Best Record 1981." By 1982 the Reds were a shell of the original Red Machine; they lost 100 games that year. The expansion Bengals were built through the NFL Draft and by picking up cast off players from other teams. The Reds did manage to win the 1979 NL West behind the pitching of Tom Seaver.

This achievement is most notable because at the time easy movement of talent between teams via free agency did not exist. By 1979 Tony Pérez, Don Gullett, Pete Rose, Sparky Anderson, Gary Nolan, and others had left the Reds. The Bengals were winners of the AFC Central division with an 8-6 record, in just their 3rd year in the league. The last four years of the '70s brought turmoil and change. The 1970 Bengals were at the time, the quickest expansion team in NFL history to make the playoffs. The Reds became the first NL team in 50 years to win back-to-back World Series championships. During the 13 year span that the San Francisco 49ers dominated the NFL, in their 5 different Super Bowl appearances, only the Bengals provided noteworthy competition during the title game with an average loss of only 4.5 points, where as most other teams facing the 49ers lost by an average of 30 points. The New York Yankees never really caught up to the Reds, who won the series in four straight.

They beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-26. The Reds won the NL title from the Philadelphia Phillies, winning Game 3 in their last at-bat. 2004 On December 5, was the first time since 1990 the Bengals won a game on the road when facing a team with a winning record (An NFL record 42 games straight). In 1976, the Reds swept throughout the NL West and proceeded to go 9-0 in the playoffs. The previous time they appeared on Monday Night Football, on October 19, 1992, the Bengals lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-0. Joe Morgan's RBI single in Game 7 gave the Reds their first championship in 35 years. The previous time the Bengals hosted Monday Night Football on September 25, 1989, they defeated the Cleveland Browns by a score of 21-14 at Riverfront Stadium. After a few close-calls either way, Carlton Fisk hit one off the foul pole in left to give the Red Sox a 7-6 win.

Considered a long shot, the Bengals defeated the Broncos 23-10. The Reds were up 6-3 with 5 outs left when the Red Sox tied the game on former Red Bernie Carbo's three-run home run. In their first MNF appearance in twelve years, the Bengals (1-4) were paired against the Denver Broncos (5-1), whose defense, at the time, was ranked the number one defense in the NFL. Game 6 is still one of the most memorable games played. 2004 On October 25, with much fanfare from Cincinnati residents, Monday Night Football returned to Cincinnati after a fifteen-year absence. Splitting the first four games, the Reds took Game 5. They went on to beat the Chiefs 24-19 and then proceeded to even out their season ending at 8-8, narrowly missing the playoffs. In the World Series, the Boston Red Sox were the opponents.

This created a media buzz but also engendered general disdain from the Chiefs. They swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in three games to win the NL pennant. Chad Johnson, their 2nd-year wide receiver, made a pre-game guarantee that the Bengals would win. In 1975, the Reds won 108 games and won the NL West. The Bengals were historically the losingest football team between 1990 and 2002 and at the time had a record of only 4-5 under a rookie head coach. The Reds won 98 games in 1974 but finished second. The Chiefs were the only remaining undefeated team at 9-0. The Reds won a third NL West crown in 1973 but lost the NL pennant to the New York Mets.

2003 Regular season game versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Six of the seven games were won by one run, but the A's won in seven. However, the San Fransisco dynasty rolled on, barely squeaking out a victory 20-16 leaving 34 seconds on the clock after Joe Montana orchestrated an impressive drive. The 1972 Reds won the NL West and defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in an exciting five-game playoff series; the Reds played the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. The Bengals had the #1 offense in the 1988 season and were an amazing turnaround story after having a 4-12 record the year before. After the disastrous 1971 season (the only season of the '70s during which the Reds finished with a losing record) the Reds reloaded by trading Lee May and Tommy Helms for Joe Morgan, Jack Billingham, César Gerónimo, and Denis Menke. 1989 Super Bowl XXIII versus the San Fransisco 49ers. By time the club got to the World Series, however, the Reds pitching staff had run out of gas and the veteran Baltimore Orioles beat the Reds in five.

Despite being one of the closest contested games versus the 49er dynasty, it was still a loss 26-21. The Reds breezed through the 1970 season, won the NL West and captured the NL pennant. 1982 Super Bowl XVI versus the San Fransisco 49ers. Gary Nolan, Jim Merritt, and Jim McGlothlin led a pitching staff which also contained veteran Tony Cloninger and youngsters Wayne Simpson and Don Gullett. The Bengal's offensive linemen were on the field with the standard sleeveless jerseys in an effort to intimidate the Charger team more accustomed to the warmer California weather. Johnny Bench, Lee May, Tony Pérez, Pete Rose and Bobby Tolan were the early Red Machine offensive leaders. The Bengals won 27-7 to proceed to Super Bowl XVI. The Reds began the season winning 70 of their first 100 games.

The ambient temperature with the wind combined for almost -50 degrees fahrenheit. Riverfront Stadium, a 52,000 seat multi-purpose venue on the shores of the Ohio River opened its doors. This game is the coldest temperature (after wind chill is factored) ever recorded for an NFL game. Together with general manager Bob Howsam, the Reds began the 1970s with a bang. 1981 Season, AFC championship game versus the San Diego Chargers. In 1970, little known George "Sparky" Anderson was hired to manage the Reds. After Cleveland moved to the AFC Central (now North) in 1971, the Browns and Bengals played each other at least two times a year, sometimes up to four times when they met in the preseason and also playoffs. In its place, a new stadium, and a new Reds dynasty.

This sparked a bitter intrastate rivalry between the two pitting Brown versus Modell. The Reds' final game at Crosley Field, home to over 4500 baseball games, was played on June 24, 1970. The uniforms were changed to the tiger-striped helmets in 1981. All this set up for a fantastic run known as the Big Red Machine. The Bengal's team colors were orange, black, and white, and their helmets were the same shade of orange with a similar stripe, with the only variation being the word "Bengals" in block letters on either side of the helmet. The farm system produced players such as Jim Maloney (the Reds pitching ace of the 1960s), Pete Rose, Tony Pérez, Johnny Bench and Gary Nolan. Cleveland's team colors are orange, brown, and white, and their helmets were a solid orange with a white dorsal stripe over the crest. In 1964, they lost the pennant by one game.

The similarities between the clubs were suspicious. They won 98 games in 1962 (paced by Purkey's 23) but finished 3rd. After the falling out Brown pushed to have an expansion team brought to Ohio with Cincinnati being a suitable location. The rest of the 1960s were successful on the field, but didn't produce any championships. The Cleveland team's owner, Art Modell, and Paul Brown had some interpersonal conflicts. However for the Reds, 1961 was the year New York Yankee Roger Maris hit 61 HR and they took the Reds in 5 games in the World Series. Paul Brown was considered to be the greatest coach of the Cleveland Browns, having lead them to many championship titles using innovative approaches to training, game plans, and other revolutionary approaches that earned him his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Reds captured the 1961 NL pennant, holding off the Los Angeles Dodgers & the San Francisco Giants.

Paul Brown was instrumental in bringing professional football to Cincinnati although some view his desire to create another Ohio-based football team was out of spite. Pitchers Joey Jay, Jim O'Toole and Bob Purkey led the staff. The first coach and majority owner, was Paul Brown. By 1961, Robinson was joined by Vada Pinson, Wally Post, Gordy Coleman and Gene Freese. In 1968 the Bengals played their first games as an expansion team. Led by NL Rookie of the Year Frank Robinson, the Reds hit 221 HR to tie the NL record. The Cincinnati Bengals are a National Football League team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. By 1956, the Reds began the most successful portion of their clubs history.

Takeo Spikes. The rest of the offense was a collection of over-the-hill players & not-ready-for-prime time youngsters. Corey Dillon Controversial but highly talented running back, left the Bengals prior to the 2004 campaign and won the Superbowl with the New England Patriots. Ted Kluszewski was the NL home run leader in 1954. He is often cited as the coach that ushered in 14 years straight of non-winning seasons. Ewell "The Whip" Blackwell was the main pitching stalwart before arm problems cut short his career. Dave Shula Head coach from 1992 - midseason of 1996, went 19-71 in 4½ seasons with the worst winning percentage of 26.7%. In 1944, Joe Nuxhall, age 15, pitching for the Reds on loan from Hamilton High School, became the youngest person ever to play in a major league game -- a record that still stands today.

Ernie Wright. Throughout the remainder of the 1940s and the early 1950s, Cincinnati finished mostly in the second division. Bob Trumpy. World War II and age finally caught up with the Reds. John Stofa. In 1940, they repeated as NL Champions and for the first time in 21 years, the Reds captured a World Series beating the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 3. Roger Baggett Linebacker, spent two years ('79-'81) as a heavy hitting "walk-on" linebacker from Chicago. The Reds were swept by the New York Yankees in four straight.

Paul Robinson Running back, Rookie of the year, 1968 (expansion year). By 1939 they were National League champions. Carl Pickens. By 1938 the Reds were out of the second division finishing fourth. Bobby Hunt. Ernie Lombardi was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1938, First baseman Frank McCormick was the 1940 NL MVP. Other position players included Harry Craft, Lonny Frey, Ival Goodman and Lew Riggs. Sherrill Headrick. The offense came around in the late 1930s.

Boomer Esiason Quarterback, noted for his play-action abilities, being left-handed, and charisma. Thanks to Vander Meer, Paul Derringer, and shortstop-turned-pitcher Bucky Walters, the Reds had a solid pitching staff. Greg Cook Quarterback. Johnny Vander Meer became the only pitcher in major league history to throw back-to-back no-hitters in 1938. Jim Breech Kicker. Crosley Field (formerly Redland Field) became the host of the first night game in 1935. Ken Anderson Quarterback, particularly noted for his high-effeciency in passing holding a handful of NFL records. The Reds throughout the 1930s became a team of "firsts".

54 Bob Johnson Offensive lineman, 1st ever draft pick of the Bengals. McPhail began to develop the Reds' minor league system and expanded the Reds' base.