The Championship Game

There's been some tough decisions, and some upsets and now its time for the final game. Willie vs Geathers. In many ways its the best of the past vs a bright light for the future. Bright lights can and do burn out before they reach their potential, and the Past is simply that...the Past.

The case for Willie: One could argue that during his tenure, he has represented the best of the Bengals. His number, and his name stand for something. It stands for preserverance in the face of adversity, it stands for diligence, reliability, excellence. Willie may be the last player left from the really bad teams of the 90's. The fact he didn't quit in disgust is in itself amazing. Willie's value is brought into focus, when you compare him to knuckleheads like Dillon, Chad Johnson, Pickens, Henry, Odell. As a team, there hasn't been much to celebrate. It got exciting there in 2005, but other than that, its been a long dry spell with some very bad football played.

Summation: Willie's stengths lie in the fact that his jersey, to me anyway would represent the attitude and the type of player on and off the field we should be heralding. His weakness, lies in the fact that during his tenure the Bengals haven't done anything and appear to taking backwards steps.

The Case for Geathers: I really like his athleticism, what he's shown to date and continued room for development. He to me represents the hopes of what the Bengals could be. Fast, Physical, Adaptable, Aggresive. His weakness: Will he develop to his potential?

Summation: Geathers is all about the Believers, and The Hope. The fan that looks to the future and sees the promise of a better tomorrow. The Optimist who sees the very best, and quickly forgets the very worst. There are two kinds of fans and season ticket holders: The one's who have hope, or the one's that sell their tickets to Steeler fans or whomever else is buying that week.

The winner: I cannot believe this. I was thinking Willie the whole way, but the promise and hope of a better tomorrow is as much a part of the American Dream as it is a part of being a Bengal fan. I am a homer. I am sucker, and fool who has been blinded by his love for his hometown team. Please, Mr. Brown, let me write you another check! When I bring my money to the stadium in the near future, I will come home with Geather's jersey. Not for what he has done, but for what he represents.