For Whom the Bell Tolls

Each passing second of the clock brings us closer to the Bengal's season opener. Each passing second inevitably crashes into the next. A mournful, pealing sound resounds through Bengaldom. The ringing of bells. Funeral bells.

It seems like just weeks ago when we were young and naive and looking forward to the season. We lauded Zimmer and Fitzgerald and whispered about Chris Perry, giddy in our disbelief and unwilling to speak too loud lest we jinx it. We were so excited to have football back, we didn't seem to mind that Jeremi was fat, that TJ wasn't practicing.

With each passing second, Reality takes its insidious toll on us. Trade Rudi Johnson? A torn labrum? Mike vs Marvin? Chris Henry? Then there were the preseason games. Do we have a 1st team offense? Carson with a broken nose? The clock ticks on and the questions pile up, but Marvin's not talking. At least not in English. As Marvin said last week, being frustrated may well be our choice, but being concerned and skeptical as to what type of product will be on the field in Baltimore is an inevitable conclusion based on the evidence to date.

I face the opener with both anticipation and dread. I hope the clarion call of victory will drown out the dirges in my mind, but until the game clock expires the ringing (and the hand wringing) will continue.