Boston vs. Cincinnati

Well, Boston won another championship last night when the Celtics took the NBA title over the Lakers.  With the recent success of the Red Sox and Patriots (not to mention the Golden Eagles of Boston College), it is worth examining the reasons for the city's success in a totally unscientific fashion.

Having spent time in New England for college, and having many insufferable Boston fans as close friends, the city's recent success seems to boil down to two reasons: the fans demand it and the owners/management have the pride to deliver.

Boston fans, for all their constant griping and complaining, are not happy with anything less than a championship (some would say they are never happy).  They are not satisfied with a "good effort" and do not hang their hopes on next season.  They, rightly in my opinion, expect and demand the best.  If the team falls short, Fenway and Gillette Stadium will still sell out, fans will continue to buy merchandise and the teams will continue to profit, but the management and players know that the fans expect the best. 

Because of this, owners and management know that they are expected to deliver championships.  Nothing less.  It is less a money issue and more of a pride issue.  They do whatever it takes to put the best team on the field. 

Bengals fans, on the other hand, are just happy that the team is no longer the laughingstock of the NFL.  Mediocrity, it is believed, is better than inferiority.  "7-9: we'll get em next year!" is our cry. 

And how does the team respond?  By failing to secure a free agent DT in the offseason, getting outmaneuvered in the draft and then relenting and giving big bucks to our plan B (Peko).  By signing one and a half "big" free agents in the offseason (Odom and Utecht).   By not doing enough to give the team the resources and players to win a Super Bowl. 

These low expectations are a crucial factor in why the Bengals continually underperform.  As fans, we need to make our voices heard and demand nothing less than a championship.  Until then, Mike Brown will be content on going through the motions, expecting and achieving little. 

Cincinnati deserves better.