A good hearty recovery for Mr. Lance McAlister. Super sports radio personality Lance McAlister is recovering after he went to the emergency room on Tuesday. A "few minutes later, his heart completely stopped." McAlister went under the knife to install a "pacemaker/defibrillator that will shock his heart if it ever stops again". McAlister jokes on his blog earlier in the week, "I'm debating if watching the Bengals game is a good thing, because of my condition." His return is already on the fact track. Here's hoping for a continued speedy recovery.

I'm not pessimistic, you're pessimistic. Watching a Marvin Lewis press conference defines the line between dreadfully boring and gut-busting amusement. It's moments like these that Chick Ludwig shines, forcing Marvin Lewis to fire back in annoyance with that "I'm only playin'" Marvin-giggle. You just know that Lewis walks from the press conference reciting the seven words you can't say on television. That is if you can get past the uncomfortable silence between questions, like panicking through your mind for a conversation starter on a first date with sweaty palms and fingernail biting nervousness.

While it wasn't Chick that prompted the follow up question of Palmer's positively changing status (meaning he's getting better), one reporter said that Lewis seems more optimistic about Palmer's health. To which Lewis responds, "I've always been optimistic about it. I think you guys are the ones always pessimistic." In other words, shut up, sit down. If you watched the video, he comes off light, a slight Marvin-giggle until another follow up is asked about Palmer status for Baltimore (which is out, without actually saying out). We're not criticizing Lewis here, but they are entertaining.

Chatty Chats about Chad, while Chad is chatty-less. Chad's Friday? Go to clubhouse, get some treatment, go home. ESPN's Friday? Talk all day about Chad Johnson. Asked the question of what happens next, it should be abundently clear. Well, nothing. Lewis' presser simply blew off what happened this week, concluding that Chad will be fined and that's that. What do you think he's going to say anyway? "Yes, Chad pissed me off again. I'm going to take my belt, spank him for 15 minutes, trade him for nine first-round draft picks, then we're dropping Chris Henry on an island so Mike Brown can't find him." Gives you chills, doesn't it? In truth, nothing will happen, save for an injury that could keep him out for the entire year if the team wants to keep any on-going soap opera quiet.

Thinking in terms of lists, I would add Johnson's no-trade as one of the biggest front office blunders in the past five years (if we list past ten years, the server crashes and SB Nation isn't happy with Cincy Jungle). Others include extensions for Willie Anderson and Levi Jones and terminating negotiations with Eric Steinbach. It's an exclusive list with its only qualification being that you hated the move instantly; draft picks do not apply, which are hindsight items.

Praise for your FBI, for PBS is safe from evil intentions. Cincinnati residents still verbally protest the sales tax that built GAB and PBS, because they've severely under-performed with uncaring ideals of building a championship-caliber team, which is adding financial strain to the county. Considering the declining economy, the Hamilton County Commissioner is liberally brainstorming shutting the county government down for a week, reducing pay periods from 26 weeks to 24 weeks, in an effort to prevent layoffs upward to 500 people. It's just an idea, not an actual proposal. As long as AIG has their vacation money, gift wrapped by the federal government. Right? It also creates a bigger divide when athletes keep getting pay raises, while most of us struggle. I'm seriously off topic.

The FBI on Friday arrested Frederick Purvis of Hamilton County who "threatened to blow up Cincinnati's football stadium, two airports, Ohio River bridges, and other landmarks." His primary charge is making "e-mail threats to blow up the Denver airport."

Two Angry Guys. One Angry Guy. No Angry Guys. Two Angry Guys. One Angry Guy. The Two Angry Guys were one of my favorite sports radio shows when they popped, shouted, and argued on the Homer. In 2006 they split up when Tom Gamble left the morning show to temporarily fill the 6 p.m. Sports Talk slot on WLW between Andy Furman and Paul Daugherty. Later, Skinner was fired because of bad ratings, eventually replaced by Alan Cutler.

The Two Angry Guys teamed up again on PowerTalk 96.5 (or whatever its called). Mixed with sports and politics, while playing music, was a terrible injustice to their original format that I stopped listening after a week. So 96 Rock (or whatever its called) laid off Richard Skinner earlier this month after the parent company decided to make massive nationwide cuts to save money during the declining economy. They're making an effort to align someone else with Gamble. Whatever. I've always enjoyed the two-person sports broadcast, where two guys can banter about dissenting opinion. In that format, they were the best in Homer.

Bengals suffer a serious blow on their quest to become a more serviceable, pass-cover-tough defense when the teams announced that Johnathan Joseph will be placed on Injured Reserve because of reoccurring foot injury. In response, the Bengals signed Simeon "thank god it's not Geoffrey Pope" Castille, which opens up a second spot on the team's practice squad.

Joseph's durability was a concern coming out of college when he suffered a broken foot in 2004 while with South Carolina. During his first two seasons, he played 31 of 32 games, missing the 27-20 loss at Kansas City in 2007 serving a one-game suspension. He missed two games this season after suffering an ankle injury against the Giants and Browns. Joseph recorded a season-high 15 tackles during the Bengals lone win this season and led the team with 13 pass defensed throughout the season.

Joseph is signed for two more seasons, scheduled to earn $660,000 in 2009 and $875,000 in 2010.

This is the 12th player on the roster placed on IR, and like the 15th player total after several were injury/waived with an injury settlement.

Even though Marvin Lewis said that Carson Palmer has a slight chance, he's likely out against Baltimore, which prompts the reoccurring question, "what's the point?"

Robert Geathers and David Jones left Pittsburgh with hyperextended knees while Frostee Rucker suffered a hamstring injury.

Anthony Collins had six offensive snaps before Thursday night's game. Note: I think he's a keeper. Jayhawk fans take notice.

The offensive line came through, writes C. Trent -- I'd argue that not opening running lanes doesn't constitute as "coming through." However, because of the much improved performance by the line's pass protection, aided by quick drops, the Steelers picked up their first sack with 1:11 left in the first half -- it was their only sack.

The Bengals "'B' team made it entertaining for a couple of hours".

Save for Big Ben, most Steelers think that Crocker's hit deserves a fine. Whatever.

"We know we're not going to bully our way out of Cincinnati. It's going to be Mike Brown's way or no way at all. It's going to be up to Mike Brown. He's going to decide whether or not Chad's going to be with the team in the future and we're going to basically take a low-key approach to that."
- Drew "Oil Slick" Rosenhaus

Houshmandzadeh won't make the Pro Bowl because of the team he's on.

Chad Johnson not showing up isn't one of the reasons they lost Thursday. Chad Johnson not showing up is one of the reasons the Bengals have nine losses this season.

Andre Caldwell is the younger brother of Reche Caldwell.

Solomon Wilcox with Marvin Lewis after the game.

"It's not a shock to say that we have to make some changes for the future for me to remain here."
- Marvin Lewis with Thomas George of NFL.com

It's an interesting thing to say, no doubt. No one in their right mind would refute Lewis further, knowing that this team's front office structure is awful, with players that are above the team. For six seasons, Lewis has worked hard at changing the losing culture with this team by reiterating a team-first blue-collar attitude. It's a work in progress that's stalling within the first stage. "We've got some guys who have a 30-second mindset," Lewis said. "They get it. For 30 seconds. Then it's on to something else. We have had too many guys pick and choose when they are going to work on a play. Some actually think they are smart enough to pick and choose. It's an attitude adjustment. We need a difference."

Some would argue that it's Lewis' leadership that would make the difference, provide the attitude adjustment. Then we're reminded about monsters like Chad Johnson that were enabled, allowed to grow beyond the parameters of control.

I also believe that the quote isn't an ultimatum, as others are suggesting. He's not threatening to leave, simply stating the obvious that the players he has, the front office support (meaning the lack of football-minded executives), will accumulate to his eventual Cincinnati demise. Lewis was asked about it after the game and clarified his point. "We need to change how were getting things done. Playing, I'm not talking about anything other than that. I don't think when I spoke with Thomas, I didn't mean anything other than that context. We need to make sure that we continue to develop our guys and do a good job of coaching and playing. He was talking about overall. Just the future."

The original quote was so vague that conclusions could be based on several avenues. The front office needs to change things; actually selling the team, getting the family out, is the ONLY acceptable change. The roster needs change, though we remember Lewis saying at the end of last season that the roster needs to blow up. Change wasn't on the team's off-season itinerary, based on the fact that we muffed an opportunity to acquire high-round draft picks with a declined trade offer from the Washington Redskins.

Late last month, I was interviewed on Fan House and I made a point that I believe details the demise of the Mike Brown Bengals clearly. I wrote:

The most noticeable aspect with Mike Brown isn't his business sense – though one could argue that in order to have a successful business the key isn't cost cutting, rather a quality product. However, for a time Mike Brown was an apprentice, under his father Paul Brown, designing the business aspects of the newest team in the AFL. Fundamentally responsible for how the game is played today, Paul Brown's brilliance came with building championship football teams through the draft; while his son Mike, took to the business side of things.

Remaining steadfast without the background of scouting talent like his father, or the modesty of incorporating personnel that specialize in talent evaluations, Mike failed to fill the void left after his father's death; believing he could judge talent equal to his father. I believe that Mike Brown is truly over his head, without the experience his father had judging talent and building championship-caliber football teams.

The team kept its business sense, with a sound-minded financial owner that failed to replace the brilliance, judgment and mind of his own father. In terms of making money, he's doing the proper job as any business owner. However, his profits aren't likely to rise, and his revenue during our falling economy will be reduced. In the end, it's the same argument. A man in the front office given the power to direct and distribute responsibilities for finding talent and developing a philosophy to develop around. Based on egoism, ignorance and selfishness, I don't expect that to change.

Even the comments on this site slowed down in the third quarter as it became evident that Bengals were done, having nothing to offer the Steelers defense (or fans for that matter). The Bengals ran 23 plays, picking up 33 total yards between the second and third quarter. Watching Ryan Fitzpatrick was painful -- blame him or other factors if you will, his production was dreadful.

Between the two quarters, the Bengals called 11 more passes than rushes, a formula that has worked with Carson Palmer. Neither rushing nor efficient passing showed up between the second and third quarters, where the offense recorded one first down; compared to the Steelers 261 yards total and 13 first downs.

Admittedly, Fitzpatrick received no help on the play-calling because the rush offense went to lunch and it didn't seem beneficial to run the football, forcing Fitzpatrick to lead the offense; which he's not talented enough to do on his own.

During this stretch, the Bengals recorded five three-and-outs and a four-play turnover on downs after the Bengals were given a gift from my newest buddy Limas Sweed.

The problem with the offense all season has been the inability to consistently sustain drives. Where they score a touchdown, the opposition responds and the Bengals offense goes into a three-and-out funk. There's several reasons, of which you can't fully blame Bob Bratkowski (though he deserves a large share of the blame). Ryan Fitzpatrick has been awfully disappointing, while some people keep talking up his improvements, he's still ineffective with an arm so weak that defenses are comfortable stacking the line of scrimmage neutralizing the rush offense. His reaction and release are very slow, allowing defenses to recover when our receivers have space, and his legs often prevents his eyes from looking downfield. Furthermore, the offense is so terrible that when they miss their opportunities (looking at you, Glenn Holt), they can't recover the impossible task of coming from behind.

Having quarters like the second and third against the Steelers Thursday night is exactly what kills the Bengals every week. Failure to convert third downs by not gaining yards on first and second are largely notable, considering that longer to-go situations on third down detail every problem facing this offense; ineffective quarterback, ineffective offensive line, ineffective play-calling. Injuries have hurt us, and it's very clear that the depth on this team, complicates the team's performance. Starters for every team get hurt and miss time. When the starters go down for the Bengals, the backups that come in are largely ineffective, accumulating to an embarrassing product that we continuously put on the field this season.

As expectations go, the Bengals both fulfilled and exceeded them, providing relative questions with typical answers; such as, "we're going to lose" and "how badly would we lose?" Losses are are an eventuality with the Cincinnati Bengals, ranging from 21-point leads obliterated by 42 points allowed in the second half, or simply ineffective offenses (actually severely incompetent and inept) that spend time on the bench deep in states of meditation, contemplation, mindlessly wondering how their next three-and-out will look.

Some called last night tough, a slow death, scrappy early, confusing. After the Bengals scored their touchdown in the first quarter on an 11-play, 62-yard drive that had this blogger cluelessly wondering if we'd pull it off saying things like "we came to play", the Bengals went:

There's things I don't understand, though my comprehension of basic football stuff is often challenged by coaches. Why did the Bengals rush Chris Perry on third down (or at all)? Why did the Bengals kick a Field Goal late in the fourth quarter, down by 13 points with seven minutes left in the game? "In hindsight after they take the ball and drive it down the field," Lewis said during his post-game opening comments to avoid the question, "it doesn't look very good taking the field goal there but I thought we had an opportunity kicking the ball off to have a play we had with that and get them stopped and get the ball back to the offense again and kind of hold their position there. But obviously when they drive and score it doesn't work out that way."

Right. As shown in the drive chart above, even if the Bengals had multiple possessions, guided by our tiring defense late in the game, there was absolutely no reason to believe the Bengals would drive on the Steelers two more times, like the 11-play 37-yard drive that scored a field goal. The team left four points on the field easing the scoring differential at the end of the game.

We're not tough, might as well punt on third-and-short. Blaming the game on a bad decision to kick a field goal that made all of us conclude that Lewis was giving up, reducing the deficit for better box score numbers, is short-sided. Third downs murdered this team, which is partly blamed on Ryan Fitzpatrick staring down his receiver, Glenn Holt dropping easy critical third down receptions and play calling that forced Chris Perry to convert on a dive, against guys like Casey Hampton with ineffective centers like Eric Ghiaciuc.

With 8:18 left in the second quarter on third-and-one at the Cincinnati 48-yard line, Chris Perry took the handoff and ran off Bobbie Williams. James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley stuffed Perry at the line of scrimmage forcing the Bengals to punt. On the two plays before, Cedric Benson rushed for nine yards behind Andrew Collins and Nate Livings; including a 7-yard pickup on second down. So after successive runs that gained more than the required yardage on third down by rushing Benson to the left, why do you rush Perry to the right?

Then again, Benson's number was called with 14:26 left in the fourth quarter on third-and-one, and was stuffed behind the line of scrimmage. Bengals punt. It's painfully obvious to opposing teams when the Bengals are stuck with third and short, their tendencies. Twice the Bengals needed only one yard on third down, and twice they were forced to punt afterwards. On the other hand, the Steelers had a third-and-one with 7:31 left in the second quarter, rushed up the middle and picked up six yards. Night and day depending on wins and losses, characterizes how far apart these teams perform.

It was the third downs that killed this team, converting an embarrassing 26% (4/15) that forced the defense to play nearly 11 more minutes than the offense.

Game: Cincinnati Bengals (1-8-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)
Series Leader: Steelers, 46-30
Streak: Steelers won the past four.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 3-9. Tomlin: 3-0
Broadcast: NFLN (8:00 PM ET): Bob Papa, Cris Collinsworth. Westwood One Radio: Ian Eagle, Boomer Esiason, Hub Arkush (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 124 (WW1), 126 (Cin.), 127 (Pit.). XM: 124 (WW1), 102 (Cin.), 103 (Pit.).
SB Nation: Behind the Steel Curtain
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Temperature 33, light winds and light snow showers [Weather.com]
Uniform: White
Television Coverage: NFL Network or inside the cities the game is played.
Site: We plan on being here.

It showed up in my news feed this morning. Chad Johnson deactivated. There was no reason for it, it was written, so we weren't sure what happened; just that he violated team rules. Two thoughts came to mind: 1) This will dominate the headlines, putting the Bengals into another welcome spotlight and 2) That trade proposal with the Redskins, or anything like that in the future, is long gone.

Adam Schefter wrote that Chad Johnson got into it with someone. Brad Johansen wrote that he overslept and missed a team meeting. Chris Mortensen reported that Chad Johnson got into a verbal confrontation with a coach. Yes, his vague discovery came nearly five hours after the reports surfaced, in an effort to "report it".

Jay Glazier details the best yet.

A few local reports have surfaced that alleged that the receiver overslept and arrived late for a team meeting Wednesday night at the Bengals practice facility. Sources confirmed Ocho Cinco arrived late and was extremely groggy. After taking his seat, Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski told Ocho Cinco to sit up straight in his seat. After the receiver refused, Bratkowski again repeated his demand.

At that point, Ocho Cinco stood up and walked out of the meeting altogether. After shouting at his player to return, Lewis chased him down and lashed into the former All-Pro -- finally telling Johnson to go home.

This absolutely conflicts with what Johansen wrote on his blog, that Johnson was "begging" Lewis to play against the Steelers. Johansen made it sound like Lewis suspended Johnson for the game, and Johnson accepted it, appreciated it and understood it. However, Glazer's report suggests Johnson was disobedient from the start with an attitude that would obviously get him into trouble (did character-suicide campaign resume?), walked out of the team meeting after Bob Bratkowski told him to sit up straight. Johnson left the meeting and Lewis tracked him down, eventually telling him to just go home.

Depending on the sources associated with the published reports, different scenarios could emerge. If Glazer is more accurate, Johnson could find himself suspended for the rest of the season -- ala Eagles and Terrell Owens. This blogger would support it too. Based on Johansen's report, it's fair to say that this will be a one-time incident, done and (not likely) forgotten. Hobson confirms, based on indications (can one confirm based on assumptions?), that Lewis did most of the shouting during their "shouting match".

In the end, Adam Schefter's report is probably the one you want to hang on right now. It doesn't detail much, like the conflicting reports above, simply stating that "Johnson got into it last night with someone in the Cincinnati organization and left a team function." Though it's hard to ignore Glazer's report.

Thank god we're playing Thursday night. We'll need the entire weekend just to sort this all out.

UPDATE: Another conflict. Ken Broo said during Channel 5's "Ready to Roar" one-hour pregame show that Chad Johnson actually feel asleep during the team meeting; no acknowledgment that he was late to the meeting. However, he recapped exactly what Glazer said. Bratkowski told Chad to pay attention, and Johnson "stormed out".

UPDATE II: A Jesus moment. After posting this piece and reading something else, I did a Google News search on Chad Johnson. My post came up six minutes after I published it. When I saw that, I said Jesus. Hence, my Jesus moment. That is all for this update.

In case you didn't know, Chad Johnson won't play tonight.

Moving on.

NFL Films (via NFL.com) reminds us that the Steelers 38-10 win over the Bengals, wasn't the beating that the score indicated; remembering seven points on a necessary 16-yard touchdown pass with two minutes left in the game for a 28-point lead (dude, Barbaro is dead... all right). They write after watching the coaches tape, that "it's clear that Thursday night's score won't be as gruesome as you might think."

In truth, the Bengals defense was spotty early in the season, got really bad against the Texans, but generally improved against the Jaguars and Eagles during their undefeated in November string, allowing less than four years per rush, and less than six yards per pass. Though not really impressive, it's not just the yards they're referencing; NFL Films documents two plays of a 17-10 Steelers lead heading into the fourth quarter that changed the complexion of the game.

After Lawrence Timmons sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick, forcing the Bengals to punt, Ben Roethlisberger completed a 50-yard touchdown pass that "broke the game open". They write:

1. Nickel cornerback Geoffrey Pope, the rookie that Washington ran by, is no longer on Cincinnati's active roster.
2. The Bengals did not blitz on the play and Roethlisberger had a clean pocket.
3. With plenty of time to throw, the Steelers were able to get multiple receivers deep, putting free safety Chinedum Ndukwe in a conflict.

They make an additional point, after watching the Eagles tape.

1. The Bengals are blitzing more and blitzing better.
2. Their nickel corner is no longer rookie Geoffrey Pope but rather veteran Jamar Fletcher.

I believe, for a chance to win, the Bengals will need to stop Willie Parker and create turnovers to give the offense good field position. We're not going to drive 10 plays, 80 yards on the Steelers defense; I'm as much a homer as anyone, but I'm also realistic. However, if we create turnovers, specifically on their side of the field, the Bengals can cash those gifts as field goals, if not touchdowns. OK, field goals.

NFL Films isn't taking other things into account, like injuries, rookies and three days rest after a gruesome 75-minute football game that ended in an Eagles-wrecking tie. So take it as it is. Will the Bengals play like they have nothing to lose, or will the sudden Chad Johnson distraction take center stage? Yes. If you looking for positives, well, that's a start.