The history of the Cincinnati Bengals is one of the most fascinating stories in the NFL. Founded by Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown, The Bengals entered the American Football League in 1968 and became part of the NFL following the AFL-NFL merger. The franchise has produced Hall of Fame players, NFL MVPs, innovative offenses, dramatic playoff victories and three Super Bowl appearances. Cincinnati has yet to win a Super Bowl, but the Bengals have built several teams that came within one game of becoming NFL champions. From Ken Anderson and Anthony Muñoz, to Boomer Esiason and Ickey Woods, to Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer, and finally to Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals have repeatedly built their identity around talented quarterbacks, explosive receivers and some of the most memorable personalities in football. The Birth of the Bengals The Bengals’ story begins with Paul Brown. After leaving the Cleveland Browns following the 1962 season, Brown remained away from professional football for several years. He eventually became the driving force behind bringing professional football back to Cincinnati. Cincinnati was awarded an AFL franchise in 1967, with Brown becoming the organization’s founder, head coach and general manager. The team began play in 1968. Brown chose the name Bengals, a name that connected the new franchise to previous Cincinnati professional football teams that had used the same nickname. The Bengals struggled during their first season, finishing 3-11, but Brown immediately demonstrated his ability to build an expansion team. The following year, Cincinnati drafted quarterback Greg Cook fifth overall. Cook became an instant sensation. Unfortunately, his shoulder injury during the third game of the 1969 season permanently altered what appeared to be a potentially spectacular career. Cook won AFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and the AFL passing title, but he played only one more game after 1969. His story remains one of the great “what if?” stories in Bengals history. Bengals Owners The Bengals have had remarkable ownership continuity compared with most NFL franchises. 1967-1991: Paul Brown Paul Brown was the founder and controlling figure of the franchise. He remained the organization’s principal owner and general manager until his death in 1991. 1983-1990: John Sawyer: John Sawyer became a significant shareholder and served as an owner/president during the later Paul Brown years. 1991-Present: Mike Brown and the Brown Family Following Paul Brown’s death in 1991, his son Mike Brown assumed control of the franchise. The Brown family has retained controlling ownership ever since. The Bengals have therefore remained locally owned throughout their history. The team said in 2011 that the Brown family continued to hold the controlling interest after purchasing shares previously held by the estate of original shareholder Austin E. “Dutch” Knowlton. Original Ownership Group The original franchise also included several Cincinnati investors, including Austin E. “Dutch” Knowlton, John Sawyer and other local investors. Knowlton was an important early shareholder, and the Bengals later purchased his estate’s stake. So, in terms of the franchise’s controlling ownership: Paul Brown → Mike Brown/Brown family That continuity is one of the defining characteristics of the Bengals. Home Stadiums The Bengals have played in three principal home stadiums. 1. Nippert Stadium — 1968-1969 The Bengals played their first two seasons at Nippert Stadium, on the University of Cincinnati campus. The stadium was considerably smaller than the downtown facility that was being constructed, but it became the birthplace of Bengals football. Cincinnati played its first preseason game there in August 1968. 2. Riverfront Stadium — 1970-1999In 1970 the Bengals moved downtown to Riverfront Stadium, which they shared with baseball’s Cincinnati Reds. The stadium became the backdrop for some of the greatest moments in franchise history, including: The 1970 AFC Central championship Ken Anderson’s MVP season The 1981 playoff run The 1982 “Freezer Bowl” victory The 1988 Super Bowl season The Ickey Shuffle The stadium was renamed Cinergy Field in 1996 and remained the Bengals’ home through the 1999 season. 3. Paycor Stadium — 2000-Present The Bengals moved into their new riverfront stadium in 2000. It was originally called Paul Brown Stadium, honoring the franchise founder. In 2022, naming rights were sold to Cincinnati-based Paycor, making the official name Paycor Stadium. The stadium remains the home of the Bengals in 2026. It has become known throughout the NFL as “The Jungle.” The Paul Brown Era Brown coached the Bengals from 1968 through 1975. His teams reached the playoffs three times, including the remarkable 1970 season. In only their third season, the Bengals won the AFC Central at 8-6 and became the youngest franchise at the time to reach the playoffs. Brown won the AFL Coach of the Year Award in 1969 and the AP NFL Coach of the… Continue reading Cincinnati Bengals History: From Paul Brown to Joe Burrow
Tag: USC
WAY TOO EARLY PROJECTION OF TEAMS IN 2026 MARCH MADNESS
Below is MY perceived 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness 68-team bracket summary along with why these contenders are projected where they are and who the last four in might be. With clear sections and some bracket context based on multiple bracketology sources and current standings. 🏀 2026 NCAA March Madness – Perceived Bracket & Summary Top Seeds (Projected No. 1s) No. 1 Seeds: Duke, Michigan, Arizona, UConn These are the teams currently leading polls and bracket projections: Duke has taken over the AP No. 1 spot after a signature win over Michigan, Michigan and Arizona remain elite in NET and poll rankings, and UConn is dominating the Big East. 🏆 Projected Bracket — Top Regions (This is a field combining multiple bracketology projections through February) No. 1 Seeds Duke – ACC powerhouse with top metrics and high Quad-1 win totals. AP News Michigan – Elite resume, strong analytics profile across KenPom & NET. Arizona – Undefeated and dominant in Big 12 play. UConn – Big East leader and consistent NET top10 team. �table 2–4 Seeds (Consensus among projections): Purdue – Listed as a 2-seed and inside the top 10 NET as well. Illinois, Houston, Iowa State, Gonzaga – All regularly projected as 2–3 seeds due to strong resumes and Quad-1 victories. Texas Tech, North Carolina, Florida – Frequently slotted in the 4–5 range. 🔥 Bubble & At-Large Favorites These teams are frequently projected in the middle seed range (6–10) and are viewed as strong bubble contenders: Wisconsin – Now considered a lock with a solid Quad-1 profile. Bucky’s 5th Quarter NC State, Villanova, Utah State – Often seen as swing seeds (7–9). Tennessee, Alabama, Iowa, Louisville – Held inside projected field in most bracketology lists. 📉 Perceived Bubble & Tiering Likely In (just inside): NC State, UCLA, Auburn, Missouri, USC, SMU � Traditional Bubble (needs wins to secure): Butler, Creighton, Seton Hall, UCF, San Diego State � 🏟️ Last Four In (Play-In Candidates) According to recent projections such as Sporting News’ field of 68 and other bracketology builds: 📌 Projected Last Four In Texas Ohio State Texas A&M New Mexico These teams typically show up just inside the 68-team range but with resume gaps that could easily drop them on Selection Sunday. ❌ First Four Out (Near-Misses) Teams often crack the bracket: Just outside the field, meaning they’d need late resume boosts to USC Santa Clara Virginia Tech Missouri These programs hover near the cut line due to inconsistent Quad-1 wins or fewer signature victories. 🧠 Why These Projections Make Sense 📊 Standings & Metrics The teams near the top of the NET and AP polls (Duke, Michigan, Arizona, UConn) also have strong strength of schedule and Quad-1 win totals — key components the Selection Committee values. NCAA.com+ 📍 Conference Strength Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and SEC teams are well-represented due to conference depth and quality wins. The Big Ten alone has numerous projected bids. Bucky’s 5th Quarter 📉 Strong Mid-Majors Gonzaga and Utah State often appear in the field due to excellent records, strong conference performance, and Quad-1/Quad-2 victories. The Slipper Still Fits Views: 0
2021 MARCH MADNESS PICK SHEETS , UPDATES AND OCCASIONAL OPINION
This is where you can print your “OFFICE POOL” Bracket, Check the scores, etc. Yes I will have “MY PICKS” so you can compare your picks to mine. (And Laugh or Cry)I will have A “MASTER BRACKET”, “WHAT IF YOU CHOSE THE HIGH PICKS” for each game. Yes I will have MY PICKS. .An “UPSET” will be RED on “ALL HIGH PICKS” Bracket. GREEN indicate HIGH SEED Win What is a seed? Merely a starting place. Although unlikely, IT is possible for two 16 seeds to meet in the final game. Would lets say Michigan St were to be seeded as a number 16. They would still have to win all games to be CHAMPION ! SEEDING attempts to give a more favored team an easier path to the CHAMPIONSHIP. Seeding should lead to the best 2 teams playing in the final game. However there is always that upset minded team; or the chance that the favored team has a bad game, a stand out player is sick or injured. To print BRACKET: HOVER OVER SHEET. You will see a window at bottom with an arrow pointing down (second from right). Click this button. It will open a new window with the bracket then click the printer icon or go to file, and PRINT. The NCAA has named replacement teams in the event any team is unable to start the tournament due to COVID-19. The 4 teams are Louisville, Colorado State, St. Louis and Mississippi. These teams were the first 4 to miss the cut. After Tournament starts there will be no replacements. Any team deemed unable to play will be considered a “NO CONTEST” , and team still able to play will automatically advance. Tournament may have to have to switch days the East Region and Midwest Region play their Sweet 16 games. If number 6 seed BYU advances to SWEET SIXTEEN. The reason is; the East Region is scheduled to play on Sunday March 28. BYU being a Mormon, (Latter Day Saints), have a strict rule of not playing games on SUNDAY. Out of respect for the religion NCAA has agreed to switch the 2 Play dates. NCAA ANNOUNCES Oregon advances with no contest. VCU Covid-19 Was it just me or did UCLA Coach Mick Cronin, have a surprised look on his face after defeating Michigan St. Six Referees sent home from Tournament. COVID-19 related. I have to think Texas Tech Coach Chris Beard lost the chance for his team to advance. Why did he leave his team playing the last couple of minutes as if they had a 10 point lead. Letting them play a stall tactic, instead of attacking the basket. The momentum of the game was on their side. WHY? I’m sure Coach Beard had his reasons. We may never understand his thinking at that time; even if we know. I would like to see the CHAMPIONSHIP GAME played between UCLA; because they have come the farthest starting the tournament as a play in game. AND Baylor, because they have waited 61 years to return to the FINAL FOUR Then I would like to see Baylor win the whole thing. They are so long overdue. The Baylor team last played in Championship game in 1948, getting beat by Kentucky, (who won their first championship), 58-42 at Madison Square Garden. TRIVIA Baylor in first FINAL FOUR since 1950. Gonzaga’s last trip to the FINAL FOUR was in 2017. UCLA last appeared in Final Four in 2008. (Their 3rd consecutive appearance). Houston last made the FINAL FOUR in 1984. Star players that year were Ralph Sampson, Clyde Drexler, and Hakeem Olajuwon Arkansas 1st Elite appearance since 1995 Oregon St advances to ELITE 8. After 39 year absence. St Louis mascot is called a Billiken. A Billiken is a mythical “Good Luck Figure. ” To see image of Billiken scroll to bottom of page. Wisconsin snaps Roy Williams’ 29-0 first round winning streak. Oral Roberts University becomes 2nd, 15 in Tournament history to reach SWEET 16. The only other 15 seed was FGCU, (Florida Gulf Coast University), in 2013 MASTER BRACKETT [pdf-embedder url=”http://worldfootballcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-MARCHMADNESS-MASTER.pdf” title=”2021 MARCHMADNESS MASTER”] ALL HIGH PICKS [pdf-embedder url=”http://worldfootballcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-MARCHMADNESS-All-HIGH-PICKS.pdf” title=”2021 MARCHMADNESS All HIGH PICKS”] UPSET BRACKET [pdf-embedder url=”http://worldfootballcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-MARCHMADNESS-UPSETS.pdf” title=”2021 MARCHMADNESS UPSETS”] Warning ! Do not look at MY PICKS. please? MY PICKS [pdf-embedder url=”http://worldfootballcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-MARCHMADNESS-MY-PICKS.pdf” title=”2021 MARCHMADNESS MY PICKS”] My Cinderella team Pick is Colgate. No rhyme. No reason. I just thought I would add another way to be RIGHT or wrong. So much for my Cinderella Team. I hope yours does better. GAME TIME, CHANNEL, WHERE PLAYED NCAA Tournament national championship Monday, April 5 Game Time (ET) TV Game 67 9 p.m. Gonzaga Vs Baylor CBS, fuboTV Views: 195
2020 MARCH MADNESS PICK SHEETS , UPDATES AND OCCASIONAL OPINION
MARCH 12,2020 “Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men’s and women’s 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships,” the NCAA said in a statement. “This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.” This marks the first year the NCAA tournament has not been played since its inception in 1939. That year, the event featured only eight teams, and Oregon beat Ohio State to win the first championship. National Championship ]This is where you can print your “OFFICE POOL” Bracket, Check the scores, etc. Yes I will have “MY PICKS” so you can compare your picks to mine. (And Laugh or Cry)I will have A “MASTER BRACKET”, “WHAT IF YOU CHOSE THE HIGH PICKS” for each game. Yes I will have MY PICKS. .An “UPSET” will be RED on “ALL HIGH PICKS” Bracket. GREEN indicate HIGH SEED Win What is a seed? Merely a starting place. Although unlikely, IT is possible for two 16 seeds to meet in the final game. Would lets say Michigan St were to be seeded as a number 16. They would still have to win all games to be CHAMPION ! SEEDING attempts to give a more favored team an easier path to the CHAMPIONSHIP. Seeding should lead to the best 2 teams playing in the final game. However there is always that upset minded team; or the chance that the favored team has a bad game, a stand out player is sick or injured. To print BRACKET: HOVER OVER SHEET. You will see a window at bottom with an arrow pointing down (second from right). Click this button. It will open a new window with the bracket then click the printer icon or go to file, and PRINT. TO Enlarge each sheet: Hover over and select the square on the far bottom RIGHT. To return to PAGE Repeat. MASTER BRACKET 2020 NCAA tournament schedule and locations: DATES ROUND WATCH CITY, STATE HOST(S) FACILITY March 15 Selection Sunday 6 p.m. ET on CBS N/A CBS will broadcast the Selection Show at 6 p.m. ET N/A March 17-18 First Four March Madness Live Dayton, OH University of Dayton UD Arena March 19/21 1st/2nd Rounds March Madness Live Albany, NY Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Times Union Center March 19/21 1st/2nd Rounds March Madness Live Spokane, WA University of Idaho Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena March 19/21 1st/2nd Rounds March Madness Live St. Louis, MO Missouri Valley Conference Enterprise Center March 19/21 1st/2nd Rounds March Madness Live Tampa, FL University of South Florida Amalie Arena March 20/22 1st/2nd Rounds March Madness Live Greensboro, NC Atlantic Coast Conference Greensboro Coliseum March 20/22 1st/2nd Rounds March Madness Live Omaha, NE Creighton University CenturyLink Center Omaha March 20/22 1st/2nd Rounds March Madness Live Sacramento, CA Sacramento State University Golden 1 Center March 20/22 1st/2nd Rounds March Madness Live Cleveland, OH Mid-American Conference/Cleveland State Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse March 26/28 Midwest Regional March Madness Live Indianapolis, IN Horizon League/IUPUI Lucas Oil Stadium March 26/28 West Regional March Madness Live Los Angeles, CA Pepperdine University STAPLES Center March 27/29 South Regional March Madness Live Houston, TX University of Houston Toyota Center March 27/29 East Regional March Madness Live New York, NY St. John’s University/Big East Conference Madison Square Garden April 4/6 Final Four and title game TBS/ March Madness Live Atlanta, GA Georgia Institute of Technology MASTER BRACKET [pdf-embedder url=”https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-MARCHMADNESS-MASTER.pdf” title=”2020 MARCHMADNESS MASTER”] ALL HIGH PICKS MY PICKS Views: 116
NCAA MARCH MADNESS 2017
You will see scores here when I am away from the computer Gonzaga 65 NORTH CAROLINA 71 North Carolina came from behind with a 9-2 run. To become your 2017 NCAA MENS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS !! This is number 6 for the Tarheels. And number 3 under Coach Roy Williams. Congratulations to the LADIES of South Carolina on becoming the 2017 NCAA Womens Basketball CHAMPIONS !!! The table is set. Two number One Seeds will face off tor the 2017 version of the NCCA 2017 Campionship Jump ball set to begin at 9pm (EST), Monday April 3rd, On CBS As I pointed out earlier; this will be GONZAGA’S 19th,consecutive tournament appearance. (It will be their 20th appearance counting their one and done, in 1995). Could this be their year? As I previously pointed out If they could score more than 62 points in that crucial (for them), 4th game. They would have a really good chance of winning their FIRST EVER Men’s NCAA BASKETBAL TITLE. I must admit the Gonzaga Bulldogs, if not considered a Cinderella team ; THEY have to be a SENTIMENTAL favorite. Good luck to both teams. Although I will be rooting for my sentimental favorite and SPIKES Favorite, GONZAGA. (For those of you who didn’t know, SPIKE is the name of Gonzaga’s mascot). North Carolina ended Oregon’s run, edging them out by a single point 77-76. Gonzaga, (a mid major college), withstood a 16-0 charge by South Carolina to eliminate South by 4 points. 77-73 Does it say anything that both finalist scored the same (77), number of points. In their respective Semi-Final games, Wouldn’t it be a great game if after 40 minutes the two teams were tied 77-77. WOW! USA Today appeared a mite bias today. I counted four headlines regarding the North Carolina game and zero regarding Gonzagas game. If they had any I missed them. HOW about those Musketeers! From an eleven seed to Elite Eight berth. Of course I will still root for my TEAM, or any of its fellow conference members, as long as they last. It would be nice to see an eleven seed win it all. Gonzaga is a sentimental favorite. Having made the tournament EVERY year sine 1999. Amassing 25 wins in the prior 17 year span. Their best years were 1999 and 2015 with 3 wins advancing to to the Regional Final. In 1999 they were ousted 67-62 by UCONN. 2015 saw the Zags Return to the regional final only to be defeated 66-62 by Duke. Seems if they reach the Regional Final again and can score more than 62 points, They just might win their region. I really hate to add this item at this time. But I Think it is relevant. The Biggest Tourney the NCAA has. is now going on. The NCAA is trying to exert their power of FINANCIAL GAIN to the CITIES, and STATES. Example is the threat to North Carolina. Change your STATE LAW: regarding restroom use OR…ELSE !! No hosting of NCAA Events. They did this with College mascots…and got by with it. NOW! They are pressuring States to… DO AS WE TELL YOU. NOT WHAT YOUR RESIDENTS WANT. It seems to me the NCAA has outgrown their britches and either needs to be ousted or NEW leadership that does what the organization was set up to do, and not overstep their bounds. I don’t know how to fight this. We could boycott all NCAA events. But that would also hurt the Schools, its Athlete, and punish the FAN BASE. The only real answer is for the colleges,and universities to withdraw from the NCAA and set up a new organization to oversee the SPORTS, and leave it at that. But that will never happen. They apparently can not see where the NCAA is leading them. It appears North Carolinians have bowed to the almighty dollar. NCAA money apparently speaks louder than the citizens voice. North Carolina ceded to the GIANT NCAA to repeal their bathroom bill. While I am on my stump. There is all this talk of “Student Athletes” being paid to play. THEY ARE BEING PAID, They are getting an education, for all intents and purposes FREE. ONE other thing I will inject here, (like it or not). Enough of these athletes going to school, (basically free), then abandoning their education, for the big bucks of PROFESSIONAL SPORTS. I have no problem with them jumping for the big money they are offered. BUT!!! They have taken scholarship money from students who really need it to get an education. I PROPOSE. Any student athlete, not completing school, (to go pro), should REPAY the scholarship money. OR The Professional Team/Organization, employing them should Repay the scholarship. These Professional teams USE College/Universities as a “MINOR LEAGUE” to develop players. Not so much Baseball, Hockey, or other sports, HOWEVER, it seems FOOTBALL, and Basketball are the big offenders of this use. As always this is just my opinion. That Is The Way I See It. NORTHWESTERN WINS FIRST NCAA MARCH MADNESS GAME EVER. Defeating Vanderbilt 68 to 66. Congratulations NORTHWESTERN WELCOME TO OUR 2017 MARCH MADNESS. I am not sure How many years we have been doing this. I will have to look it up. I do know all totaled I have been having this same POOL since, 1991. Just not sure how many years I have posted on this blog. Two years in a row I had a female player win my pool. When I asked her method that made this result possible , her reply was, “I just pick the team with the best looking coach”. So everybody has their own way and reasoning of picking the winner. This is where you can print your “OFFICE POOL” Bracket, Check the scores, etc. I will have these… “MASTER BRACKET”, “What if you chose all HIGH PICKS” for each game. An “UPSET BRACKET” (if the favored team wins it will be in Green, if it is an… Continue reading NCAA MARCH MADNESS 2017
NCAA March Madness 2016
What a thrilling ending to the 2016 edition of MARCH MADNESS. North Carolina probably wishing the could have waited a couple of seconds for their final shot. I didn’t do so well. I DID however pick a number two seed to win (Michigan State); BUT it was a number two seed which won. So I have to give myself a half credit (?). It has been FUN. I plan to do this again next year. Despite my troubles with CHROME. It gave me fits in updating. I would spend sometimes an hour updating just one bracket sheet. Finally learned I had to clear my cache every time before I attempted to update anything. Be sure to check back regularly. I don’t have any idea what I will write about….. NO! wait I have some idea. Maybe some racing history. (If I can find the notes I made a couple years ago. Also…. who knows. WELCOME TO OUR 2016 MARCH MADNESS. I am not sure How many years we have been doing this. I will have to look it up. This is where you can print your “OFFICE POOL” Bracket, Check the scores, etc. I will have this “MASTER BRACKET”, “WHAT IF YOU CHOSE THE HIGH PICKS” for each game. An “UPSET BRACKET” (if the favored team wins it will be in Green, if it is an upset it will be listed in RED”. And, Yes I will have my picks so you can compare your picks to mine. (And Laugh or Cry) What is a seed? Merely a starting place. Although unlikely, IT is possible for two 16 seeds to meet in the final game. Would lets say Michigan St were to be seeded as a number 16. They would still have to win all games to be CHAMPION ! SEEDING attempts to give a more favored team an easier path to the CHAMPIONSHIP. Seeding should lead to the best 2 teams playing in the final game. However there is always that upset minded team; or the chance that the favored team has a bad game, a stand out player is sick or injured. I am reminded of one year in our STATE High School WRESTLING Tournament. The Athletic Assn. decided to go with a draw, rather than seeding. The Result? Two wrestlers with one defeat each faced each other in the first match. Loser of a first round match goes home. It was a 3 OT match. One of these wrestlers went home, while wrestlers with more losses during the season advanced. The winner of this match had no competition left. Easy wins. He won the CHAMPIONSHIP that first match. Not much excitement. Reportedly there is a TEENAGE GIRL in Indiana who has only missed 3 games in this years bracket. She picked Texas over Northern Iowa. California over Hawaii. Final game she had Syracuse over North Carolina. Her Champion pick is……VILLANOVA. She says she does not follow Basketball regularly and has only attended a game or two at her high school. Maybe this is proof the rest of us over think some things To print BRACKET: Click on PRINT PDF button at top and select page with the bracket you want to print. ( If you do not see the “PRINT PDF” button. Please go to the The Title “NCAA March Madness 2016” and click to advance to the full post). MASTER BRACKET [pdf-embedder url=”https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016-march-madness-MASTER-bracket.pdf”] ALL HIGH PICKS [pdf-embedder url=”https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016-march-madness-ALL-HIGH-PICKS-bracket.pdf”] UPSETS [pdf-embedder url=”https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016-march-madness-UPSETS-bracket.pdf”] MY PICKS [pdf-embedder url=”https://fromthemiddle.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016-march-madness-MY-PICKS-bracket.pdf”] Views: 106
