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Preseason Must Be the New Way to Work on My Deep Breathing: Who else almost passed out when tight end Jermaine Gresham went out with a right knee injury in the game against Atlanta? I literally had to remind myself to breathe. Imagine my tentative relief in hearing that Gresham’s injury may not be too serious. We will just have to stay tuned and continue to keep our ears and eyes open for any further updates.

The Jungle’s Back! So… There is a new music video “sweeping” the ‘Nati. It is a catchy tune for the die-hard tailgating fans of the Bengals. Yup… That’s all I’m going to say about that right there – even though I want you to be proud of me for NOT talking about the rhythmless dancer featured quite prominently in the video. Oops… I should stop now, huh? Hey, let’s give them a good, “Who Dey!” for their enthusiastic effort!

http://flic.kr/p/5aiqaC

Don’t Believe The Hype (because this should be the only time I quote Flavor Flav): Dear Cedric Benson, the “game” coming up between the Packers and the Bengals this week is a PRESEASON game. I hope you remember that it does NOT count towards your stats or even your new team’s playoff aspirations. Cincinnati is not Chicago. There is no reason to feel you need to prove a point about being let go by the Bengals. Go to therapy and do your talking by getting 1000+ yards and 10 touchdowns in the REAL football season if you insist on getting emotional. K? Thanks!

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Fantasy Football Prediction (because now you need to strategize):  This week’s prediction has nothing to do with the Bengals. Last year, I had a FF opponent talk much trash before our weekly matchup because she had Michael Vick as her quarterback. I said nothing in response. And, Vick was hurt and out of the game before halftime. Yeah, I crushed her that week (but that’s not the point). I purposefully did NOT draft Vick last year – even after he got hot and people were swooping him up on their fantasy teams. I anticipated his lack of durability. Now, I finally found someone who can articulate it for me. Check out Dan Graziano’s article on why Vick is so injury-prone. And, of course, resist the urge to pick him up this year for your fantasy team.

The Earth Is Not Flat (and great reasons to discuss sports other than football): Now that we are well into the 21st century, the Augusta National Golf Club has finally decided women were worthy of membership. This past week, they announced that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina billionaire banking executive Darla Moore would finally don green coats. Please do not wait for any enthusiastic cheering on my part. It greatly disheartened me to learn that neither Rice nor Moore previously supported women becoming members of the club. Does anyone else feel like Augusta still baked their cake when they felt like it and ate it without sharing with others???

http://flic.kr/p/c1Upy3

There May Be Life in Other Solar Systems (and other non-sports related news worth mentioning): Well, it seems that Joe Biden is off the hot seat after his most recent verbal gaffe where he remarked, “They’re going to put you all back in chains.” Insert Mr. Todd Akin, conservative Missouri congressman, currently running for a seat in the U.S. Senate. He is the latest politician to fall into hot waters after his “legitimate rape” comment and musings on how a woman’s body works. No, really… I am just shaking my head. If ever there was a reason to believe that men do not understand women… Wow…

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Written by ChocLadyBengal

There was first grade, and there was understanding a first down. That’s Valencia’s earliest memory of “learning” about football while watching games with her dad and brother. Over the years, her passion for football has grown. She is now a self-professed Bengals fan though occasionally forced into a prayer closet for that type of confession. As a Southerner, she always has love for Georgia red clay and those Dawgs all day! Likewise, she is a proud alumnus of Florida A&M University and bleeds orange and green for life!!!

When she is not scheming on ways to win her fantasy football league championship, a perfect day for her is a lazy Sunday afternoon on the couch in comfy PJs while watching the NFL on a large flat screen TV and eating wings. The best part would be finishing the day with some ESPN Sports Center and Reese’s peanut butter cups for dessert.

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