King Arthur Movie Tristan

The tandem of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco was supposed to bring Cincy a title in 2010, but instead it brought them a 5-11 record and a lot of questions for the off season. First off, QB Carson Palmer would rather retire then play with the Bengals and owner Mike Brown has already stated that they will not trade Palmer. This team is obviously going through a transition and with Palmer and Ochocinco probably on their way out, the Bengals drafted WR A.J. Green in the first round and then QB Andy Dalton in the second round. Even though Marvin Lewis is the coach in 2011, he will be on a very hot seat. As a franchise, the Bengals have gone through some good times (Super Bowls in the 1980's) and bad times (Palmer, Ochocinco).

Best Coach: Sam Wyche (1984-1991)

Even though Sam Wyche had a losing record as the Bengals head coach, he led the franchise to the most playoff games any other franchise has. If not for Joe Montana and the San Francisco 49ers, you could put a Super Bowl there to. Wyche was hired as head coach in 1984 and immediately bonded with players, being the emotional coach that he was. Despite finishing second in the AFC Central and having a 4-11 record in his first four years of coaching, owner Paul Brown decided to stay the course with Wyche. That decision would end up paying off. In 1984, Wyche helped the Bengals to a AFC best 12-4 record and a appearance in Super Bowl XXIII. Wyche got the Benglas so far that year thanks to his unconventional play calling. For example, Wyce would have more then 12 players enter the huddle, but before the snap have some players exit the field to confuse the defense. In Super Bowl XXIII, Wyche and the Bengals were 34 seconds from victory when QB Joe Montana threw the winning touchdown pass to WR John Taylor. Three years after Super Bowl XXIII, Wyche was fired by new owner Mike Brown. Even though Wyche never won a Super Bowl in Ciny, he sure got them closer then any coach in franchise history ever has.

Best Player: Anthony Munoz (1980-1992)

Probably the greatest offensive linemen of all time, Anthony Munoz, was picked by the Bengals third overall in the 1980 draft. Munoz was elected to the Pro Bowl 11 times (consecutive), was a first team All-Pro nine times, and was voted to the NFL's 75th anniversary team. Usually an offensive lineman's career is hard to judge since he has no stats, but Munoz was such a special player you didn't need stats. Coming out of college, many thought that the third pick was to high for Munoz since he was dealing with a knee injury. The reward proved to be higher then the risk for the Bengals though. Despite having a history of injury, Munoz started his whole rookie season and only missed three games during his first 12 years with the Bengals. Like many linemen greats, Munoz was also a consistent WR catching 7 passes for 18 yards and four touchdowns. Munoz most notably helped the Bengals get to Super Bowl XVI and XXIII against the 49ers, the only two Super Bowl appearances in franchise history. On top of Pro Bowl honors, Munoz was also the offensive linemen of the year in 1981, 1987, and 1988. In 1998, Munoz was selected into the Hall of Fame, the first Bengals player to receive that honor.

Best Draft Gem: Ken Anderson (1971-1986)

Thanks to the 49ers in 1981, Ken Anderson really did not get recognition he deserved. The Bengals chose Anderson in the third round of the 1971 draft. In Anderson's 15 year career with the Bengals he was elected to four Pro Bowls, was a first team All-Pro once, and led the league in passing in different seasons (1974 and 1975). A surprising thing about Anderson is that he never dropped back to pass in college and during the off season as a rookie, that was one thing assistant coach Bill Walsh taught him to do. In his rookie season Anderson started five games and threw for 777 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. After winning the starting job in 1972, Anderson's best season came in 1981. Even though that season started very badly for him (he threw three interceptions in the first half) but it would translate into a Super Bowl season. Anderson ended up throwing for 3,754 yards, 29 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Anderson also led the league in passer rating with one of 98.4. In the postseason, Anderson was impressive in the AFC title game leading the Bengals over the Chargers 27-7 in a game that became known as the "Freezer Bowl." Even though the Bengals lost Super Bowl XVI to the 49ers, Anderson threw for 300 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He nearly led the team back from a 20-0 halftime deficit. To this day Anderson has not been voted to the Hall of Fame, even though he deserves it more then some QB's that have won a Super Bowl. Click here to look at Anderson's stats.

Biggest Draft Bust: Akili Smith (1999-2002)

In the 1999 draft, which was probably the worst QB class in NFL history, the Bengals (or in this case the Bungles) selected QB Akili Smith third overall. The Bengals could of traded their pick to the Saints for nine draft picks, but instead they took Smith. Even though Smith was very athletic, he had only played one year of college football at Oregon. It was the same ol' song and dance with this bust when he missed most of training camp over a contract dispute. Missing training camp would prove costly to Smith, who, despite his athleticism, struggled most of his rookie season. After four years with the Bengals, Smith only started 17 games and never fully connected with his teammates. On top of knowing the playbook, as QB you need to know your teammates because they look to you as their leader. Smith never did that and it led to his release in 2002. Even though the 1999 draft was one of the worst in NFL history (with guys like Tim Couch, Smith, and Ricky Williams not going in the top five), the Bengals had other options here. The best QB in this draft, Donovan McNabb, was already taken when the Eagles picked him a spot before Smith. The second best QB, Daunte Culpepper, was still available and would of been a far better choice for the Bengals. Click here to look at Smith's stats.

Defining Moment: Last second loss in Super Bowl XXIII (January 22, 1989)

It's not likely that a franchises defining moment is a loss against one of the greatest teams of all time, but you know the Bengals. In Super Bowl XXIII, Cincy was appearing in their second championship of the decade and was again facing the 49ers. San Fran on the other hand, was looking to capture their third title of the 80's. Even though the 49ers were seven point favorites entering the game, the Bengals took a 16-13 lead with just 3:10 left on the clock. To make matters better for the Bengals, the 49ers had to drive 92 yards in order to win the game. Of course, as Bengals head coach Steve Wyche knew, the 49ers had Joe Montana. Montana was able to lead the 49ers the length of the field and throw a touchdown pass to John Taylor to take the 20-16 lead with 34 seconds left. The 49ers defense went on to seal the victory after breaking up a Boomer Esiason pass. Ever since that Super Bowl against the 49ers, the Bengals have only been to the playoffs three times and have never returned to the AFC Title Game. It is evident that Super Bowl XXIII made poor Cincy the Bungles we know today.