We are all clinging onto hope. Some of you are wearing blinders still even. We had the number one overall pick, a great free agency class and by all accounts an excellent draft. There are a lot of reasons for Bengals fans to be excited coming off of a dismal 2019 2-14 season. I think that we are all watching the news closely to see what the latest COVID trend is, NFLPA statements and adjustments to the game itself to read some tea leaves. There are some significant things that have occurred in the past week-ish that tells me it just isn’t going to happen.
#1: The Bengals released restrictions
I am sure that most of you have read them by now but 2020 would not be a normal year. No tailgating, reduced fans in the stand, mandatory masks while not eating or drinking are just some of them. That’s not football watching folks. It is already hard to compete with the at-home experience for some fans. The Ravens stated that they will only allow 13,000 fans in their 71,008 stadium for games. They are not making much money off of those tickets and it probably is not even worth the risk. Stand in line to sign your COVID waiver….no thanks.
#2: The Washington football team is nameless
This one really stuck out to me. The Redskins era is over and now the team has to not only come up with a new name but they must also re-brand everything. New jerseys, signs, fan apparel, etc.. I know that capitalism works fast but the Skins….ehhh Red Tails….ehhh Warriors do not seem to be in a huge hurry. Why is that? Perhaps the owners already know that 2020 is a really long shot or already have decided it won’t happen. The NFL brand does the best job of staying in the news all year and keeping fans guessing and following is how they are the most popular in the United States. I know this might sound dumb on the surface but think about it and give the idea on this one a chance.
#3: MLS, NBA, MLB and NHL are a test bed and it’s not going so hot
MLS is already cancelling games in their “re-opening” because of COVID. Sure there are only 11 players on the field and 2-3 substitutions per game and a few players sick mean a lot more. They are slogging through like like EPSL but this might be the first league to pull the plug. The NBA is about to open and guys are still dropping out. Westbrook just came down with COVID pre-bubble and what happens when King James gets COVID? I applaud them for trying but if they do make it through the winner gets an asterisks. MLB is another mixed bag and we are seeing much higher infection rates. These teams won’t be in a bubble and will be traveling much like the NFL. We have seen big names drop out and others like Mike Trout be rumored to sit 2020 out. NHL has to move to Canada to make playoffs work……so at least someone will watch it up there.
#4: The NFL and NFLPA has not totally committed
No one has come out and said…..”come hell or high water this season is happening.” I know some coaches have expressed their views but just like the NBA what happens if Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes tests positive? What happens if the entire offensive or defensive line of a team tests positive? The NFLPA hates the preseason and would want to get rid of it anyway but that is just another step to buy time on calling it quits. The NFL has been pretty tight lipped in the past week about it.
#5: NCAA is going to cancel first
We have already seen schools push their seasons to the spring (Ivy League) and the Big 10 coming out and saying they will only play conference games. Folks, NCAA football is not happening in 2020…maybe 2021? COVID cases among young people are on the rise for various reasons and colleges may not go back. Online learning is an option for some but how does the NCAA justify having football but not in-person class? This will be the domino to start pushing the football world.
It sucks, I know. I want to see Burrow in stripes and make steps forward. It’s not going to happen.