My record as a Cincinnati Bengals fan: 92-162-1

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In 1993, I moved to Cincinnati and became a Bengals fan. Always keeping a watchful eye on my childhood team, the Detroit Lions, I now own my fair share of orange and black gear, love the tailgate experience of Longworth Hall and have been a season ticket holder since the move to Paul Brown Stadium.

Over these 16 seasons as a fan, I have seen one winning season yet I remain passionate for the team. My record as a Bengals fan is 92 wins, 162 losses and one tie. Here is a season-by-season recap of my life as a Bengals fan.

You will enjoy reminiscing about Carl Pickens, Big Daddy Wilkinson, David Klingler, Akili Smith, Ki-Jana Carter, and, of course, Riverfront Stadium (okay maybe not). But come on, how about the Thursday night game where Boomer was the QB and Corey Dillon broke the rookie rushing record or the draft when we got Carson or when we were mentioned in the playoff talk?

How about the coaching carousel: Shula, Coslet, LeBeau and Lewis? I missed the Wyche years by just two seasons but have seen the highlight film: "You don't live in Cleveland!"

Enjoy!

1993: 3-13

19 Sep 1993: Running back Harold Green of the Cincinnati Bengals (left) gets hit by a Pittsburgh Steelers player during a game at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won the game, 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allspor

It's 1993 and it's my first year as a Bengals fan. Mind you, I am still keeping an eye on my Detroit Lions but I purchase some black and orange gear and head to Riverfront Stadium for a few games this season--I do not see a winner in person as the team goes 3-13. This is also the year, my disdain for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns begins--both teams swept the Bengals in 1993.

1994: 3-13

18 Dec 1994: Quarterback Jeff Blake of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass the ball during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals won the game, 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport

Nope, not a typo. The Bengals go 3-13 again. There was some hope this year: starting with the NFL Draft when the Bengals took Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson from OSU. Other good news that season: Doug Pelfrey sets a franchise record for most field goals in one game (6) and Carl Pickens had his first 1,000 yard receiving season. Dave Shula hangs strong as the head coach; Mike Brown waiting for the Shula magic to appear.

1995: 7-9

17 Dec 1995: CLEVELAND BROWNS FANS, ANGRY AT THE DECISION TO MOVE THE TEAM TO BALTIMORE, THROW A ROW OF SEATS ONTO THE FIELD AFTER THE BROWNS'' 26-10 VICTORY OVER THE CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND STADIUM IN CLEVELAND, OHIO. THE GAME COULD BE THE LAST E

"Super Bowl, Super Bowl" chants begin with a first game win over the Colts. QB Jeff Blake take the reins and Carl Pickens tears it up in 1995 leading the AFC in touchdowns. We Bengals fans rejoice in the small things in life: Browns go 5-11 in 1995. We are feeling good about things, seven wins...a good start.

1996: 8-8

18 Oct 1998: Head coach Bruce Coslet of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during the game against the Tennessee Oilers at the Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The Oilers defeated the Bengals 44-14. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

It was 1996 and Bengals fans wanted the gold. Six quick losses cost Dave Shula his job and Bruce Coslet takes over and goes 7-2. Big Willie Anderson, a perennial fan favorite, is taken as the Bengals first draft pick this year. Playoffs in 1997, fans ask?

1997: 7-9

7 Oct 1990: Quarterback Boomer Esiason of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Bengals won the game, 34-31.

Boomer returns! Fans go nuts for Boomer Esiason. He takes over after a 1-9 start and the team goes 4-1 under his watch. Corey Dillon makes an immediate impression with a 1,000+ yard season, setting a few records along the way. I was at the game en December 4, when Dillon rushed for 246 yards in a game versus the Tennesse Oilers. It was one of the best games of my time as a Bengals fan.

1998: 3-12

15 Nov 1998: Quarterback Neil O''Donnell #12 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Bengals 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Matthew

Back to the cellar for us Bengals fans as we go 3-13 under another new QB Neil O'Donnell. One ray of hope, we sweep the Steelers this year probably because O'Donnell knew their playbook (he was their 3rd round draft pick in 1990).

1999: 4-12

CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Akili Smith #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball during the NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 29, 2002 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Buccaneers won 35-7. (Photo by

Akili Smith, our #1 draft pick in 1999...save us! Nope, his four-year career with the Bengals: 3-14 (I cannot make this up). But alas, we smile: Browns finish 2-14. Maybe the new stadium will help us? Paul Brown Stadium is under construction.

2000: 4-12

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Dick LeBeau of the Cincinnati Bengals oversees the action from the sidelines during the NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 17, 2002 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Ben

Hello Paul Brown Stadium! I am so encouraged that I become a season ticket holder with my good friend, Betsy Ross. "You're fired" Mike Brown says to Bruce after three games and taps Dick LeBeau, who by all accounts is a great man. Head coach material, we wonder. Now, back to my Club Level seats, I love the new stadium!

2001: 6-10

BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 7: Wide receiver Chad Johnson #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals stands on the field prior to game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 7, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won 17-10. (Photo by Ned Dishman/G

Jon Kitna, Chad Johnson (now known as Chad Ochocinco) and Rudi Johnson join the headlines of 2001. I am not sure what happened during the 2001 Bye Week, but afterwards we go on the skids for a seven-game losing streak. We close the season with wins at the Steelers and Titans, hope abounds.

2002: 2-14

CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Gus Frerotte #12 of the Cincinnati Bengals rolls to his right during the NFL game against the Cleveland Browns on September 15, 2002 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns won 20-7. (Photo by Pa

Gus Frerotte? We become the fourth stop on this journeyman's itinerary. Hop on the bus, Gus...and Dick, we go 2-14. I don't think we even had Christmas in 2002. Next slide...

2003: 8-8

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on while playing the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium December 21, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio. Cincinnati won the game 14-0. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

"In Marvin We Trust" say banners all over downtown Cincinnati. Our first CEO Coach comes in and takes the team and the city by storm with an 8-8 record in his first season. Merchandise sales, tailgate lots and TV ratings soar thanks to Coach Lewis & Crew. And, I almost forgot, we drafted Carson Palmer! So maybe 2002 wasn't so bad.

2004: 8-8

CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 14: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter of their NFL game September 14, 2008 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Ima

We go 8-8 and we see the potential of our future on the arm of Carson Palmer with his hot shot receivers Chad and TJ.

2005: 11-5

CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 23: Travis Kirschke #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals on October 23, 2005 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 27-13. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty I

Heartbreaker! In Cincinnati, there are THE two sports star injuries that we Cincinnatians talk about: Kenyon Martin's broken leg and Carson Palmer's knee. What a run it was! Steelers go on to continue play in February, whatever.

However, Jon Kitna takes over and does his best in the AFC Wildcard Playoff game that the Steeelers take from us, 31-17.

2006: 8-8

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 01: Chris Henry #15 of the Cincinnati Bengals smiles during the NFL pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts on September 1, 2006 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

There were, uh hmm, some off-field distractions in 2006. You may have heard about them (see Chris Henry). Anyways, we start 3-0 with quick wins against the Browns and Steelers. But the Steelers dash our playoff hopes with a 23-17 to close out the season.

2007: 7-9

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 21: T.J. Houshmandzadeh #84 of the Cincinnati Bengals is congratulated by teammate Chad Johnson #85 after he scored a touchdown against the New York Giants on September 21, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Je

The Bengals score 45 points and still lose...to Cleveland who scored 51. This was dumbfounding. The 2007 season was a hard one to watch as a fan, there was so much hope. However, it was fun to watch the high flying attack of Palmer to Chad and TJ, who both had impressive seasons.

2008: 4-11-1

CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass the ball during the NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 28, 2008 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

It's Week Four and it's Cleveland Week. "Surely," I say to my tailgate buddies, "we, the 0 and 3 Bengals, can beat the 0 and 3 Browns!" Not so fast. About two hours before the game, the announcement came: Carson would not start. God love Ryan Fitzpatrick but he's no Carson Palmer. So did you know that you can have a tie game in the NFL? Tell that to Donovan McNabb too. We win the last three games of the season and Coach Lewis keeps his job.

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