Cincinnati Bengals: How Can They Win the Lombardi Trophy?

After watching the Pittsburgh Steelers hoist another Lombardi Trophy, the Cincinnati Bengals will, once again, try to figure out how to win their first trophy this offseason.

Recently, this franchise has been ridiculed for its off-field problems.  Is there anything that the Bengals can do to become competitive again?

Yes, but it starts at the top.  Owner Mike Brown has to realize that you cannot run an NFL team like Madden NFL 09.  Unlike a video game, an NFL owner cannot ignore potential problems.

The Bengals are currently engaged in a power struggle, where the legitimacy of coaches and front office personnel is constantly undermined by the owner.

This tug of war started last year after Brown brought back Chris Henry despite head coach Marvin Lewis' objections. From that point, Lewis struggled to earn the respect of his players.

This offseason, with three of their best players—TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cedric Benson, and Stacy Andrews—preparing for unrestricted free agency, the Bengals inexplicably placed the franchise tag on Shayne Graham.

Last year, the Redskins offered two first-round picks for Chad Ocho Cinco and the Bengals passed.  What was their reward?  They received a sub-par season from Ocho Cinco—53 catches, 540 yards, and four touchdowns.  Was it worth it?

In 2008, the Bengals defense had its best statistical season in years.  Could it be that the defense was playing better?  Or could it be that the paltry Bengals offense constantly made the defense play against a short field, which improved their yardage defense?

Will Carson Palmer return to his old form?  Palmer is a great quarterback when healthy. However, if last season's elbow injury does not improve, Palmer will need season-ending Tommy John surgery.

The Bengals need to start modeling themselves after the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Get rid of the troublemakers, all of them!

Chad Ocho Cinco will probably only be worth a second-round pick this year, but the Bengals could use that pick to add depth to their offensive or defensive line.

Chris Henry and Chris Perry need to be cut.  Actually, cut everyone with an arrest record.

I know this will make Bengals fans insanely angry, but Palmer needs to be traded.

Right now, the Bengals would probably receive a first-round and second-round pick for Palmer.  The Bengals should replace Palmer with Matt Sanchez from USC and start rebuilding through the draft.

Do not spend fortunes on rejects from other teams.

Do not bring in players with questionable character—especially Terrell Owens.

There is an old saying that goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Right now, Cincinnati is broken.  They can either keep making the same mistakes or break the mold and start doing things differently.

Until that happens, the Bengals will be watching the other teams in the division—mainly Pittsburgh and Baltimore—raise trophies while all they have to raise are questions.