Cincinnati Bengals to do HBO's "Hard Knocks"

When I first got word that HBO was going from the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most prestigious sports organizations in the world, to the Cincinnati Bengals for the next edition of "Hard Knocks," I felt like it was a cheap trick by HBO and the NFL.

Had I been asleep for two weeks? Maybe two months? Wait, it’s the Bengals. I have definitely been in a coma for two decades.

Luckily, I had not been any of those things, and the Bengals were truly the headliner for "Hard Knocks."

The Bengals are coming of a 4-11-1 season, finishing in third place in the AFC North. In the NFL Draft, they chose offensive tackle Andre Smith of Alabama and then took on of the top-rated linebackers of the Draft, Rey Maualuga of USC

In 2008, the Bengals’ starting quarterback, Carson Palmer, suffered an injury to his elbow and played in just four games with only 129 pass attempts

The team also had to deal with the distractions of the one and only, Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson. The wide receiver seemed to be in disagreement with both his head coach, Marvin Lewis, and the Bengals' front office most of last season.

Before the season started, Johnson got hold of the spotlight by changing his name to “Chad Javon Ocho Cinco.” This upset the NFL, because it had already sent out his jersey to sell that had “Johnson” written on the back. So, Johnson had to remain Chad Johnson, at least on the football field.

Last year, the Bengals' offense was ranked dead last in total yards per game (245.4), dead last in points per game (12.8), and 29th in first downs a game (15.3).

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bengals added protection for Palmer by drafting Smith, but they lost wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to free agency. He led Cincinnati in receptions (92), yards (904), and tied Johnson with four touchdown receptions last season.

Maualuga gives the Bengals a fast, strong, and high-emotion player on defense. He is big enough to plow through the defensive line and stop the run. He is fast enough to keep the running back in check along the sidelines and in the open field.

Last year, the Bengals defense finished ranked in the top 15. The addition of Maualuga could help them break the top 10.

There is good news for the Bengals, well maybe just Johnson. The league announced it will print his new name on the back of his jersey. But, it will read "Ochocinco," just like he spelled it in Florida.

Oops.

I can’t wait to see his teammates remind him of the mistake on "Hard Knocks."