Changing their stripes. (I-Formation).

I'm well aware the Bengals are normally viewed as the ugly stepchild of the NFL. Forget that. The days of writers and broadcasters poking fun at us are over.

Look at our draft. Before it started, we had the No. 1 pick signed, sealed and delivered. Then we selected several more players who will help us rebuild around that top pick, Carson Palmer.

I've spent some time with Carson. I first met him when Danny Farmer and I were the receivers at his private workout. I could tell then that he had the skills necessary to succeed. He has a big arm and can make all the throws. I really got to know him when I sat next to him on the plane back to California after he visited during our first minicamp. We talked about football, but mostly he asked me non-football questions such as where the players live and what there is to do in Cincinnati. He's a good guy who'll fit in well with our team.

And he knows his role--to come in and learn while Jon Kitna runs the team. Our new coach, Marvin Lewis, has made it clear that Jon is the starter. We ...