Who Dey Revolution points us to a gem of a Groan Fest. Geoff Hobson is interviewed by the Sports Business Journal about his job as Chief Mike Brown Apologist. A few choice nuggets:

"Ultimately, I work for the team," said Hobson, who was the first writer to make what now is a common jump from independent to team-owned media. "That's the thing. They do sign my checks. I think I've been able to marry both. But it's been tough. Some people on the team think I'm too tough on them. The bloggers and people on the message board and my critics think I'm a lap dog for the team. I guess since neither side is always happy I'm doing my job, right? ...

"If beating up the Bengals is what you're looking for, there's plenty of it out there," Hobson said. "But I'm not sure why anybody expects to find that on a team site. It's Bengals.com. It's not BeatUpBengals.com."

http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/63071

Of course nobody expects him to "beat up" the Bengals on the team's own website. It's the unnecessary and habitual success-is-likely spin that drives everyone crazy. In response, let's post some of the best-of-the-worst Hobsonisms. There are so many to choose from, we could keep it going for a while.

He's not spinning a positive future with this one, but the complete lack of irony is wonderful. This is from the imaginary conversation with cheapskate Paul Brown on his 100th birthday. Hobson is pulling from a real PB quote from long ago:

OK, maybe the stuff about soup and salary is too old school, but [Paul] Brown also remembered what he told Motley once.

"It only costs a few extra cents," he said, "to go first class."

http://forum.go-bengals.com/index.php?showtopic=44279&mode=linearplus

""It only costs a few extra cents," he said, "to go first class.""


Maybe Mike should look at past quotes from ole daddy. He and his organization would be much better off. However, who's ever been to Spinney Field? The place was broken down and worn out YEARS AGO. It was the dregs. Is that bar still there underneath the aquaduct? What a hellhole. A buddy of mine LOVED to drink there. I could have sworn he was going to have a deep career in the arts of hoboism. LMAO. That neighborhood looked like North Vietnam during Linebacker II. Shelled out. Good Lord I'm glad I don't have to put up with that sh*t anymore.





"So he got fired? Big deal. It's happened to the best of us. So he got kicked out of his house by his 400 lb'ed wife?!?!? That's probably better for him anyways."-OldSchooler on ChrisMBHater's absence

I think Hobson made up that part about some people on the team thinking he's too hard on them. I can't remember him being hard on anybody in the Bengal organization, ever. Marty Brennaman is an employee of the Reds, but he still calls things the way he sees them. If you remember he and Joe Nuxhall got called on the carpet for it a few times even. But he's still the old Marty.

Hobson is only critical of people/players/coaches after they leave the team...

"Falc, just because I respond, please dont take it to mean that I give a sh!t about you. I respond because you are the type of person that needs to be told what a whack job you are or else you will go on thinking your behavior is normal and accepted. "

It's "BeatUpTHEBengals.com."

Why should anyone trust a writer who doesn't even know how to use the article "the" correctly?

Let's not forget Hobson is a Patriots fan to boot.

Only Mikey would hire someone that isnt a fan of the team to write about the team...

"Falc, just because I respond, please dont take it to mean that I give a sh!t about you. I respond because you are the type of person that needs to be told what a whack job you are or else you will go on thinking your behavior is normal and accepted. "

"...you have to hand it to Bengals president Mike Brown and Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis: Daryl Gardener. Warren Sapp. Sam Adams. Shaun Rogers. They know what they need and they're going to keep trying to get it. - Geoff Hobson

"I think I will try to stick to conversations that don't involve politics." - murf, April 17 2009

Only last season, in praise of that train wreck of a unit:

The Bengals longest play in five years showed why the Bengals need to re-sign Benson and how good the offensive line can be when it executes. -Geoff Hobson

I wish I could recall or find the actual Hobspin quote, but didn't he make some Murfish claim that Robert Geathers is like a younger version of a Pro Bowl defensive end?

It was hilarious, whoever the comparison was regarding. Geathers is the classic Bungle defensive end: average on his best day, beat up and run over most others. He was the second best defensive end on teams that started Bustin Smith for crying out loud.

I didn't think any season could end any funnier than 2005, but Hobspin and the Sheep made 2006, 2007 and 2008 at least as hilarious with their lavish praise and tortured excuses.

Could 2009 continue the tradition? I hope so.

heres a gem from 2007

After Ed Reed returned a punt 63 yards for a TD Hobspin offered up this excuse

"They were tired"


http://www.network54.com/Forum/90650/thread/1189545442/last-1189568370/Hobson+provides+excuse+for+Ed+Reed%27s+punt+return+for+a+TD



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In Memory of Darren

Now that Bengals.com has dropped most of their archived pages, what better place to find classic Hobspin than... right here at MBS! I admit it -- I like this place and I occasionally search through the old threads. So sue me. Check out the following gems:

2008:

"The defense did what it was supposed to do. It made Flacco uncomfortable most of the time and take away Clayton's reverse, it held the Ravens to 59 yards rushing on 15 carries"

--http://www.network54.com/Forum/90650/thread/1220819995/Hobspin+already+in+mid+season+form-get+a+load+of+this


2007:

"Palmer is united with wide receiver Bennie Brazell in a game, they'll make some beautiful music together."

--http://www.network54.com/Forum/90650/thread/1186805433/last-1186813422/Hobhole%27s+latest+spin-o-rama%28This+one+made+me+puke%29


"I would think with this offense if the defense could get ranked from 18-21, they could win the Super Bowl with that. "

--http://www.network54.com/Forum/90650/thread/1181931649/last-1181944346/Hobholes+at+it+again...


"...Hell, I take franchising Smith as a message that they think they can win it all in 07..."

--http://www.network54.com/Forum/90650/thread/1172142431/last-1172194839/HOBSON+IS+F-ING+PISSED!


2006:

"They could also look at defensive tackle, although the rotation of John Thornton, Bryan Robinson and Shaun Smith had a pretty good year against the run. The Bengals dont so much need to replace their talent because its a fairly solid group, but they wouldnt mind beefing up the middle with some size and girth."

--http://www.network54.com/Forum/90650/thread/1141426802/Slobson%27s+Free+Agent+DT%27s