<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[CincyItIsUs.com]]></title><description><![CDATA[QueenCityTakes.com]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:12:32 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.queencitytakes.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Consensus on Consensus Boards]]></title><description><![CDATA[The NFL draft is complete, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty to discuss.  In fact, in the draft’s wake, there’s been a heated debate on social media drawing in experts and amateur analysts alike.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/the-consensus-on-consensus-boards</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f022a87cb0726b2da92ef4</guid><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:08:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_b9160d83903f4541840a03577a0dd26c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thoughts on Every Top Ten Pick (Plus One More I Couldn't Leave Out)]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Cincinnati Bengals sat out the first round of the NFL Draft for the first time since 1989. Only two players on the Bengals active roster, quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson, were even alive at the time.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/thoughts-on-every-top-ten-pick-plus-one-more-i-couldn-t-leave-out</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ec07f481e17196bd25fe92</guid><pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:37:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_5804ca255ec74ba394f73858213c447b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Dexter Lawrence Trade Was Good. The Media Just Hates the Bengals.]]></title><description><![CDATA[When the news broke on Saturday night that the Cincinnati Bengals had traded the #10 pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence, the Queen City erupted with so much force the Ohio River itself nearly changed direction.

Unfortunately, that’s not how many in the media saw it.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/the-dexter-lawrence-trade-was-good-the-media-just-hates-the-bengals</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e972cdab5395dde6073c41</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:23:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_fb11a1bb8c6d45c6bd6c4c58b4ec2288~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Bengals Just Made the Most Uncharacteristic Move in Franchise History]]></title><description><![CDATA[When someone uses the phrase “when pigs fly,” it’s usually because they’re describing an idea so far-fetched, it borders on the impossible.  Like the idea that the Cincinnati Bengals would trade for Dexter Lawrence.

Wait...you're saying that happened?]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/the-bengals-just-made-the-most-uncharacteristic-move-in-franchise-history</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e43a9f0c8d230c9e913a04</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:21:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_9471d49b20044602ad9f269ff30354fe~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why the Bengals Shouldn't Consider Dillon Thieneman at #10]]></title><description><![CDATA[Recently, there’s been a lot of draft buzz about Dillon Thieneman.

But he is not worthy of a top ten pick – not in this draft, not in any draft.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/why-the-bengals-shouldn-t-consider-dillon-thieneman-at-10</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e418a943fd38a1bb735015</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:05:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_296df344f8164efabac3b93549ca82db~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Andrew Abbott Has an Arm Angle Issue]]></title><description><![CDATA[There's something off about Andrew Abbott this year. That has been obvious since spring training. But, what exactly, is this issue?]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/andrew-abbott-has-an-arm-angle-issue</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e01a5847c3def1fff1340c</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Reds]]></category><category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:18:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_03556031310d4198aa26a5af255ee7f5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_832,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Vrabel, Russini, and the Story That Matters]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ethics in journalism is front and center in the sports world right now, and it reminds me of a very important lesson I learned while in college.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/vrabel-russini-and-the-story-that-matters</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69dbc46875afb0779a74f365</guid><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:28:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_162b764da6964aa1949af2e1cb51ec15~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Sonny Styles is the Bengals’ Ideal Draft Target at No. 10]]></title><description><![CDATA[Are Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles mirror images? The Bengals are looking for a very specific player in this year's draft. And don't take my word for it – take Al Golden's: “We've gotta get better.  We've gotta get deeper. Obviously having somebody with a combo presence. I would prefer not to ask Demetrius to play on the line of scrimmage as much as we did…” defensive coordinator Golden said to reporters in late February at the NFL Combine, “… I would prefer to add another piece…” He was...]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/why-sonny-styles-is-the-bengals-ideal-draft-target-at-no-10</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d6ef7ac55f668b53056923</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:37:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_22c9f62512534a978b2e0efd03246295~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Isn’t Elly De La Cruz Swinging Hard?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Elly’s super-power and super-speed have been sapped. But why, or by who? Elly De La Cruz is an amazing baseball player, but something doesn’t feel right.   Elly burst onto the scene as a rookie in the MLB by demonstrating some ridiculous traits: He was absurdly fast – He had a better arm than most pitchers –  He had world-class power –  He was the kind of player you would design in a video game –  But here’s the problem: all those highlights?  They happened in 2023, Elly’s rookie year.  It’s...]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/why-isn-t-elly-de-la-cruz-swinging-hard</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69d057c5f7044e6cf7ac377e</guid><pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:15:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_5017418560634936b20ba0625f979899~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Bengals Can’t Afford to Draft a Corner at #10]]></title><description><![CDATA[Delane may be great, but he isn't solving the Bengals defensive issues. Mansoor Delane is a terrific player.  He isn't a tremendous athlete, but he’s technically and fundamentally sound – to an extreme extent.  He was penalized exactly zero times, and didn't allow a touchdown in all of 2025. He projects as the kind of corner you can leave on an island. He can do it all: man or zone, press or off coverage. But for the Bengals, drafting a corner at #10  is a major long-term investment – and...]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/the-bengals-can-t-afford-to-draft-a-corner-at-10</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cd688c79d08557ea7d1806</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 23:02:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_1fdab20f5b38441baf82ddd6c88fa606~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Platoon Failure and Power Drought: Opening Day Exposed the Reds’ Lingering Offensive Flaws]]></title><description><![CDATA[Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the Cincinnati Reds looked baffled by a lefty, and they couldn't get a timely hit.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/platoon-failure-and-power-drought-opening-day-exposed-the-reds-lingering-offensive-flaws</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c722802bb8782570232ec9</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Reds]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:07:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_f11d7c0aa5e74f8fac7a016e720f2b41~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Reds Aren’t Being Overlooked — They’re Being Misread]]></title><description><![CDATA[Not only do the Reds, apparently, have no chance of making a playoff appearance, the majority of baseball’s intelligentsia would tell you a winning record is a long-shot.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/the-reds-aren-t-being-overlooked-they-re-being-misread</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c3e95e12179886ce3489e5</guid><pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:04:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_1d57977f207745d4b6a746418ba7ef63~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Matt McLain Is Raking in Spring Training – But Should the Reds Be Buying It?]]></title><description><![CDATA[A season removed from looking like one of the worst hitters in baseball, Matt McLain is tearing up spring training.  And it’s earned him the No. 2 spot in the Reds lineup.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/matt-mclain-is-raking-in-spring-training-but-should-the-reds-be-buying-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bc9043c6c9669173c9a2ff</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Reds]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:16:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_8d41f9d127ba4b7e950aeb20a71b9e3d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why the Bengals Are Right to Stay Patient in Free Agency]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Allen signing is a solid one, but nothing more.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/why-the-bengals-are-right-to-stay-patient-in-free-agency</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b35ef7ecfce39c49ab2092</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:56:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_e9048db7aa99450eac17736ca9e56fb8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bengals Begin Defensive Reset with Mafe and Cook Signings]]></title><description><![CDATA[It was quiet at first, and then without warning, the Bengals landed two defensive starters in Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook, and all at a reasonable price.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/bengals-begins-defensive-reset-with-mafe-and-cook-signings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b0ca0ea547e1dd3d7e6978</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:05:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_193e5e1d53e54717af931b5f3df6bdb8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_576,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bengals Crush Cardinals to Extend Late-Season Surge]]></title><description><![CDATA[It would have been easy for the Bengals to throw in the towel after a lost season, but instead they've rallied to play their best football. After demolishing the Cardinals today, they've reminded the NFL world that they're still dangerous, and that better days still could be on the horizon.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/bengals-crush-cardinals-to-extend-late-season-surge</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6951ab5f6c6ab50b8de9b49b</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 28 Dec 2025 22:20:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_ddc312100e5841f6a3086e45865a6e83~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_577,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bengals Demolish Dolphins In the First Meaningless Game of Burrow's Career]]></title><description><![CDATA[For the first time in his six-year career, Joe Burrow was playing in a meaningless football game, but you wouldn't know it the way he carved up the helpless Dolphins.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/bengals-demolish-dolphins-in-the-first-meaningless-game-of-burrow-s-career</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69486a0893dd8b221e6cb2d9</guid><pubDate>Sun, 21 Dec 2025 22:16:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_13d6d6a9cc3e4a64aaf642646e94b319~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_622,h_244,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bengals Blow Big Lead in Big Loss to Bills]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most days, Joe Burrow gives the Bengals a huge advantage by being the best player on the field. This Sunday, Burrow was outplayed by Josh Allen, especially in the second half, and the Bengals blew a two-score lead, and likely their playoff chances, as a result.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/bengals-blow-big-lead-in-big-loss-to-bills</link><guid isPermaLink="false">693600db04019cd6c2cff9ed</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 07 Dec 2025 22:48:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_4725aa8bb09a4b3a96aec308bfcc93e7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_500,h_221,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bengals Roll Over Ravens for Thanksgiving Win]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Ravens did themselves no favors with five turnovers, but the Bengals kept their season and faint playoff hopes alive with a massive win over their division rivals on Thanksgiving night.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/bengals-roll-over-ravens-for-thanksgiving-win</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6929d8d2e4368d687caf8d31</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2025 17:21:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_363dcb6a213244488e81065d8de72347~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_896,h_500,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bengals Nosedive Continues against New England]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Bengals played one of their best all-around games, but it wasn't enough to topple the Patriots. There's no sugar-coating what a massive disappointment this team has turned out to be as their season continues to spiral.]]></description><link>https://www.queencitytakes.com/post/bengals-nosedive-continues-against-new-england</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69238813933da9c9fc58577a</guid><category><![CDATA[Cincinnati Bengals]]></category><category><![CDATA[NFL]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 23 Nov 2025 22:34:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/31e842_5d1e1455d8fb4f6884bc8fad873428c7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_784,h_464,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ian Altenau</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>