Steelers, Bengals open 2011 season

The games may not count in the standings until Sept. 8, but many area fans are glad to see NFL players lining up for preseason games.

"I'm just happy to see football on TV," said Patrick Mathis, a 19-year-old Marietta College student from Charlotte, N.C.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals opened their exhibition schedule Friday, while the Cleveland Browns play host to the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers on Saturday.

A five-month lockout had some fans, like Mathis, concerned there might not be a season at all or that it might be shorter than the usual 16 games.

Although he hails from North Carolina, Mathis is a Dallas Cowboys fan, just like his father. While the Cowboys have long been considered "America's team," Mid-Ohio Valley residents are more likely to support one of three teams - Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Barry Taylor, with the local River Rats Browns Backers organization, said the group will gather at the No Idea Sports Lounge in Marietta Saturday to watch the first preseason game.

"It's time to get into the game. We're two months in arrears of getting ready," he said, referring to the lockout's delays.

The Browns will have a new head coach and a young quarterback but Taylor said he thinks they will improve on the 5-11 record they posted the last two years.

"The worst we're going to do, I believe, is 7-9, but I believe we're capable of 9-7," he said.

It's a season of transition for the Cincinnati Bengals too, with the popular and sometimes controversial wide receiver Chad Ochocinco traded to the New England Patriots and quarterback Carson Palmer retired after the team refused to trade him.

"I think we got rid of some headaches (and are) starting with some fresh attitudes," said Denny Dorrel, assistant Marietta College football coach.

The truncated free agent signing and practice period that resulted from the lockout is a cause for concern for Dorrel, especially with so many young players on the team. Still, he said he's optimistic in his prediction for the season - very optimistic.

"Just like every Bengals fan, we're going to win it all," Dorrel said.

Marietta College freshman quarterback Kori Lawrence didn't agree with the coach's forecast for the Bengals but he said he does think the team added a dynamic player in rookie wide receiver A.J. Greene. Lawrence, also from Charlotte, expects his favorite team - the Philadelphia Eagles - to challenge for the league title this year, behind the play of quarterback Michael Vick and some significant free agent additions like cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

"If we don't make the Super Bowl, I'll be pretty upset," Lawrence said.

Watertown resident Dave Combs, 50, said he's confident his Pittsburgh Steelers will do well this season, but added it's hard to make predictions since so many players changed teams in such a short amount of time.

"To be honest, I don't know where all the dust is going to settle," he said. "I just hope the Steelers continue their tradition of being a good football team."