ESPN the Magazine ranked the Bengals as the worst franchise in professional sports this week, out of 122 teams throughout football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. TV analyst and former Bengal quarterback Boomer Esiason had no objection to the ranking.

“Don’t you think we’d all be surprised if they weren’t ranked last? It’s never going to change,” he said. “There is no expectation the team is going to win. There never has been. I can’t sugarcoat it.”

The Patriots finished 38th overall and first in the coaching category. The Celtics ranked 40th, the Bruins 72nd, and the Red Sox 79th. The Packers were rated the best NFL franchise and first overall, while the Lightning, Saints, and Angels led the way for their respective sports.

With the Bengals coming off a 4-12 season and earning the fourth overall pick in the coming NFL draft, the team has re-signed head coach Marvin Lewis.

In eight seasons with the Bengals, Lewis has led the team to a record better than .500 just twice, and the team has lost both of its playoff games under him.

The team had announced on its twitter account earlier on Tuesday that the sides had not reached an agreement to bring Lewis back, while ESPN reported talks had hit a snag. With his return to the Bengals, Lewis is now the league’s fourth-longest tenured coach, behind Jeff Fisher, Andy Reid, and Bill Belichick.

WEEI.com Patriots reporter – and Cincinnati native - Mike Petraglia grew up with the Bengals and has his own unique perspective on how the Bengals could become the Patriots.

A Kentucky woman and her husband are suing the Bengals after an incident last year in which two men sitting behind her allegedly fell onto her head and broke her nose. Rebecca and Curtis Dunn charge that the Bengals and Paul Brown Stadium beer vendor Aramark were wrong to continue to serve beer to the two men, who the plaintiffs described as “noticeably intoxicated.”

The incident occurred at a game vs. the Steelers on Sept. 27, 2009. According to the suit, Dunn suffered “catastrophic injuries,” including a broken nose, a broke finger, and a dislodged cap on her tooth. Her medical bills were more than $20,000 and more medical charges are expected.

Music has a way of finding its way into sports. Whether it’s the techno that’s played following a goal in the NHL, the chorus of “ole, ole, ole, ole”  sung by passionate soccer (or Canadiens) fans, or the crazy guy with the kazoo at Fenway, sport and song go hand-in-hand. The song for today? I’m thinking Vince Gill’s “One More Last Chance.”

With Michael Vick set to return to the field for the first time since 2006– and everyone talking about it– it’s the only logical choice.

Vick has paid his price, but are fans ready to let it go?

After dogfighting charges in 2007 landed him behind bars and in home confinement for 23 months, Vick has signed a $1.6 million deal with the Eagles that at the very least will bring plenty of attention to Lincoln Financial Field. Tony Dungy says he’s a changed person, but is he really? More importantly, does it matter?

Earlier this morning, Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid sat at a podium with Vick and Dungy as the two legendary coaches discussed the reform that the scrambling quarterback has faced. As Dungy says that Vick wants to “be a role model for young kids,” how can one not shake their head? I’m not talking about writing off Vick’s quest to be a better person– everyone deserves a second chance, regardless of how many dogs they’ve neglected/killed– but is signing an NFL contract about being a good person?

This isn’t to say that the NFL is a league of criminals. Roger Goodell– love him or hate him– has done a fantastic job of flexing the league’s muscle on those who take advantage of their celebrity, but isn’t the game about what you do on the field? Philadelphia must have thought so if they were willing to take on the media storm that surrounds the acquisition.

Apparently the Eagles weren’t the only team that were interested in bringing in the ’01 top pick. The Bengals (shocker) were also willing to turn a blind eye to his criminal past and give Vick the second chance he had been looking for.

After losing out on Vick, the Bengals have turned their attention to fictional nemeses of Jack Bauer

How have these things worked out in the past? The Cowboys famously brought in Adam “Pac Man” Jones via trade in April of ’08 and were burned when it turned out that he had more of a rap sheet than was initially thought. End result? Snip, snip. Last season, the Cowboys also took  chance on defensive tackle Tank Johnson, of DUI/weapons/you-name-it fame. Johnson has since signed with the Bengals, a safe-haven for NFL wrong-doers. Now for a run-down on Cincinnati’s history with law-breaking players.

The Benga– ah, forget it. I’m pretty sure they’re in contact with the creators of 24 to find the guy who played Habib Marwan just so they can be that more dangerous. 

In his introductory press conference, Vick said that prison helped him reach a turning point in his ways. Whether you want to believe that or not, it’s hell of a lot better than when Vick spoke in ’07 about the sacrifices he was prepared to make regarding the company he keeps.

“If I’ve got to be fishing or playing golf every day to keep myself away from everybody else, that’s what I’m gonna be doing,” Vick said.

Poor guy. At the very least Vick is displaying what could at least be interpreted as remorse.

It would be naive to think that nobody– whether it be PETA, angry Falcons fans, etc.– will criticize this move. However, now that Vick’s in Philadelphia, he has the support of at least 52 people. As far as Atlanta goes, those who invested money on No. 7 jerseys are licking their chops as they wait for Dec. 6.

What will the future hold for Vick? Will he make contributions as a receiver/back? Will the Eagles exercise pick up his option for a second season? Will he end up falling into old patterns and be the next Adam Jones? The questions are flying, and Vick has given the most important answer.

“You only get one shot at a second chance.”

So let’s operate under the assumption that Vick is just a football player. The man has paid his price, filed for bankruptcy, and wants to start anew. He may not be able to be a quarterback, but let’s at least give him the opportunity to be a professional.