Don’t hold your collective breath, Bengals fans. Finally, you thought after the 0-8 midseason, the Bengals will hire a general manager. They’ll add scouts. They’ll do something—anything—to change the way they do business.

Nope. Don’t count on it after a 4-3-1 second half. Management will be content to write off the 2008 season, one of the most disappointing for a franchise accustomed to disappointing its customers, because of the loss of a franchise-record 23 players to injured reserve and the absence of quarterback Carson Palmer for 12 of the 16 games because of an inflamed throwing elbow.

Nope, Bengals management will move forward with the confidence to stay the course into next season.

Here are some points to ponder as you spoon up your Cream of Wheat and sip your steaming cocoa on this late December morning:

He blasted off on a couple of end-around plays. He took a direct snap from center in the “Wildcat” formation and ran to daylight. He also made some tough catches in traffic.

While Herm Edwards talked like he’ll be back as the Kansas City Chiefs’ coach for at least one more year, running back Larry Johnson began trying to talk his way out of town. Pacing the sideline in a bright red jacket and cap, Edwards watched the Chiefs’ season — and, perhaps, his days in charge of them — end with another dismal showing.

Halfway through the season, the beaten-down Bengals and Chiefs started looking forward to this one. On Sunday, Cincinnati and Kansas City will share misery and empathy as they end their woeful seasons together. At least one of them will get a win — or, maybe, they’ll play to a tie that would be a perfectly fitting finale.

Sometime this afternoon, about 4:15 or so, the 2008 season will end and the 2009 season will begin for the Cincinnati Bengals.

CINCINNATI — Carson Palmer was encouraged by how his elbow reacted to a day of limited practice, leaving the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback more confident he can avoid reconstructive surgery.

The Cincinnati Bengals, who need to beat the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday just to finish 4-11-1, announced today they will not raise ticket prices for the 2009 season.

CINCINNATI — Coy Bacon, a fierce pass rusher during a 14-year NFL career with Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Washington, died Monday, Dec. 22. He was 66.

According to ProFootballTalk.com the thrifty Cincinnati Bengals are actually giving consideration to hiring a…