MINOR ALTERATIONS AS BENGALS SHOW OFF THEIR NEW STRIPES

          The Bengals unveiled their new uniforms for the '97
     season, and "fans might have an easier time recognizing a
     blitz than noticing the differences in the new uniforms,"
     according to Chris Haft of the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER.  Bengals
     Marketing Dir Mike Hoffbauer noted that any changes to the
     uniforms had to meet President & GM Mike Brown's request to
     maintain "conservative, traditional" standards.  Hoffbauer:
     "I don't know that this is all that earth-shattering."  The
     changes include: a tiger on the sleeves; uniform numbers
     moving from the sleeves to the shoulders; the introduction
     of new "Cincinnati Bengals" logo in block lettering, which
     can appear with or without the tiger logo; sewn-on numbers
     instead of printed on; black trim on the collar and sleeves
     of the road white jersey; black and white socks, replacing
     the old orange and white; and simplified striping on the
     pants and shoulders (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 3/13).