Our long national nightmare is over. HBO and NFL Films have found their next victim subject for Hard Knocks, the Cincinnati Bengals. The last time the Bengals were on Hard Knocks, the then-Chad Ochocinco added the phrase "Child, please" to the national lexicon. And while Chad is no longer with the Bengals and fighting jail time, the team will be back on Hard Knocks. NFL Films cameras will tape training camp and the results will be featured on HBO later this summer.

Word began surfacing Friday night that the Bengals had given their blessing to be on the show again, however, the original tweet from Philadelphia Daily News columnist Paul Domowitch was deleted. But other NFL reporters began to latch on to the news. Bengals beat writer Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported the agreement and ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted out word today that he has confirmed the Bengals' return to Hard Knocks as well.

An official announcement from HBO and the NFL is expected within a couple of weeks. Last year's subject, the Miami Dolphins were mostly dull and made for some boring television. Asides from cutaways to Ryan Tannenhill's wife, Lauren, Hard Knocks in 2012 was relatively lackluster. Here's hoping the Bengals can provide some excitement and bring back some memorable moments for Hard Knocks.

[Cincinnati.com/Adam Schefter]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.