Six weeks ago, I took Bengals' coach Marvin Lewis to task over his job as the Bengals' face man for four seasons. Three 8-8 records, plus a winning season that ended in a wildcard round loss doesn't give you the greatest job security ... even in success starved Cincinnati. Add into the fact that he's had 10 different players run afoul of the law since New Year's Day 2006 [and several of them have run afoul more than once] and his job really may be in jeopardy. I think so.
And, apparently, MSNBC.com's Steve Silverman thinks so. Mr. Silverman places Lewis as the top dog on a list of coaches who are on the NFL hot seat:
Not only did the team struggle in 2006 with an 8-8 record, the Bengals became the poster boys for commissioner Roger Goodell's zero-tolerance policy for criminal behavior. The Bengals have had 10 players run afoul of the law since Jan. 1, 2006, and Lewis will bear the responsibility for turning the situation around. Not only do the Bengals have to return to the playoffs, but they have to change their off-the-field behavior and show that they can become solid citizens. It might not be Lewis's fault, but the head coach is the symbol of the franchise, and owner Mike Brown never has shown the inclination to take the pressure off of his top lieutenant.The fact that Lewis has been so passive about his team's off-field issues hurts him as well. Only when the NFL stepped in to suspend his players has he even sounded tough on his guys. Still, that can be looked over some if this team was winning games in January. This four-year great era of his has been stagnant at times with reckless play and a defense that has let him down. If some big name finisher candidate is out there, Cincy may pull the plug on Lewis if the season ends 8-8 again.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-07-2007 @ 11:08PM
myra said...
Lewis is a nice guy and deserves better. Maybe the Cincinnati organization needs to look at the top of players they select for the team.
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7-08-2007 @ 12:14AM
jonjets said...
Lack of good players and too many arrests...........
I feel sorry for Coach Marv...but,yeah,I think he'll get the sack sometime soon.......bloody shame,though..........
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7-08-2007 @ 7:17AM
Tip said...
Coach Lewis is admired and loved in Cincinnati, a town that still worships home-grown Pete Rose. Mike Brown's stadium is full for every home game, and now Carson Palmer is healthy again. Yes, Lewis took chances, drafting players of questionable integrity, and he's paid a price for trusting such individuals. His 8-8 record last year was better than most of us expected given his defense and an injured Palmer, who despite it had a truly remarkable year stat wise. They also had a brutal schedule. This year looks promising, and 11-5 is certainly realistic. Postseason for the Bengals is a probability. Superbowl appearance? Next year. But in Cincinnati, we'll take that any day.
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7-08-2007 @ 8:26AM
JAB said...
Only when the NFL stepped in to suspend his players that he even sounded tough on his players? I do believe Chris Henry was coddled for far too long, though owner Mike Brown does have some input on these matters. Frankly, I think you are forgetting the Lewis suspended players from games himself before the NFL ever handed out the first suspension of a Bengal. Hell, he already had Odell Thurman's locker cleaned out and ran him out of the complex weeks before the NFL acted to suspend him. He also sat Steinbach and Deltha O'Neil and the NFL never even suspended those players. I think your revisionist history is not accurate or fair to coach Lewis. I do agree he is on the hot seat, for just the perceptions concerning the Bengals and their off-field troubles, as well as not seeming to be able to get them to that next level (perennial playoff team). His late game play calling and clock management have been terrible the last couple of years (resulting in at least a couple of games given away in the end). And for such a defensive guru, the Bengals have still been at the bottom of the league defensively 4 years later. So yes, I would have Lewis on the hot seat alright, but for many other reasons than the player conduct issues (those just add to an already growing pile). I think he will get it done this year. He brought Bengals from laughingstocks to contenders, so he at least deserves this year. No playoff, I would say thanks for everything but we need to make a change!
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7-08-2007 @ 12:47PM
John W said...
The front office should step up.Look at the intgretity some of these players before you sign them. If they do this kind of crap than can them, any other profession would. If they don't perform there jobs send them packing,there are plenty of not number drafts that have the heart to want to play and can play like if given a chance( and proably cheaper).
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7-11-2007 @ 6:30AM
Bill Walters said...
"The fact that Lewis has been so passive about his team's off-field issues hurts him as well. Only when the NFL stepped in to suspend his players has he even sounded tough on his guys"
Maybe you guys are in a honeymoon phase with Lewis and only THINK Lewis is a good coach. My sugeestion is divorce the creep, hire a "LEADER" of a coach and move on to win some football.
If Lewis had any (Leading) abilty from the get go, his convict players record would be a non-issue and the 'who dey" could be a "WHO DEY"
Lewis is a creep
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