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I give Marvin Lewis credit for moving away from the felons-only draft strategy (sorta, anyway -- hey, it's a start), and for choosing to take a stand against Chad Johnson and the associated silliness this offseason. That said, I find it hard to believe that he's not on the ol' hot seat this year after an underwhelming finish to the 2006 season and a disappointing all-around showing in '07.

But according to Dayton Daily News' Chick Ludwig, that's the case -- even if it shouldn't be:

When it comes to his head coaches, [team owner Mike] Brown is a very patient man. Extremely patient. Too patient. Why else would he put up with the overmatched Dave Shula (19-52-0, .268) for nearly four-and-a-half seasons from 1992-96?

Brown remembers how shabbily his father - Pro Football Hall of Fame coaching immortal Paul Brown - was treated by Art Modell in Cleveland. And Brown promised he'd never abuse his loyal subjects in a similar manner.

It's also worth pointing out that Brown is notoriously cheap. Until recently, the Bengals had the smallest scouting department in the NFL. Say what you want about taking fliers on Frostee Rucker, A.J. Nicholson and Chris Henry, but it's a lot tougher to unearth late-round gems when the draft strategy consists of name cards and some darts.

Still, Lewis enters his sixth season in Cincinnati, and although he's done what nobody's been able to do since Sam Wyche was on the sidelines -- end the season with a winning record -- there's only so far playing .500 football can take you.

But assuming Lewis isn't the long-term answer, the question then becomes: who is? Lewis isn't perfect, but he's not Dick LeBeau, Bruce Coslet or David Shula, either.