Archive for January, 2011

Well, Bengals owner Mike Brown descended from his office and anointed Marvin Lewis as head coach for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011. My reaction is probably best described as mild disappointment. I think Marvin is a good motivator and and a solid evaluator of talent, but I believe he falls short in terms of discipline and game management. However, if the Bengals were to search for a replacement, things could have certainly gotten worse. So I’m hoping a new offensive coordinator could perhaps help him in those areas. Let’s face it. What Bengals fans really want is a new offensive [...]

It’s official. Marvin Lewis has agreed to return as head coach of the Bengals. Other than that, we know very little about the issues that concerned us as fans. Marvin refused to confirm that he has more control over personnel. And that worries me a little. Marvin said that Mike usually gives him what he wants, which is good. But what happens the next time Mike wants to ‘redeem’ a player that Marvin doesn’t want, a la Chris Henry? It’s still a mystery who wins that argument next time. Mike said that coaching changes ‘could’ be coming. I understand that [...]

While Who Dey Nation waits for word on its next head coach (or the retention of the same one), Cincinnati has been locked into the fourth pick in the NFL Draft, which seems like a long way away. According to ESPN’s ScoutsInc., that would have the Bengals looking at LSU defensive back Patrick Peterson, Georgia receiver A.J. Green, North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn, and Nebraska defensive back Prince Amukamara. ESPN’s Todd McShay gives the Bengals Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers in his “Mock 5.” Bowers could give the Bengals a nice complement opposite Carlos Dunlap and a rather fierce [...]

The curtain is probably going to close on the Marvin Lewis era tomorrow. Flawed as he is, I’d be glad to see him stay if it meant he got the control he’s been asking for. The change of control is the best possible outcome for the team and for fans. While we wait, let’s take a look at what should happen to some other big names in the coming weeks. Carson Palmer: As frustrated as many fans are Carson, Mike Brown loves him. There is no way he’s not the QB next year. Save yourself the trouble and get used [...]

Today’s 13-7 loss to the Ravens may have been the last game of the Marvin Lewis era in Cincinnati and in a sense, it was a microchasm of the season. The team had a chance to win it at the end and ultimately let things slip away. Carson Palmer had some costly mistakes and a wide receiver (this time Jerome Simpson, with two fumbles), contributed to the chaos. On the bright side, the young defensive line continued to harass an opposing quarterback and the young receivers, even without tight end Jermaine Gresham, certainly looked like they could carry the Bengals [...]

We all used to wake up on New Year’s Day to a glorious, gluttony of football. The games started early and ran side-by-side-by-side all day long. I remember setting up two TVs next to each other as a kid, gorging myself on all the games. Sadly, much of that has changed now. Sure, there are some games on today, but barely more than you can count on one hand. And none of them has any meaning. We all know the bowl system is unfair. It’s the only NCAA sport that doesn’t have a playoff. And mid-major teams are often excluded. [...]