Bengals’ culture of mediocrity and failure has to change

The Bengals have become a franchise steeped in mediocrity and failure. Their Week 9 loss in Jacksonville was a lesson in futility and frustration.

Thanks, Mike Brown. You have officially turned a town full of deserving fans into raving maniacs. Those who are still able to figure out what’s going on are disgusted. After watching the hot mess that took place between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Jacksonville Jaguars, it is plainly evident what needs to be done. This franchise needs a coffee enema and a new set of standards. Time to blow it up and get it right for the next few years.

During the days preceding Week 9 and the pivotal game with the Jaguars. Bengals fans were given a phony bill of sale. There was an air of confidence that seemed to be circulating around the team. Could it be possible? Would the Bengals be able to pull off one of the biggest wins of the season? After all, Sacksonville is considered the cream of the crop, when it comes to elite defenses. Maybe this time Marvelous Marvin Lewis would get it right. Hopefully, this would be the one game he had the Bengals ready to play.

Once again, all credit cards were denied. The Bengals went down in defeat, 23-7. Sadly, not many true fans had faith the Bengals would win. Therein lies the problem. The Bengals have been mediocre for so long, most fans have become brainwashed into accepting failure.

Time To Blow It All Up

Lewis has given up on his career and his players. By looking at his body language and reaction to things that happen on and off the field, it’s easy to see that he doesn’t care. He’ll outright deny that his head is still in the game. But, his lack of adjustments after the half are self-explanatory. Look at the players’ reactions to his leadership. He’s a lame duck and there’s simply no respect or fear from the players.

Must Read: What Happened To The Bengals?

It’s time for Lewis to go. Either he needs to be kicked up to the front office or given walking papers. At this point, most fans probably don’t want to see the man in the city.

Yeah, we know. Things are better than they were in the 1990s, blah, blah. Lewis helped turn things around. But, in 15 years, things haven’t progressed to the point of respectability. The Bengals are still looked upon as the “loveable Bungles who could.”

The Bengals looked like a ragtag bunch of guys playing prison ball. Wait. Inmates would have more discipline than the mess that went down at EverBank Field. It’s time for some answers. But, as long as Brown holds the keys to the Bengals kingdom, things will remain the same. As long as money flows and merchandise gets sold, Mikey will be satisfied.

Frankly, it’s appalling to see what has happened to the team Paul Brown established. It’s an embarrassment to root for a franchise which makes the same mistakes year after year and refuses to hold itself responsible.

Frustration

When a humble player like A.J. Green goes berserk and puts a defender into a sleeper hold, something…is…not…right.

Yes, Jalen Ramsey is known for running his mouth and getting into the heads of wideouts. Heck, most cornerbacks do the same. But, Green is frustrated. Actually, it’s amazing that more Bengals haven’t gone ballistic and jacked up opponents. He said it was the trash talk. But….

"“That’s not football,” Green said of the block that triggered him. “I’m not going to tolerate disrespect like that. I know we can’t fight on the field. He got under my skin and I can’t let that happen. I’ve been the ultimate pro this long and I can’t let little things like that get to me. I shouldn’t have reacted that way, and I apologized to my teammates. That’s not who I am. It just got the best of me today.”"

Green insists it wasn’t frustration from the season. Yet, he’s handled similar situations much better. Pressure and stress are strange. They make people react in uncharacteristic ways. Frankly, I’m surprised he hasn’t said more about the entire situation. But, if you want to really know how a person feels, look at what they do…not what they say. The Bengals look like a team begging for something huge to happen.

When Ken Zampese got the boot, the team reacted with three games of decent offense. But, now, against the Steelers, Colts and Jaguars, things have gone back to normal. No offense and sporadic defense. What’s the constant in the equation? Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown.

The Deadly Truth

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Lewis and Brown are good friends. That’s great. But, there comes a time when “real” friends tell the truth. Brown hasn’t offered Lewis an extension and chances are he’ll be gone after 2017. But, that doesn’t mean things will get better. You see, Mike has a way of making things worse. And believe me, it can happen.

Honestly, Lewis should have been gone after the Wild Card loss to the Steelers.

Think about it this way. What coach would come to Cincinnati and not have total control? That means promoting from within. Well, take your pick. Bill Lazor or Paul Guenther are the choices at this point. Even if Brown got fed up and fired Lewis immediately, those are the choices. It ain’t lookin’ good.

Brown has a problem with hiring people with a mediocre track record. Why? The cream of the crop won’t set foot in Cincinnati. With that in mind, things will get worse before the sun shines again.

Here’s another tidbit. Stop blaming Andy Dalton for this mess. He’s playing behind an offensive line that moves like a sloth and blocks like Swiss cheese. The important pieces aren’t there because brass let them go. Yet, no moves were made during the trade deadline. Yeah, chew on that lack of reaction from the owner who swears he wants to build a Super Bowl team. Get real.

People Expect It

The bottom line is angering, to say the least. The Bengals have so much potential. But, they have no one to help turn it into wins and championships.

It’s gotten so bad, fans don’t want the Bengals to make the playoffs. Realistically, they want the team to lose and get draft choices. Why? Because the feeling is mutual about a one-and-done scenario. There’s no confidence in the leadership of this franchise.

Next: Meltdown In The Sunshine State

Going into Week 9, the Bengals had two losses to give. Regretfully, one was wasted on the Jags. Now, it’s lose one more or win out. If that’s the case, with this coaching staff and ownership, the season is officially done. Neither Lewis, Lazor or Guenther seem to have any answers for the pathetic performance of this team.

Here’s a hint…. Blow it up and start from scratch. What can you lose? The culture of mediocrity and failure needs to change.