Cincinnati Bengals fans keep getting a false bill of sale
By Emile Pierce
Another Bengals campaign is halfway over. And things are looking just as dismal as the 2016 season. While there are a few things to be happy about, the same old song and dance are in effect. For years, Cincinnati faithful have put up with the empty promises of an organization that simply isn’t committed to winning.
The truth is evident. Yet, year after year, tickets are sold and the same disappointment takes place. Lately, it’s been about the inability to post W’s that has fans going insane.
Honestly, the Bengals have been able to put up winning seasons before the sudden collapse. But, that still isn’t a good reason to be forgiving with this franchise. For five straight years (2011-15) the postseason was a given. It was like waking up and going to your favorite coffee shop. That cup of java was going to be there waiting for you with open arms. Unfortunately, those years of going to the playoffs didn’t produce a single win. So, let’s beat a dead horse again. Marvin Lewis has gone 0-7 in his tenure as head coach. Yet, he’s still in the driver’s seat?
What can Brown do for you?
As long as Mike Brown controls the affairs of the Bengals, a Super Bowl is nothing more than a pipe dream. Yes, there will be amazingly talented players to pass through Paul Brown Stadium. And the atmosphere will be one of pure excitement and exhilaration. But, until Brown and Co. decide to “compete” in the NFL, things will continue to be the same.
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In other words, there will be a few good years of prosperity followed by the down times. And, in true Cincinnati fashion, Bengals fans will be there for the lies.
As much as it hurts to say it, there’s a good chance Lewis will be back at the helm next year. Mike may not be a shrewd football mind, but he’s one heck of a businessman. So, whatever it takes to get the money flowing, he’ll devise a way to make it all look planned. The possible causes for Marvin to return will be injuries and the development of players.
Can’t you hear the reasoning? It wouldn’t be good for Lewis to tossed out when the team is so close. There are young players who are just beginning to understand the system. He’s a players coach. Yeah, right. And 0-7 is just a figment of everyone’s collective imaginations.
Honestly, Lewis is a good guy. But, he’s not the man to push the Bengals over the hump. He deserves kudos for the effort. Still, it’s time to move on. Unfortunately, Brown will find a cheap way of replacing him…if he walks away or gets fired. So, get ready for an in-house replacement. Either Bill Lazor or Paul Guenther will be thrust into the position.
Just look at the players
The signs are there. It’s not hard to tell something doesn’t smell good in the Bengals locker room. The short version of the story can be traced to A.J. Green. His recent meltdown with Jalen Ramsey was probably something that needed to come out. Instead of throwing the coaches under the bus, Green showed class.
The longer version of As the Bengals Turn has Joe Mixon as the co-star. He wanted more playing time. That also coincided with Green’s earlier complaints about “playmakers” not touching the ball. Then there was Carlos Dunlap not understanding the moves that the front office was making.
Take a deep whiff. It ain’t team spirit you smell. Things are getting tense with the Bengals. Sitting at 3-5, they have to essentially win out or go 7-1 to get a shot at the postseason. Barring a collapse by other AFC teams, it doesn’t look good.
But, that’s the risk fans take when cheering for the Bengals. Another year, another wasted opportunity. And more frustration to bear. Well, it could be worse. Cincinnati could be without a football team.