What Marvin Lewis 16.0 needs to do for Bengals fans

Marvin Lewis will be walking the Cincinnati Bengals sidelines for two more years. But, there are some things he needs to do for fans to keep the faith.

If it hasn’t sunk in yet, it never will. But, there comes a moment when all you can do is accept the facts and make a decision. Either you remain a diehard fan of the Cincinnati Bengals or you bid them farewell. Since Marvin Lewis will be around for at least another two years, it’s time to look at what he needs to do for the Cincinnati fan base.

Lewis was going to come back. Face it and realize how the NFL usually works. The fact that Lewis came out for the Monday press conference was a dead giveaway. If Mike Brown was going to can Lewis, he would have been on a plane to Hawaii and contemplating his next moves on a warm beach…adult beverage in hand. But, Marvin took the podium like a boss and owned the moment.

So, with the drama and knee-jerk moments behind, it’s time to take a look at the simple things Cincy needs to in Lewis’ upcoming year. Getting the team back to the playoffs is a no-brainer. The withdrawal symptoms of two straight postseason whiffs are starting to make fans testy. Time to get the ship right and stick to the script.

About that World Championship 

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Well, there’s nothing like the sixteenth time around the block to work things out. Honestly, if it hasn’t happened in 15 long years…nevermind. Let’s do this.

To be honest, getting this Bengals team back to the playoffs is the first move. And surprisingly, it shouldn’t be that hard. The problem comes with the ability of Lewis and the coaching staff.

The one thing that sticks out like a sore, bloody thumb is that one statement that should be stricken from the internet. After getting beat down by the Chicago Bears, Lewis seemed distant and matter-of-fact about his role.

"“These guys have a lot to play for, and it’s not my responsibility to get them — as I said — to turn up the music.”"

Lewis went on to say they had to “find” a way to get things going. Um, coach? That’s your job. The one Brown pays you to do. Oops. Again I digress.

If a Super Bowl is going to be part of the 2018 landscape in Cincinnati, the Bengals brain trust has to find the answers to questions before they arise. In other words, the motivation issue shouldn’t come up again. The Bengals should be prepared for any team that looks like an obstacle to Atlanta.

Stop making excuses

Coming out flat and uninspired for big games…is a thing of the past. Those little snide remarks about how the opponent just outplayed the Bengals are no longer acceptable. Find a way to make it happen. If there happens to be a loss, it shouldn’t be a blowout. The Bengals have the nuts and bolts to field a team that can compete within the framework of the AFC North and beyond.

Coaches that can build championship teams find a way to win. The losers who complain about the odds always being against them are destined to repeat the pattern. Please, for the love of the fans who remain…adjust to what the opponent is doing and be competitive in the second half. Outside of the dramatic win in Baltimore, the Bengals looked lost after halftime. World champions don’t do that. They find a way.

Prove he should still be the man

Simple. This has to be the year Bengals faithful get their money’s worth. It’s easy to call fed up backers bandwagon fans. But, you can’t blame them for wanting more. There are people who don’t remember the Bengals being in the Super Bowl. Yeah. All they know id Lewis clapping on the sidelines and losing seven playoff games.

This could graciously be called the tough love year. Anything less than a playoff win is grounds for being fired. Brown just eats the contract.

Next: Game Changing Plays

Even if there’s a two-year plan in place, there has to be serious improvement and the guidelines that a Super Bowl is coming in the last part of the extension. But, that’s not how football politics work in the Queen City. Lewis may have said that to Brown and that’s the gospel.

Whatever goes down, 2018 needs to be the start of something great. The 50th Anniversary was spoiled. It’s been a long 15 years.