Bengals need to make fans ‘believe’ they want to win
By Emile Pierce
The coaches are in place and the hope of a new season has begun. Now, the Cincinnati Bengals must deliver on the promises.
The aspect of facing another offseason without the playoffs is daunting. After witnessing a run of five-straight years in the dance, Bengals fans are stewing in the aftermath of two campaigns that ended under .500. The biggest disappointment of each season has been the anticipation and buildup before the year starts. It’s been the same old song and dance. Now, after 15 years of the same stale promises, Cincinnati is supposed to immediately embrace the 2018 plan put forth by Mike Brown. It’s not that easy. Fans need something to believe in.
For years, Brown has sat in his ivory tower and looked down upon the citizens of Cincinnati. He has scoffed at Bengals fans and ignored the ideas and opinions of the hard-working people who buy the tickets and merchandise. And because the Bengals won their last two games and knocked playoff teams from the postseason, Marvin Lewis gets “another run at it.”
To be honest, it’s really not enough. But, fans have been duped into believing the promises for so long…it becomes a reflex. There comes a time when the promises have to become reality.
That time is now. The Bengals are no longer able to toss a poorly coached product onto the field and go about business as usual. In fact, if Brown was such a shrewd businessman, he’d understand that a winning product will make more money than a stale, bumbling franchise.
Prove it with results
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The moves made by Lewis had a wow factor that made Bengals faithful take notice. The massive coaching overhaul was enough to make heads turn. Yes, the hires are top-notch and capable of turning this franchise around. But, therein lies the problem and stalemate. If the owner cared about the Bengals and their fans, why did it take so long for him to allow sweeping changes? Fool me once….
Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m one of those bleeding heart fanatics who truly feels the Bengals have a chance at getting back to the Super Bowl. But, they’ve had chances that were blown by poor coaching and allowing free agents to leave. It’s hard enough getting to the playoffs. But, a trip to Atlanta has to start with providing the fans with enough evidence that it will be different.
It also has to start with Mikey getting tired of the same old results. Winning during the regular season is cool. But, it’s all about the pageantry and glitz of the Super Bowl.
True, Marvin has said (again) that it’s all about getting to the big game. And he’s going to bring one to the city.
Here’s the problem with that. Fans are jaded. They want results. If there were at least three or four AFC Conference Champions under Lewis’ belt, there would be a tad more confidence.
Bengals fans aren’t fickle. They’re just tired…and need to believe.