Is Lewis on hot seat?
A newspaper colleague from another NFL city sent an e-mail asking if I thought Marvin Lewis was on the "hot seat" this season.
In a way, he is, but Lewis' personal standards and goals for his team are the reason the chair is warm. Lewis put himself there during the scouting combine after the Bengals lost their last three in a row to miss the playoffs. From this vantage point, Lewis does not appear to be in any trouble with Bengals management, including team president Mike Brown.
I wrote to my newspaper colleague: "Marvin is safe, even at 7-9. The organization is in much better shape than it was before Marvin's arrival. Mike knows he has a coach, a very good coach, that he can work with. Marvin is very diplomatic. He shows Mike why they need change. He doesn't demand and say it's my way or else. Brown and Lewis seem to have an outstanding working relationship; at least they both say so publicly.
"Mike knows he has a good thing, and Marvin is hugely popular in the city and among fans. Marvin signed an extension after 2005 (playoff season) that runs through 2010. There's no way Mike will fire him or let him go. Marvin is a loyal man, and after so many close calls with jobs (Tampa Bay) he appreciates that Mike Brown was the one who hired him and gave him a chance. It's the mentality of a man (Marvin) who grew up with a father who worked in the steel mills.
"I also think the schedule is better for them this season and that they might be able to rebound to 10-11 wins again.
"The Bengals are not that far away from a very good season."
posted by Mark at 9:49 AM
5 Comments:
at 7/20/2007 12:16 PM 
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at 7/20/2007 12:47 PM 
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at 7/20/2007 12:51 PM 
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at 7/20/2007 3:35 PM 
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at 7/21/2007 11:40 AM 
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Post a Comment*Mark --
I've seen the debates online (including at Bengals.com) on whether or not Marvin is on the hot seat. It's as if the general media is applying a cookie-cutter formula: new coach + 5th year + no deep playoff runs yet = hot seat.
That formula may apply, and even make sense, with most teams. But not with this team. It absolutely ignores the context of Marvin's achievements here.
Yes, we were all hugely disappointed with the Bengals' performance last year. (I still get upset thinking about that Denver game.) But that does not change a few fundamental (some might say monumental) facts:
- Marvin took the worst franchise of the previous 12 years and IMMEDIATELY turned around the culture/mindset of the entire organization, not just the players;
- He has never had a losing season;
- His drafting, grooming, and handling of Carson Palmer has been virtually flawless, and we now have a pro-bowl QB starting for us for the next ten years, barring injury. Considering how important QB is for every team --and how dismal it was for the Bengals since 1991 -- this carries even more weight.
His statements hot seats are simply his way of telling fans he holds himself accountable and expects more from himself and his team. But even if Marvin's contract wasn't through 2010, there is just no way that with this team, in this context, for this ownership, his job is at any risk. And as a long-time bengals fan who suffered through the Lost Decade, I have to say that's fine with me.
It doesn't mean that I'm happy about last year, or about all the clowns getting arrested. It means that Marvin has proven his worth, and has earned the benefit of the doubt that he can turn those problems around as well. I believe that he did soften up on the players, and I'm glad that he said he will tighten the reigns this year.
And with a much easier schedule, as you said, perhaps 11-12 wins--and hopefully a run to the Super Bowl -- is reachable this season.
Marvin doesn't deserve "untouchable" status. However, considering Mike Brown's history of holding onto to coaches well beyond the "lame duck" stage, firing Lewis anytime soon seems highly unlikely.
On the other hand, the Bengals had the markings of an undisciplined team for a large portion of the season. Maybe you can chalk this up to injuries and off-field distractions, but at some point we have to let go of that 2005 season and admit this team has been very mediocre the other 3 years of his tenure. It's possible he's just good enough to bring us to the middle of the pack, but not take that next step. This season will say a lot.
I agree with your post. The Bengals would be foolish to let a coach like Marvin Lewis go. After all, Mike Brown stuck with Dave Shula for 5 years.
It seems like the defense quit before the game was over in some of the games last year (San Diego). I think Marvin learned that some players with questionable character need to be passed over in the draft and corrected that this year.
I think they will have a winning season and surprise some of the nay sayers.
Generally speaking, no..he should not be on the hotseat.
In Mike Brown's eye's...no way....
For fan's like me who expect a playoff berth: he should be if they don't make the playoffs....
As most believe, Mike Brown would be incredibly foolish to let Marvin go. I mean, how many good coaches are availble with the capability to continue this team's growth the way Marvin has?
While I agree that the team should have earned a playoff berth last season, there is very little reason to believe it was of Marvin's "fault", if you will. Rebuilding teams of the Bengals type during the Lost Decade takes more than just a few years. This franchise dragged upon the bottom level and lived in the basement of the leagues for about 10 years. Suddenly, after one or two solid seasons, some are expecting a Super Bowl run.
"WHO DEY" was a lost phrase during that time. Now there are people having it tattooed across their backs, among other body parts. I know people who are pushing their wedding back until the NFL season and plan on using an entire orange and black color scheme.
I've seen banners, among other types of showing, stating "Marvin Is God"
I'm afraid that if Marvin's seat were hot enough to push him out of town that there may be a revolt and PBS would be burnt to the ground.
Pat Tarplee
ptarplee@yahoo.com
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