Bengals: Quote of the day

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Quote of the day

Remember last week when Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer couldn't say enough about how great the Bengals defense was and how they credited the defense for winning the game.

Funny how a loss turns folks tight-lipped, especially Lewis, who flat-out refused to talk about why the Bengals defense was so bad today.

"I'm not going to try to explain it," Lewis said afterward. "That's our business."

OK. Fine. Whatever. So apparently it's everybody's business when things go well. But when they don't, it's only the Bengals' private business. The only problem with that is that we all saw what happened. We all saw the nonexistent pass rush. We all saw Leon Hall's inexperience. We all saw Jamal Lewis run through holes as wide as I-71.

Hall, for his part, said there was a lot of miscommunication, which led to confusion, out there today. Justin Smith said there were a lot of players in the wrong gaps, which led to major defensive breakdowns.

Lewis tried to spin it positive, saying the Bengals "hung in there and made it a 60-minute game."

Yeah, sure. They hung in there with a team that dealt its starting QB last week and looked about as inept as an NFL team can possibly look.

87 Comments:

at 9/16/2007 5:59 PM

Anonymous said...

Offense sells tickets. The offense was flashy, and played a decent game. 6 TDs from Carson, and a couple o TDs from Housh and Chad. What I want to know is how you put up 45 points in the NFL and still lose? Oh Yea, No defence. That was embarrassing. De fence wins championships. Ask the Colts.

Dan
Jacksonville, Fl

at 9/16/2007 6:00 PM

Anonymous said...

Awful. Awful planning and awful execution. The players have to make plays, but when an embarrassment like this occurs, you have to look at the game planning and coaching. This game is not the only reason to get rid of Chuck Bresnahan and Kevin Coyle. Rather, year after year of pathetic defensive performance should be justification enough. Putting up 45 points should win two to three games. Not with this defense. Oh, and Marvin, you might want to flex some of that defensive muscle you supposedly brought with you from Baltimore and Washington. Otherwise, step aside.

at 9/16/2007 6:01 PM

Anonymous said...

God bless you Mark....for calling it like it is.....as a season ticket holder who drops a couple thousand per year on this bogus product....I think it's safe to tell Marvin.....it's more than just his business!

at 9/16/2007 6:09 PM

Anonymous said...

The Bengals aren't going to win more than 6 games this year. They have no defense and their special teams are plain awful. It reminded me of the the Dave Shula years. Over 50 points scored by an offense that is being run by a QB that probably can't make many teams practice squads. Maybe it's time for the defensive genius M. Lewis to take over the defense.

at 9/16/2007 6:10 PM

Anonymous said...

That had to be one of the worst defensive showings if that is what you want to call it.A total let down on the defensive side of the ball. And not only was the defense bad, in both games the special teams play was horrible.
Another 8-8 year and I'm confident someone will be cleaning house!

Mike from West Palm

at 9/16/2007 6:10 PM

Anonymous said...

First, Thank you Mark for calling out Marvin. Another thought, the Raven's defense could make me look like a great defensive coordinator. If Marvin could do better, he would. That's pretty obvious.

Can you say the hot seat?

As a side note, I watch the USC V Nebraska game last night and they have 3 running backs that are better than our crew. At least they don't fumble and can hit a hole with some speed.

at 9/16/2007 6:12 PM

Anonymous said...

at 9/16/2007 6:14 PM

Anonymous said...

Defense....we have no defense and it showed today...Bresnahan didn't even raise his voice on the sideline today...WTF??!?!

at 9/16/2007 6:16 PM

Anonymous said...

Someone should ask why Marvin didn't challenge the spot on Edwards' first down catch. I understand the forward progress, but that shouldn't have prevented that terrible spot from being looked at. I mean, the Bengals used a TO after the play anyway...there wouldn't have been any harm.

And Chad was tired or dogging it on Bodden's INT. The Bengals, even with 28 ticks left on the clock, should've used a big play down the middle of the field to have two realistic shots at the end zone.

at 9/16/2007 6:19 PM

Anonymous said...

Actually it is only the teams business. They don't owe a thing to a reporter or anyone else. If they want to keep it in house fine. Just fix it.

at 9/16/2007 6:20 PM

wiseking said...

and just as Leslie Frazier's Minnesota defense scores another TD. If Lewis can't drop Chuck, then Mike should consider dropping Lewis.

Ahmad who? Oh dear. All talk, no substance.

at 9/16/2007 6:21 PM

Anonymous said...

The Bungles of old! Nice gag, Cinci. Hee hee hee!

A Browns Fan

at 9/16/2007 6:22 PM

Thomas said...

Is this finally the point at which Marvin fires his defensive coordinator and takes over the play calling himself? I mean lets be honest, it doesn't get much worse than what we saw out there today. This has been going on for far too long to let it go any further.

at 9/16/2007 6:26 PM

Anonymous said...

Your right Mark. Keep up good work. I know it's hard as a reporter who faces these people face to face. To be tough. But Marvin needs to explain what happened. It's happened waay too much. I don't understand why Chuck B was not let go after last year. What is this guy's credentials? Raider D year they went superbowl was not that great. BOTTOM LINE: I question the entire coaching staff. Marvin makes questionable calls in key situations. After seeing D suck all afternoon and D actually make big play on that 4th & 1. Marvin should havewent for it on that nex series. What was it 4th & 2 on Cle 43? Defense is not going to win games for this team consistenly. The offense is. Next week iss a big game. On road at Seattle... Not easy but winnable with A effort. Patriots after. I settle for 2-2 before bye. On a positive note Glenn HOLT PLAYED GREAT! Keep him on field. If Holt continues play well this loss was not without something positive.

at 9/16/2007 6:31 PM

Anonymous said...

don't credit Mark for the first ever bit of insight on this blog. Dustin Dow wrote this entry. Mark is the one who fills this blog with song lyrics.

at 9/16/2007 6:32 PM

Anonymous said...

When Rudi quits telling everyone how great he is maybe he'll stop fumbling.

Marvin Lewis is looking more and more like the Dantonio Syndrome. We need a new guy to get us to the next level.

Bengals are behind in 2nd half. Bengals defense can't stop the Browns. And Marvin still is trying to establish the run game rather than just throwing touchdown passes the Browns can't stop.

at 9/16/2007 6:34 PM

Anonymous said...

anon 6:20 - Ahmad left with an injury and Caleb Miller (probably the worst LB in the NFL) played the rest of the game in the middle.

at 9/16/2007 6:35 PM

Anonymous said...

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!How long do we have to put up with this fraud as a coach before somebody calls it what it is? He is now officially the worst coach in professional football and refuses to answe for it. It's time the media in this town quit acting like he's George Bush and start calling him on his incompetence. There is absolutely nothing redeemable in this defense which supposedly his strength.

at 9/16/2007 6:35 PM

Anonymous said...

Credit where credit's due. Looks like Dustin posted that remark, if I'm not mistaken. Good to see a member of the media putting it in Marvin's face. Keep it up!

at 9/16/2007 6:38 PM

Anonymous said...

Just one word, EMBARASSING, to let one of the doormats of the NFL walk all over our so-called defense. Looks like 1-3 by the bye-week and another 8-8 season at best.

at 9/16/2007 6:40 PM

Anonymous said...

Ya know what? Heck th beinice. Lewis needs go if this team underachieves this year. Schedule overall not that tough. I'd be willing wager there are unemployed coaches out there. Look at overall talent on Bengals and say... Damn I could wnbig with that talent. Instead we have a tightwad owner overall and a lack of coaching prowess on sidelines. Imagine how a Parcells or even a Dick Vermeil would handle this team. They go 1-3 going into bye week and fan anger is going to be very loud.

at 9/16/2007 6:43 PM

Anonymous said...

fire chuck or fire marvin and chuck
bottom line chuck must go.

at 9/16/2007 6:44 PM

Anonymous said...

This franchise is an embarrassment. AGAIN.

It's more than just your business Marvin. We buy the tickets that pay your salary!!!!!! And we are sick and tired of the team being so awful and losing to pathetic teams like the Browns who won't win 5 games all year apart from beating the Bengals!

CHUCK BRESNAHAN MUST BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY. He stinks. He's had several years and never done better than about 30th in the whole league.

at 9/16/2007 6:53 PM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis sucks as a head coach! Do I really believe that? Uh No. But I figure you screw up at work and co-workers say you suck. Usually if you have any pride. You perform better. Ask Browns. So I figure if you shout Marvin Lewis Sucks as a headcoach. Maybe Marvin get his head outta his a--! And Actually Coach!

at 9/16/2007 7:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Cant wait to hear Tim Lewis Monday morning on 1530 explain why he thought the Bengals would apply a "butt whippin" to the Browns. He must have been fooled like many others by the Bengals defensive performance Monday night. They flat out lucked out Monday night against a team that played a horrible game that evening and were lucky to score a win. Why any Bengal fan is shocked by the Cleveland score is hard to understand. The real defense showed up today and reared its ugly head. Dont you all know that? So tune into Lewis and hear him explain why he feels this team is going 12-4. Yeah right..you're starting to sound silly, Tim, really......

at 9/16/2007 7:07 PM

Unknown said...

No hustle. No aggression. No sense of urgency.

The 11 players on the field while Cleveland had the ball didn't even begin to resemble a defense. It would have been in the Bengals best interest to just spot Cleveland 7 points and put Carson back out.

There has never been any long term inprovement in the defense since Marvin took over. It's been season after season of let downs, rookies, aging veterans and complete inability to play as a team. Someone on the defensive coaching staff is failing - it could be Chuck Bresnihan, it could be Marvin Lewis - or it could be Mike Brown who is not holding anyone responsible. But, for Brown, the seats are full and the jerseys are selling - so who cares?

Someone in the organization needs to have passion and they need to pass it on to the players. Or, strike fear in their hearts by holding coaching staff responsible.

More importantly, this can't just be another "learning lesson," or "bump in the road;" it is an opportunity to show a commitment to winning - who will stand up and make that commitment?

at 9/16/2007 7:09 PM

Anonymous said...

The contender is in Clifton and the pretender is at PBS. Get Bearcat tickets while a few are still available. Does anyone have Bill Cowher's number?

at 9/16/2007 7:17 PM

Anonymous said...

PAINT A ROTTEN APPLE NICE AND PRETTY AND IT STILL STINKS INSIDE. tHIS TEAM HAS NOT HAD A DEFNESE IN 10 YEARS, AND SUGGESTING MARVIN LEWIS IS ANYTHING BUT A FAKE IOS RIDICULAOUS. HE IS AS GOOD AT RUNNING A FOOTBALL TEAM AND DEFENSE AS HE IS AT GIVING SPEECHES ON CHRACTER AND MORALS.

at 9/16/2007 7:19 PM

Anonymous said...

LOSERS!!!!!!!!!! They will be lucky to win 4 games this year.

at 9/16/2007 7:22 PM

Anonymous said...

If this is the best defense Lewis & company can put together in four years God help Cincinnati. Who evaluates this talent (or lack of it)? Lewis was a defensive coach why can't he see that this defense sucks. A big change is needed including the coaching staff of the not so "special" teams and the "defenseless" defense. Pathetic, awful, embarrassing are the only words that come to mind.

at 9/16/2007 7:30 PM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis is as mediocre as they come. He and the Brown family were meant for each other. Chuck B is beneath contempt as a DC. This franchise has completely wasted the offensive firepower that the Bratkowski, Palmer, Chad and and TJ era represents. Bungle fans who continue to support this franchise are getting exactly what they deserve.

at 9/16/2007 7:30 PM

Anonymous said...

I am over Marvin and his excuses. If you are not on the same page as a defense in 1H of game, then what the hell is half time for??? Sorry Marvin, it's more than your business. We have put up with your stupid attitude for years and I am done with you and your coaching staff. You NEVER make adjustments on defense or offense. Heads should roll. PERIOD. We have seen enough wasted time with this talent.

at 9/16/2007 7:38 PM

Anonymous said...

An absolutely horrific and inexcusable performance by the defense. Chuck B should be fired tomorrow even if Lewis has to coach the defense himself.

Speaking of 'marvelous Marvin', isn't the head of a group, team or organization ultimately responsible for poor performance? Lewis has been here long enough for the moratorium on criticism of him to be lifted.

at 9/16/2007 7:42 PM

Anonymous said...

No real Bengals fans were fooled by Monday Night's lucky win against Baltimore with fluky fumble recoveries.

The Bengals D ranked near dead last in the league the last couple of years (by yards allowed). They continue to stink from one side of Ohio to the other!!!!!

In Mavrin Lewis's first four years the defensive rankings were 28th, 22nd, 28th, and 31st -- AWFUL!!!! The real defensive genius in Baltimore had to have been someone other than Marvin Lewis!!!!!!!!!!

at 9/16/2007 7:50 PM

Anonymous said...

Marvin is crass to the media and it sucks. But don't be fooled...this entire organization can exist on the league tv contract. Tickets sales, ad money, and $6.75 beer pay Mike Brown to continue to laugh all the way to the bank. I'm a season ticket holder and I feel like a sucker. The only winning the administration of this team cares about is the bottom line on the P&L. If they cared about winning, they would build the front 7 of the defense and quit blowing high draft picks on running backs.

at 9/16/2007 7:52 PM

Anonymous said...

Embarrassing! Simply embarrassing!. I live in cleveland and I am a die hard begals fan and I came out with my Bengals jersey and I was embarrassed. I couldn't cheer because I knew on the next play the Browns would score. Where is the pride? Where are the Bengals who took pride in their defense and would never allow a team to score that many points. I am tired of Marvin Lewis and this defense. Since he has come we have yet to have a decent defense and it is getting sick! Mike Brown please get rid of the defensive coordinator, special teams coach and defensive back coach and spend money on some quality coaching who can pick quality talent.

Embarrassed Bengal Fan in Cleveland!

at 9/16/2007 8:06 PM

Grizzlyfox said...

I am going to say it right now and it will come true and in two weeks people won't care about this game, because the team will be 3-1. Playing a home opener on monday night killed this d this game. They came out hitting hard and flying in game 1, and they were tired today. Poor conditioning or what not, they weren't prepared. But real fans don't jump ship in week 2 of a 17 game season because of a bad week.

at 9/16/2007 8:09 PM

JerBear said...

I remember watching the Bengals defense in preseason and thinking man this is the worst defense they've had in years...and that is saying something!

Then after Week 1 I thought well maybe they aren't too bad! I still didn't think they were good, but thought maybe this was the year where they forced enough turnovers in order for the Bengals to win games 31-27, 28-24, etc.

And now after this week my preseason thoughts are coming back into my head!

I love the Bengals, but my honest opinion of the Bengals Defense is this...

1) Maybe the worst linebackers in the league. I love Landon Johnson, and root for these guys every week, but I think the Linebackers really aren't that good. They wouldn't start on most teams.

2) One of the 5 worst defensive lines in football. Geathers may get better, but we've seen these same guys every year for the most part, and we know they aren't a D-line that really affects the game.

3)Inexperience in the secondary.
Leon Hall played very well in the first game...but if you go back to his Senior year at Michigan, he frequently got beat by the better receivers in the nation.

Not giving up on Leon Hall, but I don't think he is a shutdown corner.

Finally, I think Madieu Williams is somewhat overrated. It may be because of the lack of pressure up front, but I've heard Williams could be one of the best safeties in the league, and I haven't seen it yet.

Tough day to be a Bengals fan! Glad I couldn't watch the game since I had to work at a festival all day.

Strangely, I'm not as upset as I use to be about the Bengals. I understand their defense is really bad and I've just accepted it, and hope the Bengals can somehow go 9-7 this year.

Another final thought!...maybe the Browns aren't the worst team in football? Will be interesting to see what they do from now on.

at 9/16/2007 8:15 PM

SARDOGG23 said...

Today's game made me sick to my stomach! It was a horrific display of defense and its not the first time. How long Marvin do we have to live with this? Marvin are a smart, good coach and the man to run this team, but it is time for you to step up and fix your problem, that problem being your defensive coaches! I cannot believe you have let them keep their jobs this long. It is time for Chuck to go, this team cannot win consistently with this guy running the defense. It has been proven more than enough times, Marvin it is time for you to bring us the defense that you brought to Baltimore and Washington. HOW MANY TIMES TO WE HAVE TO BE LET DOWN MARVIN?

John

San Diego, Ca

at 9/16/2007 8:18 PM

Anonymous said...

If the Browns can put up 51 and over 500 yards against the Bengals,
what will a team with a real offense do to them?

Mediocrity and thugs are the only things that Marvin Lewis will ever bring to the Bengals, not a decent defense. It would have showed up after 4+ years.

at 9/16/2007 8:29 PM

Anonymous said...

The real genius in Baltimore was the fact that they had some damn good football players on the defense. The Bengals have pieced together a linebacker group that is really only backup players.
Where was Marshal today. I saw the Miller making tackles 10 yards down feild, but I didn't see anyone in the back field like last week.

at 9/16/2007 8:36 PM

Anonymous said...

Well, the defense did actually play well Monday; usually the only way they stop teams is turnovers, and I believe three of those turnovers were third down plays...so you should fairly at least count those as stops.

Of course, if you average last week and this week you get "terrible".

As someone else said, Lewis doesn't even understand that you should always use your last timeout on a challenge. You can't challenge a forward progress call but you can challenge a spot---and Edwards got a very generous spot. It was a no lose situation.

That said, Lewis must take over the defense, even though it will hurt to some degree in game day coaching...or will it---he doesn't even know what he's doing there either.

There are good things about Lewis, but finding defensive coordinators ain't it.
He's going to sink because he won't get rid of the worst DC in the league---Bresnahan.

at 9/16/2007 8:38 PM

Anonymous said...

Mark great post! I have posted some negative comments about this blog but this was the kind of post fans want from a blog. We want the stuff you can't say in the papers. With that said, the Bengals ruined my week and if they lose the next two, which they will be underdogs in, what will the team do and does Fire Marvin talk begin?

at 9/16/2007 8:42 PM

Anonymous said...

On balance, I'm appreciative of what Marvin Lewis has done with a formerly downtrodden franchise. However, in his fifth year he's been unable to raise the defense and special teams to even an average level and therefore needs to be replaced along with most of his staff. By all acounts he's a nice man but he's certainly not of the caliber of an NFL head coach.

at 9/16/2007 8:47 PM

Anonymous said...

Browns have a real offense. Winslow, Jurevicius, Edwards, J Lew... any average NFL QB has a chance with that quartet. Plus, Steinbach and Joe Thomas owned left side of the line.
Steelers D + incompetent Frye made Dawgs look woeful. If either team gets defense, playoffs beckon. Hope the Christmas season rematch is for a playoff spot !

at 9/16/2007 8:49 PM

Anonymous said...

PATHETIC!!!
Time for Bresnahan to go and Marvin also if he trys to defend the putz.
The 2005 team was an anomoly. Marvin is a .500 coach. Everybody in Bengaldom likes him because he wanted the head coaching job. He is the perfect guy for Mike Brown. He has the stadium sold out every week and he finishes 8-8.

at 9/16/2007 9:09 PM

Anonymous said...

Help Wanted. No experience necessary. Must be able to tackle. Apply at 1 Bungle Drive ASAP.

at 9/16/2007 9:20 PM

Anonymous said...

wow, tired of all the comments from know-it-all's who probably couldn't coach a pee-wee team or make a tackle yourselves. you guys are all so brilliant, maybe you should get a job in the media too.

at 9/16/2007 9:25 PM

Anonymous said...

While many of you in this forum are venting your frustration, please remember that Mike Brown runs a business first and while he would like to win, it is not the number one priority. Marvin did his job: he showed enough off season moves to justify fans buying ALL the seats for season, the TV money is locked in, now Mike Brown can sit back and collect his millions regardless of the product on the field. Kinda of like producing an average product with no upside to create a premium product. Folks, we've been had yet again by Mike Brown. We won't have a winner (unless by accident) until he and Katie sell the team. It's unfortunate, but reality.

at 9/16/2007 9:36 PM

JerBear said...

When you look at the bigger picture, Marvin Lewis brought football back to Cincinnati.

But there's also a small part of me that wonders if many other coaches could have done the same thing.

Drafting Carson Palmer was like picking Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. An absolute no brainer.

Chad Johnson, TJ Housmanzadeh, Rudi Johngson all came from the previous regime I believe, as well as most of the offensive linemen.

I still give Marvin alot of the credit for turning around the Bengals, but am starting to wonder if he is the type of coach to take them any further.

I still don't think he's on the hot seat unless they lose less then 7 games this year. Even then, I think he stays.

at 9/16/2007 9:41 PM

Anonymous said...

Bummer.

Well at least the pressure is off early for the perfect season huh?

Defense imploded, but come on, give Clevelands O line a little credit.
They played a better! (ok way better).

Chad said it best, at least the fans "got their money's worth", win or lose.

Even with the loss I wish I would have been there.

That game sure had a lot goin' on!

at 9/16/2007 10:47 PM

Anonymous said...

Get something straight people, the players don't care about winning and losing as long as they get their personal stats each week and oh yea, they're multi-thousand dollar paycheck. If the players don't care about wins and loses, their ain't a darn thing a coach can do.

at 9/16/2007 11:58 PM

Anonymous said...

bottom line: the browns are a better team

at 9/17/2007 12:18 AM

Anonymous said...

Fire Marvin Lewis now.

at 9/17/2007 2:13 AM

Prince said...

BRESNAHAN MUST GO!!! Somebody please convince me otherwise. There has been turnover in the personell and still the defense is the worst in the league. MARVIN, SHOW YOUR APPARENT DEFENSIVE PROWESS AND TAKE OVER THE PLAY CALLING!!!

at 9/17/2007 2:15 AM

Prince said...

BRESNAHAN MUST BE FIRED!!! What is the reason for hanging on to this guy??? Marvin, show your APPARENT defensive prowess and take over the play-calling on defense. The WORST team in football just put up 51 on you!!!

at 9/17/2007 2:43 AM

Anonymous said...

I don't even live in Cincy ;)..

but i will tell u that the media does not represent "the people" they represent themselves in alot of instances or sometimes worse (bigger fishes calling the shots).

The latter is another story.

at 9/17/2007 6:22 AM

Anonymous said...

The Bengals need to define their season right now. They can either make changes and make it happen or suffer another mediocre season. Breshnehan needs to go and M Lewis needs to run the defense.

After last Monday, I thought this was going to be different. Now I think about the San Diego game last year and wonder if anything has changed.

at 9/17/2007 6:49 AM

Anonymous said...

Way to call out the coach there. He should be explaining this to everyone. Also one other thing, injuries do happen, we lost brooks for most of the game, and we lost joseph for half the game. 2 starters down, one that calls the plays on D another a starting corner not a good thing... BTW its only week 2 guys, yeah we lost the clowns, but you can bet their focus is on seattle right now and getting everyone healthy. Still going to end up with 10 wins, but will be 2-2 going into the bye week.

at 9/17/2007 8:16 AM

Anonymous said...

The loss to the Browns included two early time outs allowing the first half to expire when the Bengals were driving for a score, lousy play-calling on offense, stupid challenges, smart challenges not taken (the call on Edwards' forward progress was ridiculous), and tactics that made no sense once the Bengals were down by 10. Getting out of bounds, clock management, and late-game tactics have always been Marvin Lewis's weak point. But yesterday, more weaknesses were on display at a time when the team was supposed to be progressing. This is the defining loss of a year when the Bengals go 7-9 IF THEY ARE LUCKY. I expect 6-10 AT BEST with losses to SEATTLE, NE, KC, ARIZONA, TENNESSEE, PITTSBURGH twice, Rams and 49ers, before they Bengals beat Cleveland and Miami to win late, something this poorly coached, miserably directed team needed last year.

The Bengals and the Reds are interesting parallels. Great offense and lousy pitching for the Reds, great offense and lousy defense for the Bengals, with both teams sharing bumbling losers as owners, head coaches/managers, and drafts/young player development that is at or near the bottom of their respective sports.

Another crappy year in Cincinnati, and many more to come. It's getting old paying attention to pro sports in this town.

Thanks for freeing up my time Marvin! You're a great player-acquisition coach but you're a game-day MORON who will never take this team deep in the playoffs--if you ever get there again! I've had enough of wasting three hours every Sunday. NO more. I'm done. Rooting for the Bengals' is for those who love arrogant dumb coaching.

at 9/17/2007 8:21 AM

Anonymous said...

10 WINS? Try 10 LOSSES. Better get used to it now!

at 9/17/2007 8:22 AM

Anonymous said...

Please someone, anyone, explain to me why Chuck Bresnahan still has a job with the Bengals? How can you beautifully execute against the Ravens then turn around and do this. This city deserves better. We have the players, we are just lacking defensive leadership on the sideline.

at 9/17/2007 8:32 AM

Anonymous said...

That's a ridiculous statement from Lewis. I thought he was all about accountability...how about he takes some for having the biggest joke of a defense in the NFL? and how is it possible that our special teams are so bad that we're squib kicking every kickoff now? This team is a joke, Bresnahan should be fired and Lewis should stand up in front of the cameras and take it like a man. Quit pulling that tight-lipped garbage and tell everyone why this defense, with all its top draft picks and 'quality' free agents, is a laughingstock again.

at 9/17/2007 8:58 AM

Anonymous said...

Everybody needs to calm down. It's only one loss. Look, the Bengals had a letdown after the big win on Monday night. It happens. What team could honestly get up for playing the Browns? This loss will turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to this team simply becaused it destroys the illusion that the D is fixed. It's not. It's still broken. However, the two performances by the D this season suggest the jury's still out as to whether its irreparably broken. I agree Bresnahan has to go ... right now. But at the end of the day, D coordinators design schemes. Players have to make plays, and the Bengals' D made none yesterday and worse, they looked so confused and so out of position it makes one wonder if the schemes are too complicated or the players are too undisciplined to follow them. Every other team the Bengals play will watch the Browns film and try the same stuff. But the Bengals will get the D fixed and have a good year. If they don't, then Marvin has to go. Plain and simple. Palmer's too good and no pro team should ever lose when they score 45 points.

at 9/17/2007 9:54 AM

Anonymous said...

In Marvin we Trust is over. He's done nothing to improve the defense in five years. Last week was a gift from the Ravens. When the Steelers struggled on D, Cowher was in their faces challenging their manhood. Marvin just stands there like a bump on a log. This team is soft, and that reflects on leadership. If we don't post a winning record this year, Lewis should be fired. And, frankly, I don't see how that's possible.

at 9/17/2007 9:55 AM

Anonymous said...

How the DC has kept his job the past 2 years is beyond me. He must have some dirt on Marvin.

at 9/17/2007 10:03 AM

Timstigator said...

DON'T POLISH THAT TURD. FIRE BRESNAHAN IMMEDIATELY! HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GONE LAST YEAR.

at 9/17/2007 10:15 AM

Anonymous said...

Chuck Bresnahan has to go period. It is his job to get the defense ready to play on Sunday and he didn't do his job. And why didn't he just blitz every down during the Browns game, at least we'd go down fighting. He is a complete idiot, I could call a better game playing Madden 07, than Chuck B.

Where is the special teams play? Cribbs ran what should have been two returns for TD against our special teams. I'm at a loss on that one.

The Browns dropped 50 on us, I wonder what the score is going to be when the Patriots come to town.

at 9/17/2007 10:43 AM

Anonymous said...

It sure seems like Mike Brown has his stamp on the team again.. It s just this time he waited until he brought in a coach who could turn things around enough to sell out the stadium for the entire season which is the only thing Mike Brown cares about..Marvin Lewis has had enough time to fix this defense and it pathetic...Pittsburgh changes head coaches and offensive coordinators ...loses Joey Porter and you don't hear the same excuses year in and year out with them like you do with the Bengals...Justin Smith has done nothing for a franchise player what a joke... where was Robert Geathers and John Thornton and honestly Carson Palmer is getting receivers killed out there with all of his passes going high all the time.. He needs to be able to put a game away early like Manning and Brady do instead of coming out in the first quarter overthrowing guys all the time..Derek Anderson was rattled early and the Bengals let him gain his confidence.. I am tird of hearing about players being in the wrong gaps...this team is a joke...

at 9/17/2007 10:48 AM

Anonymous said...

I agree....slow down guys...its just one game...and this game is just like the Ohio State/Michigan game -- on any given year anything can happen. Marvin does not want to talk about the "D" becasue he does not want to talk about our weaknesses. I guess the Monday night short week and the Clowns being some bad -- left us down and uninspired. We will return and win this Sunday and be 2-1 and on our way to New England. I still have faith in Marvin Tressel and know he will get the players up for this weeks game. Along in Zanesville -- George

at 9/17/2007 10:51 AM

Anonymous said...

The NFL is rigged. You can't tell me that gamblers didn't know that the Bengals were going to get beat by the Browns. Even Chris Mortenson knew. The NFL is nothing but pro wrestling with helmets.

at 9/17/2007 11:04 AM

Anonymous said...

What has Marvin really done? He inherited Bratkowskis Offense, Chad Johnson, TJ, Willie and was handed the first pick in the draft (Carson Palmer). Since he has taken over they have been average. Imagine how bad they would be without Bratkowski and the Offense.

at 9/17/2007 11:13 AM

Anonymous said...

Lets see if I have this right . . . 71 points and 700+ yards allowed after 2 games?!? We made relatively no moves (sans Marshall and draft) during the off season to bolster an already worst defense?!?! Marvin must MUST takeover the defensive reigns from Chucky B immediately! The best offense in the world cannot make up for ills this defensive group. Our D-line cannot put pressure on the QB or stop the run. Our LB's are slow and cannot stop the run and our DB's cannot cover (especially when the QB has all day to throw). Special Teams coverage sucks too! We got luck two years ago with the turnover margin, but eventually we just need to tackle! Marvin and Mike . . . PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW!!!!

at 9/17/2007 11:33 AM

Unknown said...

Marvin drafted Carson and inherited Labeau's starters. Amazing how he hasn't moved the needle at all in 3 years. Yesterday's game was a carbon-copy of the 2004 game. We've seen the same story (good offense, no pass rush, no run defense, poor clock management and broken-record news conferences) ever sense. It's almost time to bring in a new face to take the franchise to the next level.

at 9/17/2007 11:41 AM

Anonymous said...

Pathetic. Marvin was suppose to be a defensive guy. Maybe (most likely) it was the players talent in Baltimore and not his. Year after year it's the same. It's sad we will be waisting the good years of a young, talented offense on a team that will never make it out of the first round, if they even get there. The charade is over Marvin, pack your bags.

at 9/17/2007 11:41 AM

Frank Robinson's Ghost said...

This performance was humiliating, and no aspect of the team is immune to criticism.

In the first half, our defense wasn't too bad, but Cleveland scored 17 points from short fields due to 2 horrible turnovers and an 85 yard kickoff return.

You can't blame the D too much for Cleveland's 11 yard TD "drive," or their 15 yard "drive" leading to a field goal.

The special teams problems result in part from the fact that the Bengals are finally good enough that other teams are poaching their young players -- the "teams" stalwarts -- but we've been exposed as vulnerable and have to do better.

In the second half, the defense was just pathetic.

In sum -- it sure seems to me like the team took this game for granted, and then panicked and (the D at least) started playing sandlot ball.

This speaks to a continuing immaturity which is very disturbing after 4 years under Lewis, and a lack of preparation and/or good adjustments and/or freelancing which have to be the coaches' responsibility to some extent. I don't know if it is a failure in leadership or in personnel selection, but it must change.

Marvin calling the signals won't help much without the right players in place -- he tried that once with Frazier, and got killed too.

at 9/17/2007 12:21 PM

Cheviot Sports Authority said...

I had to laugh at that game yesterday. I really thought that the Bengals would beat Cleveland. But, I was not completely surprised by their pathetic performance. I watched the Baltimore game, as did everyone else, but unlike everyone else, I was not impressed. They won a game against a beat up team, at home on Monday Nite who committed 6 turnovers and still needed a gift from the referee and horrible play calling from Brian Billick to pull it out.

I, for one, am tired of 'Melvin' Lewis. After last season, I thought it is time to replace him, and now I KNOW it is time.

at 9/17/2007 1:07 PM

Anonymous said...

The Bengals lost two key players in the offseason ... Kevin Kaesviharn and Brian Simmons. Both were stalwarts on special teams and really solid players. After Ahmad Brooks went down, the D played very poorly. Leon Hall coming out of Michigan was a guy who got beat deep by some talented receivers (like Dwayne Jarrett) down the stretch last season, so its not surprising that he's getting burned early in his pro career, but he'll come around in time. Kaesviharn is not a corner, but he played like one and would have helped yesterday. The other two guys who the Bengals are sorely missing on D are Odell Thurman and Ethan Kilmer. Bill Belichick cheats and gets a fine. Thurman breaks no laws and has to sit another year. Thanks Roger for the even-handed justice. Kilmer is a superb role player who the Bengals desperately need on special teams. All is not lost, I assure you. However, the Bengals losing to the Browns is roughly the equivalent of Michigan losing to Appalachian State, if not worse.

at 9/17/2007 2:15 PM

Anonymous said...

Chad Johnson will never win a ring as long as he values td celebrations over wins. That is disappointing because he is one of the most talented at his position in the NFL.

at 9/17/2007 2:15 PM

Anonymous said...

I keep checking this website and the bengals to see if Chucky B. is looking for a job yet. Maybe he will be at 3:00.

at 9/17/2007 4:06 PM

Anonymous said...

So why is it that every year that we KEEP HEARING these types of quotes: “We scaled down the defense to play base stuff," defensive end Justin Smith said. "And we weren't on the same page. ... We had mental errors, guys in the wrong gaps. Anytime you've got guys in the wrong gaps, you're going to get exposed" or "That was a communication issue on the second one". Why do they keep having people out of position? Isn’t that what coaching is for? How many years have we heard that same thing? Do the Ravens never have anybody out of position or no communication issues because they always seem to be doing just fine? Is it the talent? I don’t know, but I think we have capable players. I mean Chuck B has to be one of the worst D Co-ordinators in the league. He is so inconsistent. It seemed like there were an innumerable amount of blitzes on Monday and just a few on Sunday – what happened, or did I miss all the other ones? And I guess when you are a feast or famine type of D, when you ain’t feasting (6 turnovers against Baltimore) you sure are famished (51 pts given up).

at 9/17/2007 4:08 PM

Anonymous said...

Anon. 2:15: So if Chad doesn't celebrate, the Bengals win? Chad celebrating had nothing to do with the game, Chad can celebrate all day, but if the D can't stop anyone they will never win. Unless of course, you want Chad to stop celebrating so he can play some DB.

at 9/17/2007 4:24 PM

Anonymous said...

Really, what does Chad have to do with what happened yesterday? He had more than 10 catches for in excess of 200 yards. If you put up 45 points, you should win. Chad is just a guy who likes to have fun. I'd take him any day of the week over someone like Owens.

at 9/17/2007 5:03 PM

Anonymous said...

The Bengals defense is pretty bad but nothing like having to make up for a special teams unit that cannot cover kicks and an offense that is insistent on scoring quickly and won't control the clock to give a shaky defense some time to regroup.

Two weeks in a row the Bengals kick return unit has been torched. Nate Burleson of the Seahawks is averaging 13 yards per punt return, watch that go up next week.

at 9/17/2007 7:33 PM

JerBear said...

Firing Chuch Breshnahan is equivalent to the Reds firing Jerry Narron in my opinion.

It doesn't get to the root of the problem.

The Bengals have had some bad luck with guys such as David Pollack getting injured.

I think the Bengals are also paying their disregard in character when drafting also over the last couple years.

Odell is very talented, but you knew he was trouble when you drafted him. You basically wasted a second round pick.

Frostee Rucker also was trouble when they drafted him, and now it appears he may not be that good.

at 9/17/2007 10:03 PM

Anonymous said...

To the gentleman who said: "Look, the Bengals had a letdown after the big win on Monday night. It happens. What team could honestly get up for playing the Browns?" A team that has been taught how to win, that's what team. Do you think the Patriots, or the Colts, or the Chargers, or even the Steelers would have had a performance anywhere near as sickening and humiliating as the Bengals did yesterday? NO. And it's because they have coaches who know how to coach and know how to teach their players about winning. Marvin has taken this team as far as he can, 8-8. It is now at least a respectable franchise, let's go get a coach who is capable of taking us to the next level. Marvin Lewis is not.

And to those hollering about yesterday had nothing to do with Chad Johnson, yes and no. The defense, not Chad, lost the game, but the outcome may have been different if Chad had practiced getting out of bounds in the two minute drill during the week instead of what "look at me" celebration he was going to do when he scored a touchdown. Frankly, the guy is a great player, but cut the crap and worry about winning the freakin' football game.

at 9/18/2007 9:20 AM

Anonymous said...

How is it a so-called defensive genius can't stop one of the worst offensive teams in the league? It because Marvin Lewis is not a good coach. Blame the defensive coordinator if you want, but that is still Marvin's job to control him. No matter how you look at it. Marvin Lewis has lost all of my respect these past years. A team with more convictions than it has spirit on "D" Face it Cincinnati, things aren't going to change anytime soon and this is coming from a Bengals fan. Who Dey!

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