Bengals: Lewis on fourth-down decision

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Lewis on fourth-down decision

"In hindsight, we should have gone for it on fourth down rather than take the points," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said after the game, a 24-13 loss to the Steelers. "I didn't anticipate them driving down and getting a touchdown before halftime. Since we got the ball in the second half, I thought it was important to put up points at that point in the football game. Looking back on it, if we had scored a touchdown, it might have been more significant. But that is the decision I made based on that. We dug ourselves such a hole in the first half."

Lewis said he asked for a measurement during the timeout, and it was a "good yard" short.

80 Comments:

at 10/28/2007 5:05 PM

Anonymous said...

Lewis didn't antcipate the Steeler's driving down the filed and scoring with 2 minutes left?!?

Are you sure he said that?

at 10/28/2007 5:12 PM

Anonymous said...

Someone should ask him why the Bengals only had 10 players on the field during the Steelers first TD.

at 10/28/2007 5:25 PM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis - Worst Coach in NFL

at 10/28/2007 5:33 PM

Anonymous said...

I just read Coach Lewis' comment on his decision not to "go for it" on fourth and one from the three yard line. Having watched the Bengal defense play for the last two years, I can honestly say that Marvin Lewis may have been the only person in the stadium who didn't realize that the Steelers (armed with all of their time outs) were going to score again before the half. You have to coach to your team's strength. Coach Lewis seems to perpetually confuse his Bengal defense with the team that he coached in Baltimore. As a fan, this is maddening.

at 10/28/2007 5:39 PM

diamonds said...

I don't think he's the worst coach, but the entire staff should be fired after this game. Marvin should be fired for that one decision alone. It will haunt him the rest of his coaching career in Cincinnati, which I hope will be short. Enough. The Bengal players are a group of highly talented selfish hoods who think of themselves first, team second. This will be a long-time fix, long after Palmer is gone.

at 10/28/2007 5:49 PM

Anonymous said...

Every week Marvin Lewis gets out-coached, 10 players on Pittsburgh scoring play is plain unacceptable. Plus the 4th down decision in the 2nd quarter. Why is Leon Hall lefy 1-on-1 with Hines Ward? Where is the help for him. Marvin has lost this team.

at 10/28/2007 6:02 PM

maa3 said...

Marvin – you’re a football coward! I don’t know you personally, I’m sure you’re an outstanding individual personally. However, your decision to settle for a field goal on 4th and goal on the two yard line was unforgivable! You showed your offense you had no confidence in them. The Bengals really needed to win this game, they needed to play an aggressive game. I can’t believe you called a time out to decide to kick the ball!

I am not making this comment in hindsight, if you went for it and didn’t make it I would have respected that! But the fact is, you did not have enough confidence in your offense to gain a yard! If you don’t believe they’ll gain a yard what do you tell them at halftime? Play your best but I don’t think we’ll be able to win?

I am a season ticket holder and sit in row 1 right behind the Bengal’s bench. I verbally expressed my dissatisfaction the entire second half. Although I’ve never played football, I have played other sports and I know that attitude is everything! The Bengals have a loser’s attitude and you’re promoting it with your bad decisions. If you don’t believe the Bengals can win then you should resign, if you do believe they can win, then let them try by making aggressive coaching decisions. The fact that the Steelers scored after the field goal is irrelevant, if we had went for the TD we would have been 4 points closer at halftime than we were.

I realize the Bengals are not as talented as the Steelers. But if you don’t try and win, you never will. If you’re not going to play aggressive you might as well surrender the rest of the season. If you’re giving up then please resign and let move on with a new coach who will be more aggressive.

at 10/28/2007 6:23 PM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis is the worst coach in the NFL. He shows the fans that every week.

at 10/28/2007 6:41 PM

Anonymous said...

We all should just mail our tickets in and not show up to the games. This franchise is a sick joke on the city of Cincinnati!!!

at 10/28/2007 6:43 PM

Anonymous said...

Mike Brown has the thickest skull of any human being who has ever lived.

That's the number one problem. Our Mike Brown makes Michael D Brown of FEMA look like a genius.

at 10/28/2007 6:47 PM

Anonymous said...

Attitude isn't everything...talent is everything. Well ok, not everything. But you certainly can't make up for a lack of overall talent. And, that's the situation the Bengals D is in most weeks. The 4th and 1 call was irrelevant. What's rellevant is the fact that the Bengals D made only 1 legitimate stop the entire game. That was on the 1st series. I don't count the INT by Deltha, that was an absolute gift from Big Ben. The talent level on the defensive side of the ball is just awful. When you can't stop the other team, what the offense does is irrelevant.

at 10/28/2007 6:53 PM

Anonymous said...

What's going to be Marvin's excuse for this season? Last year was team selfishness - now what?

at 10/28/2007 6:54 PM

Anonymous said...

Heartless, gutless, clueless.
17 years, 1 winning season.
Remember the Saints game in 2002?
It took that to get any change then.
Which 2007 game will only 20,000 people show up?
Will even that motivate a change?
Fire the entire coaching staff.
Do it today.
Get a GM other than Mike Brown.
Wasting Carson's career at this point.
Sad.

at 10/28/2007 6:57 PM

Anonymous said...

Like many of you I used to think we had a lot of talent on this team. But we obviously have a bunch of scrubs on defense. We should never punt because it does not matter if the opponent starts at their 1 yard line or the Bengals 1 yard line. The only difference is the amount of time it takes to score. We should also kick onsiders all the time for the same reason. I still cannot believe that our d lineman cannot even tackle a stationary QB.

at 10/28/2007 7:03 PM

Anonymous said...

One of Mike Browns first actions after taking over was to fire Sam Wyche (of course he claimed Wyche had resigned at first) 3 years from ythe Super Bowl and one season from the Division title....if he can fire Wyche for that record he sure should fire Smelvin aka Marvin for his performance.

at 10/28/2007 7:05 PM

Anonymous said...

This game was not Mike Browns fault. Futhermore, ML has not lost this team- but just as important- he's lost the fans.

at 10/28/2007 7:14 PM

Anonymous said...

Bungals! Bungals! Bungals! OR Suck! Suck! Suck!

Take your pick.

I just packed all my Bungals gear away for the season.

Might as well trade everyone away... Carson, Rudi, TJ, Chad, Reggie, Robert, Leon, Deltha, Jonathan, Justin.....I know I missed some others.... I feel sorry for them as they are OUTSTANDING players and I HATE to see their careers go down on this soon to be 2 and 14 team. And, at this rate, we are looking at losing the rest of the season.

We will NEVER WIN anything with Bobbie Bratkowski and Chuckie Bresnahan as OC and DC! That are absolutely the worst!!!!!

Sincerely,
Disappointed PA Bengals Fan.

at 10/28/2007 7:14 PM

Anonymous said...

at 10/28/2007 7:16 PM

Anonymous said...

I watched on TV as the D was trying to stuff the last Steeler drive and Jonathan Joseph is laughing and smiling....does anyone in the secondary have a pair of balls? Can anyone tackle? Can anyone get physical? Im sick of seeing people get burnt, then they make a tackle that stops a one yard gain and they way they dance and shake their head you would think they just stuffed a team four straight at the goal line....Im tired of bend but dont break.

at 10/28/2007 7:18 PM

Anonymous said...

Throw on first incomplete. Hmmm, lets run on second and long and cross up the defense...they'll never suspect that!...MOOOOOAHHHHH!.......

at 10/28/2007 7:22 PM

Anonymous said...

And tell me again why I shouldnt sell me season tickets?

at 10/28/2007 7:31 PM

Anonymous said...

Pathetic.... That's all you can you say. It's becoming impossible to stay a Bengals fan. Marvin and Mike Brown have made them the laughing stock of the NFL. I give up.

at 10/28/2007 7:31 PM

Thadd said...

Every week I am amazed by two things. One, that the Bengals uncanny ability to find ways to lose. Two that people still show up to Bengals games. Marvin Lewis is the Michael bay of the NFL. The team is done for the season, good thing that spring training is 4 months away.

at 10/28/2007 7:44 PM

Anonymous said...

Cmon Bengals Marty schotenhiemer will take us to the playoffs...Please!!!!!! Marvin Is done he has been bitten by the Bengal curse...He looks like Shula..Why not cuss and scream on the sidelines Marvin....really sad to see

at 10/28/2007 7:51 PM

Anonymous said...

The only choice is STOP GOING TO THE GAMES.

For the rest of this year, just throw your tickets in a drawer. Or have a big public bonfire of all the fed-up fans burning their Bengals tickets. STOP BUYING MERCHANDISE. Vote with your wallets. That's the only way to get rid of Mike Brown and the clowns who run this sorry excuse for a team!!!

at 10/28/2007 7:53 PM

Anonymous said...

Maybe they should change Paul brown Stadium to Heinz field west.

at 10/28/2007 7:53 PM

Anonymous said...

Mike Brown is proof positive that your lineage is not a factor in your success. He needs to delegate and cash his checks. A good first start in a turnaround would be to hold some people accountable, I think the Breshnahan expirement is an obvious failure, pink slip him. Turn the defensive game calling over to Marvin with an ultimatum to yield results by year-end or suffer the same fate. Accountability goes beyond the players, its got to be pervasive across an organization. We are the worst "in-game" thinkers and performers in the NFL, enough is enough.

at 10/28/2007 7:54 PM

Anonymous said...

Bring back Buce Coslett

at 10/28/2007 7:55 PM

Anonymous said...

Just awful. Simply awful. How much longer are we going to be tortured as professional fans in this city? Bengals? Going backwards. Reds? Going nowhere. All the momentum and energy from 2005 is gone and so is my patience.

at 10/28/2007 8:13 PM

Anonymous said...

Our D, although injured, is horrid. We don't stop anybody. 3rd and 8, we give 10. Is there a worse team on 3rd down than us? Going to need a total overhaul on D. Some draft picks will be starting as these guys need to go. I would keep Geathers. All others adios. Justin Smith will be too expensive. Just a horrible D that can't tackle or cover. Hall is a bust. Really rough on that side of the ball.

at 10/28/2007 8:15 PM

Anonymous said...

Face it. as long as Mike Brown and his family of losers are in charge we're screwed. He won't fire Marvin b/c Marvin's taking all the heat right now. And when Marvin does quit (which may be very soon), we'll have one of our loser assistant coaches take over, just like in the 90s, and we'll be right back where we were.

Carson and TJ should get out of town. They're the only players with any heart and enough time left in their careers to make a difference somewhere else. i love the bengals but watching this team play is pathetic. they have no heart, the coaches are clueless (10 men on the field? seriously? who does this every week except the Bungles?) and the owner is a money-grubbing stupid old man. Good luck.

at 10/28/2007 8:17 PM

Anonymous said...

I thought the Bengals had a chance today, but in watching the entire game, one thing stood out:

Not all the players are showing heart, and leaving it all on the field....that was most noticeable in our secondary.

I know the Bengals have several key injuries, but part of that can be attributed to poor conditioning from the staff.

I don't expect to win the SB every year..just give all you have out on the field. At least that is what I saw from 2001-2003. Win or Lose, at least put it all on the line out on the field. While some players are doing that, I am not seeing it from all starters, especially on defense.

at 10/28/2007 8:18 PM

Anonymous said...

My flag football team could drive down and score against the Bengals defense in less than two minutes --why not the Steelers? Hasn't Marvin been paying attention to his defense? Doesn't he realize they're dead last in the NFL? And like Dr. Suess' Marvin K Mooney, Marvin K Lewis should please go now!!! First he drafts a bunch of alcoholics, addicts, and girlfriend-beaters...then he can't coach a lick during the games. And I thought he was supposed to be a defensive coach... How do I get a refund for the remaining home games?

at 10/28/2007 8:21 PM

Janab said...

The defense and Marvin are a disgrace. One punt and 8 of 11 third down conversions. Give me a break. No one on the Bengals defensive could start for any other team. Mavin would be fired for lack of performance from any business. Twenty years of season tickets and I am done.

at 10/28/2007 8:27 PM

Anonymous said...

I think I've given up ! Season ticket holder since 76. Bengals are a joke. Marvin and staff are the worst.

at 10/28/2007 8:32 PM

Anonymous said...

Two dropped passes by Ocho Cinco. Defense can't stop a high school football team. Coach is scared to go for it on 4th - 1.

Doesn't sound like a Super Bowl team to me.

My advice. Tell Chad Johnson to spend more time learning his routes/making cathes and less time worry about what he is going to do if he score a TD. Tell the defense they need to start playing like they want to win. Now, if they are playing their hardest and best, then they should find another career. Finally, Carson Palmer and T.J. - ask to be traded now! Save your careers. The both of you are the only ones who actually look like you are playing to win. You should be playing for a team that has everyone doing that for you.

at 10/28/2007 8:33 PM

Anonymous said...

I've been a Bengals fan since '68. I'm currently a season ticket holder. It was a joy and pleasure to watch Greg Cook, Kenny Anderson, Tommy Casanova, Ken Riley, Bill Bergey, Bob Trumpy, Ickey Woods, and all of the other old-timers play their hearts out for the city of Cincinnati. After today's game, I've had it. On December 23, I will join the ranks of the Browns fans. As Clint once said, "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." Go Buckeyes!!!

at 10/28/2007 8:45 PM

Anonymous said...

We were watching the game today and everyone in the house was in agreement on the 4th and 1, if you go for it don't score and lose we could live with it, but if you play it safe with the FG and lose no one will like it.

Marvin needs to understand playing to the status quo isn't working, it's time to take some chances and try things that are out of character for this team.

at 10/28/2007 9:15 PM

Anonymous said...

The Bengals didn't lose because of the decision not to go for it in the first half. There was a little more than two minutes left in the half. The Bengals were going to get the ball to start the 2nd half. Taking the points was the right call. The fact that the defense couldn't hold the Steelers was the reason we lost. Again, in the 2nd half, we get an interception and score. We needed the defense to come up with a big stop and they just couldn't do it. Coach Lewis made the decision to NOT put the game on the line in the first half. It was the right call. The Defense just couldn't keep their end of the bargain.

at 10/28/2007 9:18 PM

Anonymous said...

The 13 points that the Bengals scored today would have won 8 of todays games. There are some defenses out there. We just have one of the worst defenses in NFL history. This IS Marvin's defense. He built it. He inherited a bad defense and has made it worse. He inherited a good offense and has made it worse. Was this the 5 year plan?

at 10/28/2007 9:41 PM

JerBear said...

The Bengals probably should have gone for it on 4th down, but you guys would have been killin Marvin Lewis if they hadn't scored the touchdown and turn it over there.

It's easy to criticize it after the fact. But I was kind of wondering what the Steelers would have done in that position. They probably would have gone for it. lol

Still though, the fact that you would go for it because you expect your defense will give up a touchdown just means your defense is really really bad. That's more of the point then the decision by Marvin.

Drafting the problem players, the David Pollack injury, injuries, and some bad drafting has made this the worst defense in football every year!

at 10/28/2007 9:51 PM

Anonymous said...

come on you guys get off Marvin, injuires and other problems aside they can play better. NFL difference between winning and losing is two maybe three plays a game.......

at 10/28/2007 10:07 PM

Anonymous said...

You're losing the game, you're 2-4 on the season, your defense couldn't stop St. X....and what do you do on 4th and 1 on the 2 yard line? Well, you show your true colors and trade 3 for 6.
And what was with Carson in the 4th quarter? When you're down 2 scores with 6 minutes left, why are you running the 1o minute offense? Horrible. I just hope I can get face value for my tickets for the rest of the season.

at 10/28/2007 10:49 PM

Anonymous said...

Bengals were never into this game, even when they took a 3-0 lead. They were outplayed and outcoached at EVERY level, sadly. This season is over. Can anyone see this team with eitehr of the next 2 games (at Bills, at Ravens)? Don't think so. My best guess is they'll finish the year 6-10, in the most optimistic of scenarios, which will sadly be good enough to retain the coaching staff in Mike Brown's estimation.

Thankfully there is HS football playoffs to keep our spirits up.

at 10/28/2007 11:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Its interesting to see you "fans" bash the coach that brought respectabilty back to Cincinnati and its football team.... Think people, not all of this is the coaches fault. I will admit that a good chunk of it is. But the main thing that has killed this team has been injuries to the Linebackers (not just Brooks think longer and harder), bone heads (think Thurman,Henry,etc) and bad coaching (think Cornerbacks suited for man to man playing 5-9 yards off the line). Think before you bash, its going to be a hard year, but I think a lot of good will come out of it, just wait and see.

at 10/29/2007 1:28 AM

Anonymous said...

Who is the biggest idiot? Marvin Lewis? Mike Brown? The entire Brown family? No, the Bengals fans are the biggest idiots because they are the ones that continue to support the worst team in all of professional sports. You have to be an idiot to buy a ticket, to buy a jersey, or even to waste your time watching the Bungles on TV.

at 10/29/2007 1:32 AM

Anonymous said...

To the guy (getoutwhileyoucan) that asked why he shouldn't sell his tickets - - because they are worthless. You are an idiot for buying them in the first place, and you will not be able to sell them now. You bought tickets to a Mike Brown franchise! Wake up!! Why would you do that!!!

at 10/29/2007 1:59 AM

Anonymous said...

Why the outrage? -- Marv did the same thing against the lowly Jets. Only that time they got away with it because it was...well...the Jets.

Until this timid or delusional coaching staff realizes it needs to send a message to the fans once in a while and try to play to win instead of just not to lose - especially with their lack of talent and/or cohesion - there is scant reason to believe anything will improve anytime soon.

Oh well, back to Mike Brown's "normal"...Halloween isn't even here yet and the Bengals are decidedly irrelevant.

at 10/29/2007 2:47 AM

Anonymous said...

Who-duh?

at 10/29/2007 6:59 AM

Anonymous said...

Cmon people....as long as thousands of drunk, obnoxious, and stupid sheep keep showing up on Sundays, MIKE BROWN IS SATISFIED!!! HE'S LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK!!!Do you want changes? Only 1 way: QUIT GIVING HIM YOUR $$$$$$$$ !!! Geez, its that simple!!!

at 10/29/2007 7:41 AM

Anonymous said...

it is time to turn the heat up on marvin. he turned our program around, thanks. now get the rest of your job done. win games, motivate your team, win games. we have too much talent to be 2-5. we have been out coached, period!

at 10/29/2007 7:42 AM

D. said...

What the hell did Lewis think the Steelers were going to do? Get the ball and just run out the clock before the half? He didn't antcipate them driving down the field with 2 minutes left and three timeouts? He needs to be fired asap. Brown will not do it though. He could care less about winning games. All he cares about is selling tickets. As long as the games sell out Lewis ain't going anywhere. Get ready for Shula/Coslet part 2.

at 10/29/2007 9:05 AM

Anonymous said...

Change the name to something more appropriate, like: the "STINKIs"

I feel sorry for the five or six players on the entire Bengals roster who would actually be starters on a team like Miami or the Rams this season.

I hope they keep Chad-TJ-Henry together for many years to come. What we need is an entirely new coaching staff, top to bottom.

If only because we're stuck with the lame owner for perhaps another 10 years...

The coaches have proven they just can't get the job done.

No aggression
No special talent for evaluating talent
No will to win
No instilling of championship discipline and pride (10 men on the field in the Red Zone was the last straw).
No ability to manage the clock, manage timeouts, call good plays, execute great game plans, or even make it look like we're serious about playing winning, smash-mouth, dismember your opponent's defense football...

Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis and his staff, you guys have PROVEN that you're a bunch of losers! Please LEAVE.

at 10/29/2007 9:05 AM

Anonymous said...

You guys don't get it.. it's not about winning football games, it's about selling seats. Mike Brown doesn't give a damn about putting a winning football team on the field. As long as he keeps getting sell outs during every home game he's happy as he can be. Why do you think the trade talk about Chad Johnson has come up? Because if Mike Brown can trade him and get good money for him on the market, then he will do whatever it is to help the bottom line. Carson and the rest of the team will still bring in fans with him gone. See Ya Chad!

The Bengals are a money making enterprise first, football is second. Paul Brown was no different.

at 10/29/2007 9:10 AM

Anonymous said...

Lewis has brought winning and respectability to Cincinnati?

More like Losing and Rap Sheets.

Wake up! Lewis is incompetent.

That's like saying Mike Brown is "a little quirky."

Oh well, maybe in 10-14 seasons we'll have a new owner, one who has talent for building a winning organization.

(that applies to the Reds too)

at 10/29/2007 9:15 AM

Anonymous said...

People have been whining about the Bengals for years. What has changed?

They have 1 winning season in the last 16 years and over 66,000 show up to support them again yesterday.

Tell me again who is to blame?

Until the people of this town let Mike Brown know they won't stand for this nonsense any longer by not going to the games, I think we can expect more of the same for the next 16 years.

at 10/29/2007 9:37 AM

Anonymous said...

It's funny how the guy who was deemed the savior of the franchise is now all things bad in Cincinnati. I'm not saying they don't deserve a little criticism, but people need to gain some perspective here. It's a football game. 3 1/2 hours of a day. It's not life.

I wish I could figure out what happened to high octane offense though? Two years ago they were almost unstoppable. Now, they're just above average offensively.

at 10/29/2007 9:42 AM

Anonymous said...

4th & 1 season on the line & you don't have faith in your once great offense. Marvin neads to go as well as Chuck, Rudi, Chad, Willie, Levi, & Justin.

at 10/29/2007 9:46 AM

Anonymous said...

"I didn't anticipate them driving down and getting a touchdown before halftime."

That's funny because the other 66,000 people in the stadium sure did. Marvin just looks lost and clueless wondering the sidelines. He shows no emotion, therefore his team plays with no emotion. Oh well, Mike Brown can spend another Monday counting all his money that he won't spend on the team to make it better.

at 10/29/2007 10:08 AM

Anonymous said...

After 40 years of season tickets, I have seen enough. Next year no season tickets. I suggest others consider this form of protest. The only thing that will cause change is hitting Mike in the wallet!!!

at 10/29/2007 10:23 AM

Anonymous said...

Everything rises and falls on leadership. This team needs new leadership, real leadership. Not thinking the Steelers would drive and score with 2 minutes left in the half against the last defense in the NFL is as stupid a statement as I have read in a long, long time.

at 10/29/2007 11:09 AM

Anonymous said...

Lewis is an over rated coach of a mediocre team. "WHO DEY? We DEY!!!"
W.L. Cowher

at 10/29/2007 11:14 AM

Anonymous said...

I want to talk about several things. The drive before the forth & one on the 2. They had a forth and one around the 50. the guys I was sitting with we all said why punt it when its going to come back out to the 20? Why can't they ever get it pinned down. Its always something and it comes back out to the 20.
Next is the forth & one on the 2, now why would you not run the clock down before taking the time out? They had 10 seconds or so when they called time out. If you're going to kick the field goal don't you run as much time as you can? They made several bad decisions in that game.
Last is the whole probelm is at the top on down. Marvin has had 5 drafts, and he does not have the guys in backup roles to fill in when somebody get hurt. They releasted a linebacker and now they have to pull guys off the street to start. To run a team right, you pull guys off the street to play specal teams. NOT start!!!
Just a few things I saw yesterday at the game.
Scott

at 10/29/2007 11:15 AM

Anonymous said...

Bengals Fans, AKA AFC North Basement Dwellers:
Lose the Who Dey stuff...it's as bad as Chad Johnson...wait til you have a reason to have an attitude. Like maybe win a playoff game since the 80's

at 10/29/2007 11:55 AM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis needs to be fired and Mikey Brown needs to hand over the reins completely to Katie. After that, Katie needs to hire REAL FOOTBALL PEOPLE to run the team. This includes a GM, a REAL head coach, and SCOUTS. This is the worst BUNGLES Team I have seen since the LeBeau/Coslet days. There is a sense of apathy out there on the field when they line up for both offense and defense. Bootyham and Dumbkowski needs to be fired along with their sorry assistant coaches. The only guy I can see staying is the QB coach. Not considering this year, I think he has done a good job with Carson. Why is our FRANCHISE D-END in the bottom half in stats in the league? I know why, he is not a premier D-End. I am in the ATL and I purposely didn't watch the game b/c I knew what was going to happen in advance - Bungles bow down to the Steelers again. Every Bengals fan knew the Steelers or any high school team can score with under 2 minutes left in the half or game. I talked to a friend after the Jets game about the hail mary pass at the end of the game. This is indicative of the SORRY Bungles D. Dumbkowsky, how about rolling Palmer out more often? How about using Dorsey more on offense? How about using Rudi and C. Perry (when healthy - which is never)/Dorsey in the same backfield like Brooks and Woods? Idiot!!!!! Teams would not know what to do if they saw that. They can't double cover Chad and TJ with all the weapons in the game at the same time. Get some balls man!!!!??? The Bungles are a bunch of chumps and I'm not paying my hard earned money to watch them again until I see the changes noted above. I'm through...

at 10/29/2007 12:27 PM

Anonymous said...

Lewis looked like a real whimp. Calling a timeout and then deciding to send the field goal unit out? Your offense can't get one yard? With the worst outcome being that you give Pittsburgh the ball back with terrible field position? When you're going to get the ball back in the second half? I'm done with Lewis as coach. He's so arrogant that he doesn't listen to anyone but himself.

at 10/29/2007 12:31 PM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis has peaked as a coach. He is the equivalent of Dick LeBeau - excellent DC, but doesn't have the ability or demeanor to be a winning head coach. He's taken the Bengals as far as he can. It's time to bring in somebody else.

at 10/29/2007 1:08 PM

Anonymous said...

How about this...I'm not going to watch the games anymore. Isn't that a solution. Can't you be a fan and not have to set through game after game of bad decisions?

at 10/29/2007 1:20 PM

Anonymous said...

Why do our DB's play 10 yards off every receiver? I'd rather see them get beat playing bump and run (and get burned) than see them get burned like they do now with all that SQUATTING AND SPATTERING CRAP!!!! Bottyham needs to splatter and take his horrible scheme self out of Cincy. Why does our D-Line NEVER get any pressure on the opposing teams QB? Why are the runners lanes so wide when the Bengals are on D? When the Bengals are on offense there are no lanes run in... I saw that Kevin Coyle was on the NFL "breaking" down something on D (I guess Secondary play). He was perpetrating in front of the chalk board. Clown!!! You need to have Leon, Deltha, and non catching Jonathan in the classroom everyday. We have one of the worst secondary's in the league. To borrow the words of my parnter Shawn (3:16) in the ATL - Remember Tory "Burnt" James??? He's not even in the league anymore. Wonder why? He's mediocre and washed up. And you are telling me Molasses Ratliff, I Can't catch an interception Jonathan Joseph, & I played in 5 total games in Cincy b/c I was always hurt Greg Brooks couldn't beat this fool out????!!! Face it, the Bengals only have 1 or 2 guys who started on D this year that can start on other teams. They have neglected the Defense in the draft for years and it shows! The entire 2008 NFL Draft needs to be Defense!!! The only pick I can see on offense is at Tackle or Guard. Willie needs to be replaced in the next yr or 2. Did someone say Marvin is a Defensive guru? He's not! If I had the talent he had in Baltimore I would be a head coach in the NFL too. I think he is afraid to put his name on the D b/c it would draw critism (expose) to him and everyone would see how bad he really is. Instead, he keeps figure heads as D-Coordinators so they can continue to get the blame and eventually fired. Remember Leslie F.? He was fired in no time after the D underperformed and now look at what he's doing. The D is a joke.

at 10/29/2007 2:19 PM

Anonymous said...

Thanks for 67 reminders on why reading blog comments should not be part of my day.

Cincinnati does not deserve two professional sports teams...the fans are weak in every sense of the word.

at 10/29/2007 2:34 PM

Anonymous said...

I gave up my season tickets the day Lebeau was fired and haven't looked back. I won't support ownership that fails to have a real NFL scouting department. Marvin is just a band-aid covering up a poor stitches. After five years the band-aid can't hide the ugliness.

at 10/29/2007 2:40 PM

Anonymous said...

Sorry guys, even for Steelers fans this is getting hard to watch.
Someone needs to teach these players that first you "walk it" before ya "talk it". Look forward to a better game in the 'Burg - still too much talent on this team to give up on them.

at 10/29/2007 3:00 PM

Anonymous said...

come on people...this isn't on marvin. the steelers are one of the nfl's elite defenses. i understand you want to make a statement, i understand we need to be aggressive, i understand we are at home, i understand we are playing a divisional foe. you take the points and you expect an nfl defense to hold for two minutes and keep it an 8 point game, with us getting the ball after the half. ist play from scrimmage, parker busted out for what 33 yards. not that this coaching staff is above critism mind you, but marvin inherited an offensive squad. i dont agree with certain decisions over the years, but really when you lose pollack and thurman, 1st and 2nd rounders, thurman was huge in 2005, a presence in the middle of the field. you lose perry who can catch the ball outta the backfield, give you some side to side, and is a viable third down option. and then henry, who would help free up tj and chad. we need aggresive corners, who can tackle, i was never sold on hall in college, joseph will be an average corner, deltha is over the hill, jackson is over the hill. why didnt we go after adalius thomas or joey porter in the offseason. i would enjoy watching porter beat on levi week to week. levi whined for playing time, where has he been now that he's in. these guys know its a long year ahead, they dont have the defensive talent and keeping all negative things in perspective, they certainly will not make up the lack thereof with increased will. they don't tackle, they don't hit just to hit and set a tone. and chad needs to catch balls that he should be catching. we could really go on all day with this team. im just sick of wasting my sunday time on them, b/c they make it that much hrder to go back to work on monday.

at 10/29/2007 3:16 PM

Anonymous said...

Hey "03". I would say Cincinnati fans are some of the best when you look at the quality of the teams that they continue to support. Being a fan doesn't mean blind allegiance and no criticism. Being a fan means you actually care about the product on the field and how it reflects on the city.

at 10/29/2007 3:35 PM

Anonymous said...

"Support"???? Reds attendance is dreadful unless they are giving away bobbleheads or playing the cubs.

Bengals sold out the year to scalpers...pure and simple. The good news is, now they're losing their shirts.

at 10/29/2007 4:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Agree, Mikey will only change when he starts losing money - - but I bet the next home game will be a packed house, so just settle in for a few more generations of Browns >> next is Katie's generation & then it'll be the "pigeon-shooters" generation...

I switched loyalties to the Steelers several years ago(Rooneys vs Browns is an easy call)!

at 10/29/2007 4:22 PM

Anonymous said...

For all you ignorant people that say this is not Marvin"s responsibility/fault then whose is it? Who makes the draft choices? Who decides what players to release? Who decides to which free agents to pursue??? Do you think the OC manages the offensive game plan without approval from Marvin??? Do you think that the DC makes the defensive game plan without approval from Marvin??? He agreed to/selected this coaching staff. My opinion is this is what has grown out of the halftime locker room meltdown/tantrum where Marvin lost control and the game, the players until then had some fear and awe of Marvin, then when Chad got in his face he did nothing to him, and the old if he got away with that then I can environment settled in and the playing for my individual stats so I can get a large contract attitude. Also the stupid childish "look I made a tackle and they only gained a yard" and then taking the next two plays off because the coach will not chew their ass. What part of this team has Marvin improved with the draft?? Every team has injuries, somehow we have the only team that is one deep and coaches that cannot adapt a game plan to other players. After five years there is not one Bengal who takes the leader position on the field with the other players of "if you screw up again you don't have to worry about the coach I will kick your ass' attitude. Putting the "C" on the uniform only makes them a team captain not a leader.

at 10/29/2007 4:26 PM

Anonymous said...

Everyone should have seen it coming..Not to go on 4th down..He did it twice in the frickin preseason...kicked a field goal inside the five yard line and the game didn't even count. He should have set the tone then. It's been obvious since the start of the season that Marvin has shown a lack of fire. How about growing a pair Marvin?

at 10/29/2007 4:30 PM

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...
come on people...this isn't on marvin. the steelers are one of the nfl's elite defenses. "

So, How many times does a team get have a chance to score against an elite defense? Answer....Not many, that's why you have to take chances when you have the opportunity....not wait and hope something better comes along.

at 10/29/2007 8:40 PM

Anonymous said...

'03 it's the exact opposite. Given the poor play of the Bengals and Reds the fans of Cincinnati are AWESOME. Built not one but two brand spanking new stadiums for franchises that are jokes. And filled up those stadiums for years while the product on the field was worse than tee-vee reruns. The Reds and Bengals owe the city a huge apology for the incompetent way they are run!

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Lewis on fourth-down decision

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