Bengals: Lewis: No coaching changes -- yet

Monday, December 31, 2007

Lewis: No coaching changes -- yet

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis this afternoon said he had no changes on his coaching staff to announce but explained that some moves could come.

He was non-specific.

"We'll look at that," Lewis said when asked about his coaching staff. "I'm very pleased with what our coaches did this year ... through trying times."

Lewis also said "we have coaches who have opportunity."

One Bengals assistant who has drawn attention in the past two offseasons is quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, who was interviewed for the offensive coordinator job at Carolina and offered the job as coordinator with the Jets.

The Bengals have a dozen free agents who can hit the market in March, including linebackers Landon Johnson and Dhani Jones, end Justin Smith and safety Madieu Williams -- all starters on defense.

Conversations have been held with Williams, Johnson and offensive tackle Stacy Andrews. Andrews might be the most important player to try to re-sign because of the iffy health status of starting offensive tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson.

"It is in our best interest to get some people done before free agency," Lewis said. (The Bengals are ) trying to get some of those finished, yes."

54 Comments:

at 12/31/2007 3:59 PM

Anonymous said...

I would almost say Dhani Jones might be the most important of the guys mentioned, if we are throwing out the old binders, why not re-sign a guy who you know is going to bust his balls every time out on the field and put in the time for the team off the field, Dhani is a true professional

at 12/31/2007 4:10 PM

Anonymous said...

Billick was not getting it done in Baltimore so the owner had the fortitude to fire him today in spite of the fact that his contract, like Marvin's, was through 2010. I only wish Mike Brown had the same gumption to change course since this team, like Baltimre, is clearly headed in the wrong direction. FIRE HIM!

at 12/31/2007 4:17 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Lewis said when asked about his coaching staff. "I'm very pleased with what our coaches did this year ... through trying times."

This is a bright spot on my hopes for the offseason.That's right, were just fine in MB & ML eyes.It's not about winning,but profit..

I don't know how much longer I can take this crap!!!I have been a loyal Bengals fan for a long time. MY taxes helped pay for a stadium that was free for a very,very,very rich family,(that cares nothing about it's fan base) I have to Watch incompetent so called leaders of this franchise bambozzle us year in & year out,and listen to excuses of the coaches week in & week out.I don't think ML should be fired,but 1 more chance to prove he can do it.If not you bring in a proved winner with a track record.The problem with bringing someone with a bonafined track record,IS NOBODY WANTS TO WORK FOR MB!!!!!He's the laughing stock of the NFL owners.The other night when B.Kraft was being interviewed,he mentioned a few owners in the league that wanted to win as bad as he did,MB was not mentioned.

I live in Denver now for 5 years,this franchise cares about winning.I have adopted them as my 2nd team a few years ago & I have wrestled within my self to jump ship completely. Pat Bowden is an NFL owner that wants to win,MB is a carpetbagger that cares about profit.My hometown pride is the only thing in the way, as of now!!!!A few more of these bad decisions and arrogant attuides about their decisions & I'm gone!!!

at 12/31/2007 5:34 PM

Anonymous said...

No changes?! Can we please take the city's name off this team. It's simply Mike Brown's Bengals. How brutal that he doesn't own the decency to speak to or listen to the public about a team that represents our city.

If this football team wants to "stay the course" that's fine as it is with Houston or Seattle but this city has it's name on the team. It is embarrassing to expect different results using the same approach. How shameful it is to be from this town and be a professional football fan.

at 12/31/2007 6:57 PM

justamario said...

Lets see...Brian Billick and offensive guru....hmmm offensive coordinator. Rex Ryan Defensive coach...fired. The Bengals need fresh blood as offensive and defensive coordinators. Let see some heads roll or there will be a lot of untelevised home games

at 12/31/2007 7:07 PM

Anonymous said...

WOW thats a shocker huh??? Mike Brown has made Marvin his next puppet!!.. Carson says they cant win with the same coaches, but not Marvin and Mike Brown... NOOOO.. they love being losers and stealing good hard working fans from their precious dollars to put in the Brown family bank account... Guess what Mike?? You wont be mourned when you pass away.. NOWAY.. their will be a huge party in Cincinnati once the idiot non-caring-about fans Mike Brown family goes away....

at 12/31/2007 7:38 PM

Anonymous said...

Mike Brown has turned Marvin Lewis into a joke. He'll never get another head coaching job after this! Make room at the Shula family restaurant!

at 12/31/2007 8:04 PM

Anonymous said...

Carson Palmer's comments calling out the coaching staff may be the most courageously honest comments a star QB will ever make. He said what we, as fans, all feel. At least we know one thing, the Bengals have a leader. In Carson, I trust.

at 12/31/2007 8:06 PM

Jackson said...

I also think Mike Brown should "change course". As in, move the Bengalberries to Los Angeles. We don't want them here anymore, they're drunken losers (Henry, Thurman, Mack, Rucker) and a corrupt politician (Bengalhaus).

Tear up the lease and tear down the stadium- we goofed.

at 12/31/2007 11:33 PM

Anonymous said...

The only way to change the evil emperor, Mike Brown, is inflict pain. CANCEL YOUR SEASON TIX. I am canceling mine after 16 years, as are about a dozen of my friends. I guarantee the waiting list has nearly evaporated. All we need is a couple completely empty sections in PBS like 6 or 7 years ago and he will change his tune. Talk radio complains about the fickleness of the fans, but when we have been abused, neglected and disrespected for nearly 20 years I understand why people jump off the bandwagon.

Fire Marvin Lewis. Maybe Bob Castellini is interested in an NFL franchise too.

at 1/01/2008 12:19 AM

Anonymous said...

Our only hope is when MB grows old and dies. Hopefully then will his children be wise enough to hand over the "FOOTBALL OPERATIONS" to a "PROFESSIONAL".

at 1/01/2008 2:26 AM

Anonymous said...

can we make mike brown leave? are we stuck until he dies?

at 1/01/2008 7:11 AM

Anonymous said...

As long as the sheep continue to flock to PBS for games, I doubt we'll see any changes. I'm just glad I live in San Diego, where I can put zero dollars in MB's pockets and watch the losses from a safe distance.

at 1/01/2008 10:19 AM

Anonymous said...

I can't believe all of you forget just how bad the Bengals were just 6 years ago. ML has done a tremendous job! Yes, we seem to have taken a step backwards this year, and some assistant coaching changes probably need to be made, but I want to see ML here as our head coach to take the team to the next level - Patience people!

at 1/01/2008 10:45 AM

Anonymous said...

I like that we pick 9th. That plus the extra picks can fill a few gaps. Need to sign some folks as well. Going to be a crazy offseason. I think Rudi gets cut. Delta- bad attitude and all- stays. Dexter cut. B.Robinson not resigned. John Thorton cut (nice guy but gone!). Justin Smith gets overpaid by soemone else. We offer him a smaller number and he pulls a Steinbach. Medeiu??? I have no clue? Do we really pay him big $?

at 1/01/2008 11:37 AM

Anonymous said...

What I find bizare is the fact that week in and week out during the season ML states "We were out coached", " We have to do a better job coaching". Yet at the end of the year he's satisfied with what his coaches have done. Is this an indication that maybe ML is out of touch with reality or just a smoke screen. I find this to be inconsistant and makes it hard to believe in a leader that speaks out of the side of his mouth. If he is indeed satisfied maybe he needs to raise his standard ALOT!!! There are proven coordinators available now that could be approached. I understand the need to evaluate so decisions are based on judgement and not emotion. I also firmly believe that a person state that which is true and not in circles avoiding the problem.

at 1/01/2008 12:14 PM

Anonymous said...

Like reddlegg in Colorado, and with living in Indy for the last nine years, I have adopted the Colts as my second team, since Polian and Irsay have a clue of how to run a franchise. I'm at the point of completely abandoning the Bengals, since for the last 15 years, they have sucked. Why should I care, if Mike Brown doesn't care..Why should I pay for the merchandise, when as fans, we're not getting anything in return. Call me a bandwagon jumper, or a fair weather fan, but I'm done wasting my time on this crappy franchise!

at 1/01/2008 12:50 PM

Anonymous said...

If change haven't happened in the coaching staff as of now, they probably won't ever happen. But, if Chuck is relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator, I would like to see the Bengals go after Rex Ryan, if he does not receive a head coaching position, because he has been relieved in Baltimore.

This a pipe dream because Ryan would probably ask for top dollar, but I would love to see it happen.

at 1/01/2008 1:08 PM

arcates said...

I want to answer Mark's 5 Questions.

1)Do the Bengals keep their coordinators or make a change?

Bratkowski stays (for now)Bresnahan goes. If you can't stop anybody you aren't going to win. Zampese. Although his name is kind of cool, who really cares? I never understood why teams even have that coach.

2) What to do at offensive tackle?

Big Willie should stay even if that means Stacey Andrews needs to go. I would keep Levi for sure and would consider keeping Whitworth.

3) Who will be the #1 running back?

I understand Rudi had a hamstring injury that may have made him a little hesitant when he played. I think it was night and day comparing him to Kenny Watson. Watson played with alot more heart and passion. I guess he had something to prove and that could change at some point. If I had to choose today, I would retain Watson and let Rudi go. Kenny Irons should stay. Chris Perry should go. He seems to be hurt more than not. Dorsey should stay.

4) Do they resign defensive end Justin Smith?

Easy answer for me "NO". Yeah he works hard, but if he works that hard and he doesn't get double digit sacks, time to go.

5) And do they extend the contract of receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh?

Another easy answer "YES". He may command a significant raise and he deseves it. Maybe we should look at Chad's contract instead.

at 1/01/2008 1:33 PM

Frank Robinson's Ghost said...

I doubt this could happen, but if Rex Ryan doesn't get the Baltimore head job, wouldn't he make a great D-coordinator here? I hope the team at least reaches out.

at 1/01/2008 2:56 PM

Anonymous said...

Man, has Marvin morphed into a joke or what? He tells the Dispatch that major change is coming. He tells us that he's pleased with all the coaches.
Make up your mind, Marv.

His LOW point with me was when Chad incurred the penalty for jumping on the camera dolly, and Marv just gave him a big smiley "attaboy". I am so done.

at 1/01/2008 5:44 PM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis has no guts ... no backbone ... and can't coach x's and o's. The good news is the only professional organization worse than the Bengals in the last 10 years (the Reds) is about to start spring training.

Cincinnati's a great sports town, but with Huggy Bear chased out of town, we don't even have the Bearcats anymore.

Painful. Very, very painful.

at 1/01/2008 6:02 PM

Anonymous said...

If Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis see no need for change then they are already telling us to prepare for a repeat of the 90's teams. Marvin lost his players, Mike Brown continues to loose support of the fans. (WHAT SUPPORTERS HE HAD) This team needs an owner, GM and coaches that have the go out and kick the S*&^ out of the other team, score as many points as possible and win the game. If you haven't noticed MIKE! Winning brings $, since that seems like the only thing you and your family care about. If your dad were able to come back, he'd kick your ass for destroying something he started. At least that man cared about winning!

at 1/01/2008 6:29 PM

wiseking said...

1)Do the Bengals keep their coordinators or make a change?

Lewis is more worried that they get a GM in ahead of him - then he will have to justify his actions! Could you imagine Parcells in Cincy!!! That may only happen after Lewis goes - or if they move him into that role and then have appoint a new head coach. Both seem unlikely now, but another losing season and this could change. You have to keep Bratkowski - but Bob needs to jazz up the playbook a little - and Dorsey showed what that could bring. Bresnahan and most of the defensive coaches can take it elsewhere. They've shown for long enough that they're not capable of getting it done.

2) What to do at offensive tackle?

Was Whitworth not worth a look at RT to see if Andrews could play LG as the running game was so poor? Now they're stuck again in having to make a choice. Do you keep the guy who is the locker room leader or go with youth to build the next five years? Money talks and it's option B for the Bengals.

3) Who will be the #1 running back?

Rudi will remain number one. The problem was the guy was rushed back when he was still injured - another backroom gaffe by the coaching staff. Kenny's a good change of pace and has proven more reliable than Perry who is permanently injured and has shown little durability. He is the odd man out. Keep Dorsey and Irons, hoping that Irons makes a full recovery.

4) Do they resign defensive end Justin Smith?

No, because you're drafting DE with the first pick in the draft. Overhaul the defense from the bottom up. There's signs that the secondary has made a step forward by getting younger quickly. Time for the same treatment up front.

5) And do they extend the contract of receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh?

No brainer. He has carried the offense all season long and kept coaches in jobs. Time to return the favour.

at 1/01/2008 7:46 PM

Anonymous said...

Responding to what Anonymous said at 1/01/2008 11:37 AM

Add to fact of Marvin speaking out of both sides of his mouth were the they were out coached but he is happy with them.......the fact that Palmer has called for a change and CJ isn't happy there. Add in the defensive rankings for the last 2 years and you have other problems.

Carson and Chad would give plenty of reason that changes need to be made.

at 1/01/2008 11:24 PM

Anonymous said...

Ten players will leave the team via FA or cut. Marvin is going to get the pink slip. Mr. Brown will bring in Marty Schottenheimer to clean up this mess. WHO DEY!

at 1/02/2008 12:52 AM

Anonymous said...

How can Coach Lewis, a defensive genius, not throw up during the game. I like Justin Smith, but he's not anywhere worth his salary so he's gone, Rudi Johnson was a breath of fresh air after Dillon, but his best years are behind him so he's gone, Robinson, O'Neal, Rucker, Chatman, and Jackson gone! This is a ton of money to spend and this teams needs real men on defense to go alone with an attacking game plan. The current system seems to want to bend (known as backpedaling), not allow the big play and outscore the other team. How about an attacking defense that will allow a big play from time to time, but will also put pressure on the offense getting more turnovers and more 3 and outs. Why does every third or fourth string QB look like Johnny Unitas when they play the Bengals? Because our defense allows the other teams offense to move the ball while trying to stop the "big play." One more thing, get rid of the Big B logo! Go back to the Bengal head logo. Since the team went to the Big B they have also been 8-8 and 7-9. The Big B logo belongs in Cleveland, not Cincinnati.

at 1/02/2008 12:55 AM

Anonymous said...

I wish I had the money to take out a full page ad in the Sports Section to run this article that Paul Daugherty and Jack Brennan wrote for the Sporting News over 14 years ago titled "Oozing Failure". The Bengal franchise has been, is and will always be about profit above wins as long as Mike Brown is owner. We should have let him take the team out of town and gambled on a new ownership group starting a new franchise here a few years later instead of letting him build PBS with a gun to the taxpayers head. PD should re-run this if he is having trouble thinking of new material and if you are a frustrated fan like myself it is well worth the read... http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n21_v216/ai_14603624/pg_1 (search "oozing failure" at www.findarticles.com if link above doesn't work)

at 1/02/2008 9:18 AM

Anonymous said...

If Marvin was going to change things he should've already fired Chuck & Bratkowski in the locker room after the Miami game to make an example out them & to show that he has changed his ways. Marvin is a push over & he isn't a good head coach. His record speaks for itself. We want a winner not a below 500 team.

at 1/02/2008 10:19 AM

Anonymous said...

Let's see here, currently all the clowns (coaches) still under Bengals contract.

Look on the bright side, we'll get a weak schedule next season and finish at 8-8!

at 1/02/2008 10:27 AM

Anonymous said...

I am so tired of hearing people get on this blog and complain about how bad our bengals are. I am 30 years old and I can only remember about 3 winning seasons. There is no way in this world that Mike Brown or Marvin Lewis wants our team to perporm badly. Marvin Lewis has brought our bengals back to respectability and many of you seem to forget how awful it was during the Shula-Coslet-Lebeau era. I do think we need a new vision in the offense and defense. That will probably have to include getting rid of both coordinators but Lewis should stay.

at 1/02/2008 10:51 AM

Anonymous said...

How about a new analyst for the radio network.

Lapham offers nothing more than a litany of useless statistics read from the Bengals press release and he's constantly screaming over the top of Brad's PBP. Brad has really improved (when I can hear him behind Laphan's yelling). Lap unfortunately is going the other direction.

Right before the half in the Cleveland game he said those two quick TD's were the "nail in the coffin". ?????

And I love his commercials for Cinti Bell Technologies. You can tell he doesn't understand a word he's saying(reading).

There are plenty of ex-Bengals around who could offer more insight into the game. David Fucher would be one. Any others ?

at 1/02/2008 11:20 AM

Anonymous said...

What gets me is when Marvin came here 5 years ago, he was a no nonsense, my way or the highway kind of coach. In 3 years, he backed down to where the inmates were running the asylum. With the turnover they will have over the offseason, I'm willing to give Marvin one more year with different coordinators. If he can't turn it around and show significant progress next year, he should be gone. I absolutely disagree with the idea that the Bengals were so bad for so long, look how far he has taken them. He may have gotten them to a perennial .500 team, but it's time to move forward. I don't think he is the coach to do it, but I'd give him one more year due to the injuries tha this team had this season.

at 1/02/2008 12:37 PM

Anonymous said...

Change or I ain't paying! Here is the deal from my perspective. I was a big ML fan when he was hired, and for a short time he did swing momentum in the thinking of players, but he lost it. No one respects him now and here is why! 1) He is unable to do anything without Mike Brown. Yes, owners are pretty pushy people and like to be involved with their own money, but the real good coaches who win, are able to get the owners to back off a little and let them do their thing, ML has not. 2) Men respect leadership, and leadership comes from backing people when they are right or at least trying to get something right, and calling people out when they are pitiful. ML has not, even in his statement a few days ago he hasn't. The coaching staff is horrible, Bresnahan should not be anywhere near a football field, and if ML is not willing to say that, no one will respect him. 3) If you are going to talk it, bring it! ML talks this crap about buying in and playing for one another, guess what, ML is not buying into it and is not playing for anyone else but himself and his job. The team does not respect him, and Mike Brown doesn't respect himself, and it all plays out on the field. If ML and MB really want to win, and want a championship, then they will both admit it is time to change the business of Bengal football. RIGHT NOW, go out and get a proven football guy and sign him as your operations/president/GM what ever you want to call it. Give him virtual free reign of personnel both coaches and players. Let the GM bring in a couple of his own guys to scout for the draft and manuever for trades. If ML stays, then have him coach and not place blame everywhere but himself. In all the years he has been here, I have never heard him state in a postgame interview "we got out coached" or "that was my fault and our coaches fault" why? Because he is to worried about looking right all the time trying to keep his job, rather than doing his job. Bottom line, change it up or the fans including myself are not going to pay the prices for this ongoing loosing franchise..

at 1/02/2008 12:40 PM

Anonymous said...

The Bengals are not unlike half the NFL franchises; there is no financial pressure or imperative to win. Mediocrity, or less, gets you a guaranteed profit of several million a year. So long as the fans continue to buy season tickets and jerseys,the song will remain the same.

With the exception of one 11 and 5 season, which was due mainly to the Bengals playing a bunch of other losers, the Lewis legacy after five years is a .500 franchise and he seems willing to accept that. Why? Because his owner is, too. The citizens and fans of Cinciannati have given the Browns a lifetime sweetheart deal and are not reaping the rewards of such stupid and blind loyalty.

Cincinnati has always supported its sports franchises with a degree of blind loyalty. As fate and fortune would have it they now are saddled with ownership which is motivated solely by financial numbers and not be any degree of a blinding intensity to win at all costs.

at 1/02/2008 12:59 PM

Anonymous said...

To the Bengals fan living in Denver:

Please do not distort the reality in Denver. They are a franchise that is in much worse shape than Cincy. Denver is a once mighty franchise falling to where the Bengals have risen. To me to be one of the top franchises in the NFL and then to fall to mediocrity is a much worse problem than the Bengals being one of the worst franchises in the NFL and then having them rise to become a mediocre team. That said both franchises are in trouble.

Just so you don't think this is someone who doesn't follow the Broncos closely let me tell you, this comes from a Bengals fan who lives in the West, who's childhood favorite team was the John Elway lead Broncos, who converted to a Bengals fan while living in Kentucky for 8 years, because of Carson Palmer and Marvin Lewis, so I know a little something about the Broncos.

Currently they are being run into the ground by a megalomaniac head coach who thinks he is a genius, but is really a moron who rode the coattails of John Elway and Terrell Davis to his Super Bowl titles. I live in an area where the Broncos are the #1 team, and let me tell you my Broncos fan friends have about had it with Mike Shanahan. Heck I know a guy who lives in Colorado, who has season tickets to the Broncos, who has been boycotting Broncos games since midseason. He said he will attend the games once again once Shanahan is gone.

So please don't use the Broncos franchise as something the Bengals should aspire to be, or refer the Broncos as the "perfect" franchise the Bengals should aspire to be. They are far from a perfect franchise and personally I am more disgusted with the Broncos franchise than I am with the Bengals franchise right now.

at 1/02/2008 1:09 PM

Anonymous said...

Let's see how things play out. If they don't change their OC, I'm done with this team. Everyone talks about the D but the fact is the O has been the biggest disappointment. If the O sustains drives, moves the chains and puts points up commensurate with its talent the D would be fresher and perform better. That didn't happen. The last Pittsburgh game convinced me the OC must go. They drive right down the field on the first possession, score 7 then do NOTHING the rest of the game. Need four yards on a 3rd down, do a 15 yard, low percentage out pattern. Makes sense to me. It was like the Steelers saw what the O was going to do after the first drive and made adjustments. The Bengals did nothing to counter those adjustments.

at 1/02/2008 1:35 PM

Anonymous said...

Bengals fans need to make a statement to Mike Brown. It is unrealistic to think that the fans will stop going to the games or get rid of their season tickets, fine. But what everyone CAN do is stop buying Bengals merchandise and stop buying anything once you enter that stadium. I know it's tough, but try to go 3 hours without beer and food. Make a statement. The fans in this town need to get a bit creative in the efforts to derail the Brown empire, just complaining all the time obviously hasn't worked...

at 1/02/2008 3:01 PM

Stream Weaver said...

Martz was fired. I know he might sign with the 48ers but what if we could sign him as offensive cord.

Martz w/ Warner - Bruce, Holt, Hakim = greatest show on turf

Martz w/ Palmer - Chad, TJ, Henry = better than that super bowl team

That could be very dangerous.

at 1/02/2008 5:28 PM

Anonymous said...

Oh great idea. Let's put Martz with Ocho Stinko and you will get two psychos for the price of one. We need to get a new OC and DC; and a GM. We are all crazy for being Bengals fans. It has now been 17 years of poor performance. We deserve better.

at 1/02/2008 6:16 PM

Anonymous said...

Mark - ESPN just reported the Bengals have fired Chuck Bresnahan. Can you confirm this?

at 1/02/2008 6:29 PM

Anonymous said...

ESPN reports that Chuck's gone.. About time!

at 1/02/2008 6:37 PM

BearcatLair.com said...

ESPN and Profootballtalk.com are reporting that Chuck Bresnahan has been fired as DC. Come on down Rex Ryan!

at 1/02/2008 6:57 PM

Anonymous said...

Everyone is saying that the Bengals fired Breshnahan and Hunley today. Espn, website. But the Enquirer hasn't mentioned it yet.

at 1/02/2008 7:01 PM

Anonymous said...

Breaking news: The Bengals fired Chuck Bresnhan. This is very good news. He is a bad coordinator, in my opinion. Yes, they had injuries, other problems, but his scheme was not good. Not good at all. The worst problem the Bengals had was that they couldn't get off the field on third down ... except of course against the Ravens. Ineffective blitz aftger ineffective blitz. Receivers running so wide open behind the blitz that if you were a first-time starter not drafted out of Miami of Florida or Maryland it's no problem -- IN BACK-TO-BACK WEEKS!!! I know the Bengals can do better.

at 1/02/2008 9:07 PM

Anonymous said...

Thank you! Thank you! 2 very good moves, but a few left to do. I hope they don't rush to fill the spots with just anyone, and it is worth waiting to see what other teams do. NOW for the real determining factor, will Mike Brown take a step back and hire a GM? I am starting to get a little hopefull, but I will wait and see.

at 1/02/2008 9:46 PM

Anonymous said...

The Bengals defense has always been bad and really srayed about the same.Rfe offense one of the most explosive in the NFL has hit bottom predictable play calling on rhe offense.
Please get rid of the offensive cordinator. A cfild could do a better job with the offensive weapons the Bengals have.

at 1/02/2008 9:55 PM

Anonymous said...

When will the predictable Offensive Coordinator get fired too?

at 1/02/2008 10:26 PM

Anonymous said...

JOC said...

Switch to a 3-4 now ! Put Geathers as an outside LB. LB's next year could be Geathers and Johnson outside, Jeanty and Brooks inside, and super subs D Jones, Marshall and perhaps Odell. And train them to attack and attack! And Geathers can float out or in, all fours or upright - he would bat the pass down, knock down the QB and cover a TE. Use this talent!
Sick of soft coverage for past 5 years. Half the teams played this year rarely threw a pass over 25 yards and the DB's still give 10 yard cushions. The Draft ? Rounds 1,2 and 3 Nose Tackles and DE's! ROund 4-TE and rounds 5-7 OL. USe any free agent $ for DE, DT if a killer TE can be found in round 2 or 3. Super Bowl teams (including the Bengals twice) always have a super tight end. Draft one or buy one ! Chris Henry goes - put an end to the enabling era of cancerous attitudes.

at 1/02/2008 10:36 PM

Anonymous said...

I've suffered through all the years of inept play and coaching, but all you morons who immediately latch on to ML comments about no comment regarding coaches. Grow up people. He probably won't say anything about coaches until he talks to them FIRST. And to you other morons who talk about getting rid of the team. Don't go crying if that were to happen and all your left with are the Cleveland Browns. Yea they had an okay year, but do you really think they are going to repeat next year. I'd bet on the Bengals to finish better in 2008.

at 1/02/2008 11:24 PM

Anonymous said...

Marty Schottenheimer/ Jimmy Johnson/ Howie Long/ Boomer Esiason/ Just a few names for Mike Brown to ponder. All of the guys have knowledge of current and college personell and are good candidates for the Bengals GM job. How about Tom Jackson for D coordinator.... He knows a heck of alot more the Bresnahan....

at 1/02/2008 11:55 PM

Anonymous said...

Everyone gets all excited about Chuck getting fired but newsflash:

MIKE BROWN IS STILL THE OWNER.

nothing is going to change, maybe 8 wins next year, yee-haw I can't wait.

at 1/03/2008 2:28 AM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

To the guy in KY. who once lived in the west:

It' fact that MS did a bad job this year,but Winning super bowl coaches who get their team into the playoffs 80% of the time and just make it to the playoffs,GET A LOOKOVER.Until enough is enough.MS is a proven leader and winner.His track record speaks for itself.Even the best coaches have bad years.(Just look at BC, BP,JG,DS,TL FOR A FEW)

I like ML,but I 'm starting to feel used by his arrgoant attuide and comments regarding fans,etc...He gets 1 more chance in my book,if another .500 or sub-par perfomance next season he should be gone.But Like I said who else who is bonafined wants to work for the cheapest carpetbagger east of the Mississippi????

MB's the problem in my eyes.My point is that PB wants to win, spends the money to do so,makes the right trades at the right time fot the right personnal, & his fans/players are loyal because they know the BOSS up top wants to win,cares about winning, and will try to put his team in the position to win.That is really the point I was trying to make.Who do the Bungles sign in the Offseason, Lemar Marshall,(Lemar Who) Hartwell,WHO did'nt even make the team),Anthony Schlegal(Who I like because he's a buckeye but did'nt do much for us this season) etc.... and the beat goes on.This owner cares about one thing and one thing only,HIS POCKETBOOK.The point is I rather be a fan for a team that trys.cares, & wins.Not a team that bamboozzle & uses the fans.I could keep going,but I feel I made my point.

at 1/03/2008 5:21 PM

Anonymous said...

Reddlegg in Colorado:

I actually currently live in the West about 8 hours north of Denver. As far as Shanahan goes the Super Bowl give you time, but what have they done lately? Brian Billick in Baltimore won the Super Bowl in 2002 and now 5 years later, even with some playoff appearances, he is fired.

Lets look at what the mighty Shanahan as done since riding the coattails of Elway and Davis to back to back Super Bowl titles:

1999: no playoffs
2000: lost in Wildcard game
2001: no playoffs
2002: no playoffs
2003: lost in Wildcard game
2004: lost in Wildcard game
2005: lost in AFC Championship
2006: no playoffs
2007: no playoffs

That is 5 years with no playoffs, 4 post season appearances, and a grand total of ONE playoff win in 9 years.

That is why I say the Broncos part of my fandom is much more upset with Shanahan taking the Broncos to mediocrity, than the Bengals part of my fandom is upset with Lewis taking the Bengals to mediocrity. While the Broncos have a owner that outwardly appears to do everything to win, be spends big bucks, he allows trades to happen but in reality he has allowed a head coach to stick around for 9 fairly mediocre years. Billick got 5 years after his Super Bowl won on the coattails of one of the best defenses to every play in the NFL, and now Shanahan is going to get year 10 of mediocrity after winning 2 Super Bowls on the coattails of a Hall of Famer and all time great QB and a running back who would have been a sure fire Hall of Famer if not for injuries. Please explain to me what Shanahan has done on his own as a coach, with HIS players not player he inherited. I mean whoopeee he gets some unknown running back 1000 yards every year, but I mean is that such a feat when you play 16 games and that equates to 62.5 yards a game, and lets not mention that like Billick a supposed offensive genius, this offensive genius has also had a revolving door at QB.

I will give you that Bowlan is a way better owner than Mike Brown, who completely sucks as an owner, he is far from what the Bengals fans should pine for in an owner. He is enabling his head coach, who is doing his mighty best to allow the Broncos to suck, and quite frankly things look just as bad for the Broncos next year as it does for the Bengals next year. And while you may not realize it the Broncos fans are starting to wise up to what a fairly mediocre head coach Mike Shanahan really is.

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Monday, December 31, 2007

Lewis: No coaching changes -- yet

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