Marvin Lewis still isn't on the hot seat

by Josh Kirkendall on May 15, 2009 12:20 PM EDT

Fox Sports' Peter Schrager wrote ten storylines for the NFL this coming season. Interestingly enough, Schrager's headline assured us that we wouldn't read about Brett Favre because, well, we're so interested in that. We know he's playing. We know he'll play in a uniform other than the color green. Sit back, have popcorn, an ice cream sandwich or a colossal three-pound cheeseburger (why not all?) and wait.

His second top storyline, believe it or not, is whether this will be Marvin Lewis' final season. Now the absurdity of questioning this in May aside, unless Lewis does worse in 2008, and that would be a hell of an accomplishment, we still don't see Mike Brown letting Lewis go. It's just not in his nature. The relationship between coach and owner has always been reportedly strong, even though they've shared public disagreements in the past. There's no report of tense "can't-work-together" issues that would make one believe that Lewis is on the hot seat. And having a single poor season, behind four mediocre seasons and one playoff appearance, four years removed, just isn't enough for Mike Brown.

With so much new talent coming into Cincinnati this year, Lewis might already have a reprieve, suggesting that this season is a rebuilding year, putting the new pieces in place and seeing what they have. There's also the issue of calling 2008 "one of those years", and no matter who the coach was, the season would have resulted the same. Finally, there's the question of, who replaces Lewis, which goes beyond suggesting the highest profile coaches that will be available.

I do agree that Lewis will have to deliver, or his contract won't be extended beyond 2010. Do I agree with the same urgency that Schrager does? No. Not really. He's suggesting Lewis is fired after this season. But hey, the Bengals had a strong offseason this year. They could surprise us again.

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Comments

Reprieve

Let’s see what Marvin does with a healthy QB and an improved defense this year, I think we are all in for a pleasant surprise. I don’t think any of today’s top coaches could have done a better job with the cards that were dealt over the past 2 seasons.

by Tommyboy45 on May 15, 2009 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

Bullshit

While we’re at, let’s talk about the unfortunate circumstances Shula, Coslet, and LeBeau had to deal with. I dug Marvin for the first couple of years, but last season made me think Palmer may be the only real difference between now and the pre-2003 teams. Tom Brady goes down and the Pats don’t absolutely shit themselves. What’s our excuse? Every team has injuries. Not every team uses those injuries as an excuse for years of futility.

by bodacio on May 15, 2009 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

"Tom Brady goes down and the Pats don’t absolutely shit themselves."

Nope. They didn’t make the playoffs either.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on May 15, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Palmer’s injury wasn’t the only one my friend.

by Tommyboy45 on May 15, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Kirk…11-5 is a far cry from 4-11-1…one=shitting yourself, the other doesn’t. Bengals go 11-5, we’re dancing on the ceiling, playoffs or not.

Tommyboy…1. Not your friend 2. Apparently you missed my point that every team has injuries(as in plural of injury). It’s our ace in the hole every year.

“Man…if Reinard Wilson and Sam Shade were 100% we take the division easily!”

And ’round we go…

by bodacio on May 15, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Do a little resaerch a hole

and figure out that Cincy lost more player games than just about any other team last year. Marvin does fine within the contstricts of a team owned by Mike Brown. Anyone who coaches here is behind the 8 ball from the start because of lac k of GM, scouting, indorr practice faciltiy, etc, etc, etc. Every team does have injuries, we got hit harder than most at key positions. Might wanna take your attitude over to the Browns board.

by Tommyboy45 on May 15, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Grown man who calls himself Tommyboy,

“Do a little resaerch a hole”…“Might wanna take your attitude over to the Browns board.” Well said…if you were 14 years old. It’s funny, but you never mentioned Mike Brown and all of the other variables that prevents Marvin from doing an OK job in your original post. You’re basically saying he’s the best coach in the NFL, the best we can possibly do, write him a blank check. Not so sure I share your enthusiasm. It’s cool. I’ll think twice next time I demand excellence around these parts.

by bodacio on May 15, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Jason Whitlock, no!

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8789616/The-10-best-and-10-worst-NFL-coaches

by bodacio on May 15, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh my god

an article from November 2008, naming the best and worst for the season so far, did you read it?? This guys has his head way up his ass LOL

by Tommyboy45 on May 15, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

One of my favorite movies, but oh well

Not saying we write the guy a blank check, nor did I say he is the best caoch in the league.

by Tommyboy45 on May 15, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Lack of Leadership

WIth Palmer gone, there was no team leader that stepped up soon enough and then able to control the chaos. I think we did find a few emerge by the end of the season, esp on Defense, namely Dhani and Leon. On offense I think that Whit is the new team leader that stepped up in the void left by Carson. No leaders means no TEAM.

Rey Rey seems like a natural leader and motivator and will do so by action. I think his actions will propel him to that position by next season. Will Ochocinco play nice and contribute? Time will tell, but so far he is the only player that I question.

by UpStateMike on May 15, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

I'll tell you who's on the hot seat

Carson Palmer. If he’s 100% healthy and doesn’t perform well, he’ll definitely be on the hot seat. If he isn’t healthy and his injury seems more serious than it is, then he’s still in the hot seat and we should jump on the Tebow bandwagon ASAP.

If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't

by trotanoy on May 15, 2009 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

+1

I like Tim Tebow, although people keep trying to tell me he’s not good enough for the NFL. You’re right 100% about Carson and his production this year. Whatever the reason is, if it’s because of him (you can’t blame the guy for interceptions if he’s getting the sack attack a la 2008), then he needs to be considered damaged goods.

That said, The entire team and staff is on the hot seat, not just one of them.

by UpStateMike on May 15, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

stong offseason?

They franchised the KICKER, instead of TJ, resigned a backup running back and drafted a player early in the first round that almost every other team had relegated to the second round, and signed a washed up receiver to replace the receiver they should’ve franchised instead of the KICKER. Oh wait a minute, they did sign washed up Roy Williams, start printing the Super Bowl tickets!!!!!

by ravensfan2 on May 15, 2009 11:12 PM EDT reply actions