Three years ago.

[TecmoBengals]

(11-12-2021, 03:52 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Sometimes I think Marv gets a biiiiiiit too much credit for reshaping the franchise. I think that change was already underway. The evidence is:

1. They'd already hired Duke Tobin, who was doing a bang up job in the draft. The 2001 draft (Justin Smith, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson, Housh) is probably the best draft in team history.

2. Katie made the choice to hire Marvin Lewis. This shows that Mike was already starting to slowly release his death grip.

3. Just look at the coaches we were looking at. Denny Green. Tom Coughlin. Marvin Lewis. They were all quality. Unlike the 90s when we hired guys with poor resumes. Dave Shula was terrible. Coslet was a terrible HC with the Jets. Lebeau was a great DC, but he clearly was never HC material. We went from that, to looking at the 3 most premier names on the market?

4. The fact that the Bengals were WILLING to give Marv so much control from day 1.

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I know people loathe excuses, but I think it's clear Marv took over a team that was more ready to win than the one Zac inherited. They were both rebuilds, but I think Marv's was a short rebuild, while Zac's was more like a 76ers/Browns style rebuild.

Just to clarify: This isn't me saying I approve of the job Zac has done. I still think we're slightly underachieving this year, and I place blame on Zac for not pressing harder to fix this o-line.

I guess I'm not looking to what extent or degree of ease or difficulty Lewis or Taylor had to experience. I'm simplifying to Wins and Losses. It's the outcome that matters and when comparing the two overall records, Marvin is better. Zac still has time though to improve his record and accomplish what Marvin could not, a playoff win and perhaps more.

Both Lewis and Taylor inherited teams with NFL talent. Lewis was a premiere candidate and won more. Zac was an unknown and it's reflecting in his coaching bottom-line of Ws and Ls.