Lewis Out!!

[BengalFanInNJ]

First of all, I really would like to thank Marvin Lewis for bringing the Bengals out of the dark ages of the 1990's. Recent performance aside, he's been a solid coach and in many ways did the impossible of bringing respectability back to this franchise during the 2000's. Those of us who remember (or actually, trying to forget) those dark ages probably thought they would never end but thankfully they did when Lewis was hired. I vividly remember in 2005 watching, through tears, the Bengals clinch their first playoff spot since 1990 and seeing Marvin Lewis' serious face as he was getting a Gatorade shower from Carson Palmer. The Bengals were up big on the Lions at the time, but Lewis was still coaching. He didn't crack a smile or goof around and he had every right to do so. He still kept coaching a game in which was already won and a playoff spot already clinched. I thought to myself, finally the Bengals have a legitimate coach and a much better future. He's had a lot of successes playing for an owner who pinches pennies and was also the victim of some bad luck (Palmer injury, Chris Henry death, Odell Thurman, Dalton injury, all the injuries in the playoff game against the Colts and Texans, etc.).

Secondly, I hate anyone losing a job no matter who they are or what they did. It was time for Lewis to move on though. If they promote Hue as coach, I am not going to be happy and will think the move of firing Lewis was dumb. I don't mind Jackson being on the staff, but, it's time for new, fresh blood to take over the reigns. I really hope Mike Brown isn't going to take the lazy route and hire from within. They need an outside perspective and I will include Mike Zimmer as someone who can provide that should the Vikings let him go.

In any case, I wish Marvin Lewis well in the future and thank him for his work here and in the community. I do echo everyone else by saying "Don't **** this up Mike". Maybe let Katie spearhead this initiative?