Quote:Posted: Wednesday, December 27, 2000

CINCINNATI (AP) - The Cincinnati Bengals demoted offensive coordinator Ken Anderson on Tuesday, their only significant move following their 10th straight season without a winning record.

The Bengals scored only 185 points this season, the fewest in franchise history, and had the least-effective passing offense in the NFL.

Anderson, who as a quarterback led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 1981 and holds many of the club's passing records, has been the offensive coordinator for the last four seasons. He was offered the chance to stay as an assistant coach next season.

In an anticipated move, linebackers coach Mark Duffner was elevated to defensive coordinator. Duffner takes over for Dick LeBeau, who was promoted to head coach following the third game of the season and got a contract extension last week.

No other coaching changes were made Tuesday, though LeBeau said some could happen when the offensive coordinator is picked.

The Bengals (4-12) have the NFL's worst record since 1990, the last time they had a winning season.

LeBeau said the circumstances this season - Bruce Coslet quit after an 0-3 start - made it difficult on the staff.

"This was a very unusual season for us," LeBeau said. "Certainly we did not have the success that we wanted to have, but that our football team continued to compete, I think, is important. If we do not produce more, then I think we all will be held to a sterner judgment this time next year."

That's not likely. General manager Mike Brown rarely makes more than a couple of changes in his staff following a bad season, preferring continuity in coaching.

From 1997-99, the Bengals went 14-34 but made only two changes in their assistant coaching staff.

Anderson has long been one of Brown's favorites, playing for the Bengals from 1971-86. He became quarterbacks coach in 1993 and was elevated to offensive coordinator during the 1996 season.

Anderson was in charge of developing quarterbacks David Klingler and Akili Smith, both of whom struggled.

(11-17-2017, 02:29 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I'll probably never be able to say 'I'm done' with this team and actually mean it - but if nothing changes and Marvin is re-signed, my overall interest level would be at near an all-time low. It would just be very hard to get excited for more of the same old, same old.

(11-17-2017, 02:29 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I'll probably never be able to say 'I'm done' with this team and actually mean it - but if nothing changes and Marvin is re-signed, my overall interest level would be at near an all-time low. It would just be very hard to get excited for more of the same old, same old.

(11-17-2017, 03:00 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Really Marvin Lewis is a much smaller problem in the grand scheme of things compared to Bengals Management. At this point, I view Marvin as more of a symptom than the actual disease.

The Bengals are managed to make a profit as the primary objective and to win second. Would they like to win? Yes - but only if they can do so in a fiscally responsible way.

(11-17-2017, 03:24 PM)Pat5775 Wrote: Ugh, you're probably right.    Getting rid of Marv may be like taking a bunch of aspirin to treat a serious bacterial infection. It'll dull some of the symptoms, but the overall problem will get worse and worse    But honestly, I don't know if things are that hopeless.

Keep in mind, this team did make the playoffs five years in a row and for a few of those years, we were widely considered to be legitimate super bowl contenders. Many had us down as one of the most talented teams over that span and I definitely believe that we were. 

Those talented teams were put together with the same bengals management in place. What mainly held this team back from making a serious super bowl run? Coaching. Countless, disgusting, consistent, unacceptable coaching blunders in Primetime, steeler and playoff games. That ultimately falls on Marv. 

The biggest thing this front office is guilty of is retaining incompetence. Granted, that's a huge issue, but we have been able to get the pieces in place... We just need someone who can put it all together. If we had a coach who wasn't a perpetual choke artist coaching this roster after 2010, I think we'd have at least a playoff win by now. Possibly several.  

(11-17-2017, 03:15 PM)Yojimbo Wrote: I’m optimistic that MB retires from football operations after this season and lets Katie put her stamp on the franchise with her first big highering of a new HC and possible more coaching staff changes.

(11-17-2017, 02:29 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I'll probably never be able to say 'I'm done' with this team and actually mean it - but if nothing changes and Marvin is re-signed, my overall interest level would be at near an all-time low. It would just be very hard to get excited for more of the same old, same old.

(11-17-2017, 02:29 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I'll probably never be able to say 'I'm done' with this team and actually mean it - but if nothing changes and Marvin is re-signed, my overall interest level would be at near an all-time low. It would just be very hard to get excited for more of the same old, same old.

(11-17-2017, 02:29 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I'll probably never be able to say 'I'm done' with this team and actually mean it - but if nothing changes and Marvin is re-signed, my overall interest level would be at near an all-time low. It would just be very hard to get excited for more of the same old, same old.