The Time Has Come

[BonnieBengal]

(01-10-2016, 03:19 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: I want to start by saying how much I respect Marvin Lewis for what he has done for this organization. He took this franchise from the dark ages and turned them into a perennial contender. He's been masterful at building rosters and maintaining a high level of talent. He's also a very good human being, who has been very giving and involved in the community and charitable organizations.

Making the playoffs 5 years in a row, and 6 of the last 7 years, is one hell of an accomplishment. He has developed a repeatable blueprint for regular season success. He has also put some very good coaches in positions to succeed and become hot commodities in the NFL. He has done all these things, and deserves all the recognition in the world for it.

However, when all the hard word and accomplishments have placed his team in a situation to achieve the ultimate end goal, postseason success, he and his teams have failed all 7 times. Marvin has said on more than one occasion that "Just getting there isn't enough". But, 7 different times now, 'just getting there' is all we've done.

A certain portion of the fan base has, and continues to make, a myriad of excuses for each of the playoff failures. Some are legit, while others are not, at least in my opinion. But regardless of the excuses, the explaining away, the defense of each loss...the undeniable truth is that there have been 7 opportunities to get ONE playoff win, and we're still staring at a goose egg. Once again, instead of celebrating a playoff victory, our consolation prize is excuses and 'at least we had a good regular season'.

With the loss last night, the Bengals have now extended their own record for consecutive one and done's. Marvin now stands alone as the only head coach in the entire history of the NFL to lose 7 straight playoff games. And of course those records, in combination with the overall playoff victory drought, leaves us with a current postseason history that's just mind-boggling.

Now, some will say that you can't blame Marvin for these things. Others will say that his regular season accomplishments outweigh the postseason failures. And then there will be the 'it could always be worse' or 'we'll go back to the 90's' crowd. But, to all of those people, I would ask...when is enough enough? When is 'not good enough' not good enough? At what point do you say something's gotta give or be changed?

13 years. 7 opportunities. 0 playoff victories. All the excuses, reasoning, defending and fear of change can't alter the fact that Marvin Lewis teams simply cannot win when it matters the most...on the playoff stage. If you say you want Marvin to remain as the HC, after everything I've talked about, then when exactly would you ever want to make a change? I know some will give the 'enjoy the ride' advice. Enjoying the ride is fine, and I think that the overwhelming majority do. It's the fact that the ride always end up in the ditch that is the problem.

IMO, it's time for a change. After all this time and all these chances, the playoff hurdle is still standing strong. After 13 years, I honestly think this team needs a new voice, a new style, and new approach. If what you're doing isn't leading to the desired result, and has failed to so time after time, then there comes a point where not making a change becomes the biggest failing of all.

Agree.  We need a new approach.