11-28-2016, 01:00 PM
I think it is time for the Bengals to move on from Marvin. I have tried to defend him for a few years now, but it has finally come full circle.
I think at some point we have to realize that he has taken the team as far as he could go. I saw an image on the Fox broadcast of last week's game against the Bill that was really telling. Since 2000, the top 4 tenured coaches are Belichick (2000), Lewis (2003), McCarthy (2006), and Payton (2006). The telling part of the image was that each of the other coaches had at least 1 SB win and Marvin has 0 playoff wins.
Don't get me wrong, I think Marvin has done an excellent job here changing the culture. We went from a bottom feeder to a playoff team. We eventually weeded out most of the clowns and criminals and finally have somewhat of a respectable roster. Arguably, we had one of the most talented rosters in all of football last couple of years. It has been exciting, but obviously Marvin couldn't get that elusive win.
And that is where I think we need to part ways with Marvin. He has taken this team and this culture as far as he could. I think it is time to hand the reins over to someone else. Fittingly enough, this scenario is shaping up like Dungy led Buccaneers in early 2000's. A team that was lead by a former defensive coordinator who was quiet and not very emotional, but could not get past that hump. They fire him after a playoff loss and bring in a firery, offensive minded coach who brings them to the promised land in Jon Gruden.
Do I think a Gruden-like candidate is out there? No, but I believe there are some that can do a similar job that he did. Do I think a simple coaching change will bring us a SB win in one year? No, but it is possible.
Ultimately, however, do I think Marvin Lewis can ever win a SB with this franchise? No.
I think at some point we have to realize that he has taken the team as far as he could go. I saw an image on the Fox broadcast of last week's game against the Bill that was really telling. Since 2000, the top 4 tenured coaches are Belichick (2000), Lewis (2003), McCarthy (2006), and Payton (2006). The telling part of the image was that each of the other coaches had at least 1 SB win and Marvin has 0 playoff wins.
Don't get me wrong, I think Marvin has done an excellent job here changing the culture. We went from a bottom feeder to a playoff team. We eventually weeded out most of the clowns and criminals and finally have somewhat of a respectable roster. Arguably, we had one of the most talented rosters in all of football last couple of years. It has been exciting, but obviously Marvin couldn't get that elusive win.
And that is where I think we need to part ways with Marvin. He has taken this team and this culture as far as he could. I think it is time to hand the reins over to someone else. Fittingly enough, this scenario is shaping up like Dungy led Buccaneers in early 2000's. A team that was lead by a former defensive coordinator who was quiet and not very emotional, but could not get past that hump. They fire him after a playoff loss and bring in a firery, offensive minded coach who brings them to the promised land in Jon Gruden.
Do I think a Gruden-like candidate is out there? No, but I believe there are some that can do a similar job that he did. Do I think a simple coaching change will bring us a SB win in one year? No, but it is possible.
Ultimately, however, do I think Marvin Lewis can ever win a SB with this franchise? No.
