Post SB Mock

[Whatever]

(02-07-2017, 10:10 PM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--how-marvin-lewis-turned-the-bungles-back-into-the-bengals-023735492.html

Rey Maualuga had a drinking problem which continued after his arrival in Cincinnati leading to a DUI. I suspect it is the cause of his annual training camp beer belly.
Cedric Benson was arrested twice, I believe, after signing with Cincinnati so clearly he didn't change and Lewis reports he wasn't re-signed because they were tired of his shit.
I was unaware of Frostee Rucker's past, but after some reading his past is pretty shady and he has since be convicted of domestic abuse.
Since Pacman "really turned the corner" he has been arrested at least four times.  Plus he was at the epicenter of the playoff meltdown because he is mentally weak.
And let's not forget that gem, Nate Webster.
Bernard Scott may be the only one whose character concerns haven't continued repeatedly.
Marvin Lewis himself has stated, " Damn, I knew that, but I didn't listen."  I don't expect them to be choir boys.  I'm willing to forgive a DUI or a failed drug test for marijuana provided they learn a lesson.  While there are some things I will not tolerate.

Benson got the axe because he didn't want to split carries.  Marvin even says as much in the article.

The main issues for the football team are simple.  Is the player a me first player or a team first player? Is he a repeat offender that is likely to be a distraction?  The first can only really be answered in interviews.  The second can only be answered over time.  

Furthermore, it's not like Marvin's renewed commitment to high character guys, at least per the article, have netted the team a playoff win, let alone an AFC title or Super Bowl win.  It would be a lot easier to go with his reasoning if we weren't pretty much back in the same boat we were in when he changed his philosophy.

The big issue with the Bengals hasn't really so much been rolling the dice on guys with character red flags.  Every team in the league does it.  It's guys like Henry and Jones that they have held on to long after they have proven themselves to be problems.  Again, a low draft pick with a low dollar figure is easy to get out from under.

The playoff loss is on a lot of people.  Jones is part of that, but so is Burfict for picking a terrible time to get some payback, Hill for fumbling, Marvin for not just taking three knees and kicking the FG, and the entire offense for its pathetic play for 3 quarters.

What Mixon did was worse from a moral than failing a drug test, but a failed marijuana test would concern me more.  Reason being, there's a lot more guys that are repeat offenders for weed than domestic violence.  Guys like Josh Gordon and LeVeon Bell have been big distractions for their teams while they smoke themselves out of the league.