What still haunts you?

[Bengal Dude]

(09-12-2017, 11:46 AM)Bengalholic Wrote: Same.

Specifically, the press conference after Marvin was inked to a new deal in January, 2011.

At the time, Marvin had a 60-67-1 record in 8 seasons. In the previous 4 seasons before getting the new deal, he was just 25-38. And of course, his starting QB was threatening to retire rather than play another game for the Bengals.

The negotiations between Mike and Marvin had not exactly gone smoothly. In fact, Marvin walked away from the table and seemed to be done at one point. It took Katie getting more involved, a few concessions from Mike and a heart-to-heart call from Sam Wyche to finally get a deal done. It wasn't Marvin's losing record, or any on-filed failures, that had hung up the deal...it was about the amount of control each man wanted. Both 'settled' to get it the new deal finished.

The press conference that followed the most awkward, uncomfortable and depressing 'signing announcement' presser that I've ever witnessed. Neither Mike or Marvin seemed like they wanted to be there, and definitely not sitting next to each other. To me, it was an owner giving up a little more control than he was comfortable with, and a HC not getting the amount of control he felt he needed. Yet, they begrudgingly agreed to a new deal.

Some will argue that re-signing Lewis was a good thing because of the regular season success that followed (2011-2015). I would argue that the deal, an each extension since, has simply rewarded the failures of not only Lewis, but the entire organization. 

That press conference was indicative of the mindset of this franchise...which is settling for mediocrity.

The moment we re-signed Marvin will always leave a sour taste in my mouth. I was having a rough and scary day up to that point. I had to take my wife to the ER. We had finished talking to doctors and I was done making calls to family. My wife finally fell asleep for a needed nap. I decided to turn the TV on and flip it to ESPN. As soon as I did that, BREAKING NEWS pops up and says we re-signed Marvin. I was numb and dumbfounded at that point.

I know some people on here believe bringing him back was the right call because we were heading into the lockout, but it clearly wasn't. There were 8 official HC changes entering the lockout. 6 of the 8 teams improved on their 2010 records. Who didn't improve? Cleveland (shocker) and Minnesota. Minnesota was led by Leslie Frazier who was named interim HC during the 2010 season. So only 1 brand new coach fell off, and it was by one win.

That's why I will never buy that it was important to keep Marvin to lead the team.