What still haunts you?

[*bengalfan74*]

(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-field 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.

Oh yes !!

That was the day we were doomed to suffer on for ................. who knows ??????

It's really a very weird situation us Bengal fans have no choice but to tolerate. We have an Owner/GM who fancies himself a capable leader who refuses to see the situation for what it really is - failure. He refuses to move on from Marvin even though any sensible leader would understand Marvin just isn't capable of getting it done.

Twenty six years and still going and won't hire a GM, a real football guy to start changing the culture. I don't buy for a second Mike has really relinquished power. Oh he let's Katie, Marvin, and Duke play around on the fringes. But he still calls the shots.

Mike's whole honoring contracts is just code for being cheap. It's just a matter of time before this crew is exactly where Corey Dillon, Chad Johnson, Carson Palmer and dozens of others have surely been. I think we saw AJ's first showing of it late in the game Sunday.

I have no doubt this offensive line cluster%$^% is Mike's doing. I can hear him saying "we're not paying big money for O-linemen when we have two guys you drafted ready to take their place" The results are secondary in Mike's mind.

I could go on and on for pages but it matters not.