12-19-2017, 01:26 PM
I think the only collusion going on here is between the Tobin's and the Brown's. Looking back from last off season the events that have transpired to present day seem to support it.
First: All coaches are put on contracts that are set to expire at the same time.
Second: Marvin assumed that Whitworth would be returning as he walked around the combine last year telling everyone that the left tackle would be back in Cincy. Turned out that didn't happen
Third: John Ross is selected in the first round of the draft. We now know that Marvin did not want Ross.
Fourth: Contract talks throughout the year for Marvin never transpired which was not the norm from prior years when talks of extensions happened throughout the year even if Lewis didn't sign till after the season was over.
Fifth: As the Bengals prepare to play the Vikings reports of coach Mike Zimmer coming out in support of Lewis saying Marv deserves an extension for everything he has done for Cincy. Then reports that say coach Zimmer went as far as saying that the club should go as far as offering Marvin a lifetime contract.
Sixth: Reports then surface that this will be Marvin Lewis's last season in Cincinnati saying the 15 year coach is ready to move on. Reports out of Cleveland that coach Hue Jackson says he knew that Marvin was intending to leave Cincy after the season. Reports also state neither the coaches or players were aware of any such decisions by Lewis. Report also states then that the assistants were not happy with their contract situations, be it pay or extensions.
Take it for what it's worth but it sounds to me a lot like the organization was ready to move forward without Lewis after this season. Don't know when or even if that decision was ever made and when it was made. Could have been in the works for awhile. It could of even started when Mike Brown would not sign off on the Hue succession plan. Seems to me that Mike Brown has changed his opinions on who has the most pull in the organization. Looked to me that Marvin's input in team decisions held no more merit with Brown and that frustrated Lewis. Don't know as it's all just speculation. After all isn't all collusion accusations? But if any of this is true, which may not be, does that mean Duke Tobin has taken over more responsibilities in the organization? Is he now the man that Mike Brown is listening to? Does it mean we have a defacto GM? Only time will tell!
First: All coaches are put on contracts that are set to expire at the same time.
Second: Marvin assumed that Whitworth would be returning as he walked around the combine last year telling everyone that the left tackle would be back in Cincy. Turned out that didn't happen
Third: John Ross is selected in the first round of the draft. We now know that Marvin did not want Ross.
Fourth: Contract talks throughout the year for Marvin never transpired which was not the norm from prior years when talks of extensions happened throughout the year even if Lewis didn't sign till after the season was over.
Fifth: As the Bengals prepare to play the Vikings reports of coach Mike Zimmer coming out in support of Lewis saying Marv deserves an extension for everything he has done for Cincy. Then reports that say coach Zimmer went as far as saying that the club should go as far as offering Marvin a lifetime contract.
Sixth: Reports then surface that this will be Marvin Lewis's last season in Cincinnati saying the 15 year coach is ready to move on. Reports out of Cleveland that coach Hue Jackson says he knew that Marvin was intending to leave Cincy after the season. Reports also state neither the coaches or players were aware of any such decisions by Lewis. Report also states then that the assistants were not happy with their contract situations, be it pay or extensions.
Take it for what it's worth but it sounds to me a lot like the organization was ready to move forward without Lewis after this season. Don't know when or even if that decision was ever made and when it was made. Could have been in the works for awhile. It could of even started when Mike Brown would not sign off on the Hue succession plan. Seems to me that Mike Brown has changed his opinions on who has the most pull in the organization. Looked to me that Marvin's input in team decisions held no more merit with Brown and that frustrated Lewis. Don't know as it's all just speculation. After all isn't all collusion accusations? But if any of this is true, which may not be, does that mean Duke Tobin has taken over more responsibilities in the organization? Is he now the man that Mike Brown is listening to? Does it mean we have a defacto GM? Only time will tell!
