How Marvin Lewis bungled his message to the players

[Hoofhearted]

(12-20-2017, 07:41 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Good article, Jim, thanks.

That said, I have to say I disagree with that bit at the end that Marvin will be the "most successful coach in franchise history". When the Bengals inevitably lose out (the last two weeks have shown zero sign that they won't), Marvin will be exactly 2 games over .500 overall (123-121-3) with a HORRIBLE primetime record, HORRIBLE Steelers record, and the worst ever postseason record in NFL history. His team also always looked ill-prepared against good teams, and halftime adjustments were mere journalistic jargon, despite other teams crushing his with them. That is hardly the most successful when you finish 2 over .500 and 0 postseason wins in 15 years.

Sam Wyche and Forrest Gregg are still more successful coaches than Marvin Lewis. Both took the Bengals to a SB (their only two) and account for all 5 of the franchise's postseason wins.  Gregg finished 7 over .500 (34-27). Wyche might have finished 4 under .500 overall (64-68), but would you prefer 4 under .500 and a SB apperance, or 2 over .500 and 0 postseason wins?

Winning over a hundred NFL games is no easy task. I would say tolerable would probably be a better adjective. But yea, like Jimbo said I would take Gregg or Wyche over Marv any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

But I'd also take Marv over Shula, Coslet or Lebeau. He's basically the most average coach you can think of, which seemingly meshes well with the Bengals aspirations.