02-12-2018, 02:19 PM
The Playoff Win seems to be the Hinge Point of contention between those that see Mike & Marvin's PEAK ability as being 0 and 7 in the playoffs versus those that saw the potential of at least 2 Mike & Marvin teams that sustained key quarterback injuries that derailed their chance to play their playoff games with what most consider to be the key piece. (the starting QBs) (2015 team and 2005 Palmer/ Henry team)
Most will agree that Mike & Marvin have literally PEAKED at playoff appearances that end with losses. (actual record 0 and 7)
The arguments amongst fans Hinge on the playoff win itself and whether the 2015 and 2005 Bengal teams were capable of doing more (if healthy.
Most agree that these two teams are Mike & Marvin's BEST work together and most agree that them being a DECADE apart from each other is a major knock on Mike & Marvin.
"You are what your record says you are" is applicable here and fans have every right to stick Mike & Marvin's playoff record in their faces.
I was one that wanted a complete Overhaul with a New Head Coach that could choose his Assistants and a fresh start.
We won't be getting that.
So I look at what we get (Mike & Marvin) and view their past, see the many lows and look at the couple of Peaks.
When some see the 2015 and 2005 peaks they see it as Proof that Mike & Marvin are incapable of peaking any higher with a Playoff win.
Most agree that arguing over whether a Super Bowl run is coming would be a silly thing to argue over, so we are left arguing over the Playoff win.
Do we have any chance at all of Peaking a little bit higher ? A playoff win.
Some see this as an endorsement of Mike & Marvin. I see it as the Hinge Point of where Bengal Fans somewhat realistic Hopes may be forced to focus given Mike & Marvin's deficiencies.
Not a far fetched Goal given the quality of the 2015 and 2005 teams Mike & Marvin built but seemingly insurmountable given 15 years of Mike & Marvin never getting there.
The Hinge Point.
Something as simple as the right matchup or being healthy with the right team can edge a team over that Hump.
To me, some playoff game losing teams are better than some playoff game winning teams.
Example:
The 2015 Bengal team took the eventual Super Bowl winning Broncos to overtime in Denver during the regular season then lost to Big Ben with a rather inexperienced AJ McCarron. Normally ball security reliable, at the time, Jeremy Hill fumbles late. The 2005 Bengal team lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion (Steelers) after suffering the loss of Palmer/Henry.
The 2016 Texans led by Brock Osweiler obtained a Playoff Game win by beating the Connor Cook led Raiders.
Had either our 2015 or 2005 Bengal teams drawn a Connor Cook led Raiders caliber Matchup they could have easily each won Playoff games.
Not all playoff games are equal in caliber and therefore, concluding that Marvin can't Coach well enough to win a playoff game based on 0 and 7 may be too over-arching of a proclamation.
Playoff game competition levels TEND to get more difficult than most regular season matchups but not ALWAYS or in EVERY CASE.
Therefore, the Playoff Game HINGE POINT can be talked about in real record terms as an absolute (0 and 7), however, those that recognize the SPREAD in Caliber of some playoff game winning teams versus teams that have lost due to tougher matchups can make a case for it being possible that the 2015 and 2005 teams were very CAPABLE teams. More capable than some playoff game winning teams and much more capable than some teams that they beat to get their playoff wins. (Brock Osweiler Texans over Connor Cook Raiders as one example)
It may be more accurate to say that Mike can assemble a playoff game winning caliber team and Marvin can Coach well enough to win a playoff game given the right circumstances, health and matchups. Peaking a little higher is possible.
In short, Mike & Marvin suck but may not suck quite as much as some suggest.
Most will agree that Mike & Marvin have literally PEAKED at playoff appearances that end with losses. (actual record 0 and 7)
The arguments amongst fans Hinge on the playoff win itself and whether the 2015 and 2005 Bengal teams were capable of doing more (if healthy.
Most agree that these two teams are Mike & Marvin's BEST work together and most agree that them being a DECADE apart from each other is a major knock on Mike & Marvin.
"You are what your record says you are" is applicable here and fans have every right to stick Mike & Marvin's playoff record in their faces.
I was one that wanted a complete Overhaul with a New Head Coach that could choose his Assistants and a fresh start.
We won't be getting that.
So I look at what we get (Mike & Marvin) and view their past, see the many lows and look at the couple of Peaks.
When some see the 2015 and 2005 peaks they see it as Proof that Mike & Marvin are incapable of peaking any higher with a Playoff win.
Most agree that arguing over whether a Super Bowl run is coming would be a silly thing to argue over, so we are left arguing over the Playoff win.
Do we have any chance at all of Peaking a little bit higher ? A playoff win.
Some see this as an endorsement of Mike & Marvin. I see it as the Hinge Point of where Bengal Fans somewhat realistic Hopes may be forced to focus given Mike & Marvin's deficiencies.
Not a far fetched Goal given the quality of the 2015 and 2005 teams Mike & Marvin built but seemingly insurmountable given 15 years of Mike & Marvin never getting there.
The Hinge Point.
Something as simple as the right matchup or being healthy with the right team can edge a team over that Hump.
To me, some playoff game losing teams are better than some playoff game winning teams.
Example:
The 2015 Bengal team took the eventual Super Bowl winning Broncos to overtime in Denver during the regular season then lost to Big Ben with a rather inexperienced AJ McCarron. Normally ball security reliable, at the time, Jeremy Hill fumbles late. The 2005 Bengal team lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion (Steelers) after suffering the loss of Palmer/Henry.
The 2016 Texans led by Brock Osweiler obtained a Playoff Game win by beating the Connor Cook led Raiders.
Had either our 2015 or 2005 Bengal teams drawn a Connor Cook led Raiders caliber Matchup they could have easily each won Playoff games.
Not all playoff games are equal in caliber and therefore, concluding that Marvin can't Coach well enough to win a playoff game based on 0 and 7 may be too over-arching of a proclamation.
Playoff game competition levels TEND to get more difficult than most regular season matchups but not ALWAYS or in EVERY CASE.
Therefore, the Playoff Game HINGE POINT can be talked about in real record terms as an absolute (0 and 7), however, those that recognize the SPREAD in Caliber of some playoff game winning teams versus teams that have lost due to tougher matchups can make a case for it being possible that the 2015 and 2005 teams were very CAPABLE teams. More capable than some playoff game winning teams and much more capable than some teams that they beat to get their playoff wins. (Brock Osweiler Texans over Connor Cook Raiders as one example)
It may be more accurate to say that Mike can assemble a playoff game winning caliber team and Marvin can Coach well enough to win a playoff game given the right circumstances, health and matchups. Peaking a little higher is possible.
In short, Mike & Marvin suck but may not suck quite as much as some suggest.
