12/26/24
January 15, 2003
Marvin Lewis is the new head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. "I could feel their enthusiasm for winning," said Lewis, who turned down a comparable multi-million dollar offer last month to coach Michigan State. Poor sap.
He'll feel like quitting, vito... Well, they've gone and hired a good defensive coach to try to improve a team with an inept offense. This team is a couple years, at least, from contending for anything (and that's asking a lot from the worst team of the last 13 years), especially if their tight pocketbook of the past is any indication. Mike Brown just does not want to spend the money to field a good squad. At this point, it almost doesn't matter who the coach is, if the players don't want to play there (see: Corey Dillon)
posted by bcb2k2 at 09:06 AM on January 15, 2003
Is there any chance the Bengals, however, coud be the next team to spring up out of nowhere and gain 4-6 wins from one year to the next? They'll benefit from a cushier schedule and at least some spark from the presence of Lewis. Of course, this overlooks the fact that they have little talent of which to speak. As for them drafting McGahee in the first round ... can you rule out anyone who took David Klinger and Akili Smith?
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:29 AM on January 15, 2003
Is there any chance the Bengals, however, coud be the next team to spring up out of nowhere and gain 4-6 wins from one year to the next? Football is about the only sport where if it was going to happen it would. But the Browns don't seem to be committed to bringing a winner into town. I don't know what kind of deal the Bengals have with their stadium, I don't know how many season ticket holders they have, and I don't know what their payroll is (being that it's the Bengals, I don't care enough to look it up) but I can only conclude that their owner is perfectly happy with the money he's making providing this inferior product, and is unlikely to spend on the chance he might build a contender.
posted by vito90 at 11:02 AM on January 15, 2003
Well, personally I think the Bengals would be good for at least 4 wins next year, if only based on Lewis' defensive smarts. If I was Marv, I'd be trying to grab as much draft power as possible -- probably the only way that they'll get college players that are half decent.
posted by PeteyStock at 04:43 PM on January 15, 2003
I wonder how Lewis is going to feel when Mike Brown drafts McGahee with the first pick?