Little rides on the Bengals' season finale Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, a huge disappointment for a team that entered 2007 with lofty expectations.

 

One person had a feeling from the start that the Bengals had problems that could doom them. That person, coach Marvin Lewis, sat down for an exclusive interview to discuss what went wrong this season and what needs to change to prevent continuing disappointment.

 

Question: Was there a sense even before training camp that things weren't looking good?

 

Answer: It's been (that way) all the time. We've struggled with guys who are too much worried about what they make or what the next guy makes. That's hard to overcome, and we've had to deal with it for two years now. Until they get it figured out that that's not the way winning teams operate…

 

When you sign a contract, you sign a contract. You sign to play. You have two choices -- either to play or not to play. When you get in the way of other people as you are constantly talking about that and not moving on professionally, (it's harmful).

 

When you sign a contract, the next deal signed after yours makes yours somewhat outdated. That's the way it is.

 

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/bengals/stories/2007/12/29/bengals1229.ART_ART_12-29-07_C1_148TJJK.html?sid=101

That is the most that Marvin has revealed since he started a Bengals coach. Sounds like it may be an interesting offseason for the Bengals!

This is a must read for any Bengals fan. I liked this quote from Marvin:

 

But we've got to move forward and move out any malcontent that's still here or (giving) just average effort. Guys who can't make productive plays on and off the field we have to move (beyond).

Also this question and answer:

 

Q: You have several other guys whose contracts are up -- defensive end Justin Smith, safety Madieu Williams, linebacker Landon Johnson and guard Stacy Andrews, among others. How much of a priority is getting them re-signed?

 

A: Some of them will get re-signed. Some of them won't. That's part of the business.

This one makes me kinda mad...

 

Q: You could do no wrong in this town for a couple of years. Now the honeymoon is over, as you're aware. How do you deal with that?

 

A: That's part of human nature. I don't have to worry about that. The only person I have to please is the person I work for. That's really all that matters

Marvin: 'It's time to blow the whole thing up'

 

With this title, I thought this was a thread about a little Martian....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(paging The Scribe)

This one makes me kinda mad...

 

Q: You could do no wrong in this town for a couple of years. Now the honeymoon is over, as you're aware. How do you deal with that?

 

A: That's part of human nature. I don't have to worry about that. The only person I have to please is the person I work for. That's really all that matters

Nothing wrong with this quote. He is speaking the truth.

In a related story the sun might come up tomorrow. :lol:

 

They make the playoffs 2 years ago and then back to back awful seasons. I would like to think it's common sense that the slate needs to be wiped clean.

In a related story the sun might come up tomorrow. :lol:

 

They make the playoffs 2 years ago and then back to back awful seasons. I would like to think it's common sense that the slate needs to be wiped clean. Hopefully Marvin realizes how nice and toasty his seat will start to get if this team struggles again next year. If a mod wants to delete my above post. lol

 

Thank you. : )

Nothing wrong with this quote. He is speaking the truth.

 

Yes, but he could've worded it differently, given Mike Brown's lack of interest over the years in anything other than squeezing every possible penny out of the franchise while investing as little as he possibly can into it.

 

Reading between the lines, it says they'll do without mouthy, high-priced veteran malcontents like Chad and TJ, and try to develop some WRs through the draft. And with Chad gone, the attention will be shifted away from the franchise on the national radar scene while Brown saves a bunch of extra bucks in salaries for a few years under the mantra of "rebuilding."

I don't think 85 is the target of those remarks. But it sure is easy to say he is...

I really hope that the Bengals can get this mess straightened out. This team should be in the playoffs.

I don't think 85 is the target of those remarks. But it sure is easy to say he is...

 

Maybe not, but you know as well as I that my scenario would not be surprising. We've seen the formula so many times before.

Maybe not, but you know as well as I that my scenario would not be surprising. We've seen the formula so many times before.

 

They'd have to trade him, and those prospects aren't good. With his cap hit, there is very little chance he is cut. 85 isn't a guy to skip off field work and commitment to the team regardless of what he does when he is between the lines...

First sign that gives me some confidence in Marvin. Through the season, he has been keep doing the same things and showing nothing that he was getting it about this team.

 

Finally, he has sorta called some players out.

 

I like that.

 

I thing ONeil is gone. He has seemed to pout and be upset about his contract since he signed it while underperforming. This defense can be just as bad without him. I say Smith is gone too.