What the hell is going on?

[richmond_mat]

Richmond what coach do you want me to name? If you mean a coach the Bengals could have brought in and done what Marvin has done, how about promoting Bratkowski? The guy has been here this entire time and the offense has done nothing but grow! Or how about Dennis Green? Fact is, Marvin might just have taken over the Bengals at the right time. Do you think Jon Gruden deserved all the credit for Tampa's Superbowl? Tony Dungy put all the big pieces in place for that.

I nearly fell out my chair laughing at the notion Bratkowski could/would have been a good choice for head coach. He doesn't even know tight ends are eligible receivers. dennis Green...really....dennis green????? Who cares about chuckie Sam Wyche deserves as much credit in Tampa. Go look at whom he drafted.

And I'll second what hair says.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I have no problem drafting Odell Thurman - but Marvin seems to have no control over his players either - Chad gets away with murder on and off the field some times, it's a bit of a double standard in a sense and if you can't develop and get these guys straightened out - don't draft them. (Chad is just an example of how guys can get away with a lot here apparently). Thank God Chad is focused on football ultimately.

What has Eric Ball done? Where's the veteran leadership on this team that holds younger guys accountable and gets them focused on football?

If the Bengals' are going to draft all of these players - and these aren't just guys who've made a mistake or two - these are guys every other NFL team has mostly passed on because of their character - then the Bengals' need to bring in a Cris Carter type - institute a player program that keeps tabs on them and keeps them in-line, etc...,

I see none of that here and haven't for a long time.

And I know someone will say "well Marvin can't control what these guys do at home and off the field 24/7."

That really isn't the point - but these guys ARE getting paid millions of dollars and are FT employees of the organization and represent it on and off the field - if I'm a HC, I'm keeping daily tabs if I have to on certain players, pairing them up with veterans, and giving them ultimatums and working clauses into their contracts, instituting a program that helps keep them out of trouble and - at least make a serious effort.

Marvin has become really arrogant and talks down to the media and the public too often - it's ok to talk X's and O's with us Marv - we're capable of understanding your brilliance - it's ok to talk in more detail about players and the team (without throwing them under the bus publicly) when season ticket holders' spending hundreds of dollars a week are wondering where the star players have gone, or aren't in uniform.

Enough already - we've been down this path before with Dillon, Rembert, Pickens, Scott, and others in the 90's.

What Bengals' want, expect and deserve is a CHANGE here - 8-8 records don't cut it for me.

Last year was nice - after 15 years that's the least they could do - despite the flame out at the end of the season.

Bengals' fans deserve better, better players, people and results.

[HairOnFire]

What Bengals' want, expect and deserve is a CHANGE here - 8-8 records don't cut it for me.

Last year was nice - after 15 years that's the least they could do - despite the flame out at the end of the season.

Bengals' fans deserve better, better players, people and results.

Well, I'd say 8-8 records do cut it for you because you cheered for the improvement, and then stayed for the sequel. And as far as last season goes, well I guess it's a shame Marvin couldn't ease 15 years of fan suffering in a single season....because that's what some of you seem to be demanding.

(((sniff)))

[ArmyBengal]

If you mean a coach the Bengals could have brought in and done what Marvin has done, how about promoting Bratkowski?

Holy sh*t, that is one of the funniest d*mn things I have seen on this site in quite some time !!! I mean really, Brat ?? Half the time people are calling for his head about his play calling and the other half are just calling for his head... Thanks dude, at least I got a good laugh in today !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Spor_tees]

What Bengals' want, expect and deserve is a CHANGE here - 8-8 records don't cut it for me.

Last year was nice - after 15 years that's the least they could do - despite the flame out at the end of the season.

Bengals' fans deserve better, better players, people and results.

Well, I'd say 8-8 records do cut it for you because you cheered for the improvement, and then stayed for the sequel. And as far as last season goes, well I guess it's a shame Marvin couldn't ease 15 years of fan suffering in a single season....because that's what some of you seem to be demanding.

(((sniff)))

Sticking around after the 8-8 season is what a fan does, just like sticking around after a 2-14 season...or 3-13 season. seeing as we are not fair weather fans, but instead concerned fans that doesn't want to see a relapse into the dark years of Bengals' football.

When I said a sure thing player, obviously you can't net first round talent in every round, but there are a lot of marginal players out there that are ricks because of other things than off the field issues. Personally I would like to see the Bengals take a risk on an injured player than one that fails multiple drug tests or multiple arrests.

What I also find is funny, is one minute a person on here will say Marvin has control of the offense and control of desicions on this and that...unless it has a negative result, i.e. not using the TE. I am actually starting to find this as comical.

[Spor_tees]

If you mean a coach the Bengals could have brought in and done what Marvin has done, how about promoting Bratkowski?

Holy sh*t, that is one of the funniest d*mn things I have seen on this site in quite some time !!! I mean really, Brat ?? Half the time people are calling for his head about his play calling and the other half are just calling for his head... Thanks dude, at least I got a good laugh in today !!!

WHODEY !!!

Yep you are right, with him as the Bengals' offensive coordinator, they have struggled pretty badly. I think they finished last year ranked just above Baltimore. Been then again it must have been all Brat's fault for that and none of it was to blame on Marvin.

Will you guys make up your minds? Is Bratkowski the reason for the Bengals' offense getting better or Marvin's? So then is the no use of the TE Bratkowski's fault or Marvins? You can't have it both ways. Well at least in the real world you can't.

[derekshank]

Brat as a head coach instead of Marvin would equal more of the same. Marvin brought in more scouts, and has been better at drafting since the day he got here. Brat is a good game caller... but the offense did nothing before Carson Palmer got here, so let's take it easy.

Brat is good, but not spectacular... and the rest of the league showed this year that despite having one of the best offenses in football, no one really considered him for a head coaching job.

[Spor_tees]

Brat as a head coach instead of Marvin would equal more of the same. Marvin brought in more scouts, and has been better at drafting since the day he got here. Brat is a good game caller... but the offense did nothing before Carson Palmer got here, so let's take it easy.

Brat is good, but not spectacular... and the rest of the league showed this year that despite having one of the best offenses in football, no one really considered him for a head coaching job.

Can you really blame Brat for the Pre-Carson years when he was stuck with Kitna? The guy must be doing something right...or they wouldn't have kept him around when Marvin took over up til now.

[ArmyBengal]

If you mean a coach the Bengals could have brought in and done what Marvin has done, how about promoting Bratkowski?

Holy sh*t, that is one of the funniest d*mn things I have seen on this site in quite some time !!! I mean really, Brat ?? Half the time people are calling for his head about his play calling and the other half are just calling for his head... Thanks dude, at least I got a good laugh in today !!!

WHODEY !!!

Yep you are right, with him as the Bengals' offensive coordinator, they have struggled pretty badly. I think they finished last year ranked just above Baltimore. Been then again it must have been all Brat's fault for that and none of it was to blame on Marvin.

Will you guys make up your minds? Is Bratkowski the reason for the Bengals' offense getting better or Marvin's? So then is the no use of the TE Bratkowski's fault or Marvins? You can't have it both ways. Well at least in the real world you can't.

What is it with everyone claiming I said something ??? The Bengals offense has greatly improved over the past 3 years. No one is disputing that. Some of that is due to Brat and some due to great drafting and great players on our offense. Someone is coaching those players up, but lets take a poll and ask how many people would rather Brat be the coach than Marvin... Or better yet, how many have the confidence that Brat could do the same thing Marvin did... I've said it before and I'll say it again, success and failure are a team effort. You win and fail as a team and all take a bit of responsibility for them. Some more, some less, but not one person can be labeled as the reason for either... On to the poll...

WHODEY !!!

[derekshank]

The real point is the one I made that was overlooked. If anyone thought that Brat was capable or responsible for the turnaround in Cincinnati, then he would have been snatched up as a head coach for one of the many teams that fired coaches this year. But no... there was no real interest. He can call an excellent game, but would be the next Mike Martz as a head coach.