Is the "In Marvin We Trust" Era Over?

[bengalskyspy]

I say yes. This team that he built is blowing up in his face. The poor character choices have derailed what looked to be a promising ascent. Every team has injuries, but the difference is the distractions and losses of key players or draft picks. His team is out of control.

I pronounce the "In Marvin We Trust" era officially dead.

I will promptly jump back on the bandwagon if he is able to get this team on track this week against SD.

[MacD BengalFan]

I hope you didn't twist an ankle or sprain your knee when you jumped off the band wagon. The Marvin Lewis era is not over. It will only be over if this continues into the next couple of seasons. The difficulty of the schedule and the untimely injuries have contributed to the current 4-4 record. There are still 8 games to go and anything can happen. Remember what the Steelers did last season. 7-5 and went on to win the Super Bowl. I personnally will be satisfied with that end result, would you?

[BlainThePain]

Without Marvin this team would probably be 2-6 right now. I think he has done a pretty good job of holding the team together with all of the injuries and suspensions this year. We were missing our starting center, left tackle, and all three starting linebackers and still gave the Ravens a game of it. I can't believe you would jump off of the bandwagon that quick and I would prefer that you never posted here again.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I think fans still give Marvin too much credit - take Carson out of the mix and this team is bad.

He's in his 4th season now as HC, this is the NFL where it only takes a season or two, to turn a team around - it's all about coaching in this league, and QB play. The Bengals' job requires extra time for obvious reasons - that said almost all of Marvin's star players were inherited and his pick of Carson was a consensus no-brainer.

His draft picks are either busts or suspended, or not very good ultimately.

This team, even with the injuries, should be better than what they are.

I'm tired of the excuses every week, every year. Either win or get someone else who can.

Look what Coughlin's doing in New York - could've hired him eh?

All that said - I do believe the Brown family and Mike Brown in particular, are still the predominate reason for the mediocrity and losing more so than any coach or player. But a HC has to take that on and do the right things, they can win with this talent.

[Bgal]

I think fans still give Marvin too much credit - take Carson out of the mix and this team is bad.

He's in his 4th season now as HC, this is the NFL where it only takes a season or two, to turn a team around - it's all about coaching in this league, and QB play. The Bengals' job requires extra time for obvious reasons - that said almost all of Marvin's star players were inherited and his pick of Carson was a consensus no-brainer.

His draft picks are either busts or suspended, or not very good ultimately.

This team, even with the injuries, should be better than what they are.

I'm tired of the excuses every week, every year. Either win or get someone else who can.

Look what Coughlin's doing in New York - could've hired him eh?

All that said - I do believe the Brown family and Mike Brown in particular, are still the predominate reason for the mediocrity and losing more so than any coach or player. But a HC has to take that on and do the right things, they can win with this talent.

Wow. Just wow. Marvin Lewis has done a lot here. If you can't see that, then stop f-ing watching. He may have inherieted some good players, but those same players weren't doing s**t before Marvin. Marvin may be the main reason we still have Rudi and TJ. Carson may have been everyone's #1 pick, but who's to say some other coach wouldn't have played him right away- causing this team to post a less than 500 record and for Carson to maybe lose confidence.

My god- we have only been really "beat" once this year. The other loses are close and luck played some roll in those. At the end of the year close games mean nothing, I know.... but this isn't a horrible team. There is still hope for the season. These aren't the pre-marvin Bengals... And be thankful for that.

Maybe you should just root for someone else. I know you really want to.

[agreen_112]

I voted one loss away, b/c of stupid fans like yourself. That's the only way he'll lose his job as head coach if all the fans of cincinnati are to turn against him now.

Marv's still the answer to this franchise, even though we've lost 4 out of the last 5. He'll turn it around, and we'll make the playoffs. The problem isn't Marv its the OC and the Offensive line, which is just in a slump and I think they'll get it straight during this second half of the season.

[Bgal]

The more I think about it- the more angry I get.

Honestly- if you don't support Marvin then just go the hell away. Fairweather fans are beyond annoying and people like that are going to cost us the best coach we have had in a decade.

[CBin2k7]

Marvin isn't the problem, but his loyalty may bite him in the ass.

Some of his coaches are letting him down, it's obvious, maybe we as fans over value the amout of talent the Bengals acutally have, who knows. But his coaches on the defensive side of the ball have not been getting the job done, his o-line coach currently isn't getting the job done. It's been the same problem for weeks and they are not getting fixed.

The Bengals are 4-4, but trust me...this team is coming apart at the seams, and while I still believe in Marvin Lewis, it's a bad reflection on him the way this team does more talking than playing, and the way they always seem to come out flat with no fire until they have already lost the game.

I am a fan of the Bengals no matter what, but it is pretty painful to see this team losing big games consistently, and in the process melting down and showing very little mental or physical toughness. At some point you have to get up off the mat, and stop blaming everyone for your problems and just play football.

This season's version of the Cincinnati Bengals doesn't seem to do that, and that is Marvin's problem to fix.

[agreen_112]

The more I think about it- the more angry I get.

Honestly- if you don't support Marvin then just go the hell away. Fairweather fans are beyond annoying and people like that are going to cost us the best coach we have had in a decade.

You're absolutely correct. People like that shouldn't even call themselves a fan! It's pitiful..

[duus]

I say, "no". As I told Marvin Lewis, Sr last December, when he mentioned to me that he hoped that folks would continue to see the 'hardwork' even when things might turn sour for a period of time, I quickly told him that I for one would not forget "where it is we have come from". The 90s hurt big time ... especially living in Pissburgh. I will not forget that. Never. Am I satisfied with the way this current team is playing? Of course not. But it's a far cry from a 90s two win team. The only issue is that of success. Two 8-8 seasons, followed by 11-5 and a division championship, and we want more. I do to. I am sure Marvin does as well. I am expecting a step back this year ... say 10-6 / 9-7, and maybe not even the playoffs. Disappointment. But I will remain firmly planted as a Bengal fan. As a Marvin fan. I want to see what this guy can do given a 6-8 year period. This is year 4. We all wanted more. I have a feeling we'll get it. Time. Patience. Stick with the team.

(and besides ... you surely DO NOT want to see this guy end up on the sidelines for the Steelers!)

[bengalskyspy]

I knew this poll would bring out the homer hummers around here in droves. Wah, wah, "I wish you would not post here again." Wah, wah, "your a stupid fan." What a bunch of dingleberries you all must be. I did not say that ML should be fired. I did not say that we are not better off than before ML. What I did say is that the blind faith implied by the oft-invoked "In Marvin We Trust," has worn thin. What Marvin has accomplished so far with the Bengals is simply getting them to parity with professional football standards of the 21st century. No small feat. But, now he must show that he can coach a team up to win these games. Great football coaches do this (see NE Bellichick). So far, Marvin has been content to throw his players under the bus. They need to tackle, they need to do their job, they need to be in the right place, they need to make plays. Duh!!!! Marvin's job as a coach is to get his players to do all of that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is what a coach does.

I hope he does. I am the biggest Marvin Lewis fan around. I bought 6 season tickets in the club section based on Marvin Lewis and nothing else. My point is that now is the time for Marvin to make a play.

[Bgal]

Is it so wrong to support the team? Call me whatever you want, but I refuse to be fairweather about this. What do you want Marvin to do? What do you want to see? Everyone is frustrated, including the players. Now is not the time to second guess and act like someone else is going to do so much better. Even the great Bill Bellichick wasn't perfect his first couple years as a head coach. Marvin is a good coach and is doing his job. Things are going to get better.

[bengalskyspy]

Is it so wrong to support the team? Call me whatever you want, but I refuse to be fairweather about this. What do you want Marvin to do? What do you want to see? Everyone is frustrated, including the players. Now is not the time to second guess and act like someone else is going to do so much better. Even the great Bill Bellichick wasn't perfect his first couple years as a head coach. Marvin is a good coach and is doing his job. Things are going to get better.

Can I get some of what you are dishing out there?

[Bgal]

Is it so wrong to support the team? Call me whatever you want, but I refuse to be fairweather about this. What do you want Marvin to do? What do you want to see? Everyone is frustrated, including the players. Now is not the time to second guess and act like someone else is going to do so much better. Even the great Bill Bellichick wasn't perfect his first couple years as a head coach. Marvin is a good coach and is doing his job. Things are going to get better.

Can I get some of what you are dishing out there?

It's called being a fan. Try it.

Next people will want to bench Carson. God forbid there be a rough spot.

[bengalboomer7]

I knew this poll would bring out the homer hummers around here in droves. Wah, wah, "I wish you would not post here again." Wah, wah, "your a stupid fan." What a bunch of dingleberries you all must be. I did not say that ML should be fired. I did not say that we are not better off than before ML. What I did say is that the blind faith implied by the oft-invoked "In Marvin We Trust," has worn thin. What Marvin has accomplished so far with the Bengals is simply getting them to parity with professional football standards of the 21st century. No small feat. But, now he must show that he can coach a team up to win these games. Great football coaches do this (see NE Bellichick). So far, Marvin has been content to throw his players under the bus. They need to tackle, they need to do their job, they need to be in the right place, they need to make plays. Duh!!!! Marvin's job as a coach is to get his players to do all of that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is what a coach does.

I hope he does. I am the biggest Marvin Lewis fan around. I bought 6 season tickets in the club section based on Marvin Lewis and nothing else. My point is that now is the time for Marvin to make a play.

Sorry, I won't be defending you. You stated, in plain english, that you jumped OFF the bandwagon. So yeah, I'm wondering why your still posting here? Pick another team and move on, or choose your words a little more carefully.

A couple of .500 season and one winning one has really spoiled this fanbase. After the debacle of the past 15 years, I'd of thought it take more than that

[wobebad]

I hope Marvin can keep the team united. Right they are all frustrated. Finger pointing is the most natural thing to do right now but if they turn on each other then they will be done. Marvin has to keep them focused on football not on each other. The theme from last year "Do Your Job" seemed to work well. Bring that attitude back and we'll be fine.

[Bgal]

I hope Marvin can keep the team united. Right they are all frustrated. Finger pointing is the most natural thing to do right now but if they turn on each other then they will be done. Marvin has to keep them focused on football not on each other. The theme from last year "Do Your Job" seemed to work well. Bring that attitude back and we'll be fine.

Is there a theme this year? I kinda liked the themes... silly but, maybe the players really did buy into it.

[membengal]

I vote their new theme from this point forward be:

"Score more than the team you are playing"

That should solve everything...

[Bgal]

I vote their new theme from this point forward be:

"Score more than the team you are playing"

That should solve everything...

I'll make the T-shirts. Who wants one? PM me.

[agreen_112]

I knew this poll would bring out the homer hummers around here in droves. Wah, wah, "I wish you would not post here again." Wah, wah, "your a stupid fan." What a bunch of dingleberries you all must be. I did not say that ML should be fired. I did not say that we are not better off than before ML. What I did say is that the blind faith implied by the oft-invoked "In Marvin We Trust," has worn thin. What Marvin has accomplished so far with the Bengals is simply getting them to parity with professional football standards of the 21st century. No small feat. But, now he must show that he can coach a team up to win these games. Great football coaches do this (see NE Bellichick). So far, Marvin has been content to throw his players under the bus. They need to tackle, they need to do their job, they need to be in the right place, they need to make plays. Duh!!!! Marvin's job as a coach is to get his players to do all of that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is what a coach does.

I hope he does. I am the biggest Marvin Lewis fan around. I bought 6 season tickets in the club section based on Marvin Lewis and nothing else. My point is that now is the time for Marvin to make a play.

IN MARVIN WE TRUE FANS TRUST!!!

I'm far from a fairweather fan, you can ask anyone on this board that. When s**t hit the fan with Odell I supported him, I support Henry as well. I support the Cincinnati Bengals and Marvin, who single handedly turned this franchise around... You my friend should just find another teams bandwagon to jump on.

[Whur CHad At?]

It is over. The man has had too long to solve our problems on defense and being the defensive wizard he is he has failed terribly in doing so. Biggest mistake was letting Frazier go, IMO. We look stupid right now, and we never go out and try to fix the problem. We are doing the same thing every week. Marvin I love you to death, but you need to make some changes and start forking out money for defensive players in the FA market next year. We can't continue with this s**tty defense.

[wobebad]

It is over. The man has had too long to solve our problems on defense and being the defensive wizard he is he has failed terribly in doing so. Biggest mistake was letting Frazier go, IMO. We look stupid right now, and we never go out and try to fix the problem. We are doing the same thing every week. Marvin I love you to death, but you need to make some changes and start forking out money for defensive players in the FA market next year. We can't continue with this s**tty defense.

[tom_bengals]

I knew this poll would bring out the homer hummers around here in droves. Wah, wah, "I wish you would not post here again." Wah, wah, "your a stupid fan." What a bunch of dingleberries you all must be. I did not say that ML should be fired. I did not say that we are not better off than before ML. What I did say is that the blind faith implied by the oft-invoked "In Marvin We Trust," has worn thin. What Marvin has accomplished so far with the Bengals is simply getting them to parity with professional football standards of the 21st century. No small feat. But, now he must show that he can coach a team up to win these games. Great football coaches do this (see NE Bellichick). So far, Marvin has been content to throw his players under the bus. They need to tackle, they need to do their job, they need to be in the right place, they need to make plays. Duh!!!! Marvin's job as a coach is to get his players to do all of that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is what a coach does.

I hope he does. I am the biggest Marvin Lewis fan around. I bought 6 season tickets in the club section based on Marvin Lewis and nothing else. My point is that now is the time for Marvin to make a play.

IN MARVIN WE TRUE FANS TRUST!!!

I'm far from a fairweather fan, you can ask anyone on this board that. When s**t hit the fan with Odell I supported him, I support Henry as well. I support the Cincinnati Bengals and Marvin, who single handedly turned this franchise around... You my friend should just find another teams bandwagon to jump on.

It's amazing to see how quickly a fan base can turn against a team. Even though we are not having the season we expected to have, I don't hear anyone refering to us as the "bungles" anymore. Injuries have plagued this team game after game after game. There is frustration building up in players, this is only because they want to win. I see two games that we were robbed of by either questionable calls by the ref or lack of calls by the ref. First one - We should have won the Tampa Bay game, bad call gave the ball back to Tampa Bay. 2nd - pass interference call not being made against the Ravens. Those are two calls that had a game changing dramatic effect on us. Take those two games and we woudl have been 6-2. We have to work with the hands we are dealt, I think the team will improve in the second half of the season. This is not a bad football team. We only need to stop making stupid mistakes.

[BlainThePain]

Bad seasons are going to happen no matter who you have as your head coach. We are at the midway point and are still in the running for the division and are one of the front running teams for a wild card. If this is a bad season, I'll take it. I think Marvin has done a good job getting the team to perform considering what all has happened. The Steelers went through a lot less than we have and they are at the bottom of the division. Marvin has done nothing to make me lose confidence in him and I can't believe some of you guys are giving up on him this season.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I'll have to say, I think some panties are in a bunch way too early. The only question in my mind is if he's got the team still buying in. The bitching from Chad is a bit too reminiscent of the playoff loss. If this team is to become great, they need to keep an even keel during wins and losses, and that starts with the coach. That said, with emotional guys like Chad, keeping everything on an even keel is a nearly Herculean task for Marvin.

There will certainly be problems. I still don't think much of Bresnehan, but you can't swap coordinators every year either. Carson's still not over his injury mentally, and that's something Marvin has to work with him on. He's got Chad to deal with. And he's got the "issues" guys Mike keeps drafting.

A lot of coaches would have lost this team already. Really, it's amazing that this team is 4-4 with all the injuries, bad luck, and such.

Good luck Marvin, and no I'm not tossing him under the bus.