Just a little perspective...

[derekshank]

With the loss to Oakland, Marvin Lewis now has 52 regular season losses. The same number that Dave Shula had in his time in Cincinnati as head coach. The difference is that Shula was 19-52 compared to Marvin's 53-52-1 (nearly 3 times as many wins).

Some will argue that 53-52-1 is not all that impressive, and certainly not elite. However, I remember the team Marvin inherited. A team that didn't know how to win and was 2-14 just before he came. A team that he got as much out of as anyone would have. A team that in the previous 10 seasons from Dave Shula's hiring to his had gone 62-114 under 3 head coaches (a winning percentage of .352) before he came in and made a locker room believe.

He then led this team to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Then dealt with problem children that he didn't ask for. On top of that, he managed to survive Mike Brown robbing him of his authority and credibility with the team... and somehow managed to rebuild it a 2nd time.

So, yes. The loss to Oakland was a heart-breaker, and in many ways is inexplicable. Yes, he deserves criticism for not having the team ready to play.

That said... when you consider how Marvin has changed the culture in Cincinnati, and has raised even our expectations so we no longer assume the Bengals will find a way to lose, I wonder if we don't give him as much credit as he deserves.

[bwillycuse]

I like Marvin. He isnt on my ish list.

Im just not too comfortable with Brat, but I have a feeling I just have to deal with it. Offense is mediocre at best with arguably better than mediocre talent. We look great for quarters at a time.

Im good with Lewis being coach for several more years. Im ok with a contract extension.

[membengal]

Weird part is, I thought they were ready to play as the game unfolded and still think so after the fact.

I thought they lost because of a series of stupid mistakes - coaching and executing, not so much wrong mind-set for playing. They didn't look flat to me, at any rate.

And, yeah, as a 7-9 predictor for this team pre-season, ML has done a helluva job to get them to this point. But I sure don't want them to let it slip away now. They really need to make the playoffs. If they do, he def needs a contract extension. If they let this slip away and don't make the playoffs after being 7-2...well, I don't want to contemplate that.

[Pidge]

I'm not so sure criticism, for it's own sake, is needed. No doubt Marvin has pointed out to the players the myriad of mistakes and problems that occurred that must not be repeated if the team wants to go far in the post season. Hopefully he looks at where he can improve as well the entire coaching staff.

Really, the criticism, internally and externally is needed though. This team is new, and young in many areas and needs to grow. Taking these lumps, in terms of losses and criticism, will do nothing but help them grow and improve as a team.

PS. Keep Marv and Zim. Brat - I'll let the yay or nay camps continue to argue over him.

[Sea Ray]

I think they were ready to play. They just made too many mistakes to beat an NFL team on the road. You can't drop all those INTs, miss easy FGs and put the ball on the ground like they did and expect to win. This is different than Denver where a lucky bounce did them in.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Seemed like a little failure of situational awareness that has often plagued this team. Like at the end - the coaches should have talked strategy with Caldwell, told him that a nice runback would be good but ball security was most important. To his credit, Caldwell's learned the lesson (if the interviews are any indication) because he's a smart kid. But that mistake was avoidable. Same for some of the sacks in field goal range or on important 3rd downs.

And what the hell happened to the time outs? I was watching on RedZone, so didn't get to see that part.

I really like Marvin as a leader, I like him as a coach, but as a strategist in-game it's the same old story. Mental mistakes at the worst time.

[Ickey44]

And what the hell happened to the time outs? I was watching on RedZone, so didn't get to see that part.

They took all three after the Raiders recovered the fumble.

[firemarvinNOW]

And what the hell happened to the time outs? I was watching on RedZone, so didn't get to see that part.

They took all three after the Raiders recovered the fumble.

Playoffs once in 6 years!!!! Jeremi Johnson gets the ball? REALLY!!!! Caldwell returns kicks over scott!!!! Hopefully they dont blow this season like they did in 03,04,05,06,07,08 every year Marvins been here has been a failure. If the culture had changed why am I not suprised when something bad happens. I hope im wrong but I dont think I am.

[Ickey44]

And what the hell happened to the time outs? I was watching on RedZone, so didn't get to see that part.

They took all three after the Raiders recovered the fumble.

Playoffs once in 6 years!!!! Jeremi Johnson gets the ball? REALLY!!!! Caldwell returns kicks over scott!!!! Hopefully they dont blow this season like they did in 03,04,05,06,07,08 every year Marvins been here has been a failure. If the culture had changed why am I not suprised when something bad happens. I hope im wrong but I dont think I am.

Calm down......I was upset about Caldwell being back there, too, but Scott was apparently cramping on the sidelines and couldn't go in for the return. They should probably put Cosby back there in those situations because he's faster, shiftier, and not depended on in the offense.

Regardless of what you think about Marvin, this team (except for last year) has been competitive since he got here. This team has one thing the teams from 03-06 didn't have......a defense. This was just one game so quit freaking out.

[semiotter]

I like Marvin to and I know he really wants the team to win. And I think the team has competed every year cept 08'. But I like you guys I want to go to the next LEVEL. Playoffs Baby.

[derekshank]

If the culture had changed why am I not suprised when something bad happens.

Because you're a whiny little child.

[skyline]

It's not the end of the world, folks, and thanks for the perspective.

This is why a fast start is so nice. These types of games happen every year in the NFL, and thank goodness we have a padded enough record to be able to absorb it, assuming this is a blip rather than a trend over the next few games.

Time will tell, but 7-3's not so bad.

[bwillycuse]

I didnt want to start a new thread, but should we be trying out some kickers?

Shayne is the 26th ranked fg kicker by % just one spot and 1% above Houchtka who just got cut. Shayne is 12-17 missed 2 from 30-39, 1-3 from 50+.

I know ST Louis did well in the past but fizzled out. Is the same thing happening with Graham. He refused to sign a long term deal.(bad idea Shayne) Should we be considering he isnt the future?

Short kick offs. Cant kick long fgs.- Since he is missing 37 yarders - his value just isnt there IMO.

Kickers are a dime a dozen.

[kingwilly]

I didnt want to start a new thread, but should we be trying out some kickers?

Shayne is the 26th ranked fg kicker by % just one spot and 1% above Houchtka who just got cut. Shayne is 12-17 missed 2 from 30-39, 1-3 from 50+.

I know ST Louis did well in the past but fizzled out. Is the same thing happening with Graham. He refused to sign a long term deal.(bad idea Shayne) Should we be considering he isnt the future?

Short kick offs. Cant kick long fgs.- Since he is missing 37 yarders - his value just isnt there IMO.

Kickers are a dime a dozen.

Total breach of etiquette, talking about cutting our Franchise Tagged kicker, BLASPHEMY!

Just kidding.

Well, I can't see anyone doing much worse.

He cannot kick deep on kick offs. If you cannot kick deep on kickoffs, then that is a huge knock, IMHO.

He has really hit a tough patch of missed kicks. Hitting the uprights on the 51yrd kick at Pitt, ok, some you can understand. The shorter ones. No way. His misses, which must be automatic, have already cost this team wins, two this year to be exact.

I would say he is on notice. If he misses another kick, I think he gets the axe. These games are simpy too tight, too much at stake. Playoff, SB runs are so rare in the tri-state area, he cannot be a spot of question.

Thinking of Graham, by himself on the bench after the miss made me think of one of my favorite Jack Handey's goes like this:

"If you think you can turn a weakness into a strength, I hate to tell you but that is just another weakness."

[bwillycuse]

lol - Jack Handy references are few and far between nowadays.

[HairOnFire]

Kickers are a dime a dozen.

Tell that to the Ravens....who were more interested in saving dimes than paying Matt Stover.

[HairOnFire]

Here's a simple question that may put this thread in proper perspective.

Will the loss to the Raiders eventually cost Marvin Lewis this years award for "Head Coach of the Year?"

[Ickey44]

Here's a simple question that may put this thread in proper perspective.

Will the loss to the Raiders eventually cost Marvin Lewis this years award for "Head Coach of the Year?"

Not if they get back to playing the way they were before the loss to Oakland.

[cincy9275]

Here's a simple question that may put this thread in proper perspective.

Will the loss to the Raiders eventually cost Marvin Lewis this years award for "Head Coach of the Year?"

if the colts and or saints stay undefeated in the regular season. marv's not going to win. for marv to win the colts and saints are going to have to lose a couple and marv is going to have to win out.

[BlainThePain]

I think Marvin actually has this team playing well above its level of talent.

[gregstephens]

Here's a simple question that may put this thread in proper perspective.

Will the loss to the Raiders eventually cost Marvin Lewis this years award for "Head Coach of the Year?"

if the colts and or saints stay undefeated in the regular season. marv's not going to win. for marv to win the colts and saints are going to have to lose a couple and marv is going to have to win out.

I'm not so sure. The Colts guy won't win it, UNLESS they win the Super Bowl. He has the fact that he's a rookie coach finding success going for him. He has the fact that he's playing with Tony Dungy's money going against him...WAY against him as far as COY goes, unless he wins the big game in his first season.

My boy Sean in New Orleans, I could see winning COY, but I think the Saints need a deep playoff run, even Super Bowl appearance to do it. Reason being the Saints didn't completely suck last year. The Bengals did. So, if the Bengals make the playoffs, finish 10-6 or better, I think Marvin gets it unless the Saints make the NFC title game at least. If the Bengals don't make it to the playoffs, I think it's Sean's.