Marvin tries too hard to downplay

[walzav29]

Every game that is a big game, he acts like it's just another game. Is the Super Bowl a big game? I'll guarantee the Steelers are looking at this as a big game, with Cowher spitting and spewing all over everyone. I wonder who get's more wet? The front row in front of the Steeler sidelines or front row at a Gallagher concert. I just don't think it hurts to get fired up for a game. I'm going to Pittsburgh this week with my Steeler fan dad, and sit with them drunken steel-workers at a bar. I'll be running my Bengal lovin' mouth. Wish me luck!

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I can only question Marvin's results - and he hasn't beat a team yet this year that has a record above .500 at the time they played them, and has lost to Pitt, I believe, 5 out of 6 times or something like that - and is 0-3 in the last 3 meetings against them.

So, Marvin can be as status quo as he wants, I just want results at some point.

Can't live on that meaningless '03 KC win forever Marvin - time to beat Pittsburgh for once if you want to step up to the next level.

Beating up on bottom dwellers, at this point in the season, is just getting old.

Beat somebody truly good and prove the Bengals are more than just a fluke.

Chad seems to be the only person not afraid to tell it like it is. You know that guy wants it bad, how bout everyone else on the team?

Guess we'll see...

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I can only question Marvin's results - and he hasn't beat a team yet this year that has a record above .500 at the time they played them

I suppose if we started the game against someone like say Indianapolis and they were 0-1 when we played them you'd count that too. We have played good teams, and we have beaten good teams. Chicago WAS/IS a good team we beat.

[walzav29]

Woooaaaa. I'm not dissing Marv. I'm just saying that he could acknowledge a big game. You can go down the list and show games where teams were supposed to win and lost. The Bengals are beating the teams they are supposed to. That's the sign of a good team.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I can only question Marvin's results - and he hasn't beat a team yet this year that has a record above .500 at the time they played them

I suppose if we started the game against someone like say Indianapolis and they were 0-1 when we played them you'd count that too. We have played good teams, and we have beaten good teams. Chicago WAS/IS a good team we beat.

Yawn. If I hear "but we beat Chicago and Minnesota is 6-5 now" one more time i'm going to puke.

3 big games this year, 3 losses.

3 straight losses to Pittsburgh.

At some point you have to win games like this if you want to get into the playoffs.

A loss Sunday could literally cost them a spot.

A win earlier in the year would not make this game so decisive.

I am not criticizing Marvin - just looking at his results in "big games" thus far - not very good for a team with an 8-3 record.

You have to beat Pittsburgh in this division if you want to go anywhere - losing 3 in a row to them does not cut the mustard.

Just getting tired of moral and meaningless victories after two 8-8 seasons.

Time for the Bengals to justify their 8-3 record Sunday, that's all.

[derekshank]

I think he acknowledged the Colts game as a big game. If he plays it up too big, a loss could kill the team.

On the other hand... all the players know it's a big game. They knew it was a big game last time too... and the hangover into the Packers game proved it. He might as well acknowledge it.

Most everyone says it is either the most or 2nd most important game of the week.

[walzav29]

This game is HUGE! It's the culmination of everything that has been built the last 3 years. This will be the breakthrough game.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

A game is a game is a game. There are no "big games". They are all just as big as the last. It's a marathon, not a sprint. The "big game" is a myth. You say this is a big game, but if we lose, it doesn't change anything.

[buck3y3d]

Chad seems to be the only person not afraid to tell it like it is. You know that guy wants it bad, how bout everyone else on the team?

Guess we'll see...

Chad said this was just another game too. He says every Sunday is the same, he is there to entertain and to win.

Housh said this was the biggest game of his career.

[HairOnFire]

I think you guys are making too much out of the idea that Marvin isn't spitting on everyone he talks to.

He's already acknowledged that this is a big game. He's called it important. When he spoke to the Bengals immediately after the Raven game the first words out of his mouth were about continuing to "make hay" against division opponents. he's hammered home the point that the team now controls it's own destiny. He's consistently stayed on message about how winning means earning the right to play more important and meaningful games. Simply put, he's laid the groundwork for this game for three years now and his team will be prepared, and at some point they WILL step up and win a game like this.

Frankly, I see no reason for Marvin to go overboard to try to amp his team up to play the Steelers. Does anyone really think the players won't be emotionally geeked? Please. What they need is a steady presence barking the word "poise" into their ears....when he isn't screaming "keep pounding them".

Sound familiar?

[Junglelove4]

I agree with what Marvin does, because if he makes it out to be a must win and we lose then it might be percieved as a season ending game, but in reality even if we lose this game we still have a good chance of making the playoffs, and you wouldnt want our team thinking the season was lost and playing like crap the rest of the season ruining any chance of making the playoffs just because they lost "The Big Game".

Oh and if the players need marvin to tell them that this is a big game and to play hard then I really would lose alot of faith in my beloved bengals.

Anyways I think its pretty obvious the team realizes this game is huge since they started thinking about it in the third quarter last week.

Marvin hasnt said the past games were "Big Games" and we lost, but oh, wait, whats that? We could still win the AFC North???? WHAT???? Huh.... maybe he does know what hes doing better than we do.

IN MARVIN I TRUST!!!!

[Columbusbengal]

Chad seems to be the only person not afraid to tell it like it is. You know that guy wants it bad, how bout everyone else on the team?

Guess we'll see...

As much as anyone on this board, Shula, many of your prior comments indicate your awareness that desire only goes so far. Our talent on defense is still a year away (especially with both starting safeties out for the season). I don't want our team to become overly hyped for this game. There will be a strong tendency to make mistakes if some element of calm does not accompany the preparation for the game. Marvin has done a remarkable job to take the talent he has and suddenly end a decade of losing records. This has been done by coaching and, most of all, by installing a cohesive, intense, approach to the game by the team members. The old Bungles lost to everyone. Marvin's Bengals only lose to teams that are still ahead of the Bengals in acquiring talent.

[Stripes]

Marvin's Bengals only lose to teams that are still ahead of the Bengals in acquiring talent.

This is true, though I would also add that they lose to teams more experienced with winning games. The first two years, we did lose stupid games. That has yet to happen this season, so we are improving, no doubt. Marvin's plan has been slow, but very successful. A playoff berth will seal the deal.