McCain's visit to Miami Valley
The Ohio Players
Local Olympian brings home silver
Bengals Notes
Palmer had a private meeting with Lewis
Comment: Can Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer turn the Bengals around?
Monday, January 21, 2008
CINCINNATI — Before quarterback Carson Palmer went public with his call for changes on the Bengals coaching staff, he aired his feelings privately with head coach Marvin Lewis.
Emotions ran high before and after the Bengals' 38-25 victory over Miami that wrapped up the club's first losing season (7-9) since 2002.
Extras
"Our quarterback communicated to (the media) we weren't satisfied," Lewis said. "As he and I talked the Friday before the Miami game, we're not satisfied. He and I together will do everything we can to fix it, along with everybody else in this building."
Supporting cast
Lewis knows the Bengals must surround Palmer with more talent.
"As I told (Palmer), 'Put yourself back in position where you can just go play football the way you can play. You win a lot of football games. Just don't lose the game,' " Lewis said. "We got away from that a little bit, where he felt like he had so much on his shoulders that he felt like if he didn't do this or do that, we'd lose the game. You paint yourself into a little bit of a corner, and that's hard to (overcome)."
Talking draft
The No. 1 area of need is the defensive line, and it should be addressed with a run-stuffing tackle and pass-rushing end with the top two picks.
Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (Southern Cal) or defensive end Vernon Gholston (Ohio State) should fall into the Bengals' lap at No. 9, and either one would be a significant upgrade to the league's 27th-ranked unit.
One guy who would cause the team to look at the offensive side of the ball in Round 1 is Darren McFadden because a tailback of his quality is so rare. McFadden should be long gone by the ninth pick.
Job openings?
In addition to a linebackers coach, the Bengals may be searching for a quarterbacks coach, too.
Ken Zampese has interviewed for the Rams' offensive coordinator job. So has Hue Jackson, the Bengals former receivers coach (2004-06) who was Atlanta's offensive coordinator in 2007.
Some respect
The Bengals have offered contracts to linebackers Landon Johnson and Dhani Jones, a sign the team wants both players back in 2008. Both are due to become unrestricted free agents on Feb. 29.
Comments
By Mike
January 30, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this
The futre is bright on offense! What really hurt us last year was missing the 3 wide out threat,(Housh,Johnson,Henry). It got to easy to cover Housh and Johnson in the red zone as we never really had a tight end threat so we were becoming predictable. Some people in Cincinnati don’t know what they have when they hate on Chad, it could be 10 seasons before the Bengals raise another tallent like him.Leave him alone,and keep the pieces of the puzzel intact. Rudi and Irons could be a 1-2 tandem.
By Mike
January 30, 2008 2:03 AM | Link to this
The future is bright! Last season was one to forget, the injuries,suspended personnel,lack of veteran leadership all professional sports teams have off seasons.It’s not like we drafted that bad, we’ve also had bad luck,(Pollock,Irons,Thurman,Henry)and other teams picked some free agents off our roster.We have an oppertunity to change our philosophy with Zimer and Fitz, get some healthy linebackers to start the season and our secondary is young but has shown promise with Joeseph and Hall.
By Rash
January 27, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
You can’t be serious about preferring Tom Coughlin over Lewis. Coughlin has one good season and you all go nuts over the guy. He’s a cancer in the locker room and anywhere he’s coached, he’s lost control of the players and they hate playing for the guy. Just listen to Tiki Barber. Lewis has not lost control in the locker room. The coach doesn’t control the locker room anyway…the veteran players control and so far, Lewis has the confidence of Palmer and Anderson.
By DL
January 27, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
I know defense was hurt, but our offense didnt help, they couldnt score our losses 21,13, 20 , 13, 21, 27, 10, 13 with the excection to browns and cardinals good points. so we cant just blame def. offense needs new plays and be less predictable. Step it up offense!
By benji
January 27, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
I have been a BENGALS FAN a long time. and i would like to personally challenge these players to stay out of trouble and for chad big head johnston to stop trying to be like T.O. the show boat and just play ball!! and how about Rudi maybe one of the better running backs in the league but… he does not always run with purpose. Its almost like when they are a little behind they pack up their toys like a bunch of pissed off grade school kids.
just stop the BS and play THANX BEN
By StevenMcOwnage
January 23, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
The bengals are gona have a tough season next year.I think we should draft gholston in the first round and in the second round take a guy like USC guard Chilo Rachal in the 2nd round.We really need a solid line to protect palmer and help the run game out a lil bit more.I think if rudi bulked up more like he used to be then we would have a an offense as strong as the colts.Are secondary is actually pretty strong this year we have two up and coming safties and our corners are just as good
By StevenMcOwnage
January 23, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
ok marvin is a top coach he turned one of the worst franchises in NFL history and turned it into a top notch program…..on the other hand I dont think they guy knows how to draft at all I mean wat sence was their in drafting a runningback 2nd round? I mean yeah kenny irons is a good player and probobly has a bright future ahead of him but we didnt need him. Look at the browns they got to where they are now by smart drafting and good deals with F.A. like jamal lewis.
By David
January 23, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Coughlin must be doing something right to build the team that he did in New York. I think the Browns went with Lewis because they knew that he was young and had no coaching experince, therefore they knew they could still control all decisions. Marvin is simply the front man.
By Buddy
January 22, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
You think because the Giants are going to the super bowl ,it’s because Coughlin is a great coach?He was almost fired at the start of the season.The fans were calling for his head.He just got lucky the Giants got hot at the right time.They had a creampuff schedule.Let me see him get to the playoffs next year.The Bengal’s need “D” and offensive line.They have everything else they need to win
By Andy
January 22, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Carson Palmer, Marvin Lewis and Chad Johnson do not matter. The Bengals have more employees in their marketing department than scouting. Free agents will not come here so the draft is all we have. This organization is driven by $$$ with no hope for the fan in sight!
By Andy
January 22, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Carson Palmer, Marvin Lewis and Chad Johnson do not matter. The Bengals have more employees in their marketing department than scouting. Free agents will not come here so the draft is all we have. This organization is driven by $$$ with no hope for the fan in sight!
By Scott
January 22, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Get rid of Chad “ME-ME-ME” Johnson and all the other hoodlums.
By David
January 22, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
As I remember Mike Brown decided not to give Tom Coughlin the coaching job.
By Nick
January 22, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
SIGN ALBERT Write a letter to Mike Brown and request that he shell out some cash to sign Albert Haynesworth
By jefflsec312
January 22, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
I would not draft one offensive player, to answer your question yes I believe both Lewis and Carson can turn us around.
We were that that far away last year, the injuries I believe hurt bad! O-Line early, backers out, we were playing with subs the entire first half of the season.
Next years schedule looks very hard though..can not see more than 10 wins…
By Dhraga
January 22, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
give the bengals their linebackers that were out injured last year, and they were easily a playoff team, how do people forget that we were using our 3rd stringers most fo the year as starters? They did better than expected, I think.
but those losses changed the mindset of the entire rest of the defense to cover for those losses.
By Gary
January 22, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this
Fourth and one from the Steelers two yard line. Lewis kicks the FG. We’ll lose every time with that kind of coaching. Coughlin was available at the time Marvin was hired.
By John
January 22, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this
Just to add:
How long have the Bengals needed Defensive line help? How long has this gone unaddressed? The team has been mis-managed.
By John
January 22, 2008 2:08 AM | Link to this
Marvin Lewis is not a good coach. That much is certain.
His players are out of control and his won-loss record tells the story.
By Tony0578201
January 21, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
This article is wrong. Albert Haynes worth is a time bomb and we don’t need him. We need to spend money on the defensive side of the ball think Shaun Rogers(free agent) and Gholston together with Geathers and Smith on the ends, pretty scary. As for coach Lewis I appreciate him and what he’s done, but now it’s time for the next level and I don’t think he can get us there. Think..Schottenheimer.
By rayman
January 21, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
first of all, marvin lewis is at best a poor coach. he can not manage players or coaches. the players run the team. this shows on and off of the field. mike brown is a happy man..he and the family make a pile of money and the team remains a poor team year after year. you have to give it to the brown family, they hire what is just enough talent in coaches and players to get by and cincinnati remains a nfl island…hate to
By Old Scratch
January 21, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
What problems? Paul Brown stadium is sold out. Mike Brown has a great deal with the county, he just raised ticket prices, again. The Brown family trust is secure. My hope for Bengals fans is that when Hillary gets in they’ll get free government dentures.
By Jon
January 21, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Lewis hasn’t done anything. Lewis looks like he doesn’t know what to do.
By Tom
January 21, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
WOW, as a Steelers fan it amazes me that you folks would turn on Marvin Lewis this fast. He took a terrible organization and turned it into a very competitive one in a very short periond of time.
By Tom
January 21, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
WOW, as a Steelers fan it amazes me that you folke would turn on Marvin Lewis this fast. He took a terrible organization and turned it into a very competitive one in a very short periond of time.
By Longhorn
January 21, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
They will never do anything as long as Mikey-Boy Brown has the final say.
By North
January 21, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Palmer is doing his job as quarterback. Lewis is the biggest part of the problem. Lewis needs to take control of the team, become a coach through leadership and mentoring.
By Bryan
January 21, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
At this point the Bengals must start taking the offensive line seriously. Look at Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. They have some of the greatest lines protecting them, is it any wonder why these two quarterbacks are the breaking records. Carson palmer is not far behind in my opinion as one of the top 3 quartbacks in the league, but he must have the opportunity to show this.
By Henry
January 21, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
What about getting Odell Thurman back? Can/will that happen?
By YouHaveToBeKiddingChic
January 21, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Chick, another running back? You cannot be serious! An average running back can be made to look Dorsett-esque if there is a top-notch offensive line supporting him. Way too much attention has been given to running backs and wide receivers in recent Bengals’ drafts. The Bengals need to get high quality LINEMEN on both sides of the ball. It all starts/ends in the trenches. Still cannot believe they let Steinbach go. Unbelievable.
By Andy
January 21, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
I agree that Palmer can turn things around but Lewis, come on. He makes poor coaching decisions and has poor morale on and off the field. I think the Bengals don’t need sizze but rather speed and heart. Rober Geathers could be your next leader on defense, he does whatever it takes and that is what the Bengasl need. Getting a Vernon Gholston would be perfect, we need speed on our line. Look at how successful the Colts are with Freeney, and Gholston is a Freeney type player.
By d-town guru
January 21, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
sedrick ellis would turn the bengals into a serious contender overnight, he WILL be better than Dorsey
By KLK
January 21, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Yes and no. “Yes” for Palmer. “No” for Lewis. Palmer has earned the respect of his team mates. Like LeBeau, Lewis should stick to defensive coordinator.
By Troy
January 21, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
I think they can with zimmer taking control of the D! Go get Gholston from OSU.