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How would you fix the Bengals defense? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter NorrisB
- Start date
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
You asked for it. How painful is it when you have a passion for defensive football and your homer team is the Cincinnati Bengals?
1. Fire the entire defensive coaching staff.
I’m a big believer in continuity. I think it’s a mistake to force players to fit into a new system every couple of seasons. I was willing to give the defensive coaching staff the benefit of the doubt for one more season. No more.
The gameplanning sucks. If you’re going to be a defense dependent on turnovers rather than play a three-and-out game, you better bring more than four rushers if you can’t bring pressure with your line alone. You better take some chances on the outside with bump and run coverage rather than laying seven yards off receivers when you face horrid QBs.
There has been no improvement whatsoever across multiple position groups. Injuries aside, Caleb Miller and Ahmad Brooks have shown no improvement. The entire defensive back corps blow coverage assignments nearly every series. Promising draft picks like Keiwan Ratliff regressed rather than improved. Johnathan Joseph appears to be doing the same.
Aside from Justin Smith, no one on the team exhibits anything resembling a textbook tackling form. When asked, the coaches state there will be no extra tackling drills and that the players should do what they’re taught. When pushed, they say that players who cannot tackle a RB on a big play (Marshawn Lynch last week) will get benched. You know who was at fault there? Frostee Rucker. Way to go out on a limb guys.
2. Spend some money to develop the defense.
You don’t want to break the bank for a 30 year old corner who has been inconsistent or a 31 year old hybrid talent who may have been a system guy? Fine, I appreciate that. You think it’s more prudent to allocate the bulk of your cap to protect your franchise QB and surround him with weapons? I agree completely. Then bulk up the scouting department and start drafting better on the defensive side of the ball. Address your depth with draft picks rather than Dhani Jones and Anthony Schlegel and Blue Adams. Pay for elite position coaches and improve the talent you have. I’m sick of watching Dawan Landry and James Harrison and the like rise from obscurity to big roles within the division while we wonder how much longer it’ll take our corners to improve or the defensive line project du jour to have an impact.
3. Stop reaching in the draft.
This goes hand in hand with point number two. Look, I like Madieu Williams and Domata Peko and Robert Geathers. But you don’t have to take them a round or two early. From Artrell Hawkins to Mathias Askew to Keiwan Ratliff to AJ Nicholson to Dennis Weathersby to Frostee Rucker to Marvin White, nobody else in the league was touching these players in the round they were drafted. That includes the three role players that have panned out. And that’s just on the defensive side of the ball. Expand the scouting staff. Take players with an established career of college production.
4. Improve the strength and conditioning.
It can no longer be considered bad luck that this defense is beset by injury every year. If you are going to target the undersized, speedy players, you better be able to keep their weight up and have enough talent to rotate around. Marginally conditioned players who are too small for their position that stay on the field an inordinate amount of time in a bend but don’t break scheme will have soft tissue (ligament, muscle, cartilage) issues. Don’t sign Sam Adams and Ed Hartwell and the like if you’re already a roster at high risk.
That’s just some of the general stuff. Specifically?
1. Get a defensive identity.
Every single top defensive team has an identity. The 2007 top five defenses? Pittsburgh has Troy Polamalu and a signature zone blitz scheme full of role players who will take your head off. The Titans have Albert Haynesworth, who has single-handedly destroyed every offensive line he’s faced and one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the league. The Ravens have a gamebreaker or two at every level of the defense. The Patriots? Please. And it’s no coincidence that the emergence of Marlin Jackson, Keiaho and Hagler, and a healthy Bob Sanders as physical players have elevated the Colts from the dregs of the league. The Bengals have Justin Smith and Landon Johnson. I doubt any offensive coordinators are losing sleep gameplanning against those two. Find a hitter. It’s infectious. Without Odell Thurman or Takeo Spikes or David Fulcher, the Bengals have been just another team for the bulk of the last 15 seasons.
2. Get the personnel to make teams one-dimensional.
To start the rebuild, either focus on a physical middle of the defense or an above-average pass rush and shutdown corners. The Lions sucked last year because they played an extend-the-drive Cover-2 scheme with an offense that liked to take chances and was at risk of three-and-outs and got killed in the TOP battle. This year, they’ve been more aggressive on defense and have made an effort to at least pay lip service to the running game and slot receiver. The Bengals have tried to match their defense to their offensive identity but bad decisions, injury and poor coaching have killed them. You won’t have a championship caliber defense, but it’ll stop enough drives to give your offense a chance to win games.
3. Consider a few key personnel changes.
Stop jerking Geathers around. He has a great rookie season. You ask him to bulk up by 15-20 pounds, which kills his mobility and explosion and ruins his second season. He slims back down, plays in a rotational role, and has a huge third year. You then ask him to assume an every down role on the strong side and he’s inconsistent but shows signs of becoming a very good player. He’s probably the best big play option on your roster but when your LBs put you in a bind because you have no depth, you move him to SLB to contend with blockers and coverage duty on early downs and neutralize your only major defensive threat.
My offseason wish list?
1. A defensive coordinator with an attitude and the balls to take chances.
2. A defensive tackle that can occupy two blockers.
3. A playmaker in the back seven – MLB, OLB, S whatever – that brings an identity.
4. A draft that shows an understanding of player value and need.
I think the current corners and free safety and Geathers will be enough to defend the pass if they play to their potential. I’d like to see a first down defense that can make most offenses one dimensional. Get stronger up the middle next to Peko. Find fundamental players at MLB and SS at worst, hitters and playmakers much the better.
The offensive window is still wide open. The offensive line is fine. Even the backups have opened up enough holes to spring guys like Kenny Watson. The receiving unit is among the best in the league. Palmer is entering his prime.
1. Fire the entire defensive coaching staff.
I’m a big believer in continuity. I think it’s a mistake to force players to fit into a new system every couple of seasons. I was willing to give the defensive coaching staff the benefit of the doubt for one more season. No more.
The gameplanning sucks. If you’re going to be a defense dependent on turnovers rather than play a three-and-out game, you better bring more than four rushers if you can’t bring pressure with your line alone. You better take some chances on the outside with bump and run coverage rather than laying seven yards off receivers when you face horrid QBs.
There has been no improvement whatsoever across multiple position groups. Injuries aside, Caleb Miller and Ahmad Brooks have shown no improvement. The entire defensive back corps blow coverage assignments nearly every series. Promising draft picks like Keiwan Ratliff regressed rather than improved. Johnathan Joseph appears to be doing the same.
Aside from Justin Smith, no one on the team exhibits anything resembling a textbook tackling form. When asked, the coaches state there will be no extra tackling drills and that the players should do what they’re taught. When pushed, they say that players who cannot tackle a RB on a big play (Marshawn Lynch last week) will get benched. You know who was at fault there? Frostee Rucker. Way to go out on a limb guys.
2. Spend some money to develop the defense.
You don’t want to break the bank for a 30 year old corner who has been inconsistent or a 31 year old hybrid talent who may have been a system guy? Fine, I appreciate that. You think it’s more prudent to allocate the bulk of your cap to protect your franchise QB and surround him with weapons? I agree completely. Then bulk up the scouting department and start drafting better on the defensive side of the ball. Address your depth with draft picks rather than Dhani Jones and Anthony Schlegel and Blue Adams. Pay for elite position coaches and improve the talent you have. I’m sick of watching Dawan Landry and James Harrison and the like rise from obscurity to big roles within the division while we wonder how much longer it’ll take our corners to improve or the defensive line project du jour to have an impact.
3. Stop reaching in the draft.
This goes hand in hand with point number two. Look, I like Madieu Williams and Domata Peko and Robert Geathers. But you don’t have to take them a round or two early. From Artrell Hawkins to Mathias Askew to Keiwan Ratliff to AJ Nicholson to Dennis Weathersby to Frostee Rucker to Marvin White, nobody else in the league was touching these players in the round they were drafted. That includes the three role players that have panned out. And that’s just on the defensive side of the ball. Expand the scouting staff. Take players with an established career of college production.
4. Improve the strength and conditioning.
It can no longer be considered bad luck that this defense is beset by injury every year. If you are going to target the undersized, speedy players, you better be able to keep their weight up and have enough talent to rotate around. Marginally conditioned players who are too small for their position that stay on the field an inordinate amount of time in a bend but don’t break scheme will have soft tissue (ligament, muscle, cartilage) issues. Don’t sign Sam Adams and Ed Hartwell and the like if you’re already a roster at high risk.
That’s just some of the general stuff. Specifically?
1. Get a defensive identity.
Every single top defensive team has an identity. The 2007 top five defenses? Pittsburgh has Troy Polamalu and a signature zone blitz scheme full of role players who will take your head off. The Titans have Albert Haynesworth, who has single-handedly destroyed every offensive line he’s faced and one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the league. The Ravens have a gamebreaker or two at every level of the defense. The Patriots? Please. And it’s no coincidence that the emergence of Marlin Jackson, Keiaho and Hagler, and a healthy Bob Sanders as physical players have elevated the Colts from the dregs of the league. The Bengals have Justin Smith and Landon Johnson. I doubt any offensive coordinators are losing sleep gameplanning against those two. Find a hitter. It’s infectious. Without Odell Thurman or Takeo Spikes or David Fulcher, the Bengals have been just another team for the bulk of the last 15 seasons.
2. Get the personnel to make teams one-dimensional.
To start the rebuild, either focus on a physical middle of the defense or an above-average pass rush and shutdown corners. The Lions sucked last year because they played an extend-the-drive Cover-2 scheme with an offense that liked to take chances and was at risk of three-and-outs and got killed in the TOP battle. This year, they’ve been more aggressive on defense and have made an effort to at least pay lip service to the running game and slot receiver. The Bengals have tried to match their defense to their offensive identity but bad decisions, injury and poor coaching have killed them. You won’t have a championship caliber defense, but it’ll stop enough drives to give your offense a chance to win games.
3. Consider a few key personnel changes.
Stop jerking Geathers around. He has a great rookie season. You ask him to bulk up by 15-20 pounds, which kills his mobility and explosion and ruins his second season. He slims back down, plays in a rotational role, and has a huge third year. You then ask him to assume an every down role on the strong side and he’s inconsistent but shows signs of becoming a very good player. He’s probably the best big play option on your roster but when your LBs put you in a bind because you have no depth, you move him to SLB to contend with blockers and coverage duty on early downs and neutralize your only major defensive threat.
My offseason wish list?
1. A defensive coordinator with an attitude and the balls to take chances.
2. A defensive tackle that can occupy two blockers.
3. A playmaker in the back seven – MLB, OLB, S whatever – that brings an identity.
4. A draft that shows an understanding of player value and need.
I think the current corners and free safety and Geathers will be enough to defend the pass if they play to their potential. I’d like to see a first down defense that can make most offenses one dimensional. Get stronger up the middle next to Peko. Find fundamental players at MLB and SS at worst, hitters and playmakers much the better.
The offensive window is still wide open. The offensive line is fine. Even the backups have opened up enough holes to spring guys like Kenny Watson. The receiving unit is among the best in the league. Palmer is entering his prime.
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On The Rocks
Footballguy
It all starts up front.
I would draft the two best available D-Linemen.
Then I would put the rest of the D in a room where they weren't permitted to drink, smoke dope, drive under the influence or shoot anyone.
I knew their D wasn't very good, but when I saw the time JP Losman was getting to throw the ball on Sunday I was
I would draft the two best available D-Linemen.
Then I would put the rest of the D in a room where they weren't permitted to drink, smoke dope, drive under the influence or shoot anyone.
I knew their D wasn't very good, but when I saw the time JP Losman was getting to throw the ball on Sunday I was
The_Hunchback
Footballguy
Drop every player they have and start new. At this point I think that is about their only option. Do we want to be realistic?
IF they don't feel the following players can stay healthy then they should get what they can for them now - Caleb Miller, Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks and David Pollack - or just cut them loose.
There are only a handfull of players I would keep to build around - Leon Hall, Landon Johnson (good nickel or possibly WLB), Peko and Madieu Williams. They have some other guys with potential or consistent and you could argue to keep them.
Biggest thing I see the defense needs is an attitude, someone who can fire them up and keep them going play in and play out. Injuries have hurt them but I think the culture is an issue right now and getting rid of players if you keep the coaches is the only way to do that.
Personally maybe Marvin needs to go away since he was supposed to be this great defensive guy, he hasn't done anything in that aspect.
IF they don't feel the following players can stay healthy then they should get what they can for them now - Caleb Miller, Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks and David Pollack - or just cut them loose.
There are only a handfull of players I would keep to build around - Leon Hall, Landon Johnson (good nickel or possibly WLB), Peko and Madieu Williams. They have some other guys with potential or consistent and you could argue to keep them.
Biggest thing I see the defense needs is an attitude, someone who can fire them up and keep them going play in and play out. Injuries have hurt them but I think the culture is an issue right now and getting rid of players if you keep the coaches is the only way to do that.
Personally maybe Marvin needs to go away since he was supposed to be this great defensive guy, he hasn't done anything in that aspect.
Yea they have become an absolute disgrace. I guess it would help if the MLB could stay not suspended or injured...It all starts up front. I would draft the two best available D-Linemen.Then I would put the rest of the D in a room where they weren't permitted to drink, smoke dope, drive under the influence or shoot anyone.I knew their D wasn't very good, but when I saw the time JP Losman was getting to throw the ball on Sunday I was
Rushmore
Footballguy
Great post Jene.
I'll add to Marvin Lewis: Expand your mind and options a bit to players who haven't played for you in the past. Some of those guys pan out ok I guess, but he seems to have tunnel vision on players from his past coaching jobs. Many times, they are either "scrubs" from those previous places, or past their primes. (Hartwell, Herring, Bauman, Powell, etc. etc.)
Agree on the section about reaching for players, except on Dennis Weathersby. He was a product of horrible luck. I was excited about that pick, and didn't consider it a reach by any means, considering that we took him in the 4th round. The injury concern in that draft isn't what turned out to be detrimental to his career-it was the car wreck a year later. I'm right with you on Ratliff (never liked that pick), Frostee (was shocked on draft day when his name was called), Askew, etc. etc.
Still holding on to a bit of hope with Brooks, Joseph, and perhaps White.
Madieu Williams has seemed to forget how to hit this year. I remember him being very proficient in his rookie year, and especially when I watched him a bit at Maryland. I forget who it was, but one ACC player said Madieu hit as hard as anyone he'd faced. Since his shoulder injury, he has regressed considerably in aggression. That has been very disappointing, because I considered him to be one of the best up and coming safeties in the game a few short years ago. He's no Ohalate ( remember him ?
), but he certainly doesn't look the same to me.
Breshnahan needs to go, no doubt about it, but that alone will not be enough to make a noticable difference. Frazier was the fall guy the last time we were in this mess, and it turns out that it wasn't all his fault either. Sometimes scheme, attitude, and most importantly personel have more to do with the problem.
Lastly- I'd take Nate Webster back in a New York minute. He at least plays with the attitude that this defense is lacking.
I'll add to Marvin Lewis: Expand your mind and options a bit to players who haven't played for you in the past. Some of those guys pan out ok I guess, but he seems to have tunnel vision on players from his past coaching jobs. Many times, they are either "scrubs" from those previous places, or past their primes. (Hartwell, Herring, Bauman, Powell, etc. etc.)
Agree on the section about reaching for players, except on Dennis Weathersby. He was a product of horrible luck. I was excited about that pick, and didn't consider it a reach by any means, considering that we took him in the 4th round. The injury concern in that draft isn't what turned out to be detrimental to his career-it was the car wreck a year later. I'm right with you on Ratliff (never liked that pick), Frostee (was shocked on draft day when his name was called), Askew, etc. etc.
Still holding on to a bit of hope with Brooks, Joseph, and perhaps White.
Madieu Williams has seemed to forget how to hit this year. I remember him being very proficient in his rookie year, and especially when I watched him a bit at Maryland. I forget who it was, but one ACC player said Madieu hit as hard as anyone he'd faced. Since his shoulder injury, he has regressed considerably in aggression. That has been very disappointing, because I considered him to be one of the best up and coming safeties in the game a few short years ago. He's no Ohalate ( remember him ?
), but he certainly doesn't look the same to me.Breshnahan needs to go, no doubt about it, but that alone will not be enough to make a noticable difference. Frazier was the fall guy the last time we were in this mess, and it turns out that it wasn't all his fault either. Sometimes scheme, attitude, and most importantly personel have more to do with the problem.
Lastly- I'd take Nate Webster back in a New York minute. He at least plays with the attitude that this defense is lacking.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Weathersby barely saw the field his rookie season. That team had no business taking a fourth round risk like that. It's rare that any draftnik has anything good to say about a Bengal pick after the 3rd round -- it's way too common to hear that there were other consensus better players available at that slot. I'd have to go back and check, but guys like Mark Anderson, Ray Edwards, etal were taken after Rucker -- who probably wasn't on anyone's radar at all at the time. I lumped Weathersby in with the others because it's difficult to give any of those picks the benefit of the doubt.
I'm a big Williams fan but he's definitely been an inconsistent hitter since his injury. I thought he looked great this preseason but he's back to his diving and grabbing, like the rest of the team. And I've tried many, many times to purge memories of Ohalete. My 3 year old wraps up better than he did.Madieu Williams has seemed to forget how to hit this year. I remember him being very proficient in his rookie year, and especially when I watched him a bit at Maryland. I forget who it was, but one ACC player said Madieu hit as hard as anyone he'd faced. Since his shoulder injury, he has regressed considerably in aggression. That has been very disappointing, because I considered him to be one of the best up and coming safeties in the game a few short years ago. He's no Ohalate ( remember him ?), but he certainly doesn't look the same to me.
I'd take any LB with a pulse at this point. Webster included, though he's been a pretty bad tackler in Denver.I'm definitely with you on the personnel issue; at some point though the personnel you have have to show some level of improvement in at least one phase of the game. I can't remember the last time I thought, "Wow. That guy has really improved since last season." I think Geathers' 2006 improvement was more related to the weight loss than anything else -- there's not a single defender right now that is better than he was when acquired. That's almost impossible to pull off.
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Tons of great points made by Jene - next year we are looking at some premium guys as UFAs - Haynesworth, Briggs, Allen, Dansby. If the Bengals dont make a splash by signing one (if not more) of these guys, then you know that they just arent committed to improving.
redman
Footballguy
They're morons if they don't make a play for Haynesworth. Unless you believe that his play has been elevated purely because it's a contract year, he plays a position that can impact your whole defense and he's a stud. They'd also be plucking him from a competing team in their conference with similar overall talent level.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I specifically didn't mention any of the possible free agents, which will include Justin Smith, because I can't make a convincing argument to pay market value for any of them.Smith is a known quantity and a role player. Break the bank for him when you've already signed Geathers to a below market contract? Haynesworth? Reputation as a bad character guy has to be an issue for this team and he's going to cost an awful lot of money. Are you sure he won't be Cory Redding and disappear after getting paid? Jared Allen is a cocktail away from a long suspension. Dansby has yet to stay healthy for a full season. Too pessimistic? Probably.I'd love to get my hands on any of them.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I'm pretty conflicted (typed convicted in a Freudian slip there
) about Haynesworth. Top three impact DT right now. The character issue is a major sticking point. Sign that guy to a huge deal and he goes Edward Scissorhands on someone? There'll be a million and one media types descending on Cincinnati. And I don't think there's any question Haynesworth is being motivated by a payday right now. Question is, how much?Maybe . . . but lets not forget the "maturity" issues facing the entire Bengal team. I am not sure Haynesworth is the right call for this team, with the current roster make-up. I think the biggest point Jene made, was expanding the scouting department. The Bengals are notoriously cheap in that regard, relying on the coaching staff to also scout. This just in - it has not worked. That is why they are constantly reaching for draft picks. They do not have the resources to do the indepth scouting and research needed to weed out the knuckleheads.
This would have been teh quick easy fix a couple of years ago. Now, I am afraid Jene's general suggestions are required - fire teh entire defensive caching staff, and start from scratch. This will be a huge leadership test for Lewis - does he do whats in the best interest of the orgainiztion, even if it means cutting some of his friends loose?
Rushmore
Footballguy
I've been disappointed SO many times by Free Agency and the Bengals, that I'm trying not to get excited about these guys mentioned above. The standard procedure has been : -bringing them in for a visit, -low-balling them or not making an offer at all, -the player fly somewhere else for a visit, -hearing from the player's agent that the Bengals are one of the teams in the running (which usually is a ploy to up the stakes for teams actually willing to spend),-everyone in Bengal land gets excited, -then you hear of the player signing somewhere else. ---- then rinse and repeat with each of the other marquee names in FA, settling for table scraps of the market. Sorry, it's been a rough year for us and I'm cranky.
redman
Footballguy
Good point. From that standpoint the Bengals are the last team that should be adding a guy with his baggage I suppose.
On The Rocks
Footballguy
Those four really are the big name D players for next year. I suspect there will be a lot of competition for each of them with the possible exception of Allen, since I think he has a history of substance supensions no? Some teams don't want to put a lot of guaranteed money on a player that is one slip away from a season sitting at home.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
Rushmore
Footballguy
He's been burned quite often to be honest, but he also is getting thrown into the fire pretty early, so some patience needs to be excersised with him regarding his prospects. One thing I've noticed is that he is not affraid to make an open field tackle-something that many of his defensive teammates should take notice of. If it's a league where you must start corners, then I think Hall would certainly be worth getting on the cheap. He will continue to get tested by opposing offenses, and unless the defense miraculously gets better quick, then he'll have plenty of opportunities for open field tackles too.Simris said:
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
Hall would be a prototype Tampa-2 corner. He does not have elite cover skills, but his ball skills are decent and he is a physical tackling corner in run support. I suspect he will be a solid DB2-3 type down the road because I think he will have solid tackle numbers.
bearsharks
Footballguy
Excellent topic with interesting commentary. Thanks all. 
Thanks guys, that helps.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Cincinnati Enquirer
Coaching: F - Football is a bottom-line business. Though Marvin Lewis' job is safe with Mike Brown, the Bengals are losing games they could and should win. They have not shown any more sustainable improvement defensively than they did in 2003. A third defensive coordinator under Lewis, possibly consultant Donnie Henderson, is on the horizon.
Coaching: F - Football is a bottom-line business. Though Marvin Lewis' job is safe with Mike Brown, the Bengals are losing games they could and should win. They have not shown any more sustainable improvement defensively than they did in 2003. A third defensive coordinator under Lewis, possibly consultant Donnie Henderson, is on the horizon.
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Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Sure am enjoying reading the local newspapers this morning. 
Cincinnati Post
"The position is the ghost of Takeo, I guess or something," said Lewis, referring to former Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes. Lewis was unable to persuade Spikes to opt out of free agency in the 2003 offseason and remain with the Bengals.
....
"We had a phenomenal leader right from the start and that made a big difference," said Marvin Lewis, who was the Ravens' defensive coordinator in 1996 when they selected Ray Lewis in the first round of the draft. "When you have one guy that kind of everything else, the whole solar system, revolves around, that makes a huge difference. That would be like not having a quarterback."
Cincinnati Post
"The position is the ghost of Takeo, I guess or something," said Lewis, referring to former Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes. Lewis was unable to persuade Spikes to opt out of free agency in the 2003 offseason and remain with the Bengals.
....
"We had a phenomenal leader right from the start and that made a big difference," said Marvin Lewis, who was the Ravens' defensive coordinator in 1996 when they selected Ray Lewis in the first round of the draft. "When you have one guy that kind of everything else, the whole solar system, revolves around, that makes a huge difference. That would be like not having a quarterback."
redman
Footballguy
Geez, in football terms 2003-4 is ancient history. To be still pining away for him means that you're admitting failure in the interim 3-4 years to replace him. Marvin should be embarrassed to be admitting that, especially given that it's his defense.Sure am enjoying reading the local newspapers this morning.
Cincinnati Post
"The position is the ghost of Takeo, I guess or something," said Lewis, referring to former Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes. Lewis was unable to persuade Spikes to opt out of free agency in the 2003 offseason and remain with the Bengals.
....
"We had a phenomenal leader right from the start and that made a big difference," said Marvin Lewis, who was the Ravens' defensive coordinator in 1996 when they selected Ray Lewis in the first round of the draft. "When you have one guy that kind of everything else, the whole solar system, revolves around, that makes a huge difference. That would be like not having a quarterback."
stevegamer
Footballguy
Fire Marvin Lewis.
Face it - he's a defensive coach. He's going to have major thoughts & input on the defensive side of the ball, and that's where they've been screwups. Replacing him with a different defensive-minded HC, who will keep the O intact and have a plan and have the ablls to find leaders as opposed to criminals might, just might do the trick.
Face it - he's a defensive coach. He's going to have major thoughts & input on the defensive side of the ball, and that's where they've been screwups. Replacing him with a different defensive-minded HC, who will keep the O intact and have a plan and have the ablls to find leaders as opposed to criminals might, just might do the trick.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
That's not unreasonable, but it isn't happening in Cincinnati. Lewis is under contract through 2010 and Mike Brown has a long history of honoring contracts -- even Coslet and LeBeau weren't fired until the final year of their deals. Lewis must bear the blame for some of the poor personnel decisions and assistant coaching. But he isn't going anywhere.stevegamer said:
