We Don’t Understand, but Thanks, Marvin Lewis (SV)

January 15, 2010

At the beginning of the year, not many expected much from the ol' Bengals this season, and who could blame them?
They were fresh off a four-win season, they played in the toughest division in the NFL and had lost one of their stars, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, to free agency. Expectations were predictably lukewarm for their 2009 campaign.

Then the wins came, and the world was flabbergasted. For Bengal fans, skepticism turned into relief, which then turned into excitement and eventually morphed into elation. For such a hard-ridden and long-suffering fan base as the Bengals', this season was something of a dream come true.

Sadly, however, there are still those who are far from satisfied with how things have turned out. Many lifelong fans remain highly critical of the team’s direction and the style of play the organization has adopted. Either the run-first, defensive-minded mentality is not their preferred style of game, or the coaching staff's perceived unwillingness to stray from the script in any way contradicts their version of common sense. In both cases, they ultimately go after Head Coach Marvin Lewis.

It seems incredible to me that Cincinnati hasn't taken to Marvin more. Before him, the team was completely lost at sea; inept in every way. Since then, they are 56-55-1, which is at least consistently visible from the shoreline. They have won the division twice in that stretch and have never finished last. While certainly not matching the kind of win totals with that of New England or Indianapolis, Marvin Lewis has the Cincinnati Bengals solidified within the ranks of league respectability – something many once considered out of reach for such a dismal organization.

I think one could make a good case for Lewis as the NFL Coach of the Year. Not only is he credited for the turnaround in wins, he's had to also redefine the culture that surrounds Bengals football. This team is now made up of professionals who can be expected to go about their business on and off the field in a levelheaded manner. Gone is the sideshow that came with all the dramatic divas of the past. The most made-for-TV of them all, Chad Ochocinco, remains with the Bengals, but even he is more serious about his job this season than what he's demonstrated in years past.
Much was written about the emotional overload the team faced on a number of occasions. From the unexpected deaths of Chris Henry and Vikki Zimmer to the tsunamis in Samoa, Marvin has needed to be a friend and mentor instead of just a coach to his players. Yet in the face of all of that, not only has he kept the train on the track long enough to manage a winning season, his team swept the AFC North and now finds itself in the postseason.

Yes, he is steadfast to his philosophy even when it appears to go against reason, true he sometimes employs curious ways of clock-management and yes, I agree that there are flaws to his predictable nature, but for now, the man is winning, and I think it's about time the world recognizes that fact.

Plus, I don't see a replacement stepping in and immediately elevating this team to an even higher level. If anything, it would likely take time for a new coach to become entirely comfortable with the his new team; and frankly, I'm tired of starting over with new coaches, especially when the guy currently leading the pack is moving at a steady pace.

To all those expecting a quick post-season exit to justify your prolonged pessimism toward Marvin and his staff, you're missing the point: It's more fun when the team you’re rooting for wins. If the man in charge continues to accomplish that task at the rate he's on, I see no reason to make a change.
Thanks, Marvin, and keep up the good work.