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Andre Smith and Marvin Lewis: Linked Together As One
Published: June 22, 2009
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One player hold’s in his hands the fate of a coaching staff and an organization for the next 10 years. The previous sentence may be dripping with melodrama, but the fact is offensive tackle Andre Smith now holds the future of Marvin Lewis in his gigantic hands.
Smith was the sixth overall pick this past April by the Bengals. Despite an unexplainable turn of events leading up to the draft, Cincinnati called Smith’s name on draft day. Desperate to rebuild a line that allowed 51 sacks, the Bengals put aside the character issues swirling around Smith, choosing his potential instead.
Nobody disagreed that Smith was the most talented offensive lineman in the draft, but after going MIA at the NFL combine and embarrassing himself at a personal workout, his stock dropped.
That apparently did not phase Marvin Lewis, who jumped at taking Smith. Now Lewis’s future as the Bengals coach rest squarely with Smith.
Which Smith walks into the Cincinnati training camp is the big question. If it is the one that dominated college football, while playing for Nick Saban, than the Bengals will have an All-Pro right tackle. However, if this version of Smith quickly fades or never arrives, Lewis’ coaching career at Cincinnati will be over.
All the changes and tweaks on the line, including the release of Levi Jones, will mean little if Smith crumples in the hot NFL spotlight. Quarterback Carson Palmer will again be running for his life, leaving the offense toothless.
Another season of 4-6 wins will bring the Lewis era to a close. Despite enjoying some early success the pressure is building and owner Mike Brown is feeling where it hurts most; the pocket book. For the first time in the history of Paul Brown Stadium, season tickets are open to the public.
Certainly the economy caused some of this grief, but never underestimate the destitute of fans chronic losing causes. Lewis’ honeymoon is now over and when the dollar talks, Mike Brown listens.
Carson Palmer: Is He the Bengals’ Cornerstone?
Published: June 10, 2009
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Carson Palmer, the number one pick in the 2003 NFL Draft from USC, was considered a golden boy. Why not? He had a golden arm, intelligence, and grooming in a pro-style offense while quarterbacking the Trojans. He led USC to an impressive Orange Bowl victory, leaving many asking if USC was the best team in the nation. Carson Palmer had it all.
Then he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals. The beaches and warmth of Southern California were replaced by the snow and sauerkraut of the heavily German heritage of Cincinnati. Gone was the winning tradition of USC and in was the Cincinnati Bengals, an organization infested with losing.
Palmer was protected his rookie season by Coach Marvin Lewis, holding clipboard as Jon Kitna led the young, but explosive Cincinnati offense. The following season Kitna was delegated to the bench and Palmer entered the picture.
From the opening act, Palmer’s skills were obvious. He tossed 18 TD in 13 games and the excitement bubbled in Cincinnati; finally the savior had arrived.
In 2005 Palmer soared to new heights, tossing 32 TD and ripping through NFL defenses. The Bengals compiled an 11-5 record and it was off to the playoffs, an unthinkable accomplishment for a downtrodden organization.
Then the nightmare returned and Bengals fans were quickly transported back in time, where losing was king.
Palmer crumpled to the turf in the playoff game against Pittsburgh with a major knee injury. Chad (previously known as Johnson) Ochocinco began his transformation into the stereotypical self indulgent NFL wide receiver. More injuries hit, the losses returned, and turmoil reared an ugly head.
Now three years after the dream season, the birth of a savior, the arrival of a genius coach in Lewis, Cincinnati sits squarely on a cross road; continue moving forward or regress to the ugly past.
Through this all, Palmer has attempted to move forward. Palmer recorded two season’s of 20 plus TD passes, before missing most of last year with an elbow injury. Even with the lost season, Palmer is considered one of the league’s top passers. Yet, the Bengals are unwilling to treat him as such.
Unlike New England or Indianapolis where clearly Tom Brady and Payton Manning are in charge, Palmer has never been given the keys of the organization, a puzzling decision.
Palmer is a highly skilled, seemingly intelligent player. Palmer has never appeared in the headlines for off field actions or complaints. When given the opportunity Palmer demonstrated command of the offense utilizing the no-huddle offense to near perfection. He publicly expressed his frustration with Chad Ochocinco and the WR failure to work out with the entire team.
Palmer’s call out of Chad is another step forward for the well spoken, talented quarterback. He is evolving into the perfect candidate for being a team leader.
If Cincinnati and Marvin Lewis desire a return of 2005, Palmer must be treated as the franchise player he is. They could start by sending Ochocinco on his way.
How the Cincinnati Bengals Can Reverse Their Fortune in 2009
Published: May 19, 2009
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Legendary NFL commissioner Pete Rosezell’s vision of parity has become a reality, creating a sense of hope for all NFL fans, including Cincinnati Bengal fans.
Cincinnati has won 58 games in the decade for an average of six wins a season. They have won three or fewer games five times since 1990 and are coming off a two consecutive losing season.
So why are Bengal fans so excited about the upcoming season? Because this is the NFL and rags to riches stories are common place, just ask St.Louis, Baltimore, and Chicago fans among others. Like any loyal fan base, Bengals fans are holding on to hope this is their year.
After watching their franchise quarterback Carson Palmer crumple in their only playoff appearance this decade, the Bengals have made a rapid spiral downward. That season Cincinnati won 11 games, but has combined for just 19 wins the last three seasons.
Two major factors have contributed to the struggles, injuries and off-field issues.
The downward tumble continued when their two fast rising linebackers; David Pollack and Odell Thurman were lost. Pollack was forced into retirement by a neck injury, while off the field issues derailed Thurman, who was eventually released.
Almost overnight, a team many thought was nearing championship caliber transformed back into a losing franchise.
Now fast forward to the 2009-2010 season. Palmer appears 100 percent healthy and in command of the team. The linebacker core has been rebuilt, courtesy of USC in the form of Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga. The duo has been targeted not only as the future but the present core of the Bengals defense.
Offensively, Chad Johnson is still wearing the Bengal stripes, but many wonder for how long, especially with the signing of free agent Laveranues Coles.
Troubled, yet extremely talented wide receiver Chris Henry looks poised to unseat Johnson as Palmer’s number one target. If Henry can eliminate the problems of the past, his combination of freakish size 6’4” 200 lbs. and speed will create offensive mismatches.
The Bengals feel Jerome Simpson could emerge as a third option. If Simpson shows signs of becoming a legitimate second option, Johnson’s career in Cincinnati could be over.
Cedric Benson has replaced Rudy Johnson and Chris Perry at the half back position after signing with the Bengals last season. The former number one pick piled up 747 yards in 12 games for Cincinnati last year.
All of these changes could be for not if the Bengals fail to show major improvement on the offensive line. Last year the unit allowed 51 sacks and managed just 3.6 yards per rush. Any hope of a brighter season will require vast improvement from this unit and for that Bengals have turned to rookie Andre Smith.
The sixth overall pick out of Alabama this past draft, Smith was once seen as the number one offensive lineman in the draft. However, after being suspended for the Sugar Bowl, going MIA at the NFL combine, and clearly letting his physical fitness erode, there are many questions swirling around the talented offensive tackle.
That didn’t seem to turnoff Bengals’ owner Mike Brown or coach Marvin Lewis. They are confident that Smith will be the dominating player he was at Alabama and not the one who ran from the NFL combine.
It will not require an astrological miracle for Cincinnati to improve, but some things have to go right, starting with Palmer and the offensive line.
Cincinnati faces a difficult climb. They cannot afford another four game sweep at the hands of the Steelers and Ravens.
If they can protect the home turf against these teams, the schedule is dotted with very winnable games. The Bengals play the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and the Browns twice, all of which missed the playoffs last season.
There are already signs of confidence illuminating from the Bengals organization about the upcoming season.
Lewis accepted an offer to be featured on HBO and NFL Films Hard Knocks. A clear indication he believes his team is maturing and solidly on the road to success.
With a mix of veterans and young players, the Bengals will likely fall somewhere near nine wins, leaving them at worse sniffing the playoffs.
