Last week the frustrations of a dismal season boiled over at the Wednesday Marvin Lewis presser when Dustin Dow asked Coach Lewis how finishing the season strong could potentially mask bigger problems that need to be addressed. As we know by now, Lewis blew up and said he would stop answering questions from Dow in the future (to be continued this afternoon...)
Since coming here in 2003, Marvin has taken great pride in stating that he can't relate to all the years of losing...he can only control what has happened since he has been here. OK, but it's not grasping the entirety of the situation. As fans, we aren't as lucky as Marvin. We have been subject to this garbage for nearly two decades...and even more specifically, a few meaningless wins against lousy teams at the end of the season. Wins that the front office uses to build hope for the following season. Wins that are used as a crutch to dismiss any thought of change...whether that is coaches, players, or personnel. And it is THAT fact that goes to the heart of Dustin Dow's question. This happens nearly EVER YEAR around here. Last year the team finished 5-3 after starting 2-6. This year (if they beat the Chiefs on Sunday) they will finish 4-3-1. But who the hell cares after they started 0-8? It happens more often than not...so asking if these wins will prevent change from happening in the offseason is a fair question. If Marvin had a better understanding of this reality, he would agree.
So why all the animosity towards Dow? Looking at this logically...Dow was the Xavier beat writer for the Enquirer who was pulled over to help out on the Bengals beat with Mark Curnutte. Since Curnutte is the straight beat writer...giving very few opinions and basically just reporting the dry news of the day...Lewis (and/or the Bengals PR department) had to see Dow's inclusion as someone who is trying to take a 'different angle'.
My problem with the way that Lewis responded was that Dow's questions were not loaded...and clearly NOTHING like what Rob Parker did to Lions head coach Rod Marinelli on Sunday. When Dow asked a few weeks ago about the exact day that Palmer started to throw, Lewis wouldn't answer, and brow beat Dow for the first time. After the horrible question Dow asked last week, Lewis really went off.
Not exactly asking if your daughter should have married a better defensive coordinator. Or even when Chick Ludwig asked if the Bengals have considered tanking the season to improve their draft position.
As I have said before, it is ridiculous that the Bengals have not hired a PR firm to 'coach up' Lewis on his handling of press conferences. Mike Brown made the conscious decision in 2003 to make Lewis the FACE and VOICE OF THE FRANCHISE. Instead of taking that question and spinning it to his benefit, Lewis made a fool of himself and further solidified up this franchise's reputation for incompetence.
Posted by: Flash | December 22, 2008 at 01:14 PM
is there video of the blowup?
Posted by: Ho Chi Maier | December 22, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Why even indulge in these questions? We need a movement to send the Bengal(berries) to Los Angeles.
Posted by: Ralph Lodewick | December 22, 2008 at 09:17 PM
Yes...go to bengals.com, click on the multimedia archive. Go to 12/17, Marvin Lewis Press Conference. Fast forward about 1/4 of the way.
Posted by: Ghost of Boomer | December 22, 2008 at 09:34 PM
found it. it is unbelievable how the Mike Brown's Bengals organization has absolutely no accountability to the people who built their stadium. The average fan doesn't care about the majority of the questions asked in these press conferences. Dow's question was the most interesting topic addressed and the question our fan base wants answered most. It was a completely valid inquiry when factoring in how this season has unfolded, not to mention the last 18 years. It's mind boggling how Bengals can take half a billion from the city of Cincinnati and be arrogant enough to feel disrespected when they face "tough" questions.
Posted by: Ho Chi Maier | December 22, 2008 at 09:45 PM