I thoroughly agree Mike. The 2007 edition of the Bengals shows that you can have talent, yet it takes more then that to win. They have some players who play with that "fire"; but that fire is like a "tude" (a stick of dynamite waiting to go off). A "tude" that is more about the individual
on the field, then the team as a cohesive unit. And there seems to be no one on that field to reign them in. Carson tries, but I don't know how effective he is.
There seems to be no "stand out" guy on the defensive side. You would think it would be someone like a Justin Smith.
I thought the situation with Pittsburgh's Willie Colon was hilarious. Pitt had driven the ball down to the Bengal's 5 yd line, kept the drive alive, and this rookie gets a 15 yd taunting penalty that puts the ball back to the 20.
They showed "the chin". Cowher, at that moment, wanted a piece of Colon. And Colon was going nowhere near Cowher or looking in his direction.
But just the camera shots of Cowher motioning/trying to get this kid's attention was hilarious. He finally did. But what impressed me - and regardless of what anyone thinks of Cowher, because I think he is a good coach - was the camera shot of Cowher's one-on-one with this rookie. He was letting him have it, probably letting him know just how stupid his actions were and how it cost
the team. But afterwards, Cowher pats him on the helmet and sends him back in there.
That's coaching. Cowher is a motivator. The players have a fear, and at the same time, a respect for him.
How often do you see that on the Bengal's sideline and with Lewis?
The players
PLAY FOR Cowher. Do the Bengals players do the same for Marvin?
I like Marvin Lewis. And maybe Marvin is the type of guy that likes to deal with "situations" privately (like his benching of Henry). But I also believe you have to show that on the sideline too during the game. I have seen Marvin try to say stuff to players as they walk to the sideline and after they've done something bonehead, but the player just kind of walks right by Marvin. And Marvin seems to lets it slide.
It's just not about control in that locker room, but also control on that field (sidelines) too.
That is the difference I see between a Marvin Lewis and say a Parcells, Cowher, and previous coaching greats like Lombardi, Brown, and Stram.
Marvin is a great evaluator of talent and assembling a team. But does he possess those characteristics of being a motivator? That person who grabs the bull by the horns, takes charge, and is both respected and feared by his players?