OT: The excuse making for Marvin Lewis by the media is comical

[DarrylS]

Remember Brandon Spikes, better to get rid of a lose cannon early rather than late... In Cincinnati they believe they will change by osmosis..

From the Cincinnati Press this AM..

Doc: This Bengals' playoff loss was the worst

But when the fury escapes from the leash and costs you games, the coach is going to be the one held accountable. The irony is, Lewis likely saved Jones’ career, and gave life to Burfict’s. Now, he’s open to criticism because he can’t control their behavior on the field.

There will be Next Times, but there will never be another This Time. This time, the Bengals had the better team. The best team, in fact, that they’ve had in the Marvin Lewis era. “This is the best team I’ve ever been on. That’s the most disappointing part,’’ said Andrew Whitworth, here a decade.

 

[patfanken]

Some comments on the comments:

1. Mitch is right, Tomlin is getting off far too easy because of the shear vastness of the Bengal epic meltdown. Taken on its own, the Steelers were matching the Bengals play for play in thuggery and undisciplined play right until the very end. How was Joey Porter allowed to be 25 yds on the field with no flag. Having Mike Tomlin on the other side of the field is always going to be a big advantage for the Pats. Not a bad HC, but very over rated.......and lucky.

2. All the talk of Marvn Lewis losing his job loses traction with me when you compare his "success" with Jeff Fisher's. How can Marvin Lewis NOT have a job while Jeff Fisher still has one. While many of the points that are raised are legitimate, I just find it hard to listen to a media call for the job of Lewis, while at the same time blissfully ignore the 14 YEARS of abject failure from Fisher. Talk about a double standard.

3. The NFL has hit a new low with me. I didn't watch either game, though I did follow the action on line from time to time. I didn't miss a thing. The first game was an embarrassing blow out, while the second was a continuation of the NFL's transformation from a professional sports league, to the WWE. Can it be much longer before they bring a table out to mid field and slam someone into it?

It is only my (diminishing) interest in the Pats that causes me to watch games they are in. If I feel this way after a 60 year love affair with the game, what about someone more casually committed.
rThe quality of the football has to be at an all time low....across the board. The Steeler/Bengal game was more entertaining and noteworthy for the bizarre and dumb plays than for anything beautiful from the play of these extraordinary athletes.

4. I hate to say it but it couldn't be lining up better for the Broncos. KC, Pittsburgh and the Pats are all more than just "banged up" and at just the wrong time. I'm thinking that the only thing that can keep the Broncos out of the Superbowl (where they will be crushed....again) is the fact Manning will be the QB. If the refs don't allow the Denver OL to flat out tackle pass rushers, he will be very vulnerable to the pressure.... even more than Brady.

5. Interesting to note about Pittsburgh is that the last 6 QB's they have faced this year have been back ups.

6. Before you feel bad for Lovie Smith' s quick pull consider this. Mike Petinine and the Cleveland Browns have a better record than the Bucs over the last 2 years. (8-24, vs 10-22) But then again, Jeff Fisher still has a job, so both Lovie and Marvin have a right to complain.

 

[Hoodie]

Not sure why Tomlin isn't getting the same scrutiny as Lewis. Steelers were almost as undisciplined as the Bengals. It does take two to tango.

Just because your team wins the game doesn't mean you should skate

You're absolutely right. Two coaches (Porter and Munchak) on Tomlin's staff will be fined for interfering with the game. It's bad when even the coaches are undisciplined. But then again, maybe they were mad because they were getting Bengals audio in their headsets.

 

[DarrylS]

You're absolutely right. Two coaches (Porter and Munchak) on Tomlin's staff will be fined for interfering with the game. It's bad when even the coaches are undisciplined.

Can you imagine if two Pats Coaches did this??? Borges, Ryan, Tanguay and Felger could get rid of their little blue pills forever..

 

[SVN]

The Burfict thing never should have happened because Lewis never should have called a running play after the Burfict INT (or at least he should have made sure all players knew not to struggle for extra yards at the very least). 3 kneel downs and a 42yd FG puts Pitt down by 4 with no TO's and a QB who couldn't throw more than 15yds.

Lewis is lucky Burfict is such a hothead or this all would be focused on him as it should be. That game should have been over right then and there. Instead Lewis loses his head just like his players did.

And can you imagine BB's reaction should a player get a crucial end of game INT like Burfict did then run the wrong way the length of the field and into the tunnel in celebration? That dude would have been screwed to the bench instantly. Delay of game should have been called. And what if he weren't ruled down? Would have been an a safety!

We are so lucky to have Belichick and both game's worth of lousy coaching and football really showed it yesterday.

We should try and remember this in the game thread next time while calling JMcD and BB names.

 

[fourhour]

4. I hate to say it but it couldn't be lining up better for the Broncos. Both KC Pittsburgh and the Pats are more than just "banged up" all at just the wrong time. I'm thinking that the only thing that can keep the Broncos out of the Superbowl (where they will be crushed....again) is the fact Manning will be the QB. If the refs don't allow the Denver OL flat out to tackle rushers, he will be very vulnerable to the rush....even more than Brady.

Just the way the NYFL wants it............

 

[mosslost]

You are correct about it being the responsibility of the coach.

On another matter, when I saw that fumble I immediately thought of Belachik with Ridley. The discipline that Bill imparts translates to having so few fumbles. Down there in that game situation the four rules for the ball carrier are (1) protect the ball, (2) protect the ball, (3) protect the ball and (4) if you can, get some yards if you can.

Oh, I am celebrating here. This is my 100th post.

1:20 something left on Steeler 26, why would they not just take the knee? They hoping to break a TD there? They could have taken all their timeouts and got a FG. I don't get whey you risk and run at all but I admit I am just a fan I don't know anything really.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

plus Ben was dragging his arm and was obviously incapable of throwing anything but swing passes and bubble screens, yet they played loose, deep coverage

 

[TinhWoodhead]

The Burfict thing never should have happened because Lewis never should have called a running play after the Burfict INT (or at least he should have made sure all players knew not to struggle for extra yards at the very least). 3 kneel downs and a 42yd FG puts Pitt down by 4 with no TO's and a QB who couldn't throw more than 15yds.

Lewis is lucky Burfict is such a hothead or this all would be focused on him as it should be. That game should have been over right then and there. Instead Lewis loses his head just like his players did.

And can you imagine BB's reaction should a player get a crucial end of game INT like Burfict did then run the wrong way the length of the field and into the tunnel in celebration? That dude would have been screwed to the bench instantly. Delay of game should have been called. And what if he weren't ruled down? Would have been an a safety!

We are so lucky to have Belichick and both game's worth of lousy coaching and football really showed it yesterday.

BB hasnt been exactly a genius the latter part of the season

 

[borg]

Remember Brandon Spikes, better to get rid of a lose cannon early rather than late

Doc: This Bengals' playoff loss was the worst

The same Spikes Belichick resigned this summer.....only to cut Spikes after abandoning his car to hide a DWI? Just goes to show you winning takes priority and reluctantly, turds may be the only options...even for NE.

 

[Kontradiction]

Granted I was at a wedding and didn't see the game, but the refs need to be ripped for that one too. The Burfict hit is one you can argue in their favor for but that big mouth asswipe Joey Porter should have never been on the field - let alone on the field and running his mouth.

 

[letekro]

The Burfict thing never should have happened because Lewis never should have called a running play after the Burfict INT (or at least he should have made sure all players knew not to struggle for extra yards at the very least). 3 kneel downs and a 42yd FG puts Pitt down by 4 with no TO's and a QB who couldn't throw more than 15yds.

Lewis is lucky Burfict is such a hothead or this all would be focused on him as it should be. That game should have been over right then and there. Instead Lewis loses his head just like his players did.

And can you imagine BB's reaction should a player get a crucial end of game INT like Burfict did then run the wrong way the length of the field and into the tunnel in celebration? That dude would have been screwed to the bench instantly. Delay of game should have been called. And what if he weren't ruled down? Would have been an a safety!

We are so lucky to have Belichick and both game's worth of lousy coaching and football really showed it yesterday.

Nope. Belichick wouldve called for a running play as well with the Bengals' kicker. You cant just kneel AT the line of scrimmage. Everytime u kneel its a 2 yd loss. So that wouldve been a 48 yd kick in the rain with a mediocre kicker. Good chance he misses that and the steelers have it at the 38 yd line needing only 30 yds to win. The blame is squarely on the shoulders of Mr. Hill, who was clearly having discipline issues all night.

 

[borg]

Granted I was at a wedding and didn't see the game, but the refs need to be ripped for that one too. The Burfict hit is one you can argue in their favor for but that big mouth asswipe Joey Porter should have never been on the field - let alone on the field and running his mouth.

Given the NFL edict prior to this particular game regarding conduct, I suspect the onus was placed on the coaches to keep their thugs under control and leeway was likely granted to allow coaches on the field to defuse flair ups. Sounds reasonable....except for the reality that Joey FREAKIN Porter was Pitts on-field voice of reason.......LMFAO.

 

[borg]

Nope. Belichick wouldve called for a running play as well with the Bengals' kicker. You cant just kneel AT the line of scrimmage. Everytime u kneel its a 2 yd loss. So that wouldve been a 48 yd kick in the rain with a mediocre kicker. Good chance he misses that and the steelers have it at the 38 yd line needing only 30 yds to win. The blame is squarely on the shoulders of Mr. Hill, who was clearly having discipline issues all night.

I couldn't believe Hill broke free on that run considering how both teams stacked the line. Hill probably had visions of a TD and instantly lost focus on the primary objective.

 

[SVN]

BB hasnt been exactly a genius the latter part of the season

Here we go. The game thread has started early. "He was not a genius in half a season" hahaha...should we can him if they dont win the SB this yr? Has his genius eroded off ?

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Any organization takes on the face of their leader, whether a company or a team and Lewis owns this team. A perfect comparison is the ending of Super Bowl 49 (two plays after the Butler interception) and the contrast between NE and Seattle. You might not have seen it on TV but from where I was sitting in the grandstands , when the brawl broke out on the kneeldown not a single Patriot player or coach moved or ran on the field. In contrast 15 Seattle players and coaches ran on the field.. Cinn is reaping what they sow..

 

[1960Pats]

I agree that Tomlin has been exposed this year as a lightweight coach. He did a poor job managing this game.

One thing that didn't get any play at all is him going for two when the Steelers were up 15-0 almost 2/3 of the way through in the third. You kick the extra point and it is 16 nothing and you make the Bengals score two TDs and two two point conversions or score three times. At 15-0, it only requires them to go for a two point conversion once if they score two TDs. It isn't a huge odds change, but it isn't something you really need to risk to get a potential 17-0 lead which would make it a three score game.

Ultimately, it didn't matter, but that has been Tomlin this year. He gambles a lot in situations where it is either isn't warranted or stupid to do so.

But it is true that Tomlin lost as much of his control of his team as Lewis did last night. His team was just not as stupid as the Bengals are.

The 2 point attempt showed up when Cincy made it 15-7. Had the Steelers simply kicked the extra point it would have been 16-7 and still a two score game.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

I was rather amused by this comment that I saw elsewhere about Burfict's post-INT behavior. I can only imagine what BB would have said to a player who pulled that stunt after an INT.

And it really would have been great, beyond all description, if he hadn't been touched, hadn't realizd that the whistle never blew, and had scored a safety for the Steelers with his celebration. I might have stopped watching football, having seen the pinnacle.

 

[borg]

The 2 point attempt showed up when Cincy made it 15-7. Had the Steelers simply kicked the extra point it would have been 16-7 and still a two score game.

How about Cincy's 2 point try.....a backward pass. Nothing like making a 2 yard play a 5 yard play

 

[Rob0729]

The 2 point attempt showed up when Cincy made it 15-7. Had the Steelers simply kicked the extra point it would have been 16-7 and still a two score game.

Are you sure? I wasn't following the game all that close last night. But if this is the case, it still a unnecessary risk, maybe more so since the Bengals would have to score twice and not just score a TD and a two point conversion to tie the game.