I think the Bengals organization is going to fall into another 90's like Dark Era. Marvin Lewis is most likely gone after this year. He's pretty much shown that the best he can muster with good talent is what you've seen since 2003. I'm ready to part with him, but what worries me is that we don't have a good history of picking (or luring) good coaches since Mike Brown took over as owner. With the organization seemingly falling into disarray again, I don't know if they could bring a good coach in even if they wanted to.
Most likely, they will try to promote Mike Zimmer (the defensive coordinator). I like the guy. He took an absolutely terrible defense and made it into a solid unit, even reaching as high as #4 overall last year. However, what the hell happened this year with the defense? They suck! Sure, we are pretty banged up on defense, but even when we had everybody we were doing terrible. There is none of the ferocity there was last year and that's a big reason we're 2-11.
Chad's contract is up after this year, but we have an option for next year. Don't know what will happen with that. I imagine he'll want out. T.O. is on a one-year contract. Don't think we'll be bringing him back. Cedric Benson has been a bright spot the last couple of years, but I think he'll want out and he's due after this year for a new contract.
It's a mess. Knowing the Bengals, it's going to get a lot uglier that it is now before it gets better. If this was the Steelers, Patriots, Ravens, or Broncos, I would trust the organization to fix itself rather quickly. But this is the Mike Brown Bengals. Not just known for mediocrity, but being abysmal. And being cheap and stubborn to boot. I'm looking at a 90's era situation where we can't attract any free agents except those that are on the downside of their careers or nobodies.
