Marvin vs. Mike and an Imaginative Stretch

This article by Mr. Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer should have Bengals fans perturbed.

Marvin spoke to the media today about his contract status with the Bengals and delivered a clear message whilst speaking as vaguely as possible.

"There’s a lot of things that go into that. In the direction of things that we’re doing and how we’re doing things that are important to me,” Lewis said. “There were things when I started in this job in 2003 that were important and we can’t change those. They have to stay on track and I have to make sure we’re continuing to progress that way. Those are the things that are more important to me as anything.

“I’m talking about structure, decision and how we do things and how I have the ability to do things that give us an opportunity to win football games.”

I hear you loud and clear Marvin. The contract extensions offered by Mike Brown clearly rescind some of Marvin's control over team decision-making. Kudos to Marvin for making it public knowledge that Mike Brown still wants control of the team despite the most pathetic record and resume of any GM in the history of history.

It's disturbing that the owner of the team wants to take away control from the best coach his franchise has seen since Sam Wyche. In fact, its downright insane to try and break up the formula that has given the best glimmer of hope and success to its franchise in nearly two decades. Or is it?

(Conspiracy Alert)

Recently the Brown family offered Hamilton County a list of financial concessions to help the county through its economic issues. Our friends at WhoDeyRevolution.com break it down beautifully in a four-part diatribe. One of the offers the Bengals made to the county came with the stipulation that the franchise would have the freedom to move out of Cincinnati years before the current lease agreement would allow. Coincidentally there has been increasing buzz by Los Angeles developers that they would make a move to LA by an NFL franchise a very comfortable one.

See what I am driving at?

Hamilton County is in such rough shape right now they may have no choice but to take the Bengals offer just to free up some of the ridiculous money tied into Paul Brown Stadium. If that happens the Bengals have an opportunity to jet and what better excuse to leave than lack of fan support? Hence blowing up a quazi-functioning arrangement with Marvin Lewis and sinking back into the middle ages.

Convoluted? Yes. Needless Speculation? Yes. Alcohol-induced? Pfft its 5 o'clock somewhere and that somewhere is here! But I digress. This could be nothing more than Mike Brown being a pain-in-the-ass negotiator which is his calling card, but I have always been suspicious of the Brown family's loyalty to Cincinnati. And with LA waving the flag of the second largest media market in the country it wouldn't be a stretch to see Mike Brown rubbing SPF 50 on his glossy dome.

In Marvin We Trust

It's Official....the Bengals sign WR Matt Jones

Well....it's official, at 12:05 today the Cincinnati Bengals sign troubled wide receiver Matt Jones to a 1-year contract worth roughly $700,000.

Matt isn't the only "Jones" to be courted by the Bengals this week, the team also had Pacman Jones in for a visit as well.

Personally, I'm not thrilled with this signing because I'm not sure Matt brings a lot to this organization other than a couple run-ins with the law to add to our already sterling reputation around the league. At least Pacman and T.O. bring SOMETHING to the organization....a little TALENT. If we are going to take a chance on a player with a troubled past, shouldn't we make sure they can contribute on the field? I'm not sure Matt can, or is willing to put in the effort, to fill a void in our offense.

If there is one positive to come from this signing, it's that Bob and I have found yet another possible poster child of "OneManCrimeWave." There is certainly no shortage of possible candidates.

When is enough enough?

The Bengals have reportedly offered a contract to criminal Matt Jones formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars and are interested in criminal Donte Stallworth of the Cleveland Browns according to Profootballtalk.com

Even though both players did not play in 2009 and they deserve to claw for a job like the rest of America currently is, the Bengals are seemingly interested in both. I am fed up. Playoff appearance or not I do not want to be cheering on guys like this. Mike Brown might think he is repeatedly presenting himself as a redeemer, but all I see is a bargain-seeking cheapskate looking to get a deal at the expense of a city's reputation and pride.

I'd rather Betty White play wide receiver for the Bengals than either of these rejects.

Censoring what I have to say about Mike Brown right now is killing me a little each curse at a time.

UPDATE: ProFootballTalk.com is also reporting the Bengals have given Pacman Jones a work out. Brilliant. Let the punchlines continue.