07-23-2007, 09:51 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
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Heat is on as camp begins
The Enquirer - Heat is on as camp begins
Quote:
Coach Marvin Lewis said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February that following the team's three-game losing streak to end last season, the pressure is on him.
Lewis is just one of the Bengals players and coaches on the hot seat as the team heads to training camp:
Lewis: He had his third 8-8 season in four years in 2006, failing to get the Bengals to win just one of their final three games with a playoff berth on the line.
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Entering his fifth season as Bengals coach, Lewis has the players and coaches of his choosing in place. His game-management skills came under scrutiny down the stretch last season, but Lewis remains confident in his decisions and - more important - his decision-making process.
Even in Cincinnati, which has enjoyed just one winning Bengals season since 1990 and where Lewis is widely popular for resurrecting the franchise, fans want more than a .500 record.
Chuck Bresnahan: Though Lewis called out his offense last week in an interview, more pressure rests on the shoulders of defensive coordinator Bresnahan to elevate the play of that unit. The defense needs to maintain improvements made defending the run while bettering itself against the pass.
Deltha O'Neal: The veteran cornerback has to be maddening to coach. Extremely intelligent and gifted athletically, O'Neal still can lapse into spells of indifference.
He tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions in 2005 but had just one in 2006. He also missed time because of injuries and the aftermath of a DUI arrest.
Which O'Neal will show up this year?
A consistent performance by him would help the defense greatly and allow the Bengals to bring along rookie first-round pick Leon Hall more slowly.
Andrew Whitworth: As a rookie, he exceeded all expectations last season by playing 10 games at left tackle in place of injured Levi Jones. The plan this year is for Jones to come back at tackle and allow Whitworth to compete with Stacy Andrews for the starting job at left guard in place of free-agent loss Eric Steinbach.
If Jones' knees are not healthy - and he has yet to be medically cleared - the Bengals will be forced to slide Whitworth outside.
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Heat is on as camp begins
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