Jungle Bungle

Much has already been made about the implosion called the Cincinnati Bengals in the wake of their Sunday collapse. Up 28-7 only to lose 49-31. Fans screaming for the ouster of Mike Brown, head coach Marvin Lewis and offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. A word to those screaming for such...it's not happening although arguments could be made that they must go.

Concerning Mike Brown, he's not going anywhere. He's going to fire himself? In a roundabout way, that's what would have to occur. I'm not a Mike Brown supporter, but you have to extend him this. He realized that the Bengals "weakness" last season was the passing game. He brought in Terrell Owens, drafted Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley, and re-signed Bobbie Williams.

Sure, you can bring up the Antonio Bryant debacle here. Justifiable. Even mention the drafting of Andre Smith in 2009. You're right. Shouldn't have selected Smith considering issues floating around on draft day. Two seasons cut short in some ways with foot injuries.

But while attempting to improve the offense, the defense wasn't exactly getting a piece of the action.

The Bengals have arguably the best pair of corners in the NFL with Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. The linebackers are very good with Dhani Jones leading the way. The line won't blow you away with their names, but that group was more than capable at holding their own. Not this season. Injuries have ravaged the D-line. The safties haven't been healthy either.

But exactly who has Brown added over the last couple of seasons? Reggie Nelson. Roy Williams. Tank Johnson.

And throw every bit of your angst at Marvin Lewis you want. He's not going anywhere either...at least for the rest of this season. With the potential of no NFL in 2011 looming, it's not a smart economical move. Sure, Jerry Jones recently booted Wade Phillips, but Jerry's checkbook balance reveals more than enough dough to cover the expense.

The issue with Lewis could be the fact that his guys have never played a full 60 minutes this season. Heap on the players and say it's their job to be psyched and all, but part of Lewis' job is also to be a motivator. He was voted coach of the year last season. That should mean something, right? Not in 2010.

Look, I like Marvin Lewis. He came to the Bengals organization with an impressive record as a defensive coordinator. Not so much as being the head guy.

Bratkowski is another manner. His play calling is almost always suspect to a lot of fans and NFL "experts". He'll be in Cincy for the remainder of 2010, too. After this season, I'm not so sure.

But what happened to the Bengals defense this season? Have they hibernated? 49 points to the Buffalo Bills? Really? Well, 42 because of the Cedric Benson fumble that was returned for a Bills defensive TD, but still. This was an NFL top 10 unit last season.

It's not like the Bengals coaches didn't know who they were facing. Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was a Bengal just a couple of years ago. They know his talents. They know his weaknesses. And he tosses the pigskin for 316 yards? In 208 when Fitzpatrick filled in for Carson Palmer, his biggest passing game was during the tie against the Philadelphia Eagles. He threw for 264 yards...and that included overtime.

Steve Johnson? How do you not account for him? He was so open within the Bengals secondary that he could have had his own little picnic. He actually did to the tune of 8 catches for 137 yards and 3 TD. His best overall game in the NFL. The former UK product lit up the Queen City.

Maybe it's time to shake up the roster. It's a short week, so nothing can be done this week. See how things roll against the New York Jets Thursday night. Then, do a shakedown. Have competitive practices where all starting positions are up for grabs. Yes, even quarterback. Or you can just see what certain players are able to accomplish when presented the chance to play extended minutes.

Something must be done, but as long as mediocrity permitted to reside within the organization, things in Cincinnati will never change.

In the NFL, if you score 31 points, you should win. It doesn't get any simpler than that.