Bengals mini camp is 10 days away and a lot of talk is circulating about people falling off the Bengals bandwagon and Marvin Lewis being on the hot seat. While a disappointing previous season and offseason infighting have led many to doubt the success of the coming season, let’s not forget the Bengals past so quickly. Is Marvin Lewis on the hot seat? No Way Jose, unless something monumentally horrible happens this season; such as the Bengals going 0-16, Marvin Lewis getting arrested for armed robbery with Jason Shirley, or the slow economy combines with bandwagon jumping and the Bengals average 10,000 fans per game. In Marvin’s 5 years, he has compiled a regular season record of 42-38, for a winning percentage of 52.5%. In Mike Brown’s tenure as Bengals owner, this is the first time the Bengals have a .500 record over a 5 year span. Mikey’s overall winning percentage in 17 seasons is a robust 35.7%, taking away Marvin and making it 12 seasons, it drops to 28.6%. While many ponder Marvin’s place on the hot seat, Mr. Brown is sitting back and basking in his ultimate success. The last time the Bengals had a 5 year winning percentage over .500 was 1986-1990. In fact, from the Bengals inception in 1968 to the end of the Paul Brown era 23 seasons later, the Bengals had a regular season record of 171-168-1. They were an average team that had their ups, downs, playoff appearances, high draft picks, and Super Bowls. Living in the Mike Brown era, 42-38 is by far the best stretch the Bengals have had within the 97-175 mess.

“You’re doing a heck of a job there, Brownie!!” - President George W. Bush

Knowing Mike Brown is still running the show does not make many people cheery-eyed and hopeful going into this season. However, Marvin has shown an ability to fight the odds and raise the Mikey Bengals to slightly above average. If Mike Zimmer’s defensive philosophy takes hold with this team, some young guys step up, and injuries do not hit too hard, this team is more than capable of winning the AFC North. Every team in the AFC North has major issues going into this season, and slightly above average can secure a home playoff spot with a Division win.