Is Marvin Lewis Entering a Make-or-Break Season in Cincinnati?

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

When Marvin Lewis became the Cincinnati Bengals ninth head coach in team history, expectations for him to succeed were very low.

The previous year, former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau led the Bengals to a 2-14 record in 2002.

For the most part, fans were optimistic when the Bengals hired another great defensive mind in Lewis, but again they were not expecting postseason runs right away.

In his first season, Lewis led what appeared to be a roster full of nobodies (actually LeBeau acquired future stars Levi Jones, Justin Smith, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the previous two drafts) to an 8-8 record in 2003.

The city fell in love with its new head coach and signs that read, "In Marvin We Trust" grew at an annoying rate.

In 2004, expectations were a bit higher, as 2003's first-overall pick, Carson Palmer, took over the starting quarterback duties. No more complaining of, as fans called him, Jon "Baby Hands" Kitna would come about for a long time.

Like the previous season, the Bengals struggled in the early portion of the season, but eventually won four of their last six games to finish 8-8 once again.

For Lewis, it is finally getting serious: back-to-back 8-8 seasons, and Palmer is now completely ready to become an NFL star.

In 2005, the Bengals beat Pittsburgh on the road and finished the season with an AFC North championship. Fans continued to love their coach until it all came crashing down in the team's home playoff game against Pittsburgh, when Palmer suffered a knee injury on the first passing play of the game.

Fans quickly realized they were doomed with Kitna at the helm and the Bengals lost, 31-17. To make matters worse, Pittsburgh eventually went on to win the Super Bowl that year.

Fast forward to 2009, a time when many Cincinnati fans feel they are doomed under Lewis, who has led the Bengals to a 19-28-1 overall record the past three seasons. More importantly, he has lost five straight to Pittsburgh and has failed to reach the playoffs since that 2005 season.

Ever since taking the over the head-coaching duties, Lewis has been plagued by a poor defense. The lack of defense has been hard on the fans as well, due to the fact Lewis was supposed to be this defense genius that led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl title in 2000.

Last year, Lewis acquired his third defensive coordinator in six seasons, when the Bengals hired Mike Zimmer.

Despite the 4-11-1 season last year, the Bengals defensive was improved. Compared to '07, the Bengals went from 27th in yards allowed to 12th in the NFL under Zimmer.

Zimmer, who was the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, also reeled in safety Roy Williams this offseason.

If the addition of Williams, defensive tackle Tank Johnson and draft picks linebacker Rey Maualuga and defensive end Michael Johnson, the Bengals look to the makings of a solid young defense in 2009.

For Lewis, who has two years left on his deal, he better hope Zimmer can come through and Palmer can stay healthy or he and his staff could have trouble finding work in the very near future.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?