Terrell Owens and Marvin Lewis: Both Are Bad for the Cincinnati Bengals

Terrell Owens has finally opened his mouth. With the Cincinnati Bengals owners of a dismal 2-11 record, wasn't it only a matter of time? 

Owens has had a solid season, but his antics are the last thing the Bengals need. However, the woes Cincinnati fans are enduring aren't all because of Owens and his mouth.

T.O. was right when he said that Cincinnati's issues can be blamed from the top down. Much of the Bengals' problems can be pointed directly at head coach Marvin Lewis. 

Owens aired his frustrations on The T.Ocho Show Tuesday, saying, “I think there is underachieving, you know, from the top down. You start off with the owner, you start off with the coaches and obviously we as players.” 

At first, Owens' seemingly inevitable mouth-flapping seems to genuinely indict the entire organization for its issues, which would have been an acceptable comment.

However, he continued to verbally wag his finger at the coaching staff, saying, “We are a product of what the coaches are doing, are coaching us throughout the course of the week. Of course we have to go out there and play the game. But in order for us to do what we're allowed to do at the best of our ability, the coaches have to put the players in the best position.” 

Owens has since backed off his comments a bit to reiterate that everyone was, in fact, to blame for Cincinnati's problems this season.

While I don't appreciate Owens' chosen venue for his comments and the fact that this is just the latest chapter in his book of verbal errors, I tend to agree with him. 

Despite one of the most talented offensive units in the league, Lewis has struggled to figure it out. With Owens, Chad Ochocinco and explosive rookie Jordan Shipley, the Bengals boast an extremely dangerous wide receiving corps. With Cedric Benson in the backfield and Carson Palmer under center, it's quite shocking that the Bengals have struggled so mightily this season. 

Lewis has failed to make the adjustments needed for Cincinnati to succeed.  

A Pro Football Weekly piece from last month points out the many blunders Lewis has made in what is sure to be his last season at the helm for the Bengals. He seems to have lost the locker room and the respect of his players. In the 2-11 record, it shows. 

Owens, of course, isn’t exactly cleared of all charges in this situation. He’s a 37-year old receiver with baggage and clearly didn’t change his ways when he arrived in Cincinnati. 

If next year Lewis and Owens are out of Cincinnati, then perhaps the Bengals can build towards the future.