Cincinnati Bengals: Top Eight Changes Marvin Lewis Will Need To Make in 2011

Quite possibly the title of this article should be: "Cincinnati Bengals: Top 10 Changes Mike Brown Should Make For 2011."  

Yet here is hoping that somewhere in the bowels of Paul Brown Stadium, Marvin Lewis wrestled some control over changing the course of the Bengals with the start of the 2011 season.

2010 was a wake up year in more ways than one for the Cincinnati Bengals.  Players, coaches, and attitudes need to evolve if the future is to be different than the up and down bi-polar existence that has been what Bengals' faithful have dutifully embraced.

Get ready for hopes and dreams to come alive as we look towards the future of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Discipline

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: England Manager Fabio Capello and Sir Trevor Brooking pose with members of The Royal Regiment Second Fusiliers before the official unveiling of the sculpture of Sir Alf Ramsey at Wembley Stadium on November 6, 2009 in Londo

Marvin needs to instill a sense of discipline in the Bengals.  One only need look at the beginning of the game on Thanksgiving in New York to see what this means.  As the Jets lined the sideline in a perfect line for the national anthem (no, not to trip a defender), the Bengals stood in disunity on the visiting sidelines. Stretching was the same, as the Bengals were not quite in-sync with each other—just like their game.

Leadership and Empowerment

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals calls a play at the line of scrimage while playing the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

One of the most alarming (yet under-reported) issues of the Bengals' season was the lack of a leader. Even though Carson was having a misrable season, he faded way too fast from the public, and by the New Orleans game post-game press conference, Plamer was admitting that he did not have so much as the authority to call time outs at critical points in the game.  

Regardless of results, Marvin needs to empower his quarterback to succeed or fail.  The Bengals have thrived when strong-willed quarterbacks brought the moral muscle.  Maybe it was Ochocinco's early season aspirations to lead that got in the way (remember during the pre-season when he ran up to injured players with the coaches to offer his best medical advise?) or TO stepping up and giving a voice to player frustrations, which were finally founded and appropriate for this underachieving team.

Yet, in order to succeed, wide receivers need to step up and shut up.

Fire Bob

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CINCINNATI - 2009: Bob Bratkowski of the Cincinnati Bengals poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Bob Bratkowski has to go.  Plain and simple.  The Bengals need an offensive coordinator with a pulse and some creativity.  The reason why Marvin's Ravens won the Super Bowl was because of Lewis' creativity and overwhelming force on defense.  This same confident, dominate attitude needs to permeate the Bengals if the offense is going to be able to put together both a strong running AND passing game.

Trade or Release Ocho Cinco

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 26: Wide receiver Chad Johnson #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks to the bench during the game against the Houston Texans on October 26, 2008 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Dear Chad:

We love you, and you have been the life of the Bengals, but if anything, your media centric personality is fragmenting the team and is turning into a passively selfish distraction.  Do your reality stuff during the offseason.  Stay low key during the season.  Do not force yourself on your team.  Maybe leaders are born but not made, and maybe you need to start making yourself more about "we" than about "'I".

Cincinnati has given you the ability to maximize your exposure (as there is minimal competition for the spotlight around you), but maybe a more Hollywood type city would be better for you.  Try New York or Miami, but please stop showing your frustration on the field.  When you show your emotion on the field, you show your lack of "We" and your all about "I".

Love;

Bengals Nation

P.S.  Marvin, show Ocho who is boss for once.

Andre the Giant Needs To Show Up Or Be Shown the Door

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CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 1: First round draft pick Andre Smith #71 of the Cincinnati Bengals waits his turn for a drill during rookie minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium on May 1, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Mark Lyons/Getty Images)

Smith started showing promise but again suffered from lack of conditioning.  This time, it was the lack of a strong rehabilitation from the prior season's injury and then breaking his foot yet again.  It is time to put up or shut up.  

Andre, you need to get in shape and last a full season.  You have potential and are seriously wasting your chance at stardom and longevity in the NFL.  

Marvin needs to get this guy on the program 365 days a year and off the happy meals.

Youthful Infusion

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Jordan Shipley #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass in front of William Gay #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty

Time to move off of the veterans and switch over to the rookies and younger players more, Marvin.  Dunlap, Atkins, Shipley, Gresham, Simpson, and Caldwell need to all be in the starting lineup on 2011 Opening Day.  To move on and rebuild, the start is with the cast and crew.  No more Ocho, no more TO, and....

Say Bye to Cedric Benson

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Everybody outside of Paul Brown Stadium agrees with Cedric in that Bob Bratkowski needs to go, but after Cedric's worst hands season in which he doubled his career fumble total from seven to 14 in one season, he needs to follow.

There are some good players on the open market, like Michael Bush from Oakland, who could team up with Bernard Scott.

Benson was right about the strategy changing for the worst, and yes, the Bengals need to upgrade their offensive line, but Benson may not be the right one for the job anymore.

Marvin, it is time to overhaul the running game and support for the run.  The offensive line, running back, and full back positions need to get a serious upgrade to protect and progress.

Public Morale: Give the Public Some Credit

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25 Jan 2001: Defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens answers questions during the Ravens press conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Tampa, Florida. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/ALLSPORT

Marvin, it is time to speak straight to the public via the media.  Fans thrive (i.e. the city of Cincinnati) off of upfront, direct, and honest personalities.  Too much politician for us.  Keeping the fans loyal involves understanding that the Browns are your employer, but the fans are your heart.