Jerome Simpson: Why Bengals WR Arrest Is Proof Marvin Lewis Needs to Go

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports, Cincinnati Bengals' WR Jerome Simpson and offensive lineman Anthony Collins are dealing with issues regarding the use of marijuana:

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Bengals receiver Jerome Simpson and Bengals offensive lineman Anthony Collins were detained Tuesday after 2.5 pounds of marijuana arrived at Simpson’s home.

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Adding to the case:

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Per the report, another six pounds of marijuana were found in Simpson’s home, along with “packaging materials, scales and smoking devices.”

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Might as well just put this incident on the Bengals' tab, so to speak. This could potentially (as of now no one has been officially arrested) be No. 28 on the Bengals' list of arrests since head coach Marvin Lewis took over in 2003.

For starters, put all off-the-field records aside and look at how Cincinnati has done on the field under Marvin Lewis.

Sure they have two AFC North Division titles (2005, 2009), but each year they lost in the AFC Wild Card round, giving him a playoff record of 0-2.

Every other season under Lewis, however, the Bengals have done no better than 8-8 (three times) and have finished third or fourth in the AFC North a combined four times in eight seasons.

His career record currently stands at 61-68-1 through two weeks into the 2011 season.

If the Bengals are to contend with Pittsburgh and Baltimore on a year-to-year basis, a change is needed.

All that said, let's revert back to Cincinnati's off-the-field issues.

Obviously, some are more notable than others. But regardless, having almost 30 arrests during your tenure does not make you look like a disciplinarian, does it?

And isn't that one of the responsibilities of being an NFL head coach?

Sure these are grown men, and they must be treated as such, but you don't see nearly this number of incidents under coaches like Bill Belichick, Lovie Smith or Andy Reid.

Marvin Lewis clearly doesn't get one-third of the respect these other coaches get from their players and it shows on, and off, the field.

Therefore, the sooner Lewis is out in Cincy, the better. If they want any shot at being a competitive team on the field, it will take a lot of discipline off of it.

Right now, they don't have a head coach who is reputable enough to do that.

Click the link for a full view of the Bengals arrest record.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

And you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.