Cincinnati Bengals' 2008 Grade So Far: D for Disappointment

Before the start of the 2008 season, the Cincinnati Bengals looked like they were one of the best teams in the league.

Carson Palmer: Pro Bowl quarterback.

Chad Ocho Cinco & T.J. Houshmandzadeh: Pro Bowl receivers.

The Bengals have almost the same exact team that led them to the AFC North title in 2005.

So, who is to blame for the Bengals' 1-10-1 record?

It has to be the head coach, Marvin Lewis, the leader of the team.

One thing I can't stand about Lewis is how he disciplines his players. At least 10 Bengal players have been arrested over the last couple of years. What has Lewis done to these players? He welcomes them back with open arms.

For example, I still can't believe how the Chris Henry situation has played out this season.

Early this year, Henry was arrested for the fifth time. The Bengals released him because they were done with dealing with his off-the-field incidents. At least that's what they wanted us to believe.

Before the start of the season, the Bengals re-signed Henry because they were in need of a wide receiver. I guess the Bengals showed him who was boss!

There have been numerous incidents within the Bengals organization over the last couple of seasons that make it clear Lewis has no control over his players. There is even a Web site that allows people to make bets at 5-to-1 odds that a Bengals player will end up in jail this season.

How many times have we heard Chad Ocho Cinco talk about how much he wants to be traded? I got so sick of this story in the offseason that there was a two-week span where I boycotted SportsCenter.

So with all of these trade requests by Ocho Cinco, one would think that this has a major affect between the player and the coach, right? Wrong.

When Chad Johnson scored his first touchdown earlier this season, he went over to Marvin Lewis and kissed him on the cheek. I don't understand why Chad would do this to Lewis if he wanted to get out of Cincinnati so much.

It's safe to say that it's time for Marvin Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals to part ways. Would it hurt the franchise? Of course not.

Nobody likes to deal with change. But sometimes change is good.

In most situations, it can take a franchise a few years to improve after bringing in somebody new. However, some teams adjust right away.

The Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons brought in Tony Sparano and Mike Smith this season after both teams had awful 2007 campaigns. Both rookie coaches have led their teams to winning records so far this season.

A fresh start with a new coach may be the best answer for the Cincinnati Bengals after a disappointing 2008 season. With a healthy Carson Palmer back and a solid offseason in the draft and free agency, there is no reason why the Bengals can't be contenders next season.