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Y! MyWebCincinnati Bengals
Lewis takes blame for 0-6 start
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
CINCINNATI — On a day when quarterback Carson Palmer was shelved and backup Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starter against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis claimed responsibility for the club's 0-6 start.
He also attempted to soothe angry fans. They're planning to protest against Bengals president Mike Brown, whose franchise has reached the postseason just once in 18 years.
According to JungleInsider.com, a banner proclaiming "Step Down Mike Brown" will fly over Paul Brown Stadium from 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Some Bengals fans are also attempting to organize a walkout during the Nov. 16 home game against the Philadelphia Eagles in conjunction with a boycott of Bengals merchandise, souvenirs, season tickets and training camp.
Lewis didn't hesitate when asked a question — "How much responsibility do you and should you feel for the fans and season ticket holders who are so upset right now?" — at his Monday news conference.
"One hundred percent," Lewis said. "I know they want to win just like we do, and that's the fun of it. They're passionate about it — maybe not quite as much as I am, but that's good. They want to win just like everybody in this room wants to win.
"Everybody wants to win, and I'm sorry they're disappointed. So am I. But unfortunately, that's where we are right now. But hang on; they could see something special here. We've got a ways to go, and we'll keep working to turn this thing around."
The Bengals have won just 12 of their previous 35 games and have fallen from an 11-5 playoff team in 2005 to 8-8 in 2006, 7-9 in 2007 and 0-6 in 2008.
"We need a spark and we're not getting it," Lewis said. "We've got to find a way. We owe it to everybody to find a way to get more done."
The players hear the criticism on sports talk radio and read about it in the newspaper. They'd like to give it a stiff-arm with a victory.
"You've got to feel for (the fans) because they've been a part of an organization that's been losing for the last couple of years," strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe said. "You can't blame them. But as professionals, we've got to go out there and do our jobs. That's all we can do, and that's what we're going to do."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig
@DaytonDailyNews.com.
