Cincinnati Bengals
Lewis: Infrastructure has improved, but must be better
By Scott Priestle, CNATI.com Posted February 26, 2010 12:50 PM ET
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Bengals have essentially been rebuilt twice in Marvin Lewis's seven seasons as coach. The current version, with a foundation of mental toughness and stout defense, is nearing completion.
The infrastructure of the organization remains a work in progress. The Bengals still have a Spartan scouting staff, and owner Mike Brown remains the final arbiter, though Lewis has had significant input into the makeup of the roster and coaching staff.
Marvin Lewis
The second-winningest coach in franchise history indicated Friday that it is a significant consideration in his discussions with team officials about a contract extension. Lewis's current deal is set to expire after the 2010 season, and it is clear money is not the only sticking point.
"There are things that are important -- the direction of things that we're doing and how we're doing things," he said. "There are things that when I started this job in 2003 were important and we can't change those. We have to stay on track, and I have to make sure we're continuing to progress that way. Those are the things that are as important to me as anything."
He declined to elaborate, except to say, "I'm talking about infrastructure, I'm talking about decisions, about how we do things, how I have the ability to do things that give us an opportunity to win football games."
Lewis and Brown notoriously butted heads over the decision to re-sign troubled receiver Chris Henry prior to the 2008 season; Lewis made it clear he did not agree with the move. Since then, he has made a point of saying the two men have a good working relationship. And Lewis has been able to stock the roster with players who have the professionalism and mental toughness he values -- sometimes at the expense of raw, physical skills.
"All that is really private to us," Lewis said. "I think we've made progress. I think fundamentally we've built a pretty strong foundation at this point. I'm pleased about that. We've made a transformation to guys who love to play football, that love to compete, and that's important."
Lewis and Bengals officials discussed a contract extension during the team's bye week in October, then resumed talks shortly after the season. Lewis said he hopes to work out an extension prior to the 2010 season but is not worried about it.
"The most important thing is what we do on the football field in 2010, whether I have a contract beyond this year or not," he said. "That's the most important thing for those 53 guys on our roster as well as the rest of our coaches."
Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, News
Tags: Bengals, Marvin Lewis, Mike Brown, NFL combine
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