Links and Notes: Marvin Lewis' last stand?

Published July 20, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.
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...More photos »...by Tom Uhlman - AP...

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...about 1 month ago:...Cincinnati Bengals' heaad coach Marvin Lewis watches the team during football practice in Cincinnati Friday June 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)...

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While examining the AFC North, National Football Post's Matt Bowen (via Yahoo! Sports) brings several storylines to the table for the Cincinnati Bengals. One of which is Marvin Lewis' "last stand", suspecting that this will be his final season if he can't land them in the post season.

Bowen also called Andre Smith a risk because of off-the-field red flags. In truth, what off-the-field red flags? When you read off-the-field red flags in such a generic terms, without pointing out what those flags are, then you think the worst. He was suspended in the Sugar Bowl for talking to an agent. Had two instances where he wasn't prepared to workout in front of NFL teams and used one agent to improve his draft stock and then subsequently firing him afterwards. These are flags of a mature nature. Red flags? Maybe. But quantify it a little. Someone hearing about Andre Smith for the first time could think to themselves, "oh man, this guy is really bad news."

Former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson received 71.6% of the ballots during the Bengals.com Virtual Hall of Fame voting.

Joe Reedy is beginning a countdown towards training camp. He examines quarterbacks today. Reedy also examines first round draft picks and how they potentially impact negotiations with Andre Smith.

Roy Williams on his role in 2009:

“I am very blessed to have some Pro Bowls under my belt, but I don’t get...caught up in the hoopla of being a Pro Bowl safety,” he said. “It was an...honor and I appreciate it, but that’s the past. I can’t worry about what...happened then. I have to be able to produce on Sundays for the Bengals when...they need me to perform.

“I don’t want people thinking that just because I played under coach Zimmer in...Dallas that I’m his boy. If he tells me to shut up I have to listen. I’m...working and fighting for this job. There’s nothing given to me and I am one...of the guys trying to make the team. I just want to contribute. I’m no...better than anyone else on this team. I’m not coming in here thinking that...I’m hot stuff and about to run things. I can be on the backseat and end up...third-string.”

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