Ex-Bengal Dave Lapham was Master of Ceremonies for the groundbreaking of the then-new Paul Brown Stadium. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

Dave Lapham was a Bengals offensive lineman from 1974-83. He is in his 17th consecutive season as analyst on Bengals radio broadcasts. He also works as an analyst for Fox TV's college football network.

Dear Mike,

Having played high school football in Wakefield, Mass., I root for the Warriors. After playing college football at Syracuse, the Orangemen became important to me.

Neither is anywhere near as close to my heart as the Bengals. This organization gave me an opportunity to live my dream - to play in the NFL. Cincinnati is my home. My grown children were born here and have made their homes here. I love Cincinnati.

Playing in and broadcasting Super Bowls were the ultimate thrill. The Cincinnati Bengals galvanized our community in the 1980s. It can happen again. The Cincinnati Bengals, regrettably, have become a national punching bag, and everyone is taking their shot. This organization is crying out for change.

LETTERS TO MIKE BROWN

• Former Bengals: Hire GM, think championship • Louis Breeden's letter • Dave Lapham's letter • Mike Martin's letter • Bob Trumpy's letter • Solomon Wilcots' letter

It's all about attitude. Expect to win. Know it will happen. Refuse to lose. You need someone who will provide an infusion of emotion, passion and enthusiasm necessary to compete in today's NFL.

Accountability and taking responsibility for poor performances are foreign concepts in your organization. There is a lack of confidence and trust that splinters the players, coaches, front office and support personnel. Lackluster effort can no longer be tolerated or - worse yet - rewarded. Going through the motions must be unacceptable - even punished.

Like a young child acting out, this franchise is craving discipline. Everyone is too comfortable. The country-club mentality has to stop. Competition will elevate performance across the board. Here, people perform their jobs as if they're on lifetime scholarship. The major goal has to shift from getting paid to a commitment to preparation that wins football games.

You can't assume that all coaches are capable scouts. Some are. Most are not - just as some scouts can coach. These critical roles are not interchangeable drill bits. Let coaches coach. Let scouts scout. Let players play. A system of checks and balances is then in place to prevent personnel conflicts of interest.

Make any and all changes necessary to recapture the magic. Cincinnati and its fans deserve it.

I promise to do whatever I can to help get it done.

Will you?

Sincerely,

Dave Lapham

Return to Bengals front page...