By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cris Collinsworth thinks the Bengals got the right man when they hired Marvin Lewis as their new coach, and Collinsworth is not talking just about football.

"I think he's the right choice for a number of reasons," said Collinsworth, the former Pro Bowl receiver for the Bengals and current top analyst for FOX. "First, he's an incredibly talented football coach.

"But secondly, perception is reality. And the perception is that this isn't a modern organization. But hiring a minority, the organization looks progressive."

Lewis is the first African-American to hold the top on-field position for either of the city's two major-league sports franchises, the Bengals and baseball's Reds.

Given the recent racial problems in Cincinnati, Collinsworth thinks Lewis' hire could have more impact than what the coach does as far as wins and losses.

"It's a great choice for that reason," Collinsworth said. "How ironic would it be if Mike Brown and his family help heal this city?"

Collinsworth said hiring Lewis also sends a good message to the NFL.

"After all the losing here, if they had hired Tom Coughlin - and you can make a strong argument for him - but he's just a hard-nosed guy; I think they would have had trouble attracting free agents."

Collinsworth knows Lewis personally from his work with FOX. Bengals Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz and former coach Sam Wyche have met Lewis only briefly, but they both endorsed the hire.

"I know this: His players think the world of him," Wyche said. "I think that's the best measure. Players and coaches go beyond just family. They live and work together. I never heard of anyone who was thought of more highly by his players than Marvin."

Munoz said what Lewis has done as defensive coordinator proves he can be successful.

"I think he's ready," Munoz said. "What he did with the Ravens speaks for itself."

Lewis' defense helped Baltimore win the 2001 Super Bowl and set NFL 16-game records for fewest points allowed and fewest rushing yards allowed. Collinsworth is impressed with Lewis as an X's and O's guy.

"What he did with that Raven record-setting team is amazing," Collinsworth said. "He had some talent, but that was superior coaching."

Munoz said that as head coach, Lewis has to change more than the schemes.

"Hopefully, he can come in here and give this team the discipline it needs to turn things around," he said.

Munoz said conditioning and discipline were two things missing from this past season's team that went 2-14 under coach Dick LeBeau.

"That was pretty obvious from the way they played in the first half of the season and the way they played in the last eight or nine games," Munoz said. "Even though they weren't winning, they were competitive. They had played their way in shape by then."

Munoz hopes Lewis gets free rein in selecting his staff.

"I think you have to start anew," Munoz said. "It's important that the staff works together. That's easier to do that when you bring in your own people."

Mike Golic, an analyst for ESPN and a former player, agrees with Collinsworth that what happens with free agents is key.

"A litmus test is going to be whether he can convince (linebacker) Takeo Spikes to stay," Golic said. "That will be very interesting. Spikes has seen what linebackers can do under Marvin Lewis' system.

"If (Lewis) can convince Spikes to stay, that will set the tone."

The Bengals haven't been able to sign a big-name free agent.

"Players went to Cincinnati to get an offer and used it to get a better deal somewhere else," Golic said.

Collinsworth said hiring Lewis is a step toward changing that.

"A, it's a progressive move," Collinsworth said, "B, it shows this franchise is willing to do whatever it takes to win, and C, it says they were willing to go outside traditional candidates to fill the job."

Wyche, the coach from the Bengals' last winning season, in 1990, hopes Lewis can do what Dave Shula, Bruce Coslet and LeBeau couldn't - win.

"I always think of myself as a Bengal," Wyche said. "I hope Marvin can turn this thing around and get us back to the proud days we had in the past."

E-mail jfay@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...