Andy Knight (Jul 21, 2003 12:00:37 PM)
Good afternoon and welcome to today’s online chat with Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. Coach Lewis is ready to answer your questions. Thanks, coach, for joining us today.

Guest (Jul 21, 2003 12:02:10 PM)
Coach, what is a reasonable expectation for the fans to have of this team this year? Five wins? .500? The playoffs?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:02:11 PM)
I don't know, it's difficult, but our goal is to win our division. If we don't do that, we will be disappointed. I don't think you can put a number on it.

Kris (Jul 21, 2003 12:03:26 PM)
Coach Lewis, what aspect of the team are you especially focused on as you enter training camp?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:03:26 PM)
I think we've got to improve a great deal on special teams.

herdfan00 (Jul 21, 2003 12:04:04 PM)
Will Weathersby be able to participate in camp at all?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:04:04 PM)
Yes, we anticipate that Dennis, once he's signed, will be able to participate. We'll obviously have to monitor him.

Jeffrey (Jul 21, 2003 12:05:30 PM)
Coach, welcome to Cincinnati! Rudi Johnson had a monster preseason last year, but didn't play much after that. Can you talk about how the former SEC rushing champ fits into your plans from what you've seen thus far?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:05:30 PM)
I'm anxious to see Rudi when we play live. His ability to carry the ball will determine how much he will play. He plays behind a fine player, and we want Corey (Dillon) in there as much as we can.

Ace (Jul 21, 2003 12:06:14 PM)
Do you consider this season a "rebuilding year?"

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:06:14 PM)
That's a no-longer-used term in the NFL. You don't have the opportunity to rebuild any more. You have to make hay when you can.

Manassas_Man (Jul 21, 2003 12:07:03 PM)
Coach, being a transplanted Ohioian now living in northern Va., the Bengals are known in the area as a laughingstock...what were/are your thoughts on this as you were with the Redskins?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:07:03 PM)
I think this is a strong division over here, and I have a lot of respect for the Bengals having been in this division for 10 years.

upchuckface (Jul 21, 2003 12:07:46 PM)
Marvin, what's the status of Steve Foley entering training camp?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:07:46 PM)
I'm anxious to see, Steve has had some injuries he's been dealing with this spring, and I'm anxious to see what Steve can do.

bengalsfan (Jul 21, 2003 12:08:22 PM)
Is it important to have a fast start in the preseason?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:08:22 PM)
It's important in the preseason to meet goals of taking care of the ball, field position, but you don't alter your plan to win preseason games.

bengalmaniac (Jul 21, 2003 12:08:45 PM)
Is Pittsburgh your main target as far as competition in the division goes?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:08:45 PM)
No, those games aren't weighted any heavier.

scott (Jul 21, 2003 12:09:36 PM)
Coach, I live in the Chicago area now and even the local Bear fans are jealous of the Bengals squad and what you have assembled. Do you see that amoung your peers as well?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:09:36 PM)
You win football games on the field. How we play, and if we win, will judge what we've done.

RickOU (Jul 21, 2003 12:11:12 PM)
So what do you think the chances are of getting new uniforms and thus completing the transformation of the new Cincinnati Bengals? Maybe just like a new shinier helment or something.

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:11:13 PM)
The uniform-change process in the NFL is over a two-year period. It has to be applied and approved. They've petitioned the league in the past, and we've petitioned them for the future. I personally like the uniform, the scheme. Nobody has said we're going to make a change.

Wolftaz (Jul 21, 2003 12:12:22 PM)
Marvin, what position do you feel is your strongest and what position needs the most improvement the team? Also, what do you want your team to be known for throughout the league?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:12:22 PM)
You can't evaluate what position is the strongest. It's how we go out and play. You can't evaluate players in underwear (shorts). I want our team to be known as aggressive and well-prepared, relentless.

lslmustang (Jul 21, 2003 12:13:00 PM)
I'm excited for the season, but I was so excited last year. Do you feel so far that the players' attitude is positive and they are willing to work hard to win?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:13:01 PM)
I think hard work, we have to work smart in how we do things. There has been a change, and we have to follow up that change with Ws.

schneidz (Jul 21, 2003 12:13:40 PM)
What are your thoughts on the fullback position?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:13:40 PM)
I think we've got a good opportunity to have very good players there. We've improved ourselves in that area by making ourselves more athletic and younger.

Andy Knight (Jul 21, 2003 12:14:26 PM)
Please be aware that this is a moderated chat. Your question will not appear until Coach Lewis responds to it directly. Keep watching your chat window for his responses.

Angus (Jul 21, 2003 12:14:47 PM)
Hey Coach, great to have you here in the Queen City! With Corey Dillon taking a bigger role in the passing game do you see Rudi, Brandon, and Ray getting more snaps during the game, or will CD just absorb more playing time?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:14:47 PM)
I think we need to develop a complementary back, and those guys will compete for that job.

Cowboy44 (Jul 21, 2003 12:15:25 PM)
Coach, I am a season ticket holder. I was ready to just eat my PSL money and give up, but with your hiring, I've decided to give it at least a year. What sort of improvements should we look for, besides wins? Thanks and good luck!

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:15:25 PM)
That's the ultimate goal (wins). We have to improve how we play and compete.

Guest (Jul 21, 2003 12:16:34 PM)
Coach, it seems that Justin Smith is the only defensive lineman assured of a starting shot...is that how you see it given all your signings along the D-line?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:16:34 PM)
I think we have a competitive group of guys who will roll through and take pressure off Justin. We'll be able to rotate and keep guys fresh to play better in the fourth quarter.

Malik (Jul 21, 2003 12:17:03 PM)
Coach Lewis, can Kelly Washington become a starter this year?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:17:03 PM)
Kelley has NFL athletic ability. He's mature. But you have to earn the job out there on the field.

rufus (Jul 21, 2003 12:17:58 PM)
Whats the status of Lamont Thompson, will he go to camp at the top of the depth chart? Or will it be Armour?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:17:59 PM)
Lamont is one of our safeties, just like Justin is one of our defensive linemen. If we started today, Marquand Manuel (strong) and Mark Roman (free) would be the starters.

Guest (Jul 21, 2003 12:18:53 PM)
First, congrats on the first-rate offseason. But, do you see this team as more of a grind-it-out running team to establish control, or will you try to air it out to take advantage of the team's deep receiving corps? And thank you for being so honest with all you've said so far in your tenure.

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:18:53 PM)
You have to have a mix of both. We have a fine runner, but we have to threaten down the field more to keep people out of the box.

herdfan00 (Jul 21, 2003 12:19:22 PM)
Do you think most of the draft picks will be signed before camp?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:19:22 PM)
I think most of them will be. We'll go down to the wire with a couple of them.

Guest (Jul 21, 2003 12:19:57 PM)
Do you anticipate the secondary being better due to better personnel, or do you feel it will improve because of an increased pass rush?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:19:57 PM)
Well, I think we'll play better just because we'll play better. Our pass rush will be improved. Our players will play better.

Jubenesah (Jul 21, 2003 12:20:24 PM)
How has Neil Rackers looked so far?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:20:24 PM)
Neil's been consistent this offseason and has worked hard. Hopefully, he will pick up where he left off.

Guest (Jul 21, 2003 12:21:26 PM)
Coach, will the running game be more varied than just Corey—will we see some difference at the goal line or in short yardage situations with two fullbacks, an H back, etc.?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:21:27 PM)
We have a running game that starts with our back (Dillon). We have to have a focus in the red zone to score points.

heavy (Jul 21, 2003 12:22:15 PM)
Coach, do you think you need to get Peter Warrick to catch more of the easy balls thrown to him and to make him more of a north/south runner once he has it?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:22:15 PM)
I think it's got to be that we put the ball in Peter's hands. He has done a nice job concentrating this offseason and making every one of those catches.

Guest (Jul 21, 2003 12:23:13 PM)
How do you see Reinard Wilson being used? How will it be different than the past when he's been a disappointment?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:23:14 PM)
We have to try to accentuate Reinard's talents and allow him to use his athletic talent. We have to put him in position to make plays with his ability.

don101471 (Jul 21, 2003 12:24:12 PM)
What is the biggest difference between the Bengals and other organizations in the NFL that you encountered since taking over?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:24:13 PM)
It's the same because of the fine people here who really want to win. It's different, I don't know that it's any different other than the recent history has not been as successful.

lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:25:25 PM)
How volatile are the DB positions pertaining to competition this year? Will everyone be given a fair shot at starting? (James, Marquand, Kaesviharn, Hawkins, Thompson, Weathersby).

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:25:25 PM)
I don't know what fair shot means. Right now, we've got a couple guys playing well at corner. Tory (James) and Jeff (Burris) have had excellent offseasons. Marquand and Mark would be the safeties. That's where we stand right now.

Omega (Jul 21, 2003 12:26:14 PM)
If the Bengals are playing well, when do you expect Palmer to take over as QB in place of Kitna? Will it be 2004 or later?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:26:15 PM)
That comes up to Carson and Jon. When Carson is a better player for us, he will be our quarterback. Until that happens, Jon is our quarterback.

who-dey (Jul 21, 2003 12:26:48 PM)
Marvin, what do you have to say to the people who don't think you can win because of the "tough schedule?"

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:26:49 PM)
All schedules are the same in the NFL. The only difference is we don't get to play ourselves.

Dirty Dozen (Jul 21, 2003 12:28:26 PM)
I am very happy with the changes you have made thus far. What changes are you going to make at training camp?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:28:27 PM)
Again, training camp is an opportunity for us to get better at playing real football, blocking and tackling. Then we progress into the preseason, which is another step toward preparing ourselves for the regular season.

bengalmaniac (Jul 21, 2003 12:29:20 PM)
As a season ticket holder, we've gone year after year thinking that things can't get any worse, only to be proven otherwise. Do you have that confidence that things are indeed looking up?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:29:20 PM)
I think they felt the same way in a lot of places (St. Louis, Baltimore). Don't think you're by yourself. Places don't lose. We have to improve and win games.

whodeybrew (Jul 21, 2003 12:30:06 PM)
Thanks for coming to Cincinnati, Coach Lewis! How is Oliver Gibson doing and how do you feel about our new defensive line players in FA pickups and rookies?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:30:06 PM)
I expect Oliver at some point, early in training camp, to be completely cleared. He's chomping at the bit. We want to make sure he's 100 percent, for the sake of both parties.

Deadcat (Jul 21, 2003 12:31:32 PM)
Coach, how much do you anticipate the changes we've made at OL and the additions we've made at TE and WR will help our running game?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:31:33 PM)
As we progress into playing live football, (tight ends) Reggie Kelly and Tony Stewart have been outstanding. Having Richie (Braham) here and Eric Steinbach at left guard, all those things will help us get better.

Angus (Jul 21, 2003 12:32:34 PM)
Coach, our city is hyped about the new season, but we have been before. What would you say to a fan that may still be riding the fence in order to get them back into the resurrected JUNGLE?

Marvin Lewis (Jul 21, 2003 12:32:34 PM)
That's what being a fan is about. That's how you're supposed to feel. We're excited about what we're doing, now we have to go prove it.

Andy Knight (Jul 21, 2003 12:32:57 PM)
Unfortunately, we’re out of time for today. Our thanks to coach Lewis for sharing his thoughts on the upcoming season with us. Due to the overwhelming response, coach Lewis was unable to answer many questions. We hope to have him back for another chat during the season. Meantime, please check back to Cincinnati.Com later this afternoon for a full transcript.

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