The Turning Point

We all knew that something happened during the halftime of the 2005 playoff game against the Steelers.  But nobody knew the details or extremity of what took place when Chad Johnson cracked Marvin Lewis in the face with a right hook, shattered the training room glass window, and proceeded to put wide receivers coach Hue Jackson into a Full Nelson.  Okay maybe it wasn't a Full Nelson.. Perhaps a Half Nelson.  But that is besides the point.

Was this the same Chad Johnson who had captured the hearts and imaginations of billions of Bengals fans across the globe? The same Chad Johnson who's antics have been called light hearted and funny?  "Oh no, he is nothing like Terrell Owens... His antics are always tongue in cheek."  We've all heard that excuse.  Correct me if I am wrong but I don't recall ever hearing of T.O. going Latrell Sprewell on The Tuna, or punching Andy Reid in the grill.  He is WORSE than T.O...

This occurrence at the half time of the playoff game marks a turning point in Bengaldom.  A point in time where Marvin lost control of his team.  Any other respectable coach in the NFL would have benched and traded a player who committed such a heinous act.  Instead Chad was allowed to finish the game (pouting the whole time) and remain a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.  Now this is pure speculation, but I would guess that Marvin wanted Chad gone the day after that playoff game, but his hands were probably tied by Mike Brown for the same reason that they did not try to trade Chad this year (because they would have taken a cap hit.) 

What kind of message does this send to the rest of the team?  It's a message that says to go ahead and miss that workout. A message that says that I don't have to respect what coach is saying.  A message that says I can drive home after polishing off a bottle of Ketel One.  They all know that no matter what they do, they will always have a job. 

Now I would like to say that I still think Marvin can be a good coach in the NFL.  Maybe he can do this with the Bengals, but maybe he cannot.  Marvin ruled with an iron fist at one point (cutting Reggie Myles for fighting with another player.) Maybe he can get back to that level of respect.  But I will tell you one thing...  It is going to be pretty damn hard for Marvin to do it without full control over personnel.  And this is one thing Mike Brown wont give up to Marvin.  So I only have one thing to say to Marvin... GOOD LUCK, AND MAY THE POWER OF WYCHE BE WITH YOU.