Mike Brown Speaks!

Paul Osterhage, a proud member of the WhoDey Revolution, sent in this letter that he received from Bengals Owner/GM Mike Brown after printing and sending in the letter WDR has posted on the right side of the page. While we can not vouch for its authticity, WDR would like to do something it has rarely, if ever, done around these parts and recognize Mike for taking the time to write back to fans and at least acting like he wants our support.

Now that we have that out of the way, lets get down to breaking down the actual letter.

1. This letter was sent after Week 1 when Marvin did have a winning record as a head coach.  Not anymore!  After starting out the season 0-5, Marvin is 42-43 during his tenure as Bengals coach. 

2. Mike Brown only seems to think of 2003-present as the "long-term."  Hey Mikey, we remember that you have led the team since 1991, and during that time the Bengals are 97-181 - the worst record out of every team in all 4 major sports. 

3. NEVER take credit for Carson Palmer.  Carson Palmer is a gift from the Gods to Bengals fans. 

4. Here is what I didn't see once in the letter - a direct call to try and win games in 2008.  Mike says that "we will have to show improvement," and that "things can change very quickly in the NFL" and that "it is up to us to deliver."  Here is what I would have liked Mike to say: "Bengals fans have given us their support through thick and thin over the past 18 years and we know your patience is running out.  As the owner and GM of this team, I will do whatever it takes to put a winning team on the field and get the Bengals to a Super Bowl.  That is my only goal - to give the Cincinnati Bengals fans a Super Bowl winning team." 

Comments

[Who Che]

It is actually somewhat sad how delusional this man is... He has always had some excuse as to why the Bengals didn't win the Super Bowl year in and year out... This letter is blows my mind. That. Just. Happened.

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Mr. Brown does not acknowledge the "cash over cap" phenomenon where based on creative structuring of contracts (the Redskins are the King), teams end up paying players millions upon millions of dollars over the cap. The playing field is not as level as you think.

[JoshZ]

I'm amazed Brown wrote back. I think we would have been a lot better off had we kept Anderson for another year. Our O-line is as bad as Pittsburgh's, and we don't have the defense to carry us through games that they do.

I predicted a 6-10 finish in August. I didn't realize that would be an aspiration at this point.

[Ghost of Boomer]

Nowhere in this letter to I see anything referring to playoffs, playoff wins, or Super Bowl Championships. Very sad.

[Who Che]

"Thank you again for caring enough to write."

No problem Mikey, Fu*k you for NOT caring enough to change.

[Showtime]

Can anyone imagine if we had been 2-14 a year earlier and got the #1 pick in 2002? David Carr in the house!

Seriously, how bad would it be then? I can't even wrap my mind around that concept.

[ShulaSteakHouse]

Love the "their diminished performance was taking up too much of our salary cap dollars" part.

So what? Do we care if you save some $ this year that you'll not put back into upgrading the operations in any way, shape or form?

Are you telling me you STILL don't think you have to over-pay for players in the NFL Mike Brown? Ecspecially HERE?

Is he telling us that they couldn't use Deltha O'Neal now with the injuries, and if not, why didn't you cut him earlier in the off-season and get a better replacement?

Willie apparently wanted out, but most do, yet you just unceremoniously cut one of the most decorated Bengal players in it's history? And that is your explanation?

How can he ever justify his logic and not reference the last 17 years to boot? Unreal.

Why would anyone pay to see this franchise again? Is it really worth that one almost-miracle season every 15 years?