Cincinnati Bengals Quietly Rebuilt a Quality Coaching Staff
By Erik Lambert
People can argue that Marvin Lewis doesn’t deserve to be the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals anymore and they’d have plenty of good reason.
However, one argument they can never make is that Lewis doesn’t recognize coaching talent. One of the major consistencies about his lengthy run in Cincy has been his ability to construct and reconstruct his staff with quality assistants year after year. Based on the recent results over the past few days, it appears that Lewis has done it yet again with a number of quality additions.
Per usual with Lewis it starts on defense. Teryl Austin has quietly been one of the better defensive coordinators in the NFL over the past four seasons with the Detroit Lions. He had the second-ranked defense in 2014 and his unit ranked 3rd in takeaways this past season. The talent hasn’t always been there to prove just how good he is at scheming and adjusting to his opponents. He’s been a big reason why the Lions were so adept at late-game comebacks.
Bengals didn’t stop at the coordinator slots either
They weren’t done though. Perhaps the most overlooked but rock solid move the Bengals made to this point is bringing in Frank Pollack to run their offensive line. Since 2013 the man had a direct hand in the construction and the development of the Dallas Cowboys front. One that now features three perennial Pro Bowlers in Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and Travis Frederick. He also had a hand with some really good groups out in Houston from 2007 to 2011. This man should be a big help towards getting that Bengals front straightened out.
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Bob Bicknell brings a wealth of experience both in college and the NFL at coaching wide receivers. His highlights include getting Pro Bowls from Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin in Philadelphia. Alex Van Pelt will coach the quarterbacks, something he did a tremendous job of in Tampa Bay and Green Bay. Josh Freeman had a career year and Aaron Rodgers won an MVP under his watch. He should be a positive influence who can help Bill Lazor pull more from Andy Dalton. It’s a strong group that might be able to get Cincinnati back to the postseason in 2018.