You know I think if they would change their name to BenGUYS they might win a couple more games , no joke this team ain't squat since the 1980's CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals coach Bruce Coslet quit Monday, a day after his team lost its third game in a row and second straight without scoring a point. The Bengals, the NFL's worst team of the past decade, appointed defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau the new coach. "Dick is the most knowledgeable and experienced football person on our staff, and it's appropriate he take over in this difficult situation," Bengals owner and president Mike Brown said. "He understands we are in a difficult situation, but our staff is behind him and he's eager to get at it." The Bengals have been outscored 74-7 this season. They haven't had a winning season since 1990 and have gone 10 years without making the playoffs, the longest current streak in the league. Coslet coached the New York Jets from 1990 through '93 and became coach of the Bengals in 1996. Under Coslet, the Bengals were 7-9 in 1997, 3-13 in 1998 and 4-12 in 1999. LeBeau, the assistant head coach, is a former star cornerback for the Detroit Lions. This is his first NFL head coaching job and the Bengals said no other staff changes were planned. As defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers he oversaw the zone-blitz defenses that made the Steelers one of the NFL's top defensive teams in the mid-1990s. The Bengals' 37-0 loss on Sunday in Baltimore was further evidence of their futility on offense. They had lost 13-0 the Sunday before in Jacksonville after a 24-7 loss at home on Sept. 10. The Bengals are under increased pressure to win because taxpayers paid for the $453 million Paul Brown Stadium in which the Bengals started play this season. Former Bengals wide receiver Carl Pickens criticized the team for retaining Coslet as the 1999 season ended. The Bengals eventually released Pickens, their all-time leading receiver, who now plays for the Tennessee Titans. The Bengals set an NFL record by losing 107 games in the 1990s, 108 if the Jan. 2 loss in Jacksonville is included. Cincinnati's total of seven points in the first three games is the lowest for a three-game stretch since the 1978 team scored three points in three weeks during a 4-12 season. Sunday's loss was the 28th in 35 games under Coslet. "That was about as thorough a beating as you'll see," Brown said after watching the Bengals rush for just four yards in the Baltimore game. "There have to be changes," Bengals defensive end John Copeland told the team's Web site. "Each and every player has to change what they are doing. "It starts with the players. If we don't do it, it can't be done by anybody else," Copeland said. In 1996, Coslet was offensive coordinator when he succeeded Dave Shula, who was fired with the Bengals 1-6. The team finished 7-2 under Coslet, giving what proved to be false hopes to deflated Bengals fans. The team dipped into the free-agent market during the offseason, signing safety Darryl Williams and defensive linemen Tom Barndt and Vaughn Booker. LeBeau, 63, has also served on the coaching staffs of the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. Coslet brought him back to Cincinnati for a second tour of duty. LeBeau played offensive and defensive back at Ohio State, then played in the NFL for Detroit from 1959 to 1972. He was defensive coordinator under Sam Wyche when Cincinnati advanced to the Super Bowl following the 1988 season. LeBeau's defense allowed an average of 11 points per game in three postseason games to get the Bengals into the Super Bowl, which they lost to San Francisco. LeBeau set a durability record for cornerbacks with the Lions by playing 171 consecutive games. When he retired, his 62 career interceptions ranked third in NFL history. ------------------ This signature space for rent call 555 ...
Well, I guess if it had to be a choice between the team's Offensive Coordinator and Defensive coordinator, they made the right choice -- but I think they're in trouble either way. I wonder if Gene Hackman or Denzel Washington is available? ------------------ Stay Cool...
WHEN DId THE SAINTS LAST MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?? Must be the longest in the AFC Rocket River ------------------
I think the Saints made the Playoffs in 1991 or 1992 , I hate the Bengals because they injured Bo Jackson in the Divisional playoff game and next week we lost the AFC championship game 51-3 to the stupid Bills ------------------ This signature space for rent call 555 ...
Both 91 and 92 (and 90). Y'all don't remember the glory days of Bobby Hebert? They had some awesome linebackers back then too. Granted, they never have won a playoff game. But maybe Jeff Blake can lead them to the promised land. ------------------
