After a very disappointing year where the offense was big on talk but mediocre at best, finishing 20th or worse three straight seasons Mike Brown decided to fire 10 year vet Bob Bratkowski. To shake things up Marvin went after a young coach who will bring a lot of energy, and real football emotion to some players who seem to have just been going through the motions the past couple years.
Sources told TheBuzzCincy.com that the Bengals are expected to announce Jay Gruden to handle such duties, replacing Bratkowski. Gruden, 43 comes from a long background of high powered offenses that are innovative and exciting for fans who love to see a lot of points scored.
Many football fans recognize the last name from Super Bowl XXXVII champion head coach, and ESPN’s Monday Night analyst John Gruden who is his older brother.
Louisville football fans I’m sure remember his career in the Cardinal red where he passed for over 7,000 yards and 44 touchdowns while winning two team MVPs.
In the AFL Gruden served two terms as the head coach and GM of the Orlando Predators (1998-2001 and 2004-2008). Gruden led the Predators the AFL championship game four times, and won it twice. While Gruden was in control his team they never failed to make it to the playoffs and he has a winning percentage of .604.
Last year in the UFL Gruden led the Florida Tuskers to the league’s championship game. He coordinated the highest scoring team that average a league-high 30.5 points per game. Later in the year he would become head coach once Jim Haslett left mid-season to become the Washington Football Team defensive coordinator.
This is an interesting move and maybe we can finally see what a Marvin Lewis influenced coaching staff will look like. So far the moves are bold and that will get ticket holders excited and hopefully get Carson and this offense back the level they were at in 2005 b.i (before-injury)
