MVN: Most Valuable Network

After winning their second consecutive game for the first time all-season in yet another late season surge concern is growing in Bengal-dom that late season victories could minimize the changes made during the off-season (Yes, Marvin Dustin Dow was actually asking a real question).  Of course, today's rumor from ProFootballTalk.com could result in a bigger and more surprising change.  

- Pro Football Talk wrote the Bengals are considering adding a GM this off-season with former Dolphins and Saints GM Randy Mueller a leading candidate.   This could be a sign of looming suite, club seat and sponsorship renewals in a difficult economy could be causing Brown to change his ways.  As fow Mueller, I have mixed feelings.  First, like Jeff Gentil wrote earlier any GM is a step in the right direction.  Second, Mueller's track record is a bit uneven.  His drafts in Miami were generally not good but his Saints track record is a little better.  Spending the past year with the Chargers is also a plus.

- Regardless of whether the team hires a GM expect Marvin Lewis to be back next season barring a major blowup in his post-season meeting with Mike Brown.  Between the remaining years on his contract and the recent win streak I just don't see the team pulling the trigger on this one.

- The bigger question regarding the team's strong finish is whether or not it will save offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and offensive line coach Paul Alexander their jobs.  Both Brat and P.A. have survived much previous organizational purges but the team's struggles this season (dating back to pre-season and pre-Carson injury) are a direct reflection on their unit's poor performance.  Bratkowski's playcalling has become increasingly predictable not to mention a 32nd ranked offense (and just 2 games over 300 yards) and Alexander has shown little ability to develop prospects (how often has an Alexander lineman peaked in his rookie or 2nd season).  A changing of the guard on the offensive coaching staff is long overdue but will the teflon duo escape blame once again using Palmer's injury as a scapegoat.

- Stacy Andrews' ACL tear could actually improve the team's chances of re-signing him.  Due to the nature of the injury Andrews will likely be out until at least mini-camp if not training camp and what team is going to give him big money without a guarantee he will even be able to play next year.  Of course, consider me in the minority who does not think bringing Andrews back as the right tackle is that big of a deal.  He has not been as good as advertised and is more of a guard than a tackle.

- Overall this was one ugly football game.  The only sure thing from watching this game was that both teams and esp. offenses was that they were among the worst in the league.

- Kudos to Leon Hall for his 3 interception game.  Hall's career has been uneven thus far but a game like this has to be a big boost for his confidence.  A 3 interception game is an impressive feat even when Ken Dorsey is the QB.

- Hats off to Mike Zimmer for mixing and matching his unit to a shutout.  It may have been against a hapless Browns team led by a terrible 3rd string QB but a shutout is always worthy of praise.

- Cedric Benson's 38 carry, 171 yard performance is esp. impressive when you consider the Browns knew the Bengals were going to run on nearly every play in the terrible weather conditions.   Look for Benson to be re-signed as long as the price tag is not too high. 

- Watching Ken Dorsey play makes Ryan Fitzpatrick look like a capable backup QB.

- There is a lot of talk about how good Anthony Collins has been the past few weeks but has he shown enough to be considered the left tackle of the future? 

- John Thornton's 2 sack game could be his swan song as a Bengal.

- Winning the past two games has taken the Bengals from the 2nd to 4th overall.  A win next week could drop them all the way to 7th which is the difference between drafting a left tackle and considering a MLB or even a dreaded RB.

- With all the talk about TJ, one failed re-signing the team may regret is K Shayne Graham.  With all the cap room the team had this season, how they did not get Graham signed already is very discouraging.

- TJ or Chad will be back next year but not both.

- You can make the argument the best thing that could happen for the Bengals off-season would be to lose to Kansas City next week, and I am not talking about draft position.  A three game win streak to end the season sounds good but the false sense of security it could provide is what is concerning.

- If Marvin thinks Dustin Dow is tough, he needs to call Rod Marinelli in Detroit about dealing with Rob Parker.  Can you imagine how Marvin would have responded if someone asked him a real disrespectful question.