When Arizona State announced they were hiring former Jets and Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards, the decision was met with a lot of ridicule. Nobody’s laughing now though, as Edwards has done a near-universally praised job turning around the program the last couple of years. Edwards has emphasized that he’s running the program like an NFL team, and he’s hired a bunch of ex-NFL guys to fill out his staff. Apparently, a few of those guys might be eyeing a return to the league. Former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who serves as an advisor to ASU, is going to be in “serious consideration” for an NFL head coaching job next cycle, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter video link).
Lewis was fired by the Bengals following last season after 16 years at the helm in Cincinnati. He was never able to win a playoff game but he completely changed the Bengals’ culture for the better and turned them into a consistent winner, making the playoffs seven times and winning the AFC North four times. Lewis caught a lot of flak toward the end of his tenure in Cincy when things got stale, but the Bengals’ 0-6 start in 2019 sure makes him look a lot better by comparison. It’ll be very interesting to see if he starts getting interviews as Garafolo predicts.
Here’s more from around the football universe:
- Lewis isn’t the only one on ASU’s staff who might get poached. Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce is “going to be a coach in the NFL sometime very soon,” Garafolo says. Pierce spent ten years as a linebacker in the league, most notably with the Giants. The former pro bowler, who last played in 2009, won Super Bowl XLII with New York. Garafolo also highlights former NFL receiver and Arizona State alum, Derek Hagan, as someone who could make the jump to the NFL soon. He currently serves as an analyst for the Sun Devils.
- The XFL draft was held recently, and Johnny Manziel wasn’t one of the names called. That’s quite foolish from the league’s perspective, opines Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. Florio notes that Manziel has expressed interest in playing in the upstart league, but XFL commissioner Oliver Luck said the league’s interest “remains to be seen” a few months ago and hasn’t provided an update since. “The sooner they add him to a team, the sooner the XFL will build the buzz that it sorely is lacking,” Florio writes. It’s hard to argue with Florio on this one. Manziel played briefly in the AAF, but hasn’t gotten any known interest from an NFL team in quite some time. He’s already burned a bridge with the CFL, so getting added to Vince McMahon’s league would seem to be his last option for the moment.
- Recently released Buccaneers linebacker Devante Bond has been suspended four games, a source told Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Laine reports that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Bond was just cut a few days ago, and it’s highly possible the Bucs knew this was coming when they decided to part ways. Bond was drafted by Tampa in the sixth-round out of Oklahoma back in 2016, and missed his entire rookie season due to a hamstring injury. He’s started six games the past two seasons.
Lewis changed the culture for the better? Maybe changed the losing mentality but the poor culture cost him at least one playoff game.
I hear you, but the Bengals were the laughingstock of the league before Lewis took over.
The Ickey Shuffle and Sam Wyche’s “You don’t live in Cleveland” speech are the kind of cultural highlights every NFL team should have…lol.
just because Manziel creates buzz doesn’t mean its good buzz
Exactly
You are correct sir. Florio is an idiot and he proves it (again) w/ his Manziel comments. The XFL will already be fighting the preception that it’s a joke and Johnny Football would make that worse.
It is a joke, though. Bargain basement talent for a bargain basement price.
I’m sure Lewis is getting a good laugh right now. I mean , I know it’s early to judge Zac Taylor but it’s very hard to watch. The sad part is all of this is mostly about 1 position group. The offensive line is the worst I’ve ever seen. This causes the average QB to be below average, running back can’t run, wide receivers don’t have time to get open. The defense has talent but is gasping for air as they are always on the field. That’s what happens when the most important position group on the field is patched together with retreads.
RE: Manziel
Gee, do you think that maybe the XFL is keenly aware of Manziel’s situation? Apparently Florio forgot so for his edification I offer the following:
Manziel has issues in college
Is a first round draft pick in the NFL with a huge contract, can’t keep away from nose candy, sets back the Browns organization again. Flames out in the CFL due to drug related issues. Flames out of the AAF for the same reasons.
I believe that the XFL is smart enough to see a trend here. They know what Manziel will bring to the table and they aren’t RSVP-ing.
JFB got married and settled down. He promised to only use illegal drugs in the Off Season or the day they don’t have a game. He is serious about that too. He doesn’t have enough money left to live on so he needs the $3k a week for 12 weeks to live.
In case you didn’t know this was sarcasm. I can’t use that name and football together. I think him getting married is the only thing I was serious about. The guy is a clown and the Dragons better not even look his way.
I am somewhat almost a little interested to watch them. Never watched a snap of the AAF. Wasn’t a team in the area so why waste the time? I will give it a chance knowing it isn’t the NFL but just above avg guys are playing not the elite.
Yes, Marvin Lewis changed the losing culture and exchanged it for winning sometimes with the worst thugs in football. Adam Jones is bad enough to employ, but then you also have Burfict?