CINCINNATI -- Marvin Lewis defended Terrell Owens on Wednesday after the receiver pointed a finger at the Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff for the team's lousy season. The rest of the players just shrugged.
At this point, it's hard to get upset even when someone pops off.
"No reaction to it," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "And I don't think anybody will react to it."
A 10-game losing streak tends to do that.
The 37-year-old receiver reverted to his old ways on Tuesday night during "The T.Ocho Show" on the Versus sports network. Teammate Chad Ochocinco asked him why he thinks the Bengals are 2-11, drawing T.O.'s sharpest criticism of the coaching staff to date.
"I think there's underachieving from the top down," Owens told Ochocinco. "You start with the owner, you start with the coaches. And obviously we as players, we are a product of what the coaches are coaching us throughout the course of the week. Of course, we have to go out there and play the game.
"But in order for us to do what we're allowed to do at the best of our abilities, the coaches have to put the players in the best position."
A day later, the receiver expanded upon his remarks, including the players among those deserving blame for a losing streak that matches the longest in franchise history. He didn't retract his criticism of the coaches.
"I guess I shouldn't have said it," Owens said. "It was something we were talking about on the show. It was brought up. I gave my comments and my opinions on it, and that was that."
Lewis lobbied the front office to acquire Owens in the offseason. And the Bengals signed Owens to a one-year deal at the start of training camp. Owens ranks sixth among league receivers in yards and catches, but the Bengals have the league's second-worst record, trailing 1-12 Carolina.
Lewis didn't watch the receivers' show but was made aware of Owens' comments about the coaching. He defended Owens.
"Unfortunately for Terrell, he gets criticized a lot nationally," Lewis said. "We all -- like he said -- need to do better, and we all have a hand in winning football games. ... We haven't done well enough. None of us."
Comments
At this point, it's hard to get upset even when someone pops off.
"No reaction to it," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "And I don't think anybody will react to it."
A 10-game losing streak tends to do that.
The 37-year-old receiver reverted to his old ways on Tuesday night during "The T.Ocho Show" on the Versus sports network. Teammate Chad Ochocinco asked him why he thinks the Bengals are 2-11, drawing T.O.'s sharpest criticism of the coaching staff to date.
"I think there's underachieving from the top down," Owens told Ochocinco. "You start with the owner, you start with the coaches. And obviously we as players, we are a product of what the coaches are coaching us throughout the course of the week. Of course, we have to go out there and play the game.
"But in order for us to do what we're allowed to do at the best of our abilities, the coaches have to put the players in the best position."
A day later, the receiver expanded upon his remarks, including the players among those deserving blame for a losing streak that matches the longest in franchise history. He didn't retract his criticism of the coaches.
"I guess I shouldn't have said it," Owens said. "It was something we were talking about on the show. It was brought up. I gave my comments and my opinions on it, and that was that."
Lewis lobbied the front office to acquire Owens in the offseason. And the Bengals signed Owens to a one-year deal at the start of training camp. Owens ranks sixth among league receivers in yards and catches, but the Bengals have the league's second-worst record, trailing 1-12 Carolina.
Lewis didn't watch the receivers' show but was made aware of Owens' comments about the coaching. He defended Owens.
"Unfortunately for Terrell, he gets criticized a lot nationally," Lewis said. "We all -- like he said -- need to do better, and we all have a hand in winning football games. ... We haven't done well enough. None of us."
Chargers/49er's tomorrow nigh. hmmmmmmmmm hope it's good.
1. I can't stand the 49ers.
2. My father-in-law is a huge Rams fan so I hope his team wins the division.
EDIT: all is well