FLOWERY BRANCH – Cincinnati's Marvin Lewis is in his franchise-record 12th season as head coach of the Bengals.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
He has led the Bengals to the postseason in four of the last five years, including three straight.
Here’s what Lewis had to say when talking to the Atlanta media on Wednesday.
Q: Could talk about how important it was to get that victory over Baltimore in your season-opener on Sunday?
A: I think that the key thing with us when we play for the Ravens is that the team that takes care of the ball the best has generally won the football, particularly in our case. It's important that we did a good job of not having any turnovers on the day and we took the ball away from them.
Q: Can you talk about quarterback Andy Dalton’s development in that area?
A: Well, Andy has been very good in that area. That's one of his strong points throughout his career here and the three seasons prior to this one. We have to continue to go down that line and not ever let anybody creep into his mind that he's got to do this or do that. Unfortunately, some of the turnovers that he's had have been more due to us and not him.
Q: What’s your impression of the Falcons when they go to the four-wide receiver formation?
A: Well, they've been pretty dynamic when they've used four wide receivers. They put two guys inside who can make plays or they flip them. They are all guys who have a lot of talent and ability. They are all run-after-catch players. So, we're going to have to do a great job against them.
Q: Did you think that Devin Hester would be that kind of a threat as a receiver?
A: Well, we've had a chance to watch Devin and have played against Devin a few times. I think (Falcons wide receivers coach) Terry (Robiskie) does a great job of getting the most out of guys. He's really turned him into a play-making receiver.
Q: Is there any concern about getting into a shootout with the Falcons?
A: We have to limit the plays. We have to stop their running game. They are explosive with the runners that they have and they were excellent on third down. That's the key to the football game.
Q: When you breakdown the film, what impresses you most about Matt Ryan?
A: He has such a great command of where the ball should go against the defense and the play. He has just a tremendous command that way. That was part of the reason why we worked it out to come down there (and practice against the Falcons in 2013.) I wanted Andy to witness Matt Ryan in person. I wanted him to be around him. I wanted him to see how he did things. That was part of it. The way he operated. He's what you are looking for.
Q: What do you think about the scrambling skills Matt Ryan showed against the Saints?
A: I did see that. He ran a couple of times. He actually showed pretty good speed. He's that kind of guy, he's a winner. He's able to extend the play if he needs to. He stepped up and around. He made the big play before halftime when he spun out. His receivers did a great job of getting themselves clean for him. He is a really productive and winning quarterback.
Q: Could you discuss A.J. Green and his play-making ability within your offense?
A: A.J. has been an excellent player for us. He really has done a great job of making plays and being consistent. He's been the leader of the group. He continues to take steps forward.
Q: What are the challenges the Bengals will face in defending a four-running back committee?
A: Steven (Jackson) has a great style of running. Then the other guys come in with a little of a different change-of-pace. We have to be conscious of who’s in the game and make sure that we do a good job of playing leverage and corralling the football.
Q: Could you talk about Georgia State coach Trent Myles, who you mentored at New Mexico a few years back?
A: I'd go home and Trent would be there working. I'm come in the office in the morning and Trent would be there asleep on the couch. He told everybody in the building that he'd do their work for them. He was one of those guys who was hard-working and enterprising. We put him on the road recruiting when we made some coaching changes. He went out and recruited two kids. He did a great job. As a young coach he just did an excellent of working and he showed the kind of work ethic and eye for talent that you want to have in a college coach.
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Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
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