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Marvin Lewis Isn’t Sorry About Late Hit On Jimmy Graham

By Hayden Kane

Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnnati Bengals‘ head coach Marvin Lewis is happy that his safety George Iloka put a late hit on New Orleans Saints‘ tight end Jimmy Graham during his team’s week 11 victory.

The NFL is trying to slowly rid itself of the macho, tough guy culture that has created some of its biggest problems (concussions, bounties, and so on). In what will always be a violent sport, the league is trying to ramp up player safety and discourage teams from some of the so-called “old school” behavior when it comes to hitting in the context of a game.

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Marvin Lewis didn’t get the memo.

When asked about a late hit on Saints’ tight end Jimmy Graham during week 11, Lewis said that he was happy with the outcome. He liked the benefit of what might very well be called a cheap shot. As quoted by Richard Skinner of the Cincinnati Enquirer:

"“Unfortunately it cost us a penalty, but I think … it took a little bit out of him for the rest of the football game,” said Lewis. “He’s obviously someone we wanted to get hands on every chance we get. He’s such an effective receiver.”"

Come on now. I know that Lewis is fluent in coach speak. Where was the stock answer on this one? How hard would that have been?

“Marvin, what did you think of the late hit on Graham and how did it affect the game?”

“Well, we obviously never want to see our guys take a penalty like that. I don’t think it affected the game, though. I think we had a great game plan and executed that game plan. Credit to our coaches and players for that, because Jimmy Graham is a great player.”

See how easy that was?

As Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk notes, this is not the first time Lewis has missed the boat on these player safety issues. The veteran head coach also had some tone-deaf comments about the aforementioned concussion issue.

Seriously, Marvin. Every now and then, coach speak is your friend. Start spitting those cliches.

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