Pat McManamon, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Marvin Lewis' quarterback words of wisdom

The longer Marvin Lewis is around as the Cincinnati Bengals' head coach, the more enjoyable he is to listen to.

Lewis has reached the point where he is brusque and to the point. Warm and fuzzy, probably not. But he’s becoming the NFL’s lovable (or not) curmudgeon when he addresses issues. He's not always been politically correct, or even wise, but when he talks football and his team he just lays it out.

The Browns certainly don’t need to take their cue from another coach in the division, but Lewis said some things this past week at the Senior Bowl that are worth noting.

Speaking to the Cincinnati Enquirer and to Geoff Hobson, the team’s esteemed website writer, Lewis stood by Andy Dalton.

“We don’t have time to waste time with another quarterback,” Lewis said.

Meaning he does not have time for a quarterback competition.

“The quarterback competition,” he said. “Where has it worked?”

Not in Cleveland, that’s for sure.

“It doesn’t get you wins,” Lewis said.

No, it does not.

As for Dalton, the much-maligned and criticized player who has been the quarterback in four consecutive playoff seasons, Lewis again was blunt in standing behind him. Just as he and Hue Jackson were when Dalton had such a miserable game against the Browns on Thursday night. Instead of starting to look elsewhere, the Bengals stood behind their guy and talked about making him better.

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