CINCINNATI — A traditionally poor exhibiting produced a players-only assembly for Cincinnati’s protection Monday.
Members of the Bengals’ protection spent additional time collectively following the staff’s 39-38 loss to the New York Jets, who have been winless coming into the weekend. For the primary time courting again to 2000, the Jets scored 35 factors and racked up greater than 500 offensive yards in a single recreation. New York achieved that feat regardless of not having quarterback Tyrod Taylor and large receiver Garrett Wilson, who have been each out with accidents.
On Monday, Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden stated the gamers’ assembly is a sign that what is occurring is “unacceptable” and stated the protection wants to alleviate the burden place on different models throughout the staff.
“I don’t know what was talked about — nor ought to I — but it surely does really feel like the truth that was known as is a way of urgency there, as there needs to be,” Golden stated. “As a result of we can’t do this to the offense and particular groups once more.
Instantly following the sport, Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor stated one of many defensive gamers must step up and lead the group and carry a way of accountability. Lower than 24 hours after the defeat, Taylor added that he feels as if there are “good gamers in that room” who’re “into holding one another accountable.” Taylor added that small particulars are what’s presently ailing that group.
“There’s not wholesale modifications to be made with that stuff,” the seventh-year coach stated. “Simply essentially, we acquired to be higher. And that’s actually at each degree of the protection.”
Heading into “Monday Evening Soccer,” Cincinnati ranked close to the underside of a number of main defensive classes. The Bengals are thirtieth in factors allowed per drive (2.76), final in yards allowed per play (6.2) and thirty first in third-down cease price (48.5%).
Golden is sort of midway by means of his first season because the staff’s defensive coordinator. The previous Bengals assistant and Notre Dame defensive coordinator was introduced again from the school degree to interchange Lou Anarumo and repair a protection that struggled final season.
Nevertheless, after eight video games, Cincinnati hasn’t been capable of enhance. The Bengals have leaned on younger starters, together with rookies linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, to be high-leverage gamers.
And whereas the group has made good performs, together with early on Sunday towards the Jets, there have been performs allowed which have been catastrophic, in response to Golden.
“We can’t, for no matter purpose, we can’t do away with the inconsistent ones that break your again,” he stated. “I’ve to interrupt by means of there and provides them a path to achievement there — that’s on me — and simply eradicate these performs as a result of there’s actually nice issues on the opposite facet of that.”
Cincinnati (3-5) is getting ready to face the Chicago Bears (4-3) earlier than the Bengals have their bye week in Week 10. If the Bengals can get a win, they will keep inside touching distance of the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3), the present leaders in a subpar AFC North. Earlier than that may occur, nonetheless, the Bengals have a number of defensive points that should be solved. Cincinnati is hoping Monday’s assembly of the gamers may also help the staff discover solutions shortly.
“It’s not about pointing fingers,” Golden stated. “It’s not about that. It’s about what can we do higher, what can I do higher and the way can we get it corrected so we don’t should expertise that once more.”
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