Ben Child
CINCINNATI — A traditionally poor exhibiting produced a players-only assembly for Cincinnati's protection Monday.
Members of the Bengals' protection spent further time collectively following the crew's 39-38 loss to the New York Jets, who had 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 sport. New York achieved that feat regardless of not having quarterback Tyrod Taylor and large receiver Garrett Wilson, who had been each out with accidents.
On Monday, Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden stated the gamers' assembly is a sign that what is going on is “unacceptable” and stated the protection wants to alleviate the burden place on different models throughout the crew.
“I do not know what was talked about — nor ought to I — but it surely does really feel like the truth that was referred to as is a way of urgency there, as there must 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 at the moment ailing that group.
“There's not wholesale modifications to be made with that stuff,” the seventh-year coach stated. “Simply basically, we obtained to be higher. And that is actually at each stage 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 almost midway by his first season because the crew's defensive coordinator. The previous Bengals assistant and Notre Dame defensive coordinator was introduced again from the faculty stage to exchange Lou Anarumo and repair a protection that struggled final season.
Nonetheless, 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 in opposition to the Jets, there have been performs allowed which have been catastrophic, in keeping with 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 there and provides them a path to achievement there — that is on me — and simply eradicate these performs as a result of there's actually nice issues on the opposite aspect 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'll keep inside touching distance of the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3), the present leaders in a subpar AFC North. Earlier than that may occur, nevertheless, 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 crew discover solutions shortly.
“It is not about pointing fingers,” Golden stated. “It is not about that. It is about what can we do higher, what can I do higher and the way will we get it corrected so we do not have to expertise that once more.”
