CINCINNATI — A traditionally poor displaying produced a players-only assembly for Cincinnati’s protection on Monday.
Members of the Bengals’ protection spent further time collectively following the crew’s 39-38 loss to the New York Jets, which had been winless coming into the weekend. For the primary time relationship 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 extensive receiver Garrett Wilson, who had been each out with accidents.
On Monday, Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden mentioned the gamers’ assembly is a sign that what is going on is “unacceptable” and 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 — however it does really feel like the truth that was known as is a way of urgency there, as there needs to be,” Golden mentioned. “As a result of we can not try this to the offense and particular groups once more.
Instantly following the sport, Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor mentioned 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 looks like 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 mentioned. “Simply basically, we acquired 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 charge (48.5%).
Golden is sort of midway by way of his first season because the crew’s defensive coordinator. The previous Bengals assistant and Notre Dame defensive coordinator was introduced again from the school stage to switch Lou Anarumo and repair a protection that struggled final season.
Nonetheless, after eight video games, Cincinnati hasn’t been in a position to 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 were catastrophic, in accordance with Golden.
“We can not, for no matter cause, we can not do away with the inconsistent ones that break your again,” he mentioned. “I’ve to interrupt by way of there and provides them a route to success there that is on me and simply remove these performs as a result of there’s actually nice issues on the opposite facet of that.”
Cincinnati (3-5) is making ready to face the Chicago Bears (4-3) earlier than the Bengals have their bye week on 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 sub-par AFC North. Earlier than that may occur, nevertheless, the Bengals have a number of defensive points that have to be solved. Cincinnati is hoping Monday’s assembly between the gamers can assist the crew discover solutions shortly.
“It isn’t about pointing fingers,” Golden mentioned. “It isn’t about that. It is about what can we do higher, what can I do higher and the way can we get it corrected so we do not have to expertise that once more.”