<\/p>\n
The majority of headlines surrounding the\u00a0Cincinnati Bengals\u00a0heading into the upcoming season revolves\u00a0around the defense\u00a0after they fielded one of the worst defensive units in the NFL last year. And that\u2019s why performances from the\u00a0starters in the first two preseason games\u00a0raised a\u00a0significant amount of concern\u00a0from pundits and fans.<\/p>\n
Defensive coordinator Al Golden was quick to defend his players when asked questions about why he\u2019s optimistic despite some shaky performances in the exhibition games.<\/p>\n
Golden said the focus right now is not showing too much of the Bengals\u2019 defensive scheme for competitive reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny blame on that (defense performance) goes absolutely on my shoulders,\u201d Golden said on Aug. 21. \u201cThat’s a decision that that we made in conjunction with Zac and just trying to limit anybody’s purview in terms of what we’re doing. From that standpoint, what we have to do better in every phase of the game is, we need to tackle better. We need to take the ball away. We need to be situationally aware. All those little things are really what the standard is in terms of what we’re trying to get done in these games, but not necessarily trying to out-scheme somebody.”<\/p>\n
The Bengals got gashed in the run game with the defensive starters on Aug. 18 night when they faced the\u00a0Commanders. Washington rushed for 17.7 yards per carry on six runs against the starting defense \u2212 that can\u2019t happen during the regular season.<\/p>\n
In the first preseason game against the\u00a0Philadelphia Eagles, the Bengals\u2019 starters played a full quarter. They allowed 10 points and a lot of what transpired on the field resembled what you saw from the defense last season. The Bengals were without several key players on defense in defensive tackle BJ Hill, defensive end Trey Hendrickson, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and Dax Hill, which is notable.<\/p>\n
To see gaping holes in the defense with Eagles\u2019 wide receivers running wide open was a cause for concern because too much happened last season. And repeated tackling issues from veterans showed up on tape more than one would like to see at this point.<\/p>\n
The good news is that preseason outcomes don’t matter \u2013 these are the reps Cincinnati\u2019s starters need to prepare to face the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 7 to open the season.<\/p>\n
Golden plans to put his new defensive scheme on display for the entire NFL to see in Cleveland. Cincinnati\u2019s starters won\u2019t play in the final preseason game so what Golden and Co. saw from the unit in the first two games will be all the tape they have to watch \u2013 in addition to practice \u2013 when finalizing the depth chart.<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s what leaves Golden feeling exceptionally confident about his group with the regular season just a few weeks away.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see it every day,\u201d Golden said. \u201cAnd I see it against a really good offense every day. That\u2019s all I need to know. Look, I\u2019m like you \u2026 I worry about every facet of the defense. So, if we don\u2019t fit a run well, that\u2019s a concern. If we didn\u2019t tackle well, that\u2019s a concern. But at the same time, I want to make sure that they know every day\u00a0the standard is won or lost out here in terms of operating the way we want to operate. I think the guys have made a lot of progress with that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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