The Cincinnati Bengals are facing significant challenges on defense this season, leading head coach Zac Taylor and several players to express their unwavering confidence in defensive coordinator Al Golden. Since his hiring in February, expectations were high for Golden to invigorate the defense, but the results have been disheartening. The Bengals have allowed a staggering 86 points over the last two games and surrendered over 500 yards from scrimmage in consecutive outings.
Despite these struggles, Taylor praised Golden”s commitment. “He”s a great football coach,” Taylor stated. “He”s doing everything he can to uncover every single stone to make us play better. We”re all sick for the way that these games have gone, him probably as much as anybody else on this planet. I trust in him and his staff that we”re going to keep working and get all these guys on the same page, execute on a high level, and be a good defense going forward.”
Golden, who previously excelled as Notre Dame”s defensive coordinator, acknowledged the difficulties the team is facing. “At the end of the day it rests with me,” he said on a recent Monday. “Special teams did a heckuva job. Obviously, the offense did an excellent job, and they”re scoring in bunches right now. I have to do a better job, there”s no doubt about it. I think from a scheme standpoint there”s nothing that”s not on the table. We have to examine all that.” He emphasized that improvements are necessary, highlighting that a few key plays could turn the tide in games.
Support for Golden is not limited to Taylor. Players such as Geno Stone and Jordan Battle have also come to his defense. Stone expressed confidence in the defensive calls, stating, “Everything he”s been calling has put us in good positions to go make plays. We just got to make those plays.” He added that the focus should be on execution rather than blaming the scheme. “It”s definitely not the scheme. It”s people doing their job. That”s all it really comes down to,” he noted.
As the Bengals head into their bye week, Taylor confirmed there will be no changes to the coaching staff, reinforcing his belief in their capability. “These are good football coaches. They”ve been successful everywhere they”ve been. We all know we”ve got to play better as a football team,” he remarked. “There are challenges our offense has faced over the course of the season, and we”ve worked through them. I”m confident that we”re going to work through our defensive challenges as well and find a way to win some games.”
In light of their recent performances, the Bengals are looking to regroup and improve as they continue through the season, with both the coaching staff and players committed to turning things around.
