The trade deadline has come and gone. No one is coming to save the Cincinnati Bengals defense. They have to figure it out with the guys they have.
The Bengals have a habit of waiting until the bye week to make sweeping schematic changes that fix big problems.
Here is what they need to do to get back on track.
How to Fix the Pass Rush
Step one: Get Trey Hendrickson healthy.
Step two: Keep Trey Hendrickson healthy.
That means keeping his snap counts down in the high 30s or low 40s.
Step three: Let him eat.
Trey Hendrickson is a pass rusher, not only that, he is your only pass rusher. Let him rush the passer.
I coached a zone blitz system, and I have no problem dropping defensive ends into coverage. But that is not the right move with this guy on this team.
As far as the other guys, you’ve got to get them moving. Stunt. Twist. Blitz. They don’t have the pass rush skills, but they have speed and athleticism. Put them on the move and take advantage of that. Create chaos for the offensive line. Overload one side. Send more than they can handle, particularly against a guy like Aaron Rodgers this week, who you don’t really have to worry about running.
Finally, to utilize Shemar Stewart’s freakish abilities, choose his matchup. Decide who the opponent’s worst offensive linemen is, and whoever that is, is who Stewart lines up against on passing downs. Inside or outside, it doesn’t matter. Pick a guy whom Stewart can bully. Even if he doesn’t get the sack, this should crush the pocket and add to the chaos.
Gap Soundness
First off. There are times when this defense just doesn’t align very well, and it creates huge problems. The edge player needs to be in a wide position where he can hold the edge. Linebackers need to be aligned between their gaps, in a position where the defensive line protects them with its alignment.
In order to ensure they are lining up correctly, they need to get lots of reps at simply lining up. This means spending time in practice, just having the defense see formations and line up quickly and soundly.
Next, the linebackers need to relentlessly drill their reads and first step. It needs to become second nature for them to react to their reading by filling the gap. Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter have some skills. They can be the answer. They just need to read and react quickly and accurately.
K.I.S.S.
Keep it simple, stupid.
We were told that Lou Anarumo’s defense was too complicated and that the players were confused. Well, guess what, Al Golden hasn’t made it any easier on them.
John Wooden said, “You haven’t taught it. Until they’ve learned it.”
They need to figure out how to teach these guys what they need to know so they can be confident enough to go out and execute at a fast speed.
The players they have are the players they have. It is the coaches’ job to figure out how to make it work and put them in a position to succeed.
The Safeties
Fixing the safeties is a mix of K.I.S.S and pass rush.
The safeties have looked lost and been out of position many times this season. Make it as simple as possible and figure out how to teach it so they can confidently execute it. Make it simple.
A better pass rush makes life easier on the defensive backs. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
In the End
The coaching staff needs to get these guys playing fast. That means teaching it until they know it inside out, getting them the repetitions to play confidently. And getting them on the move.
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