Cincinnati Bengals Problems Started In Off-Season
By Erik Lambert
Nov 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
People are trying to figure out what has happened to the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s not hard to figure out, really. In fact, many should’ve seen it coming. There is no questioning the talent the team has assembled. They have at least one notable player in every position group on the roster and that is something hard to pull off in the modern NFL. No, it isn’t skill that ails the Bengals. It actually runs higher than that at the coaching level.
Mike Zimmer and Jay Gruden losses looming large
Any time a team undergoes a significant change it’s difficult to adjust, such as say losing a coordinator on the coaching staff. Overcoming the loss of one is hard enough but the Bengals had to endure two in the same off-season. Mike Zimmer, their celebrated defensive mastermind took a head coaching job with the Minnesota Vikings. In 2013, Cincinnati ranked 3rd overall in defense. So far, they are 30th in 2013, going from 5th against the run to 31st.
The same goes for their offense. Andy Dalton will never be a superstar, regardless of what his contract says but at least he had more good days than bad under the guidance of former offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. Last year the Bengals were 10th in total offense. They sit at 19th and plummeting so far this season. In fairness injuries have played their part with six players on injured reserve and notable names like Vontaze Burfict and A.J. Green missing significant time.
Even so they were supposed to have the kind of depth that championship teams exude. Instead they are 5-3-1 coming off the worst loss by far of the season. Can the Cincinnati Bengals turn it around? If Zimmer and Gruden were still there, the answer would be easy. Now that both are gone and people are getting a clear view of life without them, it’s really hard to think it’s possible.