Bengals DC Lou Anarumo leaving no stone unturned to fix struggling run defense
The eye test and data say the same thing about the Cincinnati Bengals' run defense: It's atrocious.Last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers was the latest example of the problem. Najee Harris and Co. ran for over 150 yards against the Bengals' uncharacteristically soft defense. It was the sixth time a team has eclipsed that mark […]
The eye test and data say the same thing about the Cincinnati Bengals' run defense: It's atrocious.
Last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers was the latest example of the problem. Najee Harris and Co. ran for over 150 yards against the Bengals' uncharacteristically soft defense. It was the sixth time a team has eclipsed that mark in 11 games this season, per The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr.
It's something defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo does not want to see again.
As the Bengals ramp up preparations for their Monday Night Football matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Anarumo was candid about his efforts to remedy the run defense issues.
Per Cincinnati.com's Kelsey Conway, Anarumo is conducting his defense to drill run fits 30 times a day throughout practices.
Run fits is as simple as it sounds; the gap assignments for each defender stopping run plays. They change pending on formations and personnel, but it's the basis of all defense. If you cannot stop the run, you will not be able to operate an effective defense.
The Bengals rank 27th in both Expected Yards Added per rush allowed and rushing success rate allowed through 12 weeks of football. Injuries to Sam Hubbard and inconsistent play from their safeties have factored into this, but the Bengals' front six looks very reminiscent of last year's unit that ranked 14th and 17th in those respective metrics.
Such a downturn in production is difficult to explain, but there's no excuses for Anarumo and his staff. It needs to get corrected if the Bengals are to re-enter the AFC Playoff Picture.
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