Bengals DC Lou Anarumo issues a challenge to his defensive line that needs to be completed
If there was any doubt about Cincinnati Bengals edge defender Trey Hendrickson's effort coming off an offseason that began with contract frustrations, he eliminated those concerns this past Sunday against the New England Patriots.Hendrickson played up to his standards in Week 1 with six pressures and two hits on Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett. He won […]
If there was any doubt about Cincinnati Bengals edge defender Trey Hendrickson's effort coming off an offseason that began with contract frustrations, he eliminated those concerns this past Sunday against the New England Patriots.
Hendrickson played up to his standards in Week 1 with six pressures and two hits on Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett. He won on 40% of his pass rushing snaps against true pass sets.
The rest of the defensive line, in comparison, did not match Hendrickson's effort and production. It was not lost on Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Lou Anarumo puts his defensive line on notice
While Hendrickson carried the Bengals' pass rush, the defense as a whole was only able to sack Brissett just once thanks to cornerback Dax Hill stopping a scramble in the backfield.
When asked about Hendrickson's efforts, Anarumo had as much to say about him as he did about those around him, even if he didn't say it directly.
"He was around, he affected, he moved the guy," Anarumo told Paul Dehner Jr. of Hendrickson. "Better inside push could have helped on a few. … We've got to make sure we are doing the right things around him."
Finding ways to generate pressure alongside Hendrickson has been a challenge for the better part of two years. The three-time Pro Bowler has been Anarumo's best player for the past few years and that doesn't look like it'll change this year. It's a good thing next year's draft has an elite sack artist at the top.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, the team's biggest free agent acquisition this offseason, posted two pressures in his debut and had the second-highest pass rush win rate behind Hendrickson. The problem was that he was a distant second at 14.3% against true pass sets.
Rankins can help out Hendrickson the most by generating more consistent penetration from the middle. Disrupting the pocket from within can allow Hendrickson that extra half-second to turn a clean win from the edge into a sack. The inverse is also true should Rankins be free to clean up a hurry provided by Hendrickson from the outside.
On the edge, Hendrickson really was all alone. Sam Hubbard didn't win any of his reps against true pass sets, and Joseph Ossai only had two opportunities for those plays. Myles Murphy's injury has hampered what the Bengals believed to be a deep edge group.
The plan is set with the season underway, but it needs better results going forward or Anarumo will be more direct with his wording.