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Cincinnati Bengals: Is It Time To Make a Coaching Move?

By Matthew Willson

Nov 30, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther reacts during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther reacts during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-4 heading into their second divisional game of the season. For a team that was supposed to be one of the tops in the NFL, is it time for a coaching change?

First, this is not one of those, Fire Marvin Lewis, articles. In fact, we have seen this team, with most of these pieces, be incredibly successful. What we haven’t seen is these coordinators be successful with their own systems and players influenced solely by them.

This defense has the capability of being one of the best in the NFL, however, we have seen them struggle under Paul Guenther as of late to stop some of the better offensives in the NFL this season. Yes, Marvin Lewis is a defensive minded head coach, but he has to be a game manager and his coordinators have to execute the game plan.

The fear should be that near the end of last season, the Mike Zimmer effect finally started to wear off. There is no mistaking the effects that Mike Zimmer had on the Bengals defensive players, and he brought the best out of his players, however, Guenther has yet to prove that he can rally his guys.

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The Bengals saw improvement on offense. In fact, they were up 14-10 at one point and even had a 14-12 lead before turning back into the Patriots for good in the third quarter. The defense had no answer for Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett, or Tom Brady.

This isn’t the first week the Bengals defense couldn’t stop anyone. Last week, the Dallas Cowboys run game had their way with this Bengals defense. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 134 yards on 15 carries. In Denver, Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas both had 100-yard receiving games. It just seems like adjustments and covering both aspects of the game aren’t in Guenther’s forte.

Granted, Paul Guenther does not play the game, but he is responsible for the play of his defense. If the Bengals don’t see improvement before the bye, it might be time to find a solution to the defensive performance problem.

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