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"Ooh,Air Max 97 Silver, wee!" he said with a grimace.
"I know what it's supposed to look like. Obviously, if Rey comes back it will be a big help. That will clean some stuff up for us."
Cincinnati's defense ranks 30th overall. The Bengals have finished in the top seven in defense four of the last five years.
A defense that was one of the NFL's best last season can't even stop the run nowadays,Air Max 90 Black Leather, and it's pulling down a three-time playoff team that's in danger of not making it for a fourth year in a row.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Linebacker Rey Maualuga knew the Bengals' defense had slipped against the run this season. He didn't realize it was in such a free-fall.
Until that part gets better, the Bengals are going to struggle.
"Obviously it hurts with Vontaze not being here," Maualuga said. "He's like the Tasmanian Devil out there in the group. He's the type of guy that you would want out there on your team."
The Bengals (5-3-1) are still in the AFC North race — everybody is — and in line to get a wild-card berth if that doesn't pan out. But after starting the season with three straight wins,Nike Air Max 2018 Shoes, they've gone into a 2-3-1 slump that starts with the defense.
Vontaze Burfict made his first Pro Bowl last season, but hasn't been able to stay healthy. He missed two full games and parts of others with concussions. He also had surgery to clean out his left knee on Oct. 29 and will miss his third consecutive game on Sunday.
Missing Burfict has been a significant setback. He's the leader of the defense and makes sure everyone knows what's going on with every play. It's unclear how long Burfict will be out. He didn't practice this week and was still walking with a slight limp in the locker room.
NOTES: Burfict and running back Giovani Bernard were ruled out Friday,Air Max 97 Undefeated Black. Bernard will miss his third straight game with shoulder and hip injuries. Bernard didn't practice during the week. ... Right tackle Andre Smith is doubtful because of a sprained left ankle. He also missed the game against Cleveland. ,Nike Air Max 1 Ultra Flyknit Womens... Cornerbacks Terence Newman (knee) and Leon Hall (concussion) were considered questionable,Air Max 98 Gundam Release Date.
They're starting the toughest part of their schedule. Five of the last seven games are on the road, with one of the home games on a Monday night against Denver. Their game on Sunday at New Orleans (4-5) is the first of three in a row on the road.
Injuries have been a significant factor, especially at linebacker.
Nope. Try 31st. Yes, second to last.
Maualuga has missed the last four games with a strained left hamstring. He returned to practice this week on a limited basis and was listed Friday as questionable to play in New Orleans. Maualuga is known for his ability to stop the run.
The defense played well during that 3-0 start. Things have fallen apart in the last six games, with opponents rushing for at least 170 yards three times. Cleveland had 170 during a 24-3 victory at Paul Brown Stadium last Thursday night.
"We've had a number of different guys in there, that's part of the issue," coordinator Paul Guenther said. "I can't tell you how many different sets of linebackers and combinations we have had in there, so it's something we have to work through.
"I don't even know where we're at," he said, guessing at their league ranking. "Twenty-something?"
It's a stunning about-face on defense. The Bengals returned the unit virtually intact after finishing third overall last season. The biggest change was with coordinator Mike Zimmer leaving to become the head coach in Minnesota.
"It's Football 101," linebacker Emmanuel Lamur said. "It's all about responding back. We can't have our heads down because of a few games. We know we've got to go out there and fix what we've got to do and get better." |
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