Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals' D on hunt for big plays
By Scott Priestle, CNATI.com Posted October 1, 2009 4:47 PM ET
The Bengals began their rally last Sunday with a blitz that led to an interception that became a touchdown. It is what the coaches envisioned last winter when they emphasized the need for more big plays on defense.
"Football is all about the ball," linebacker Keith Rivers said. "Whoever has the ball has a chance to score, and we need to get the ball in the hands of our offense."
Johnathan Joseph's interception was only the second turnover the Bengals forced in three games. It was their first interception in seven games, including the preseason, making that one of the few areas where the defense has disappointed.
The Bengals are tied for the league lead with 10 sacks, after ranking next-to-last with 17 sacks last season. If they continue to put that type of heat on opposing quarterbacks, players and coaches expect the turnovers to follow.
"Maybe it delays the throw or rushes a throw, or you get a tipped ball," cornerback Leon Hall said. "We've really been preaching turnovers, and all those things help (defensive backs) get more interceptions and linebackers get interceptions."
Joseph said there have been times this season when the pass-rush forced a poor throw but the coverage was not tight enough, and coach Marvin Lewis lamented a couple missed opportunities to knock the ball out of the quarterback's hands for a fumble. But Joseph and Lewis said it is important that players don't abandon their regular assignments in search of turnovers.
"Just keep staying close and they take care of themselves," Lewis said. "If you have a significant lead in games it helps you get more turnovers. Keep getting the ball in the air. It's not floating our way at this point. We just have to keep doing that and doing that and doing that until they start falling your way."
The Bengals next opponent -- Derek Anderson of the Browns -- would seem to be ripe for the picking. He threw three interceptions in the second half last week after relieving Brady Quinn, giving him 11 interceptions, nine fumbles and nine touchdown passes in 11 games since the start of last season.
Anderson said he took more chances than usual last week, because the Browns already trailed 20-0 when he entered the game.
"I threw some balls in places I had no business throwing them, but if it's a 7-3 game I'm not doing that," he said. "I was just trying to bring some energy and trying to be positive with everybody. We talked about it and I made some bad decisions. We learn from them."
The Bengals should get a boost in the coming weeks when cornerback David Jones returns from a broken foot. He impressed team officials with his improvement down the stretch last season, and his presence should allow Chris Crocker to remain at safety in the nickel defense, which improves the defensive backfield in two positions.
Regardless of who is in coverage, the Bengals should continue to benefit from their improved rush.
"The more havoc they create, the easier it is on us," Joseph said. "The quarterback can't complete a pass on his back."
Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, Features
Tags: Bengals, David Jones, Johnathan Joseph, Leon Hall, Marvin Lewis
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