Bengals Hire Al Golden DC

Trend Radar

You need 3 min read

·

Post on Jan 24, 2025

25 visitor like this post

Share

Bengals Hire Al Golden as Defensive Coordinator: A Surprising Move?

Hey football fans! So, the Bengals just hired Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator, and let me tell you, my initial reaction was… what? I mean, it's not the splashiest name out there, right? But after letting the initial shock wear off and doing some digging, I'm actually kinda intrigued. This whole situation feels like one of those “wait and see” moments.

<h3>My Initial Reactions (and Why They Might Be Wrong)</h3>

My first thought? "Who's Al Golden?" Okay, okay, I know, I know. I should have known better. I'm a HUGE Bengals fan, but sometimes I get so caught up in the offensive fireworks, I kinda glaze over the defensive side of things. Seriously, I felt a little embarrassed.

Then, the second wave hit: "Is this a good move?" My gut reaction was kinda negative. The Bengals' defense has been, let’s be honest, a rollercoaster. Lots of ups and downs, some truly brutal games, and moments where you just scratch your head.

But then I started to think... maybe, just maybe, this is a genius move by Zac Taylor. Golden's got a background coaching college football at Temple and Miami. Sure, he hasn't exactly lit the NFL on fire, but his experience could be exactly what the Bengals need. I'm talking strategic thinking, game planning and working with young talent. The guy's spent time coaching college players which is a totally different beast.

<h3>What We Know About Al Golden (and What We Don't)</h3>

This is where things get interesting. Golden's resume isn't all sunshine and roses, that's for sure. There were some pretty rough patches during his time at Miami. But, he's also shown the ability to develop players and implement complex defensive schemes.

One thing we don't know is how his defensive philosophy will mesh with the Bengals' existing talent. This is a huge question mark. Will he be able to unlock the potential of players like Logan Wilson and Sam Hubbard? Can he get the most out of the secondary? The success of this hire hinges heavily on whether or not Golden can bring this all together.

I'm also worried about how his coaching style will fit with the overall team culture. The Bengals have seemed to cultivate a pretty relaxed environment under Taylor, which is good, right? But sometimes it takes a certain level of intensity to dominate on defense.

<h3>My Predictions (and My Hopes)</h3>

Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. My gut says it's going to be a bumpy ride. I'm not expecting a complete 180-degree turn overnight. Rome wasn't built in a day and this isn't going to be solved with a magic wand! But if Golden can bring some much-needed consistency and strategic depth to the defensive game plan, the Bengals could really become a powerhouse.

My main hope? I want to see improvement in the red zone. Seriously, the amount of points given up inside the 20 has been... painful.

Another key area? Third-down defense. If Golden can make the Bengals significantly better on third downs, I’ll be eating my words— happily.

This hire is a gamble. It's a calculated risk, but it's a risk nonetheless. Whether it's a brilliant stroke of genius or a monumental flop, only time will tell. But, one thing's for sure: this is one storyline I'm going to be following very closely. Who's with me? Let me know in the comments what you think!