Violence and Domination: New Bengals DT Sheldon Rankins Says Run Defense Issues of Past Are No Concern

CINCINNATI – Lou Anarumo didn’t want to go there.

And then he went there.

The Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator fielded numerous questions about how he plans to improve a run defense that last year ranked 26th in yards allowed per game, 30th in yards allowed per attempt, and 30th in defensive rush success rate, per TruMedia.

“I really don’t want to go back and talk about that,” Anarumo said before throwing out another stat from the disappointing 2023 defense – more than 200 yards allowed after contact.

“There were crack-replace issues,” he continued. “There were things that we can fix easily now.”

Lou Anarumo Confident Bengals’ Run Defense Woes Are Gone

There are things they believe already are fixed with the return of Vonn Bell, a football savant and extension of Anarumo on the field.

Asked what Bell’s return means to the defense, Anarumo was quick to offer a correction:

“You didn’t ask how it has helped me,” he said.

MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor

It was a quick-witted quip, but it was rooted in honesty.

The miscommunication and blown assignments that were prevalent from training camp until Week 18 last year have all but disappeared, with Bell’s return as the traffic cop getting everyone on defense where they need to be.

That doesn’t just shore up the secondary — it’s a panacea for everything, including the beleaguered run game that played a huge role in the team going 0-5 against division opponents in meaningful games last year.

“He helps everybody,” Anarumo said of Bell. “He certainly helps the linebackers, just feeling comfortable with what’s going on behind them. There’s a reason why he was voted captain as soon as he got back here, and it’s not just because he’s a good guy. His influence goes throughout the whole team.”

But fixing the run game goes beyond alignment and fits.

The loss of D.J. Reader in free agency leaves a gaping hole the team tried to plug by drafting McKinnley Jackson in the third round. But the rookie suffered a knee injury in training camp and is on injured reserve, meaning he’ll miss at least the first four games.

B.J. Hill, free agent addition Sheldon Rankins, rookie Kris Jenkins, and Zach Carter are more 3-techniques than nose tackles, but they’ll need to play a big role against the run.

“At the point of attack, we’ve got to be more physical,” Anarumo said. “That’s been a point of emphasis. And we’ve got to be great tacklers.”

And Anarumo is confident that will be the case.

FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter

“I think we’ve done a good job in practice,” he said. “Our starters didn’t have much opportunity in the preseason, but when they did, they did well. Our backup guys did well against some starting groups in the run game.

“All we can do is base it on what we’ve seen, and so far, what we’ve seen has been good.”

The first big test should come right off the bat Sunday, with the Patriots starting Jacoby Brissett and looking to ride the legs of running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.

Rankins, who wasn’t here for the destruction in 2023, said the Bengals will be ready for the Patriots and all other running attacks this year.

“Coming into this year, we have an opportunity to really showcase to the league who we truly are from the front four all the way to the back end with the level of talent, the level of determination, the level of physicality, and just the overall violence we play with on defense,” he said.

“Any time we step on the field, it’s our intention, it’s our goal to never let anybody run the ball on us. I understand that seemingly was an issue last year. But last year was last year. The standard we’re holding ourselves to this year each and every time we take the field is pure domination down in and down out.”