Bengals building defensive identity; Ravens still searching

Marvin Lewis has fashioned a ball-hawking defense in Cincinnati, while his former team is struggling for a defensive identity.

Updated: November 9, 2005, 6:33 PM ET
By Gary Horton | Scouts Inc.
Marvin Lewis headed one of the best defensive units of all time as defensive coordinator of the Super Bowl XXXV champion Baltimore Ravens. That team allowed the fewest rushing yards in a 16-game season (970) and had the most shutouts (four) since 1976. Since taking over the Bengals, Lewis, now in his third season as head coach, has turned the franchise around, going 22-18 in his short tenure.

What's surprising is the identity of this Bengals team -- they're known as an offensive juggernaut. QB Carson Palmer leads the league in passing (2,037 yards) and WR Chad Johnson is fourth in receiving (717 yards). Their defense is ranked a pedestrian 19th overall, but they're fourth in points allowed (15.6/game).

The reason? This is a ball-hawking, playmaking unit with a mind-boggling 20 interceptions and 28 takeaways through eight games. Teams are failing to score because they're simply turning the ball over too much. It's a simple defense that doesn't blitz a lot -- they only have 12 sacks -- and plays a lot of man coverage. But this defense has a weakness -- a big weakness -- in stopping the run.


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Gary Horton

Scouts Inc.
Gary Horton spent 10 years in the NFL as a scout and another 10 years at the college level as an assistant coach and recruiter. He is the founder and most seasoned member of the Scouts Inc. staff, and his extensive experience at all levels of football make him an excellent talent evaluator.

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