Cincinnati Bengals’ defense has come under scrutiny after a historically poor showing this season, prompting a players-only meeting led by defensive coordinator Al Golden. Ben Baby, an ESPN reporter, beats the Bengals. As the team floundered, he covered the team’s struggles and the hard conversations behind-the-scenes to address their performance issues. Since July 2019, Baby has been with ESPN. He’s providing daily insights on the Bengals, focusing on what’s ailing them and what’s ahead for them each week.
The meeting highlighted the urgency within the team to improve after they ranked near the bottom in several key defensive categories. Golden went on to underscore a lack of accountability within the sport’s players. He stated, “It’s not about that. It’s about what can we do better, what can I do better and how do we get it corrected so we don’t have to experience that again.”
Golden’s comments are a good sign of a proactive approach as the Bengals come to town to face the Chicago Bears this Sunday. The team’s recent performance in the AFC North has raised concerns, especially given the inconsistent plays that have plagued them. Golden noted, “We cannot, for whatever reason, we cannot get rid of the inconsistent ones that break your back.”
Ben Baby’s rich history in journalism sharpens his focus as he covers the Bengals. Prior to ESPN, he covered college athletics for The Dallas Morning News and the Texas Triangle newspapers of Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. Baby is a native of Grapevine, Texas. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, further equipping his craft of sports reporting.
Beyond his written columns on ESPN.com, Baby has become a regular face on SportsCenter and other ESPN NFL-themed programs. It’s a great podcast to get some perspective on the frustrating but fascinating Bengals’ performance. His report includes observations from Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. He noted that they will not involve drastic changes to personnel on the defensive side. “There’s not wholesale changes to be made with that stuff,” Taylor stated, suggesting a focus on refining strategies rather than overhauling personnel.
The Bengals are currently preparing to face the Bears. They must address their defensive deficiencies in order to increase the effectiveness of both the attack and special teams. Golden reinforced this point by saying, “Because we cannot do that to the offense and special teams again.” Communicating through a players-only meeting marks a pivotal moment in creating a shared culture focused on improving results on the pitch.
Nobody does what Ben Baby does, his invaluable insights keep fans in the know. As the Bengals travel to rehab after self-destructing in 1968 and 1969, so does Jones. His dedication to providing in-depth coverage has made him one of the go-to voices when it comes to talking about the team’s progress.
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