It was hard to miss the central message of Bengals head coach Zac Taylor’s postgame press conference on Sunday. Taylor’s team blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost 39-38 at home to the previously winless Jets.
Taylor opened his press conference by saying the team’s effort was “not acceptable” in a “humbling” loss and that they “needed somebody to rise up and make a play” — a play that never came. This was particularly true of a defense that gave up 502 yards.
“That’s what I’m waiting to see. Someone step up and lead the group and take some accountability over there, and get this thing going the right way,” Taylor said.
When asked in a follow-up about who he would like to see take the reins on defense, Taylor responded, “I’m not going to sit here and name names,” while reiterating that the 3-5 team needs a leader if they are going to avoid more disappointments like Sunday’s loss.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/zac-taylor-we-need-leaders-to-step-up-on-defense