CINCINNATI (AP) — Lou Anarumo was working on the New York
Giants’ offseason plans when he got a call from an old friend from Miami. Zac
Taylor wondered if he would be interested in discussing the job as the
Cincinnati Bengals‘ defensive coordinator.A week
later
Drew
Bledsoe Jerseys 2019 , he got the job, ending the Bengals’ lengthy search
for someone to handle the defense.Anarumo was hired Thursday as the Bengals’
fourth defensive coordinator in the last three years, an indication of how much
they have struggled with that unit. Head coach Marvin Lewis took over the role
midway through last season after Teryl Austin was fired, and Lewis was let go at
the end of the season.The 35-year-old Taylor became Lewis’ replacement, coming
over from the Los Angeles Rams, where he was quarterbacks coach. One of his most
important hires — handing the defense to someone — lasted several weeks and
included several candidates who were passed over or uninterested.The Bengals had
to wait until after the Super Bowl to hire Taylor, which left them with the
challenge of filling out their coaching staff. Other teams had already hired
coaches and filled out their staffs, limiting the pool of candidates.“It was
easy to hire some guys on offense because I knew them all
along
White Steve
Grogan Jerseys ,” Taylor said. “But I just wanted to start that process
when the game ended. It feels it’s gone on forever because we’re the last team
to make these hires, but in reality, it’s taken the same amount of time you’d
normally take with a new head coach.”Taylor and Anarumo became acquainted when
they were assistants with the Dolphins. Anarumo was defensive backs coach for
the Dolphins from 2012-17 and served as interim defensive coordinator in Miami
for the final 12 games in 2015. The two of them talked often while on staff.“I
always thought the world of Lou,” Taylor said. “It’s no surprise that we’re
working together here.”Neither of the Bengals’ two coordinators — Anarumo or
Brian Callahan on offense — has held the spot for a full season. Anarumo isn’t
familiar with the Bengals’ defensive players because the Giants didn’t play
Cincinnati last season.“I haven’t gotten to there yet, to be quite honest,” he
said.Anarumo figures he can lean on his coaching career and those who have
mentored him to help him adapt to the new job.“I have some things I can go to
based on experience, and I have guys I can call,” he said.
Tonight
Steve
Grogan Jerseys 2019 , the New England Patriots will play their second
division game of the year: the team will head to Buffalo to take on the 2-5
Bills. Not all 53 man on the active roster will be available, though, as the
Patriots already declared three players “out” as part of Saturday’s final injury
report of the week: tight end Jacob Hollister (hamstring), cornerback Eric Rowe
(groin), and offensive lineman Brian Schwenke (foot) will not play
today.Yesterday, New England added three more players to the list of
inactives
eeing the trio miss tonight’s game does not come as a surprise: while
Marcus Cannon and Geneo Grissom were limited in practice all week long, Sony
Michel only returned to the field on Saturday after suffering a knee injury
during last week’s game against the Chicago Bears. The first-round rookie will
miss his second game of the season; Cannon and Grissom will be out for the third
and fifth time,
respectively.Cannon
White
Kevin Faulk Jerseys , New England’s starting right tackle, will again be
replaced in the lineup by veteran tackle LaAdrian Waddle, while Grissom’s role
on special teams will be filled by a mix of players including Nicholas Grigsby.
The running back position, meanwhile, appears rather thin heading into the game:
James White and Kenjon Barner are the only two options available at the position
at the moment.
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