Why the Bengals aren't panicking after a mostly ugly preseason performance by their defense

The Cincinnati Bengals' defense faced some challenges during the preseason, but the coaching staff is not overly concerned. The team's defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, emphasized that the preseason is a time for experimentation and evaluation, allowing them to try different schemes and personnel combinations. While the defense's performance may have been "mostly ugly," Anarumo noted that they were not game-planning or scheming to win these preseason matchups. Instead, the focus was on player development and identifying areas for improvement. The Bengals' coaching staff remains confident in the team's defensive capabilities, with Anarumo stating that they have a good plan in place for the regular season. They acknowledge that there is work to be done, but the preseason results do not necessarily reflect the true potential of the defense. The article emphasizes the Bengals' approach to the preseason, where the priority is on player evaluation and preparation for the regular season, rather than simply aiming for victory in the exhibition games.