Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins was sharply criticized by defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.
Signed to a $55 million contract in 2013, Atkins had a rough year after returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament last season.
"I sure hope so, because we need him to be that way," Guenther said when asked if he thinks Atkins will regian his old form. "Otherwise we need to go find a new inside rusher."
Atkins had three sacks and eight tackles for losses. Two seasons ago, he had six sacks and five tackles for losses before getting hurt.
"I wish I had the answer to that," Guenther said. "He just didn't play as effectively as he has in the past. Whether it's in his mind from a health standpoint, we got to get that figured out before next season starts.
"We need to get him back to where he's one of the best three-techniques in the game, because this year he was just three-technique number 20, in my mind. He was just a guy out there."
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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun