CINCINNATI - Rudi Johnson thinks the Cincinnati Bengals should stop trying to get fancy and stick with the running game. Willie Anderson thinks they need to get tougher and figure out what they want to do.

A day after the Bengals' latest loss, coach Marvin Lewis had no shortage of suggestions for how to get it right.

Not that he wanted to hear any of them, of course.

The defending AFC North champions are still in a funk with the middle of the season approaching, and the frustration is starting to bubble out. Johnson and Anderson - two veteran leaders in the-locker room called for change after a 29-27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

“We have no identity, what we are,” said anderson, a pro bowl-right tackle in his 11th season.

“We changed what was working,” said Johnson, who holds the club rushing record. “If it ain't broke, don't fix it. You know what I mean. Take a look at it. A lot of games we lose is for that reason.”

The loss dropped the Bengals to 4-3, trailing Baltimore by one game for the division lead. The Bengals have a lot to get straightened out before their game next Sunday in Baltimore.

First, they've got to get a grip on emotions.

Lewis didn't like his two veterans sounding off after the Bengals' third loss in their last four games. He attributed the remarks - many of which came across as second-guessing - to the normal frustration that comes with losing.

Then, he zinged them.

“We do certain things on offense, and I appreciate their thoughts,” Lewis said Monday. “But if they were always 100 percent right, we would really be in great shape.”