Bengals: Bengals to interview Zimmer

Friday, January 04, 2008

Bengals to interview Zimmer

Mark is currently traveling but just called in with this piece of news on the Bengals search for a new defensive coordinator:

A new candidate has emerged to replace Chuck Bresnahan as Bengals defensive coordinator.

Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will interview today with the Bengals. Zimmer is still under contract with the Falcons, but was given permission by the team to pursue other opportunities. The Falcons are in the process of interviewing for a new head coach.

Zimmer previously was defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys.

Stay tuned...

52 Comments:

at 1/04/2008 11:55 AM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Lets interview a D-CORD who had one of the worst seasons in the NFL,That's the ticket.Bring in one that is even worse than the one before.Great Job MB & ML.If he was so good in Dallas why did'nt Jones,Phillips,or Parcells retain his services.

Thats another problem with this Franchise,they do not go out and get the right personnal for coaching either.They need a proven winner to come coach this bottom feeder Defense.Change the whole culture,not another coach from a losing franchise that is even worse than Cincinnati's.Real Smart people running this Franchise,let me tell ya!!!

at 1/04/2008 12:00 PM

Anonymous said...

The fact that the article mentions Ryan as a possible replacement cracks me up. There is exactly a 0% chance he would ever consider coming to the Bengals as defensive coordinator. I would offer him the head coaching job - although he probably would reject it as well.

at 1/04/2008 12:23 PM

Anonymous said...

There is a difference between maintenance and an upgrade. If the bengals talk to Zimmer and take him seriously, that means they are in maintenance mode. This franchise needs an earthquake or a custody crisis to give it a reality check. Please let everyone who has season tickets call the front office and threaten to boycot if the Brownies go cheep.

at 1/04/2008 12:46 PM

Anonymous said...

Yet another poster who does nothing but whine and complain whether it's the Reds or Bengals. No matter what they do.

Comparing a coordinator from one team to the next is just absurd because the personnel is different and the head coaching philosophy is different. Plus, how do you know Zimmer's defensive philosophy isn't the right fit for what Lewis wants done with his personnel?

Well, you don't. A simple Google search would have revealed your facts errors and . . .

Mike Zimmer enters his first season with the Falcons after spending the past 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, including the last seven years as Defensive Coordinator.

During his time in Dallas, Zimmer established himself as one of the NFL's top defensive minds with a fundamentally sound and aggressive scheme. In seven of his 13 years with the club, the Cowboys ranked in the top 10 in total defense and pass defense, while advancing to the postseason seven times.

As Defensive Coordinator in Dallas, Zimmer has earned respect and recognition from around the NFL in 2005 as he adapted his defense to the Cowboys changing rosters by successfully overseeing the transition from the club's base 4-3 defense to a 3-4 system.

'Nuf said.

at 1/04/2008 12:50 PM

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with everyone here! What is going on???? Same old story, same old crap! This guy must be cheap, that is the only reason to look at him. Where is the desire to get better! I told you, I am not paying the prices for tickets, jersey, etc for a loosing franchise. I would rather loose this franchise and get a new owner to bring one back before I keep supporting it to loose.

at 1/04/2008 12:58 PM

Anonymous said...

Wow everyone whines at how horrible this is but gives no ideas on who they think should step in. Zimmer is a big name coordinator on a very bad team.

at 1/04/2008 1:02 PM

Anonymous said...

I'm with rickNmd on this one. Yeah Atlanta's offense was weaker than the defense this season. That would explain a lot of their losses. You can't win if you can't put points up on the board. I can't remember Dallas having too shabby of a defense anytime current. Anyway an interview is just what it is.... and interview. Please hold your pathetic whining until there is a definite hiring. I can hardly stomach it anymore.

Big Nate-Dawg from the DYT

at 1/04/2008 1:33 PM

Anonymous said...

"successfully overseeing the transition from the club's base 4-3 defense to a 3-4 system."

Interesting...

at 1/04/2008 1:33 PM

Anonymous said...

Yes, trust in Marvin and Mike Brown. They know what they are doing. When have they ever let you down before? SuperBowl next year!Whodey! Clueless

at 1/04/2008 2:05 PM

Anonymous said...

AWESOME.... this guy is a VERY SUCCESSFUL D coordinator that has even been mentioned to go with parcells in Miami (and has an interview in Miami tomorrow)... open your eyes the guy has a super bowl ring and had one year with atlanta which was a disaster because of the dog killer... look at this guys past before you judge atlanta and what he did there

at 1/04/2008 2:25 PM

Anonymous said...

hey it's the Bengals. They're losers, this is the kind of thing they do.

LOSE...A LOT

Next up: Chad Johnson gets out of town

at 1/04/2008 2:37 PM

Anonymous said...

Chad Johnson for mayor. Chad Johnson is the greatest thing to happen to the Bengals other then Carson. Stupid Cincy why do you keep running great players out of town. Morons

at 1/04/2008 3:14 PM

Anonymous said...

You bozo's are going to wish the Bengals hire Zimmer once he accepts the offer from Miami for more money and turns around that franchise.

at 1/04/2008 3:26 PM

Anonymous said...

They better hire Zimmer or Ryan I don't care who. If they promote some moron from within the ranks I'm done

at 1/04/2008 3:34 PM

Anonymous said...

ricknmd....you are correct....just the facts ma'm.

at 1/04/2008 3:40 PM

Anonymous said...

Didn't Rex Ryan coach at UC when they were horrible?

at 1/04/2008 3:42 PM

Anonymous said...

Bengals advantage for landing Zimmer is they are a LOT closer to winning than the Dolphins.

On paper, that is.

at 1/04/2008 3:44 PM

Anonymous said...

I just came out of the closet to my wife. My father just called and said I'm a complete waste of life and wishes I was never born. Turns out my children came from the milk man. where can I get a gun to end my worthless existence.. :(

at 1/04/2008 4:06 PM

Anonymous said...

Bravo in talking to Zimmer, a legit D coordinator with proven success.

Don't know if he's the right guy or not, but at least they considering some qualified people.

Considering Marvin's many recent comments about begin tougher against the run, thats sounds alot more like the Ravens D - which is why I'd put my money on Ryan being the top candidate.

Of course he may not be interested in coming here, understandably. I don't think he/Marvin have a previous relationship. Besides, where would you rather spend 9 months of your year, Miami or Cincy ;-)

Regardless, "stopping the run" I'd imagine thats a big part of the deliberation/interview discussions.

at 1/04/2008 4:15 PM

Anonymous said...

WOW, What bunch of whiners. "Fire the DC, anyone would be better than him!" How soon we forget the words from the "SO-CALLED BENGAL FANS." I have visited several other losing NFL Blogs and you people take the cake. I wouldn't blame MB for packing up this team and leaving Cincy. You will never see another NFL team, too small a city with too small a market. I really wish some of you would do the homework with little research on their "CONSIDERATIONS" for these positions before you start pushing the keys on your computers to post your Doom and gloom.

at 1/04/2008 4:33 PM

Anonymous said...

Hire me for the DC position, better yet hire me for the GM job. I would cut loose about 3-4 guys on D, let 2 of them go through FA, let a few guys on O go and free up some salary. Then #1 priority would be to sign either Jared Allen or Robert Haynesworth with full intentions of drafting Sedrick Ellis and staying at a 4-3. Priority #2 would be to sign either Alan Faneca or Ryan Lilja and shore up the O-line, and draft the best O-lineman available in the second round. Priority #3 is to sign a few of our LB to contracts (Dhani Jones). The rest of the draft would be selecting all D and O line, we have to start up front to win. Sounds pretty good if it really happened, but it cost $$ and that just ain't our style.

at 1/04/2008 4:59 PM

Anonymous said...

HOW ABOUT HEAD COACH HE MAY DO A BETTER JOB THAN MARVIN.

ANY IDEALS ON WHO ARE 1ST PICK SHOULD BE IN THE DRAFT?

at 1/04/2008 5:17 PM

Anonymous said...

Here is a quote from an ESPN article - "Zimmer's Dallas defense led the NFL in 2003." Did Chucky's D ever rank number 1?

at 1/04/2008 5:25 PM

Anonymous said...

How old do you think R. Ryan is?
How long ago would you say UC was horrible?
Ryan worked there for Rick Minter. Minter helped lay the foundation to where a coach like Dantonio or Kelly would find this a desirable job.
Ryan was a part of that change.
If you think UC was horrible just because they weren't consistently in the top 25 over the last 15 years then you don't know what horrbile really looks like.

Mike Tomlin and Urban Meyer are just a couple of coaches to have passed through UC over the past 10 or 15 years and I don't think they have been tainted by the experience.
Steve from Florence

at 1/04/2008 5:40 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Ok,I jumped the gun on blasting this guy.The point I'm really trying to make is the bengals need a proven winner that come s from a culture of winning.Maybe Zimmer is the answer,maybe he isn't?Maybe Either of the Ryan Brothers can come in here and turn things around,maybe not?I do not think Coyles should be D cord A.FRESH mentalility & Identity is what the Bengals Defense needs!

The Bottomline is ML was brought here to win,change the culture,and bring his solid Defense mentality to the forefront.He has not done that.ML peaked in 05' that was the climax for his rebuilding faze. Now the team seems to be unfolding,regressing back to it's old culture of the 90's.MB has alot to do with that,it's only a matter of time before MB ties down the handcuffs even tighter on ML. You could hire anyone at this point to coach the D,the bottomline is will MB spend for the right personnal on the field,will the team Scout/Draft properly, & will the develop their talent for success.

Sorry to the suckers that think they are getting a good deal handed down to them by the sports franchises in this city.Most of you that like to call people out about complaining are not even from Cincinnati proably! People who care about their teams vent their frustration,that;s the point of being a fan.You either care or you don't!!! You gotta let these Carpetbaggers Know,what you will stand for and what you will not and hope that the voices of the fan is heard,afterall we are paying customers,it's a business right.If you go to a restraunt and order something that says one thing and get something lesser,WOULD'NT YOU COMPLAIN!!!Then the manager and owner laugh at you,ignoring your complaint.I think you might end up complaining too.

Well Welcome to Cincinnati,mr.& mrs. non-complainer.The sports team here will break your heart & your wallet.You think New Englang & Boston fans are complaining right now,NO BECAUSE THEIR TEAMS WIN & THEY TAKE CARE OF THE FANS.

Reddlegg exit stage left

at 1/04/2008 5:51 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

To the people bashing the UNhappy bengals fans,Get out here then. MB and the bengals are lucky to have us.How many cities would actually put up with his cheap butt and a culture of losing/underachieving.(And NO the Detroit lions don't count)

Were the one's who bought him a free stadium!His season ticket prices keep going up???But the success keeps going down.1 out of 16 seasons was a winning season with MB at the helm.Great job MB!!!!

at 1/04/2008 5:56 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Oh by the way, I was born & raised in this city,been a fan(all my life) before most of you were wearing diapers, and I'll say whatever the heck I feel like saying.If your happy with whats going on at PBS,GABP.& FTA, then you must be a underachiver too!!!!!

at 1/04/2008 6:49 PM

Anonymous said...

My sports teams in Cincinnati don't break my heart because it's sports and entertainment, not life. Just not that important in the big picture.

It's fun to follow and it's fun to debate, but those who scream bloody hell about it all the time need a life. Or maybe a dog. Perhaps a job. Something.

As for those "carpetbaggers" and non-residential fans, you better hope those people support the Cincinnati teams because local population and business tax base have been declining for 20 years.

Cincinnati is the 33rd market. Here's some of the cities above Cincinnati:

Columbus (32nd), Nashville (30), Raleigh (28), Indianapolis (26), Portland (23), Pittsburgh (22).

Here's some cities gaining rapidly on Cincinnati:
Salt Lake City (35), Greenville, SC-Spartanburg SC-Asheville, NC (36), Grand Rapids, MI (39) and York-Harrisburg, PA (41).

If either of the city's pro teams leave, they will never, ever be replaced. Never.

Having pro sports in your city is a privilege and civic honor and has nothing to do with "having a good deal" or being "due" a winner. If you don't want to support the teams based on wins and losses, the consequences you may not like.

Now that's what smart fans know.

at 1/04/2008 7:05 PM

Anonymous said...

A poster above stated:

"Please let everyone who has season tickets call the front office and threaten to boycot if the Brownies go cheep."

Ooohhhh. Call them a threaten a boycott. Ooohhhh. There lies the problem. Don't call the season ticket office and threaten to boycott. Instead, stop buying the tickets period. Stop drinking the kool-aid.

As for ANON 4:15PM comments:

"You will never see another NFL team, too small a city with too small a market."

Teams in markets smaller than (33) Cincinnati:

(49) Buffalo
(50) Jacksonville
(54) New Orleans
(69) Green Bay

at 1/04/2008 8:29 PM

Anonymous said...

I don't know whether anyone has noticed, but Mr. Curnutte doesn't respond to any of your messsages. Note that the ship goes out but it doesn't come back to port.

The simple thing about the coaching and the Cincinnati Bengals is that the entire coaching staff should have been dismissed at the end of the season.

I mean, WTF are we talking about. Marvin Lewis and the rest of the team hasn't done much of anything in the last 5 years. The team is mediocure and has had just 1 winning season in the last 17 years and based on the perfomance of the last 2 years even that appears to have been a fluke.

Let's stop kidding ourselves. Cincinnati needs to get rid of the current coaching regime and bring in some winners and winners doesn't mean Zimmer!

at 1/04/2008 9:47 PM

Anonymous said...

Mark -- Do us all a favor and man up. Go back to Carson Palmer and ask this question. "After the last game, you suggested the team could not win with the current coaching staff. The club has now fired its D coordinator and linebackers coach. Do you still feel, after these firings, that the team cannot succeed with this coaching staff?"

If Carson remains true to who he is, an honest guy, he'll tell you the truth, "Honestly, irrespective of who the new D coaches who replace B and H are, I really don't see us getting to the next level with the current coaching staff."

Carson knows it, you know it Mark, and every Bengals' fan who suffered through this year knows it. Mike Brown needs to man up, thank Marvin for helping the Bengals become respectable, and show him the door. Until he does, the Bengals, despite their talent, will continued to be mired in mediocrity.

And for those wondering who I would hire were Starvin' (For Wins) Marvin shown the door, its' pretty easy:

(1) Pete Carroll
(2) Urban Meyer or
(3) Jim Tressel

at 1/04/2008 11:56 PM

Mr. Redlegs said...

The absurdity of Anonymous 7:05's comments about market size is that Green Bay is a charter member of the league and one of the most popular teams in all of sports. The Packers are routinely in the top third of the league in revenues, TV ratings and merchandise sales.

The Packers would get a new team today if the old team moved.

Buffalo wouldn't have received an NFL team if not for the AFL merger and has lost population every years since 1950. Likewise, New Orleans would never be given another team because of its steady decline in businesses and population (especially since Katrina) and remains in jeopardy of being moved.

Jacksonville would get another team tomorrow. The area is the third-largest on the East Coast and has dynamic demographics and revenue streams.

at 1/05/2008 12:02 AM

Mr. Redlegs said...

The absurdity of Anonymous 9:47's post is that Carroll would never go to the Bengals when he will get the Chargers job when Norv Turner is fired, sooner or later.

And why would the Bengals go with a college coach? And why would Meyer or Tressell or any top college coach work under the Bengals' situation.

Hard as it for so many of you to believe, Marvin doesn't deserve to be fired and he's not going to be fired. In fact, he gives the organization NFL credibility it lacked beforehand. Players and coaches will go to work for him.

Marvin is prickly, stubborn and self-absorbed. He should have replaced more coaches. He needs a GM. But he still has cache and would be hired as a head coach pretty quickly if cut loose by the Bengals.

He has the easiest "out" or "excuse" in the league: "Oh, it's the Bengals screwing up again."

at 1/05/2008 12:04 AM

Mr. Redlegs said...

Reddlegg in Colorado, the two Cincinnati stadiums cost you and each resident of Hamilton County $37 in total taxes. Your entitlement is grossly overstated . . . that is, what I can understand of your posts. They're borderline illiterate.

at 1/05/2008 1:18 AM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

To, rickNmd said..

Ok #1 the reds will never leave Cincinnati and are a staple to Cincinnati as much as the Ohio River,the smokestacks, and the river boats are to this city.Shut the reds franchise is older than alot of States in the union!Ok, that clears that up.That was just a silly comment Nick!

I do have a dog,a business,and a child(Who's a more loyal Bengal fan than the sheepole out here that accept medocrioty and thinks its ok to support liars,Conmen & cheats!)That's why this is such a big deal Nick,The NfL season is shorter than baseball,basketball,& Hockey.Every game is a big deal to the loyal hometown fan.theres only 16 and then if you don't when enough of those your team goes home for the offseason.Do you think CP,WA,CJ,TJH,AND OTHER PLAYERS ARE HAPPY WITH WERE THEY ARE. This is a big deal to fans that put their hard earned dollar & cents to support this team.Then year after year you get used like a wet rag.Your city gets crapped on,and you pay for this stadium that a very greedy man gets to use for FREE.While you hear comments as "Business as usual" from the upper tier of management as a response to the fans reactions for all these horrible years.Say what you want MB oh I mean Rick,but I'm not the only unruly fan thats seen enough.

When I said Carpetbagger(Do you know what a carpetbagger is?) I was talking about the franchise owner,Not the non-residential fan.

"Having pro sports in your city is a privilege and civic honor and has nothing to do with "having a good deal" or being "due" a winner. If you don't want to support the teams based on wins and losses, the consequences you may not like"
Words of Rick

Are you serious Rick? You must have been the guy at the end of the bench.You Play to win the game,Rick.You give your fans something to root for,something to hope for,and you give back to them for their patience during the rebuilding years.Not every year can be a Championship caliber season,I know that & the loyal fan know's that.You reward them with success on the field,These are businesses Rick & we are the customers.

at 1/05/2008 10:40 AM

Anonymous said...

WOW! I have to many people to post to so I can't name them! So here goes... First and foremost, the reason that the other market teams (lower) keep bringing in revenue and selling jersey's and the Cities will always have their teams is because they WIN. Yeah they go through rough times, and down years, but it is usually a year or two and they retool and are competitive again. Cincy is just the opposite, we have bad year, bad year, horrible year, and one decent season and then back to loosing. Its all about spending money to make money, and keeping the fans happy and WINNING! Secondly, Pete Carroll, come on he can't coach in the NFL he's tried. College and Pros are so different its not funny, and that is a proven fact. Carroll is able to recruit for a well known school, who doesn't have a salary cap, and a union to deal with. Trust me, he is not the answer here or anywhere in the NFL and he knows it (he is staying put). Urban Meyer wouldn't come hear, first of all why, second of all why, well you get the point. These coaches get paid the same if not bigger money in college, and its fun for them, and I am not sure he could demand the respect and leadership it takes in the NFL. Tressel is a little different, he has the demeanor to do it, and I think he knows talent well enough, but why do it! I think the day of college coaches coming to the NFL is about to dry up! The past few years have shown both sides that it is not a good idea, at least at the Head Coaching position. As far as the post about being a hometown Cincy fan and saying what ever you want....RIGHT ON. I have been and always will be (an idiot) a true hometown fan, both Reds and Bengals. And after suffering, and hoping, and suffering again for the last 22 years I have earned the right to B.... and complain. We deserve, yes deserve a winner, and NO it is not as important as life (God, wife, kids, etc), but it sure is close, at least for me. I work hard to provide for my family and I work hard to help my community and yours, and my happiness comes from sports, and the Reds and Bengals are killing me..... Feel free to respond!

at 1/05/2008 11:05 AM

Anonymous said...

ricknmd -- Doc, stop tossing stones from your glass house and face reality ... most of the bloggers have wives, kids, and stable careers. On the bell curve, we're decidedly on the high side when it comes to how passionate we are about our lives, including our sports ... and it annoys many of us when one of our major league sports teams, which is, to some greater or lesser extent, an extension of our town's image, stinks up the joint.

True.

at 1/05/2008 11:34 AM

Anonymous said...

Zimmer would be better off being a position coach somewhere than being a coordinator with the Bengals.

Can't win if you don't have the players.

at 1/05/2008 11:58 AM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

at 1/05/2008 12:30 PM

Leisure Suit Larry said...

They need to talk to Ron Rivera

at 1/05/2008 12:44 PM

Anonymous said...

How many times has Green Bay won then lost then rebuilt into a winner in the last 17 years? All of these small market teams have rebuilt once or twice in the last 17 years. The Bengals are still rebuilding from the late 80's teams. This is rediculous! This gives anyone a reason to complain. How many teams in any sport has it taken more than a decade to rebuild into a winner, Not necessarily a champion, but at least a consistant winner. Useurhead.

at 1/05/2008 5:49 PM

Anonymous said...

at 1/05/2008 9:22 PM

Anonymous said...

Do any real fans read this blog? The majority of it is littered with obvious ignorant fair weather types complaining justto complain. How easily could this team have been 11-5? Considering the injuries and close losses to Buf, Cle, and Sea, we could easily be playing today. Obviously we have some work to do in the offseason, primarily with defensive personel, but this team and organization shouldnt be crucified for this season.

The majority of you probably dont remember the 90's squads I grew up on stumbling along for continuous 13 loss seasons, but trust me, you have far less to complain about that you think. Im sure you didnt support the Bengals when they were crappy because most of you arent real fans. Free advice. If you can only support a team that wins every yr, start following the Yankees.

-Robby B

at 1/05/2008 10:44 PM

Anonymous said...

"SO-CALLED BENGAL FANS." I have visited several other losing NFL Blogs and you people take the cake. I wouldn't blame MB for packing up this team and leaving Cincy. You will never see another NFL team,"

With all due respect, we haven't seen an NFL team since Paul Brown died - what've we got to lose??

BTW, Mike F Brown hit the JackPot Goldmine here - he would/will never leave.

How would you like to pay taxes directly to a rich sport owner's pocket, one who doesn't care/need to win?

at 1/06/2008 12:12 AM

Anonymous said...

What is the point of post moderation on this board when comments like those of Reddlegg are allowed? Pathetic. That kind of commentary just isn't necessary.

at 1/06/2008 12:53 AM

Anonymous said...

11-5 ?? Are you on crack? This team had no chance of having a winning record this year. The defense is terrible, even if it had Ahmad & Caleb. Are those the injuries your referring to? Give me a break. Your probably one of those guys who kept saying "we're just like the Colts". Right? I would love to see 11-5 but I live in the real world. It's 5-11 next year with the schedule and defense we have.

at 1/06/2008 3:44 AM

Anonymous said...

Marvin Lewis and his lil girl scout voice isnt gonna hire any Def Cordinator thats gonna make his Def Guru Ego look bad,thats why your gettin the no names for cordinators in here,he believes giving minorty chances knowing the Bengals have no choice or his lil girl scout voice gets more whinier cas she cant sell her girl scout cookies,enter your next Def Cordinator,Donnie Henderson,Marvin has had him with the team most of the season just for this reason.Can you imagine what Chuck had to be thinking when Lewis had Henderson overseeing the talent on the Def side of the ball from Preseason on? Think about it,Marvin isnt about winning,hes more now about minorties,the Bengals have no choice into listening to his lil girl scout whinney voice about it,he'll just up and take his Girl Scout Cookies and go home!

at 1/06/2008 2:33 PM

Anonymous said...

I knew the Steelers were an 8-8 team with an easy schedule.

at 1/06/2008 4:35 PM

Anonymous said...

You all are a bunch of fair weather fans. (I won't buys jerseys, tickets, ect.) Go root for Cleveland now that thier winning, we Bengals fans will still cheer on!!

at 1/06/2008 9:44 PM

iamemsquared said...

Get tampa Bay's D-Coord. He's very good and he's available.

at 1/06/2008 10:25 PM

Anonymous said...

9:22,
"Free advice. If you can only support a team that wins every yr, start following the Yankees."

Thanks, your "free advice" was worth every penny I paid for it.

at 1/06/2008 11:41 PM

REddlegg in Colorado said...

Rick.You want some whine with that chesse.Get real,Dude!!! Your the problem with these "so called Bengals fans" they accept poor playing,coaching,and ownership & pay for it with a smile.I won't put up with it and won't stand for it. Bottomilne!!!!!!!

Previous Posts

Friday, January 04, 2008

Bengals to interview Zimmer

52 Comments: