Joe Robbins - Getty Images
9 months ago: CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer argues with head linesman Kent Payne #79 during an NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Colts won 17-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Reports surfaced on Friday that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were granted permission to interview Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. According to NFL Insider Jason La Canfora with the NFL Network, that interview will take place on Monday. The Buccaneers were also granted permission to interview Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
Other candidates in Tampa Bay includes former Packers head coach Mike Sherman, former head coach Marty Schottenheimer and former Vikings head coach Brad Childress. Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray and Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell are on Tampa Bay's radar.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also reports that "there's increasing chatter in league circles that the Dolphins are presently leaning towards" Mike Zimmer, even if Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin could be hired now that Green Bay was eliminated by the New York Giants on Sunday.
If Zimmer is hired away from Cincinnati for either job, the Bengals will have to initiate their own hunt for a defensive coordinator.
0 recs | 3 comments
Well someone will take zim
so whos the replacement…
seriously if not. Miami / Bucaneers
The Raiders are now in the hunt and the Colts may be by the end of the week
Bengalsfan024 - January 16, 2012
Zim is a fine coach
He doesn’t have the “wow” factor of a coach coming from a championship program. I think he’s a hard sell. Maybe if the Bengals win a couple playoff games next season?
Tampa is like the Bengals, declining fan support, bad economy, losing record. They need a high profile guy to bring the fans back. Doesn’t mean Zimmer won’t be hired, after all, he’s too good to stay a DC anymore.
BENGALS69 - January 16, 2012
Wouldn’t mind hearing all the news about Zimmer if he were hired down here. I would keep you guys updated about how the fans like/dislike him throughout the course of the year.
Tampa_Bengal - January 16, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Cincy Jungle to post a comment.