Andy Lyons - Getty Images
6 months ago: INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 13: Jack Del Rio the Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches the action during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 13, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Widely believed that if the Cincinnati Bengals lose Mike Zimmer to Tampa Bay, defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle and former Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio would be the prime candidates for the team's defensive coordinator position. Yet by the time Tampa Bay makes a decision, there's a chance that neither will be available. Coyle is currently interviewing for Miami's defensive coordinator position on Wednesday and according to NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora, Del Rio "has emerged as a possible replacement for Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, according to league source."
In truth the discussion is only predicated on Zimmer leaving for a head coaching position, opening a void at defensive coordinator. Currently only one finalist for the head coaching vacancy in Tampa Bay has been announced with former Packers and Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman, currently interviewing for a second time.
There is a ton of speculation that Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski is also a finalist, but that has yet to be confirmed. However there is mounting frustration from Carolina head coach Ron Rivera for how much his own coach is being held at ransom, causing delays with own plans.
"Believe me, I'd love to know just so we can go forward," Rivera said. "We've got a lot of things we have to do and we've kind of put (them) off during this whole period."
0 recs | 7 comments
Del Rio is not coming to Cincy
Zimm isnt leaving, and I doubt that Del Rio would go from a HC to the secondary coach…He will at least take a DC position…I would love him here…but I know what I get with Zimm…
ticalcaldwell - January 25, 2012
RE:
Agreed. But until someone makes a decision, we can’t know for sure until then.
Josh Kirkendall - January 25, 2012
Yeah
the coaching circus is always crazy in the offseason…who knows
ticalcaldwell - January 25, 2012
Okay, tical, tell me exactly what do we get with Zim.
Frankly, I am not nearly so impressed with him as others here are. Compared to what we had he is great but compared to the rest of the league it seems to me that he isn’t exactly getting all he can out of the players here. Okay, maybe he is getting all he can but maybe there are others who can get more, especially with all of the 4th quarter collapses and lack of discipline I have seen in our secondary. You can only use the Hall is injured oe we lost JJ for so long and I am getting pretty tires of watching Safeties deserting their lanes and getting sucked in with some simple motion in the backfield. Our Dline and blitz schemes are repetitive and more and more predictable. Don’t get me wrong, I think Zim is above average, and would welcome him back but that is not the same as the dieification many here are giving him We could do worse but we could also do better..
JUNGLEJOHN - January 25, 2012
This is the main reason that I want this Zimmer thing to just get over and done with
I think there is a distinct possibility that DelRio would cme here to Cincy if the position were open but with Zimmer in limbo nobody can get a deal done. I really don’t care if he stays or goes as I think he is over rated and that DelRio would probably be an upgrade. It is going to be the same bs every year – will Zimmer stay or go. I don’t care either way. If he wants a HC job he should just quit and get serious about going after one or put all of this to rest. We need our DC , whoever he is, out there scouting and preparing for a very important FA season and draft, not jetting around eating steaks with other team owners. This is hurting the team. Be our DC or don’t. I really don’t care at all which.
Is this attitude fair to Zimmer? Maybe not, but I don’t care about him. I care about the team. Hll, I am a better DC than someone who isn’t there and on the job.
JUNGLEJOHN - January 25, 2012
I am with you on Zimm
I am not enamored with this guy either. I think he has done a solid job overall but we have also had some blown games. I’m with you. I would like Del Rio too. I just like his style of coaching.
ticalcaldwell - January 25, 2012
Dont get me wrong
If Zimm stays, I wont be disappointed, but I know what you are saying…time is the enemy…the longer it takes, the more talent leaves the pool…
ticalcaldwell - January 25, 2012
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