We've known that Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is a candidate for the head coaching position for the Miami Dolphins. According to NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora, Bengals Zimmer isn't just a candidate for the position, he's interviewing for the job on Monday.
Zimmer has been mentioned as a head coaching candidate for several seasons, but either didn't get the job or simply elected to stay in Cincinnati. Zimmer signed a three-year deal on January 12, 2010, which leaves one year remaining on his existing contract.
During the five seasons prior to Zimmer's arrival as a defensive coordinator, the Marvin Lewis era defenses with Leslie Frazier and Chuck Bresnahan all ranked 19th or worse.
When Zimmer joined the franchise in 2008, Cincinnati's defense improved from 27th in 2007 to 12th the following year. Since then Cincinnati's defense has ranked fourth, 15th and seventh from 2009 through 2011 respectively.
Of Zimmer's opportunity, head coach Marvin Lewis said that the Bengals will be nothing but supportive.
"We'll have a really good coaching staff. If Mike gets an opportunity, that would be fantastic. We'll do nothing but be very supportive with him in every opportunity he gets a chance at."
0 recs | 61 comments
I think this is the year Zimmer takes the plunge as a HC
I think he lands the Miami gig after the Rams confirm Fishers their new HC.
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
not enough glam for miami
Think he’s more suited for Tampa. Phibin would be my guess for Miami.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Agree, profile not quite what is typical for Miami.....
think Tampa is a great spot for him as well. Although their secondary isn’t anything special….their D line could be monsters. Zim would be good for that team……unfortunately, that would be bad for ours.
The Van Buren Boys - January 9, 2012
you could have said the same thing with Lewis when he came to Cincy
some coaches have to settle for less if they really want to be a HC
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
we are saying Zim isnt what Miami usually goes for
I think that what he’s saying too atleast.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
ohh gotcha...
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
+1 sir........
The Van Buren Boys - January 9, 2012
Miami will go with a defensive guy
There isnt no glam to be had
keithp - January 9, 2012
I pick him over Gruden
Zimmer lost two number 1 picks before the season started in JJoe and Rivers, then lost his two best defensive players in Sims and Hall yet he kept this squad of low draft picks and free agents playing well til December when lack of depth caught up to us.
I wish Brown would end the suspense and fire Lewis and replace him with Zim.
Lewis embarrassed the team with his challenges in the first quarter, he’s not the answer to any question in Cincy.
BENGALS69 - January 9, 2012
the challenges are on whoever is in the booth
Lewis cant see what we see on tv.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
True
but he didn’t use common sense. challenging a spot is poor odds. then exhausting his challenge in the 1st quarter?
Clueless. Even fans would have known better.
BENGALS69 - January 9, 2012
yea that one was a dumb one
The catch was not on Lewis at all imo. But I say give Lewis a year with the team he finally was able to build how he wanted. If next year he can’t get the job done, make it to the playoffs and win a game or 2, he needs to go.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Yeah I know, 9-7 after that 0-10 streak
he won’t be fired. But 0-3 in the playoffs and none of them even remotely close. That tells you something about Marvin’s up side doesn’t it?
I’m sure Brown won’t let him go, especially if Gruden or Zimmer leave. But still, his won/loss record is still under .500 after 9 years. Again speaks to his upside.
BENGALS69 - January 9, 2012
hes had to deal with brown
He’s just now got a team I would say is his, not Browns. That’s why I say give it this year too.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
it was a judgement call for the HC and I can understand why he thought it was important to challenge at the same time
but when your the visiting team you don’t get the same looks at reviews as the home team. So sometimes you challege out of blind faith. But that second challenge was a bad call because he already lost the first one. Save it for the second half.
The colts bring their own AV equipemt so they can review the replays in their booth. Im surprised more teams don’t do that.
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
Mike Brown is too cheap to pay for that equipment.
DTFCPDX - January 9, 2012
If you noticed at the game
They didn’t show any questionable calls against the Texans on the big screen. I was funny as hell because if we did something questionable it seemed like it was on the screen before the whistle blew.
Bigcatdaddy - January 9, 2012 via Android app
I wonder if there is someone in that booth
keithp - January 9, 2012
fanane is our only i mean only low draft pick
You lose Joseph and replace him for 4 1st rd picks. Lose Rivers replace him with another 1st rd pick. We got beat by DENVER with tebow at wide out. Beat twice by a 4th string rookie qb. Had our worst defensive player(Crocker) playing multiple positions like he all-pro. Not saying its all Zimmer but we can do better without him. We are loaded with talent on our front seven. Get 3 or 4 new secondary guys and we have best defensive in our division next year regardless of who coaching.
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Talent looks alot better,with a good coach!
I wouldnt underestimate Zimm’s value
keithp - January 9, 2012
Fanene's our only 2005 draft pick left also lol
DTFCPDX - January 9, 2012
Atkins is a 4th
Fanane is a 7th. Geathers is a 4th. Rucker is a 3rd, the 91st pick. Sims is a 3rd.
Those aren’t high draft picks my friend.
Sure we have others picked up as free agents that were picked high, but they were let go early in their careers, ie cast offs.
BENGALS69 - January 9, 2012
HUH!!!
Fanane is our only low pick. I might give u Geathers. But dude and top 120 pick is a top pick. And if u wanna include them go ahead. That’s 4 players out of 20 defensive players. The rest are 1st of 2nd td picks my friend. I’LL GIVE A $100 TO FIRST PERSON WHO SHUT ME UP AND FIND 5 OTHER NFL TEAMS WHO HAVE MORE HIGHER DRAFTED GUYS ON DEFENSE.
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
texans
where is my money lol jk
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
Chiefs
Touhue Cha - January 9, 2012
49ers are LOADED with former 1st round draft picks (especially on Defense)
Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, Carlos Rogers, Patrick Willis, Donte Whitner, and on and on.
Ravens are also loaded with firmer 1st round picks = Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, Jimmy Smith.
Patriots = Wilfork, Jerrod Meyo, Andre Carter, Devin McCourtey
Charges, too = Takeo Spikes, Corey Liuget, Larry English, Eric Weddle (early 2nd round pick)
What are you talking about??
Also, as “Bengals69” alluded to, only one (1) of the Bengals 8 d-lineman was drafted in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft – Carlos Dunlap. And Carlos was a second round pick! All other 7 d-lineman were drafted from the 3rd round on. Those are mid-to-late draft picks. No first round draft pick, 1 second rounder (Dunlap), 3 third rounders (MJ, Frostee, and Sims), 3 fourth rounders (Peko, Geathers, and Atkins – our best defensive player), and 1 seventh rounder (Jon Fanene).
I want my $100
The_Black_Stripes - January 9, 2012
BAM!!!
Oregonbengalsfan - January 9, 2012
Take that!
keithp - January 9, 2012
Mays is a high draft pick,with no talent
Your argument of high draft picks,means nothing
We didnt draft all of them,and some of them didnt pan out to begin with
keithp - January 9, 2012
I wouldn't say no talent
He might be a damn good cook.
:-P
Bigcatdaddy - January 9, 2012 via Android app
I was hoping that
He didnt seem to impress anyone enough to get on the field here
And was labeled a bust in SF
Might be,might not be
one thing is for sure,he never lived up to his draft status
keithp - January 9, 2012
I remember the Bengals really wanted him coming out of USC
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
i was a little slow there
Mike lets him wash the joc straps
keithp - January 9, 2012
SO IS JOSEPH A CAST OFF ALSO?
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
so jamarcus russel is a good player
Jennings was a bust, traded a dt that wasn’t making our team
Traded a 7th round pick for Mays
Traded a horrible corner for Nelson
That is cast offs, players who nobody wants. Just because they’re drafted high does not mean they are good.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
Sometimes change of scenery is good and bad.
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
not saying its not
But you can’t call players like that 1st or 2nd round talents when they’ve blown their whole career. Hell even Howard and Lawson were unwanted by most teams becuae they’ve under achieved! Nelson has become a good saftey, Jennings has started to play decent, did an ok job on Andre Johnson. Howard has played fantastic, Lawson still an average backer so nothing changed there, Mays, probably still will suck, he seems uncoachable. But the point is look how many players nobody else could get production from that have played good here.
JCompton41 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
yes
keithp - January 9, 2012
A change of scenery
Was good for the Bengals and Bad for the Raider’s
he has a point
keithp - January 9, 2012
I would hate to see him go
But if he does go, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAKE CHRIS CRCOKER WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
biggie22 - January 9, 2012
x1,000,000,000
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
chris crocker didnt tackle that dude because....
he wanted to know what if felt like to run one in. so he pretended he had the ball and forgot about the RB…
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
i dont know if that play or the one where crocker got is ankles broke was more pathetic
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
Who’s to blame for Crocker being out there in 1st place?
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
true
but he was our only real option at this point of the season.
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
So u bou
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
So u paid Wilson, Mays, and Sands for noyhing
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
I'm sure zimm puts the best guys we have on the field
There is a reason Crocker started all season, he was better. I understand that sometimes change is good and we have a history of not playing guys that turn out being pretty good, but I don’t think anyone on that list would’ve made a difference. I couldn’t really tell you anything about Wilson without looking it up but I trust Zimmers judgment. He’s had plenty of talent in the past and present playing under him so I’m sure he knows what’s best.
Bigcatdaddy - January 9, 2012 via Android app
yep
there’s a reason…it’s called experience, I don’t blame him either, would rather have someone a tad bit slower and in the right spot than someone who can fly…right out of the play.
joeb69 - January 9, 2012
Huh?
What’s point of always being in right spot if u never make play. Coach somebody up who can make plays that’s why ur coach. Crocker and couple other guys were weak links.
pray4gm11 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
and thats why we need to upgrade our SS spot
crocker would be a solid back up but makes to many mistakes to be effect as a starter
AMAS85 - January 9, 2012
Yall think Mays will impress and make a push for starting safety?
Israeli - January 9, 2012
No, he'll be a backup at best.
DTFCPDX - January 9, 2012
Since he still has a year on his contract
If he gets hired by Miami do we get anything like a draft pick in return?
TCfromDubVee - January 9, 2012
Nope, that only applies to HC's
assistants can leave as long as they get a promotion without any contract problems. So a DC can leave for a HC without any contract issue. If Zimmer left for another DC job then there would have to be compensation or Brown could simply refuse to consider it.
BENGALS69 - January 9, 2012
QUICK
PROMOTE Marvin
Then Promote Zimmer
Bengalsfan024 - January 9, 2012
Thank you.
TCfromDubVee - January 9, 2012
or in cases of tampering
the jags appeared to be using the media to talk to gruden, if the bengals can prove that in the league office and the jags sign gruden, they’ll be awarded a pick from the nfl.
the fins on the other hand, have been quiet about their moves involving teams still in the post season. we heard next to nothing about miami until the bengals season was over.
palewook - January 9, 2012
So what is the latest?
When will we know what happened with him interviewing? Do they wait until they interview all candidates or if they get one target do they offer him the position on the spot?
DonMegga - January 9, 2012 via mobile
If he hits it out of the park....
they’ll still talk to others. Some interviews are conducted for future references and in case Zimmer takes another gig or turns them down.
KSE - January 9, 2012
Schefter said Zimmer has his meeting today (Tuesday)
instead of Monday
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
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