Bears interview Bengals QB Coach Ken Zampese for offensive coordinator
by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 13, 2010 9:38 AM EST
in Coaching News
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PrintThe Chicago Tribute reported on Tuesday that Bengals quarterback coach Ken Zampese interviewed for the job as Bears offensive coordinator.
Multiple league sources said Bears coach Lovie Smith spent the day interviewing Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, who is known for his work with Carson Palmer.
Zampese has often been rumored for other jobs in the past. Before last season, he interviewed for offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one rumor suggested that if Brian Schottenheimer leaves the New York Jets, Zampese would be a candidate for the job. In 2007, Zampese was considered for the offensive coordinator position in Carolina and Miami.
The Tribune writes that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and owner Mike Brown "gave the Bears permission to interview Zampese." This should really bum out the anti-Bratkowski crowd -- aka 97.4% of Bengals fans. Consider that if Bratkowski was being let go, no way would they let a younger Zampese interview for another job when Zampese would be the ideal replacement because he knows personnel more than anyone outside the organization that could become the team's offensive coordinator. In other words, yes, I believe this is a solid indication, other than press conference statements, that Bratkowski will be in Cincinnati next season.
Zampese used to work on the St. Louis Rams coaching staff when Bears head coach Lovie Smith was the defensive coordinator.
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When I first glanced at this headline
and saw “Bengals” “interview” and “offensive coordinator,” I got really really ridiculously excited for about 1.5 seconds. Then I realized what it actually said. FML.
Same here..
except I didn’t realize until half way through in reading the article. Wishful thinking I guess. There’s a fire Bratkowski fan group I’m thinking about joining on facebook…
I seem to remember...
…that we originally brought in Sheppard to replace Zampese, because we thought we were going to lose him. But that didn’t happen, and we’d just lost Hue Jackson, so we had him take over the WRs instead, even though he was more of a quarterback guy. I wonder if we could get Sheppard to take over as QB coach (we need to do something different there) and give Hue his old job back. Obviously, I’d like to just make Hue OC, but…
by Big Sky Bengal on Jan 13, 2010 11:49 AM EST reply actions
How can we not fire BRAT!!!???
The biggest indicator, to me at least, that Brat needs to go is the 4th quarter scoring. How many touchdowns did the Bengals score in the 2nd half throughout the season? What also concerns me is the lack of different formations we ran in the loss to the Jets. What happened to the Snug formation? If Zampese is this good, promote him, fire Brat, and get a new QB coach to help Carson. If we don’t get a new OC and lost Zimmer, the Bengals are SOL for next season.
yea where this guy been?
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 13, 2010 8:45 PM EST up reply actions
+1
Look at Palmer’s decline in his throwing technique. Do you really want to promote his coach?
by smoormandiddy on Jan 13, 2010 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
Good Point!
Aren’t many of the complaints about Palmer throwing high?
What’s the QB coach got to do with that?
A lot right?
Minister of Great Legs
by Drofintellact on Jan 13, 2010 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
I guess Zampese can only do so much, but how about a fresh start? This offense and everyone in it has been going stale for years. Need some new blood and a fresh approach
It's so very simple.
Call UCLA and get Norm Chow before USC takes him.
Never happen, but it’s just stupidly simple. Let him OC and QB coach. Light years of difference.
by Craig Conrad on Jan 13, 2010 9:33 PM EST up reply actions
Terrible.
The worst part about it is watching our defense do a pretty solid job throughout the season and then having to watch the three legged dog offense go out there and act like complete idiots on the field. It’s like a set of twins, one is incredibly gorgeous and the other.. Condoleezza Rice.
I am 80% sure that 80% of what Brat is doing with our offense is 80% of the reason we are not still in playoffs. I am 80% sure that I am 100% right on this one.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jan 13, 2010 3:20 PM EST reply actions
Just imagine if we had this defense with the 05-06 offense
damn
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 13, 2010 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
Dude, I've tried not to think about that.
It’s both exhilarating and depressing at the same time. We’re talking legacy good.
by Craig Conrad on Jan 13, 2010 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
I'm okay with Zampese leaving
He has done that great of a job in help Carson return to his elite QB status and develpoing Jordan. So get him and Brat out for all I care.
Need for new thinking or personnel and injuries taking toll
I was pissed watching the team lose to the Jets! Reminded me of the year when Freeman Mcneil ran wild and kicked us out. When I thought about it more, I began to wonder what the team would look like with TJ, Reggie Kelly and a Chris Perry like back as well as Odom and Rey in that game. I am sure that this was a handicap for Brat although you do have to go with the hand that’s dealt. It just seems the cards were stacked against the playbook in that regard.
If these issues are addressed I think even with Brat we’ll see more production next season.
Off Subject with College Coaches
So sick of seeing coaches dumping teams in mid contract. I am not a Tennessee fan but what Lane Kiffen did to it’s players & fans was lame. There were at least 3 bowl games coached this year by interim coaches due to them bailing on a program. If coaches can up & leave at the drop of a hat then why do the players have to sit out a year when they want to go. And it seems almost criminal the contracts these coaches are getting. I think Kffen wanted out of Tenn because he was affraid of the rest of the SEC, he is a sellout & will have USC on probation within 5 years. I sure hope Palmer stops helping him recruit!
by Vman in Germany on Jan 13, 2010 5:40 PM EST reply actions
All part of a messed up system
I don’t think it is any worse than an NFL team releasing a player mid contract, or firing a coach mid contract. The only thing with firing a coach is you have to pay the remainder of his deal(unless you are AL Davis). I agree you with about the player transfer rules. Especially in basketball, when you are 9 out of 10 times committing to the coach and not the school.
My three favorite things in the world in no particular order: My wife, sex with my wife, and The Cincinnati Bengals
Lane Kiffin is a guy who was born on third base,
and has spent his whole life crowing about hitting a triple. Entitlement with no results FTL.
by Craig Conrad on Jan 13, 2010 9:31 PM EST up reply actions
Innovation
What made the Sam Wyche & Bruce Coslett days so fun to watch was the innovation in calling & designing plays. Bratkowski lacked the innovation, he got beat last week by a coach who was more creative & innovative….with a rookie QB using timely low risk plays. We understand that running is the core competency of this team. Predictability is our beef & what we were all angry about down the stretch of the season & into the playoffs. Does Bratkowski provide the innovation next year or continue the “vanilla” offensive attack?
by Vman in Germany on Jan 13, 2010 5:58 PM EST reply actions
yes when we can sit on our coach and call the plays that will be run you would figure a defense that watches film could do the same thing
I mean the dude is a joke and it blows my mind that he thinks his strategy is “Good Enough” to get us to the Super Bowl. Watch the final interview with Ocho where he was asked the question about his playcalling. even the players know he is some BS. When you can run the ball as effectively as we do play-action should be use alot, but I didnt see to much of that all year. Cmon dude you have to understand that when you got 8 in the box and single coverage the play-action can be a killer.
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 13, 2010 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
sit on our couch typo
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 13, 2010 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
The Sam Wyche days were fun
I don’t know what fun “Bruce Coslet days” you’re talking about, unless you’re referring to the first “season fragment.”
1996: 7-2 (after taking over the 1-6 team from Dave Shula)
1997: 7-9
1998: 3-13
1999: 4-12
2000: 0-3 (before being replaced by Dick Lebeau, who went 4-9 the rest of the way)
by TheWalrus1971 on Jan 14, 2010 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
I assume he means when Coslet was the offensive coordinator under Wyche. The one thing I take from Coslet’s days as HC: Only 2 guys on the team busted their tail every week, Pickens and Dillon, but got hammered by the media for being malcontents. Jeez…what in the world could they have been unhappy about?
on Bengals.com it Brat says dont look for to much change in the Offense
On Monday, offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said he’s satisfied with the foundation of the playbook he overhauled with a running game makeover last offseason
Brat defends his play calling:
"There were a lot of new people in place at different spots … and it was good enough for seven drives in the fourth quarter to tie or go ahead. Plus, it was good enough to win the division. Good enough decision-making not to turn it over in those tight games."
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
I'm pretty sure you dont want to have it come down to last minute drives in the 4th quarter
I would rather have the game in hand by the 4th, but Brat just dont seem to understand what the hell to do. Why do we pay a QB $100 million dollars just to run the ball everytime? Shouldn’t Benson make the $100 mil instead?
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 13, 2010 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
it was good enough this, good enough that
it wasnt good enough for a super bowl or playoff win Brat
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 13, 2010 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
How is his job always so entirely safe?
I mean think about this mike brown. NO one and I mean NO one ever wants to interview this guy to be the O.C for their team and NO one even comes sniffig around to interview him for a head coaching job. Good coordinators at least get opportunities to interview for these jobs becaus they are GOOD at what they do. Bratkowski is a brainless fucking monkey who cannot adapt or adjust his play-calling to suit what he has. I would have fired him the instant he saidhis offense was good enough to win the division. Last time I checked the entire goal of an NFL orginization is to win the god damn super bowl, not some stupid ass division! You are the most predictable OC alive and everyone hates you in this city. Everyone! Not just me everyone. Why do we have to suffer through Henry being taken away and not have to feel sad about mike brown being taken away. I mean it would be sad at first but then everyone would remember their hate for mike brown and get over it immediately. If we were only lucky enough for a black hole to open up and swallow mike brown and bratkowski. Instead we now have to deal with another year of run run pass punt( RRPP) until we make the playoffs ( IF we make the playoffs) and then the idiot decides to switch it up to Pass Pass Pass Punt (PPPP). Holy crap man call a damn slant play or a screen or misdirection or for the love of god a deep pass. You suck at your job. Your offense was dead last last year and what were they this year? I don’t remember but when you take benson out you get week 17 in the meadowlands! Why can’t brat quit his job from mental and physical stress? F you bratkowski and Graham and mike brown and also the ogre daughter of his Katie.
by Diesel2405 on Jan 13, 2010 8:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
+1 on the RRPP
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 13, 2010 8:34 PM EST up reply actions
+2 on everything.
Can we protest or something? Lets all get drunk and march on PBS.. “Send Brat Home”
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jan 14, 2010 1:36 PM EST up reply actions
Good enough to finish 26th in the league in total offense
Eat shit, Bob!
yea he just dont get it.
I thought the goal was to win the Super bowl not just win the division and have close games in the 4th quarter every week. he just dont have a clue on what needs to be done. He is very arrogant about that aint he? so no its not good enough Bratkowski not nearly. We can’t average 14 points a game with all the talent we do have that he just dont utilize the right way
CB85......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jan 13, 2010 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
97.4%?
That implies that 2.6% of us support Bratkowski. So where the hell are these people? I’ve yet to meet one.
lol
I haven’t met any Brat supporters either
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 14, 2010 10:23 AM EST up reply actions
im not bratkowski fan, but meh, i think many fans are overrating
the effect switching OC’s is gonna have. Even after the switch, the fact remains that there is not a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Relative to other NFL teams at least.
Zampese can GTFO in my opinion,
along with Brat
Slim 15, you will be missed. RIP Chris Henry
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Jan 14, 2010 10:29 AM EST reply actions
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