Mike Zimmer: Rey Maualuga Needs To Be A Little More Team Oriented

by Josh Kirkendall on Nov 12, 2010 10:35 AM EST in Analysis

FOXBORO MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Rey Maualuga #58 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off the field in the second half against the New England Patriots during the NFL season opener on September 12 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bengals 38-24. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Through eight games this year, Dhani Jones is doing exactly what he's done since arriving in Cincinnati in 2007. Tackle a lot of people. With 78 total tackles, Jones leads the team while Rey Maualuga's 45 tackles ranks third on the team. And 13 of those tackles came against the Miami Dolphins at the end of October, breaking a personal high 11 tackles against the Minnesota Vikings in 2009. But many are through with Jones, demanding Maualuga be moved to inside linebacker. When asked about moving Maualuga to the inside, Mike Zimmer responded about Maualuga:

“Well, Rey could’ve played better last week, a lot better,” Zimmer responded, without mentioning the play of Jones. “I don’t fight anything. If we felt like it was the best thing right now we would do it. We’ve lost five straight. We don’t owe anybody anything right now.”

“He plays hard but sometimes he runs around like a chicken with his head cut off,” said Zimmer. “He’s supposed to be here and he’s over there and he’s supposed to be here. He’s got to be a little more team oriented.”

Maualuga has two career quarterback sacks and no interceptions. Maualuga, Keith Rivers and Roddrick Muckelroy are the team's only linebackers signed beyond this season.

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ZIM

It’s your defense buddy! YOU determine how they should play… “We got your back!”

"Bratkowski-- Off with his head!!!"

by Law1951 on Nov 12, 2010 10:43 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

His entire response to that question was absolutely amazing.

He needs to be our head coach and needs to be it now. Chad would get benched and he would tell him to shut the F up or he aint gonna play. Hopefully if Lewis leaves Zim becomes the HC, doesnt resign brat, hires mike singletary as DC after he gets fired by the niners and lures schotty out of retirement to be the OC. But in reality the entire coaching prolly wont be back, we will finally get a GM who will be Matt Millen, HC of Cam Cameron, OC of Bratkowski again and Mike Brown will be the DC!

by Diesel2405 on Nov 12, 2010 10:51 AM EST reply actions

Uh no

The defense has been the biggest letdown this season… If Zim can’t even get them to play consistently, when D is his specialty, how exactly will he be any better than hat we have now?

by emeybee on Nov 12, 2010 12:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Letdown? Its hard not to be a let down when your on the field 45 min of a 60 min game

by Diesel2405 on Nov 12, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

Would it be too much to ask to play well for 20 of those 45 minutes?

by bodacio zk on Nov 12, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

Zimmer is still awesome,

and his major shortcomings exist in qualities not necessary to a head coaching job. Zimmer’s game plans aren’t always the smartest. If he’s HC and there’s a new DC in town, that won’t matter. His play calling is sometimes strange, and the personnel on the field are rarely ideal. Again, that doesn’t matter if he’s head coach.

He’s great when it comes to the fundamentals, and getting guys playing hard. His only struggles with that are with the really challenging guys like MJ and Dunlap, who both appear to be coming around with their effort. He calls guys out all the time, and it’s great. He commands respect. These are qualities a head coach needs.

A defensive coordinator should not be evaluated, in terms of potential effectiveness as a head coach, purely by the performance of the defense. If he doesn’t have good players, he can’t succeed. I think Zimmer has average to above average players, and obviously skill varies by position (lots of skill at corner, little at safety). Zimmer should be evaluated by his particular strengths and weaknesses, which point to him being an excellent head coach.

IMO, Mike Zimmer would be a better head coach than he is a defensive coordinator.

It's time to sink or Zim.

by Pardon_My_French on Nov 12, 2010 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

Was Rey benched?

by wiseking on Nov 12, 2010 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

So…strange, unsmart decisions should no be factored into his potential effectiveness as a head coach?

What exactly do you know about fundamentals and how fundamentally sound the defense is playing right now? How can you tell that they’re playing hard when the Bengals down by 2 or 3 touchdowns at halftime? See, these are things you assumed about Zimmer and stuck to based on last year’s performance, but it’s not necessarily holding up this year. Hate to break it to you, but “performance” and “results” are how coaches get jobs in the NFL. Coordinator of the 1st ranked defense gets a head coaching job before the 32nd regardless of talent.

by bodacio zk on Nov 12, 2010 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

Typical Bengal mindset

Let’s hire from within. Who else could we possibly get?

Oh, anyone who isn’t currently doing a miserable job coaching this team.

I don’t dislike Zimmer, but it is troubling that his #1 focus was improving the pass rush and it’s gotten infinitely worse. We’re back to square one. Time for another blindfolded dart toss and hope we can land a new HC/coaching staff that doesn’t embarrass the shit out of me every year. Not holding out hope.

by bodacio zk on Nov 12, 2010 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

Doc is the man

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/paul_daugherty/11/11/bengals/index.html?eref=sihp

by Diesel2405 on Nov 12, 2010 12:46 PM EST reply actions

I guess third time is the charm for the damn link to work

by Diesel2405 on Nov 12, 2010 12:46 PM EST up reply actions

Wow he wants out doesn't he haha

I don’t blame him though. Watching them makes me contemplate terrible things

by Throw the ball on Nov 12, 2010 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

WHY US!!

(facepalm)

by WHYUS!! on Nov 12, 2010 2:07 PM EST reply actions

Without Marvin this team goes back in to the dark ages...

Ideally I’d like to see Marvin get a better Offensive Coordinator and a more talented offensive line.. He’s the only one that can get Mikey to make moves personnel wise…

by JamesShively on Nov 12, 2010 5:58 PM EST reply actions

I agree but

we are already headed there. Marvin IMHO doesn’t want to be here anymore. Mike Brown will not give him any control and that has worn on him. He’ll finish the season and go on to greener pastures, like Tony Dungy did. I just hope Mike Brown hires Gruden just like the Bucs did.
Only one can wish..

by WHYUS!! on Nov 12, 2010 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

Finally this bum gets called out

Being out of position is one thing, but it’s clear this guy is just not physically qualified to play LB in the nfl. It’s pure comedy when he tries to blitz and gets absolutely dominated by a RB or TE. He can’t cover anybody. I can’t think of one thing he does well – oh, except for he’s fan friendly (slapped hands with some of us fans that were at the Green Bay game last year). Sit his a$$ on the bench and play Brandon Johnson every down

by gpcu02 on Nov 12, 2010 7:55 PM EST reply actions

My question: Is he lazy, selfish, or unintelligent?

or a combination of the above? Somehow watching him, I don’t get a good vibe he is very bright – which might be his major problem. There’s a reason Dhani is still playing the middle and I have the feeling a lot of it comes down to intelligence. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dhani continues to start at middle LB next year, even though his physical abilities are quickly diminishing.

Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.

by Blue Steel on Nov 12, 2010 8:50 PM EST reply actions