Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is starting to get pumped up. Hearing the criticism about the...

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is starting to get pumped up. Hearing the criticism about the Bengals opting not to take a safety in the draft, he offered Thursday, "They just wanted a name. If I took your name off the board they would have been happy, they didn’t care. But I know you can’t play. So why do it? Don’t worry. We’ll get a safety."

He’s also getting ready for the on-field camps that begin May 11 and is planning to play defensive end Michael Johnson at outside linebacker for the spring while also working in SAM backer Rey Maualuga at middle linebacker in some packages.

Geoff Hobson on upcoming camps

about 2 years ago Josh Kirkendall 21 comments 0 recs |

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I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

by LABengalsfan on Apr 30, 2010 3:25 AM EDT reply actions

You just can't hide it.....

by WHYUS!! on Apr 30, 2010 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions

animabouttaloooosecontrol anithaankiilikit!!!!

sorry I couldn’t resist

by Bengals NFL Champs on Apr 30, 2010 11:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I was waiting for that....

by WHYUS!! on Apr 30, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Tell 'em like it is, Mike.

Can’t wait to see this year’s defense. :)

by Craig Conrad on Apr 30, 2010 6:25 AM EDT reply actions

Wow, Michael Johnson at Linebacker!

That could be awesome!

by BonnieBengal on Apr 30, 2010 8:09 AM EDT reply actions

He would be an awfully big (tall) LB

by WHYUS!! on Apr 30, 2010 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Is Rey Ma healed up?

Not trolling here. I’m a Lions fan, but my in-laws are from Cincy and are huge Bengals fans; so I keep tabs on them.

I really liked you last 2 draft, this year especially.

Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin

by Leapin Lion on Apr 30, 2010 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

Rey Rey is good to go.

by UpStateMike on Apr 30, 2010 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey guys, sorry for interrupting – I need your help – I’m writing a piece on the ages of offensive linemen in the NFL.

What is the most likely starting 5 along your OL for the upcoming season? For the best accuracy, I’d prefer to hear from you guys rather than trust my own opinions or an ESPN depth chart.

Thanks!

by JimmyK on Apr 30, 2010 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

eagles fan?

I’d hate to lose Dawkins too. I think highly of Kolb, he’s a great passer and has weapons

by quickslant on Apr 30, 2010 8:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

As far as I know

Kyle Cook at Center
Bobbie Williams, Nate Livings at Guards
Andre Smith, Andrew Whitworth at Tackles

by UpStateMike on Apr 30, 2010 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks guys…

Looks like there’s a debate between Livings and Mathis at G. Anyone care to shed some light on that?

by JimmyK on Apr 30, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

they both play.. as of last year..

they would swap quarters. So, Mathis would play the first and third quarters, Livings would play the second and fourth quarters. Helps keep guys fresh I suppose.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Apr 30, 2010 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow, never knew that. Thanks.

by JimmyK on Apr 30, 2010 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Zim is the man..

I have total faith that he will get our boys smashing faces again next year…why can’t Hard knocks just follow the black and orange?

by quickslant on Apr 30, 2010 8:41 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

The best part of this quote is

They just wanted a name. If I took your name off the board they would have been happy, they didn’t care. But I know you can’t play. So why do it?

That’s how you draft! No need to draft a position of need if you don’t think the guy you’re drafting can fill the need. Yes, we the fans might feel better about it right away, but when that pick gets cut, it’s not such a good feeling. This shift in philosophy is what really gets me excited about the Bengals this year and beyond.

by AB on Apr 30, 2010 10:18 AM EDT reply actions

Where are all the

“this draft was terrible, we didn’t draft a safety” haters now?

Zim took a Defense from the NFL basement to Top 5. Trust the Z-Fense!

Damn, he’s just a defensive genius. If you think about playing Michael Johnson at LB, it just makes too much sense. Get as many pass rushers on the field as possible. Then you’ve got stunts and fire zone blitzing from anywhere in the Front 7. Brandon Johnson does a nice job gettin after the QB. So picture this:

3rd and Long and you’ve got Brandon Johnson and Michael Johnson playin OLB, with the Pass Rush Front 4: Fanene, Carlos, TANK and Odom all gettin after the QB….LOVE IT

QB Killas

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Apr 30, 2010 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

We’ve got the 6-7 Johnson, Brandon Johnson’s what? 6-5? Dunlap at 6-6. Heck, put this 6-10 Villanueva guy out there at DE as well and you wouldn’t have to get to the QB so much as just…wait for it…THROW YA HANDS UP! Ya know, Lebron’s contract is up with the Cavs this year…

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 30, 2010 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

In ZIM We Trust !!!!

by laibach on Apr 30, 2010 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

Every year Zimmer will continue to make us better.

Figuring out different packages and schemes to use that fit with the guys we have seems to be something he’s really good at. I really think that if Zim stays here long term he will evolve our defense into a Lebeau-esque or Rex Ryan-esque system of pressure packages that give opposing offenses fits at night.

No amount of prosperity is sufficient to eliminate all misfortune, and sloth is impervious to opportunity.

by kazahani2 on May 1, 2010 1:19 PM EDT reply actions