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The Cincinnati Bengals Should Be Preparing List Of Defensive Coordinator Replacements If Mike Zimmer Leaves

Increasingly likely that they'll lose defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to the Miami Dolphins (or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), the Cincinnati Bengals will have the sudden task with finding his replacement. Though it would seem historically accurate that the Bengals were once a reactive team, there's reasons to believe that Cincinnati has already developed a game-plan for what seems will become an eventuality.

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Two names that continue to be circulated as the favorites are Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle and former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio. Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer initially projected both names, largely due to their connections to the team and Lewis himself.

Coyle has been an assistant coach with the Bengals for 11 seasons bringing some defensive coordinator experience at Fresno State, Maryland, Syracuse and Holy Cross. Del Rio was once a former defensive assistant under defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis on the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff. Del Rio's name has been mentioned several times as a favorite to replace Brian VanGorder in Atlanta.

That being said we won't know the full scope of whom Cincinnati could be considering until Zimmer leaves Cincinnati for the long-expected head coaching job we knew he'd one day have.

However no matter who it is, we figure it'll be the coach that Marvin Lewis wants, thanks to his negotiation last January that we suspect gave him increasing authority over his own coaching staff. And hopefully that coach is an aggressive play-caller, taking advantage of Cincinnati's quality defensive front.

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if not either of these 2

Splagnaro (sp) with our DL might be nice

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 16, 2012 11:08 AM EST reply actions  

Think of it this way

If Rey f**ks up he could bench him and play. Anyway Vikes are going to promote him to DC.

by sofakingood on Jan 16, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Good Choice

If we do lose Zimmer. Mr leather Coat would be my first option.

Then Mike Singletary.

Do you know what a super man Ass Whooping is ?... Its the type of Ass Whooping you wish you could Fly away from !....

by 77CincyRage on Jan 16, 2012 11:56 AM EST up reply actions  

I like everything about Singletary except

the x’s and o’s
he makes a perfect token,give him 2 good coordinator’s

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 16, 2012 7:41 PM EST up reply actions  

It'll be Coyle.

You don’t refuse permission to let your DB coach to interview for the Philly Defensive Coordinator spot unless you have a plan for him.

They have no real reason to make a system change on Defense, though I’d like to see someone get something more out of Maualuga and Rivers.

Coyle is apparently a highly respected coach in the locker room, and a very smart guy. The change should be seamless.

by Skyhook on Jan 16, 2012 11:12 AM EST reply actions  

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2011/2/11/1988683/report-bengals-refused-the-eagles-to-interview-db-coach-for-defensive

He’s under contract and the team can refuse anything it wants.

My impression at the time, and still to this day, was that it was a Jason Garrett type situation where they kept him with the understanding he’d be DC once Zimmer left.

by Skyhook on Jan 16, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions  

That situation always sux

To me that says,your not good enough

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 16, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions  

maybe Coyle replaces Zimmer

and Del Rio replaces Coyle lol

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 16, 2012 11:31 AM EST reply actions  

I've been working under the assumption that immer would leave...

And it hadn’t bothered me too much. I figured Del Rio was a good option, and maybe Marvin sees something in Coyle to make him a candidate. Good teams lose their coordinators all the time. It’s what happens when you have success.

But the one thing I hadn’t thought about until recently is how disastrous it will probably be for Maualuga. As freaked out as we all were about Dalton having to learn a new coordinator’s system after one year of starting at the QB spot, Rey would have to do the same thing if Zimmer leaves at the defensive QB spot. Does anyone on here think Rey Maualuga has a 10th of the brains as Andy Dalton? Even small changes in terminology, let alone a different scheme or playbook, could have Rey’s head spinning. It could mean a real problem at the MLB spot and would probably mean the end of his hold on the job by the end of the year…which is too bad because, even though he’s not the brightest guy, I really felt like once he got a handle on running Zim’s scheme and was able to just play at his natural position he could really blossom. With a new coordinator, that could mean another year or two of development, which we won’t pay for, and probably can’t afford.

by eric nyc on Jan 16, 2012 11:34 AM EST reply actions  

I don't think thats necessarly true

I think who ever comes in here has to go with Marvins scheme when it comes to defense. Marvin was a former DC and Im pretty sure he has a lot of say when it comes to the defensive side of the ball. Thats why the other two DC didn’t last that long because they couldn’t translate their coaching styles into the scheme Marvin wanted.

So, I think Coyle maybe the best option because he has been under Marvin for so long and probably knows what Marvin really wants to get out of the D with the personell we have now.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 16, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions  

Coyle wasn't a Marvin hire...he's a Mike Brown guy

There’s a reason he didn’t get the job when Breshnahan got fired. And that move is all you need to look at to know two different coordinators can run two very different systems with similar players. Del Rio is the vetted candidate…we all know he has credentials as a DC. But he’s also not known for being a very player-friendly guy. I can’t see him and Rey hitting it off very well.

by eric nyc on Jan 16, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions  

I dont think thats true

If Marvin had that much of a hand in the defense,why did it only pick up steam when Zimmer got here

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 16, 2012 7:44 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't think Ray Lewis is the Enstein of

The ILB world, do you? Rey will figure it out.
But maybe Rey doesnt stay at ILB under a new DC. Maybe he’s moved back to the outside if the draft produces some one better.

by BENGALS69 on Jan 16, 2012 11:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Maybe he is.

He’ll go into the HOF as one of the best ILB to ever play the game. I dont’ know why people assume he’s dumb. He sniffs out plays as well as anyone ever.

by eric nyc on Jan 16, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions  

He's a great player

That doesn’t seem to be a particularly beyond average intelligence……just like our Rey. It’s more about physical talent, experience, teammates etc than brains. I’d say our Rey would be more “instinctive” if he had Ngata and mount Cody in front of him.

by BENGALS69 on Jan 16, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions  

bengals should already be interviewing

why wait for zimmer to leave

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 16, 2012 11:43 AM EST reply actions  

the lack of reports on anyone flying into town

would suggest spags, del rio, singletary, etc haven’t been interviewed by the bengals

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 16, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions  

I think sometimes we over-estimate the reach fo ESPN

They don’t have guys stationed at every airport. When you hear those reports, it’s usually because the people they’re reporting on give them the information. I’m not saying we ARE interviewing anyone, i’m just saying it wouldn’t at all surprise me if we were at least making phone calls.

by eric nyc on Jan 16, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions  

screw espn =)

i use google and newswire. spiders on twitter make it hard to keep anything hidden in this day and age.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 16, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions  

OK 2012 coaching change wish list...

If zimmer leaves
New D coordinator = Colye
Means we need a new DB Coachs

Regaurdless…
New OL Coach… Munoz
Lippencott Replacement (while it will take more than one guy to fill these shorts why havent we talked about this replacement?)

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 16, 2012 11:44 AM EST reply actions  

If Munoz wanted to coach don't you think he would have done it by now?

Coaching isn’t a very glamorous job. Especially being an assistant. Insanely long hours, not great money. Unless you really have the bug to want to coach, it’s not something you do because you’re bored. Munoz seems perfectly fine doing furniture commercials.

by eric nyc on Jan 16, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions  

not if the only team he wanted to coach for hadnt offered him a job

hes such a big bengals guy i dont think he would coach for another team lol…

Maybe that Steelers C that came to vist. Someone that could improve our OL and not talk about nasty nate and how not awful he is

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 16, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions  

New TE Coach

not sure who would be good for this but we really need one

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 16, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions  

Jack Del Rio

I really like the guy if for no other reason than he took on the NFL and it’s asinine licencing policy.

A few years ago, I guess he got tired of coaches showing up for games like they just got out of bed (ahem…New England) and he decided that he was going to actually “dress up” for a game, like they did in the old days, when the coaches graced the sidelines with respect and class.

Anyway, he showed up on the sidelines in a nice suit & tie, but i don’t recall if the NFL fined him because he was wearing something for the game which was not NFL licensed apparel. I think there was a discussion along those lines.

by ephram on Jan 16, 2012 12:08 PM EST reply actions  

RE:

If memory serves, the suits that he and Mike Nolan wore a few years back were actually endorsed by the NFL and made by Reebok. I don’t know that Del Rio “challenged” the system, he probably brought something to the League’s attention that he and/or Nolan felt were an issue and were the poster children for the idea. It never caught on though.

CincyJungle.com Manager/Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @CUIBengalsFan

by Anthony Cosenza on Jan 16, 2012 12:58 PM EST up reply actions  

personally, i don't see the point of the HC wearing a suit

kinda of like the HC of a baseball team wearing a uniform. Coaches don’t play nor do they get involved with front office stuff. So, i think the side line gear works because you still wanna be confortable with a organized team look.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 16, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions  

from what i recall

Nolan & Del Rio wanted to wear suits that season, but the NFL said, “heck no. we have a license w/Reebok.”

But then after some grumbling from various outlets, the NFL relented and let them wear suits for that season instead of the Reebok gear.

But I think the NFL only allowed it for that season, and the coaches didn’t bother to fight it with the NFL any further. I know at one time the initial word was that JDR was going to get fined for wearing the suit, but I don’t think that ever actually happened.

by ephram on Jan 16, 2012 2:36 PM EST up reply actions  

I would not mind Jack Del Rio...

His problems at Jax were mostly on the offensive side, they always seem to have a good defense. Am I wrong on that assesment?

by pemci on Jan 16, 2012 12:12 PM EST reply actions  

J'ville's defensive rankings

From 2004~2007 they had a very good defense.
But their drafting was pretty lousy, and the offense got worse….which both led to the defense getting worse from 2008~2010
Although they definately got better in 2011.

2011 … 11th
2010 … 27th
2009 … 24th
2008 … 21st
2007 … 10th
2006 … 4th
2005 … 6th
2004 … 7th

by ephram on Jan 16, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions  

Guy had to deal with the colts and manning

x2 a year for a long time.. he should have learned a thing or 2

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 16, 2012 12:23 PM EST up reply actions  

what really hurt their defense was terrible drafts

2011 taking no defensive players until late round 4

2010 reaching for Tyson Alulu at #10 overall in 2010, whe he was projected to fall to the 2nd round
2010 the next 3 players drafted after Alulu were all D-Line but they only combined for 14 tackles and 1 sack in 2011…..ouch!

2009 drafted 2 players (both round 3) and that was it in 9 picks

2008 traded up to draft Derrick Harvey (DE) in round 1, and drafted Quinten Groves in round 2. Neither is w/the team any more.

2007 drafted 3 defensive guys in the first 5 rounds (none are on their team)
round 1 – Reggie Nelson is on the Bengals
round 2 – Justin Durant is on the Lions
round 4 – Brian Smith never made the team

Moral of the story:
He’s a good defensive coach, but i don’t want him anywhere near the draft room come draft day when they are drafting defensive players. And after taking guys like Gabbert & Matt Jones & Reggie Williams with 1st round picks, i don’t want him near the draft room when they pick offensive players either!

by ephram on Jan 16, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions  

Eh...I don't blame him for Gabbert

At the time Gabbert was a legit top 5 prospect…he was on every draft board out there as the 2nd best QB. In retrospect, yeah he shouldn’t have been ranked that highly. But in retrospect, Dalton should have gone in his place.

by eric nyc on Jan 16, 2012 12:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah that was pretty retarded...

But the fact that no other team even looked at Garrard despite an insane amount of QB injuries throughout the season is pretty telling.

by eric nyc on Jan 16, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions  

I think at one point maybe Seattle wanted to talk to him?

And it was clear that he would just be a rental or potential backup and he refused to even meet with them.

My guess is he was being such a pain during training camp about having his obvious replacement on the roster that they didn’t want him to be a negative influence on their 21 year old new QB. In the grand scheme of things, that’s probably actually a smart move. Clearly they weren’t going to be winning many games this year anyway. As bad as Gabbert was, imagine if he had had some Donovan McNabb type poisoning the locker room against him the whole time. Gabbert’s only 22. He has a lot of time to improve.

by eric nyc on Jan 16, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions  

+1

There were a lot of rumors that the other players hated Garrard as well.

by emeybee on Jan 16, 2012 2:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Yes, this scares me.

We have drafted so well the past few years, I don’t want anyone coming in here and messing it up. I have high hopes for this team, and the direction it is going, and the foundation can only get stronger with good drafts like we have had. This is not to say I don’t think he could come in here and do a good job.

by Ben-GAL on Jan 16, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions  

How much draft control did he actually have, though?

I’ve seen a lot of Jags fan criticize their front office; I got the impression that he didn’t have a ton of control over their drafts.

by Big Sky Bengal on Jan 16, 2012 1:07 PM EST up reply actions  

That could be true.

If that is the case then maybe he is better than people think in that department.

by Ben-GAL on Jan 16, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions  

The Jags had a great defense under DC Mike Smith

once he left to be HC of the Falcons, the Jags D went into the toilet. They were pretty darn good this year, but the 3 prior years they blew.

by indesignkat on Jan 16, 2012 6:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Wassup with Spaggs?

Del Rio was my first choice,but him and Coyle having history with Marvin worries me
Spaggs could bring something fresh

"A team is more than a group of individuals,its a group of individuals that come together to make a team"

by keithp on Jan 16, 2012 10:11 PM EST up reply actions  

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