Mike Zimmer Update: Could Pete Carmichael Jr. Be A Wild Card

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 17, 2012 10:50 AM EST in Coaching News

According to NFL Insider Jason La Canfora with the NFL Network (via the USA Today), the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be requesting an interview for New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. whose team was recently eliminated from the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers. Nate Davis with the USA Today writes:

With three NFL head coaching jobs still open, Saints OC Pete Carmichael could be emerging as a hot candidate and might even entice a bidding war.

The reason we bring this up is that if the interest in Carmichael is generally that high, and the Dolphins and Buccaneers enter the fray for a bidding war (something that the Dolphins at least could handle), it could upset the favoritism we're led to believe that Zimmer holds.

Davis continues the point why Carmichael could be the next hot coach:

He took over playcalling duties after Payton injured his leg in a sideline collision in Tampa on Oct. 16 and was forced into the coaches' booth for a few weeks. Carmichael retained the role even after Payton returned to the sideline, and the Saints finished with a single-season record 7,474 yards while QB Drew Brees broke several other marks, including passing yards in a season (5,476).

According to ESPN, the Raiders and Carmichael talked last weekend when the Saints were in San Francisco for Saturday's divisional game against the 49ers.

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Comments

Man.

How bad could Zimmer possibly feel right now. The man is a proven winner and achiever. He should be front runner. He is consistent. Yet, all these people are pushed ahead of him. Let this man be a head coach.

by Cincinnati222 on Jan 17, 2012 11:00 AM EST via mobile reply actions

on the flip side

do you really think he will be upset? I think he will be in a better situation if he waits a year any ways… Dallas, San Dieago, Philly, Washington, and Bengals are some of the teams that may need a new HC next year. If I was Zimmer, I would wait even if he got an offer…

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 17, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

I'd rather Zim stays put.

No way does mbb even try to get Jack DelRio or anybody of his or Zim’s caliber if Zim goes. We’d be stuck with a bargain basement DC. mbb would just cheap out and hire his mexican gardener.

"Shiny. Let's be bad guys."

by KentuckianaBrowncoat on Jan 17, 2012 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

It seems like....

These teams may be leaning more toward an offensive minded guy. In one way, I hope they take someone else, but in another, I hope they take Zim. I think he deserves it. BUT, if they don’t, then I hope he comes back next season with a chip on his shoulder and our D is even better. Plus, I really want him here on draft day. Guess I want my cake and want to eat it too, lol.

by Ben-GAL on Jan 17, 2012 11:00 AM EST reply actions

I think the interesting thing is...

That the longer time goes, the more likely Zim returns.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 17, 2012 11:13 AM EST reply actions

agree....

…if someone really wanted him, he’d be gone by now.

by goffchile on Jan 17, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

Yup

by njbengalstat on Jan 17, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

Yep.

And I really do feel bad for him. You almost feel kind of close to the guy, and maybe that is because we got to see a little more personal side after his wife’s passing, but I feel like he is a good coach and person and I am kind of irrittated that he is getting the run around.

by Ben-GAL on Jan 17, 2012 11:24 AM EST up reply actions

I agree Josh

I don’t think he’s really blown anybody’s top off in the interviewing process either, which is half the battle. Zim definitely deserves it though. That’s for sure.

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 17, 2012 11:23 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

personally I think interviews are to be politically correct with laws

i think for the most part, teams/ GMs already know which HC they want or is availble and there is usually some personal ties that brings a HC in. Its rare for a team to not know which direction there are going or who they are going to bring in.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 17, 2012 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

RE:

Exactly what I was going to say.

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

by Anthony Cosenza on Jan 17, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe they should look at who's still in the playoffs.

3 of the 4 teams are defensive stalwarts. Defense wins championships…..

by ddbumpus on Jan 17, 2012 11:26 AM EST reply actions

Look I think the Zimmer pub

is great but a few facts are tough for him to overcome.

1. His defense got clobbered by Baltimore and Houston.
2. He has no playoff wins.
3. Teams looking have fan base issues and Zimmer isn’t coming from a high profile team.

Awfully hard for him to overcome.
I expect he stays. I hope he has a big say in the first round too. The defense has gotten by with too many FA’s and too many low draft picks in the front 7.

by BENGALS69 on Jan 17, 2012 12:53 PM EST reply actions