Bengals Early Bird Special: Will Zimmer Stay Or Go?

Good morning Bengals Nation! It's Wednesday and you know what that means? The week is halfway over and it's all downhill from here. This week can't end soon enough, just saying. And remember as I always say, if you're having a crummy week then grab a gallon of coffee and three dozen boxes of donuts because things will eventually get better.

Alright so there isn't really a whole lot going on with the Bengals right now. The biggest story that has been circulating in Bengals Nation is the future of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Right now one of his potential destinations have been crossed off the list. The St. Louis Rams hired former Titans coach Jeff Fisher, so say bye-bye to St. Louis. That would leave Tampa Bay and Miami as the two most logical choices. However, there have been some rumblings that Zimmer is not a finalist for the Miami coaching vacancy. Don't know if that's true, but if it is then Zimmer's list could be down to one unless Oakland and Indianapolis enter the scenario here in the upcoming week or two. That's just pure speculation on my part since I have yet to see any reports indicating that either the Colts or Raiders are interested in him. Both of those teams need a coach and Zimmer has been a popular name around the league, so speculation is allowed.

In all honesty, I think it would be a significant loss for the Bengals if he left, but it wouldn't be detrimental to the team. The Bengals would be able to rebound from the loss of Zimmer. It's the players that execute the plays not the coaches. Even though Zimmer hasn't been in Cincinnati all that long he has helped transform the defense into one of the more consistent defensive units in the league. It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks regarding Zimmer and the Bengals.

Alright so here is a look at what you may have missed or overlooked from Tuesday.

• According to ESPN, Andy Dalton is a top candidate for a "breakout year in 2012."
• According to the Miami Herald, Zimmer was "too blunt and honest" for the Miami Dolphins liking. Oh well, it's their loss. If Zimmer does bolt for the sunshine state then here's a list of potential candidates to replace him. Former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio still remains on the list after the Atlanta Falcons hired Mike Nolan to be the defensive coordinator.
• With the 2012 NFL Draft now on a lot of people's minds, NFL.com decided to hold their own mock draft. And their drafts offer a trend that has the Bengals drafting a running back and cornerback.
• Even though there are probably a lot of us who would love to see the Bengals add some of the more prominent free agents that will be on the market. However, the Bengals will not be in the hunt for any "big name" free agents in 2012.
• The Indianapolis Colts have fired head coach Jim Caldwell, but what does that mean for the Bengals?
• In SB Nation's latest mock draft, they have the Bengals selecting a running back and cornerback in the first round. That seems to be a trend, doesn't it?
• Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green has been named to the All-Rookie Team.
• With all of the hoopla that surrounds Zimmer, there is a chance that New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. could emerge as a wild card candidate for a head coaching position.