Reedy: "All Indicators Point To LB Coach Jeff FitzGerald's Contract Not Being Renewed"

by Jason Garrison on Jan 25, 2012 3:39 PM EST

During the Bengals' Wednesday press conference, The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy had an interesting string of Tweets regarding the Bengals coaching staff. We all know that the Bengals are waiting on word from teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts (Zimmer has not interviewed with the Colts at this point) to make the announcement on who they will hire and the Miami Dolphins are interviewing Bengals secondary coach Kevin Coyle about the defensive coordinator job. What we don't know is what they will do with the other coaching positions. Reedy's Tweets may give us some clues.

@joereedy
Joe ReedyEven with Coyle interviewing in Miami, #bengals head coach Marvin Lewis says there is "one other staff opening" not related to Coyle ... 23 minutes ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

@joereedy
Joe ReedyLewis did not say what the opening is, but all indicators point to LB coach Jeff FitzGerald's contract not being renewed ... 22 minutes ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

@joereedy
Joe ReedyFitzGerald was believed to be gone last year but stayed on for one more season. And no, Jack Del Rio is not coming here as LBs coach 21 minutes ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

2011 was FitzGerald's fourth season as the Bengals' linebackers coach and while the defense found success and free agents Thomas Howard and Manny Lawson played well for the Bengals, middle linebacker Rey Maualuga often struggled. While he played well in some games, he was terrible in others and the Bengals need him to play at the highest level to help move the defense from good status to elite status.

Furthermore, even though outside linebacker Keith Rivers didn't play in 2011 due to a wrist injury suffered before the season started, the first round pick has really never come into his own and produced the way many thought and hoped he would. That could be blamed somewhat on FitzGerald as well.

As we hear more and more that Coyle is the front runner for the Dolphins defensive coordinator job, it's possible that we could see the Bengals bring in a new secondary and linebackers coach. If Zimmer gets hired, you can make that a new defensive coordinator too.

Things could get interesting in the coming months.

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Comments

Oh i hope they take coyle. Clean house baby. New team

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 3:52 PM EST reply actions

I gotta ask, Why?

With the exception of even numbered years our D has played well.

by Jason Blanton on Jan 25, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

Really? Wow one year since i can remember. Palmer always had to bail them out. If u want talk about the klinger days

That would be another post

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

The only defensive players Palmer has bailed out

are the opposing team’s defensive backs, hitting them in the numbers.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 25, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Trust me guy im not a palmer at all. In 05 playoffs the only reason we were then was because of the of

I want to have a def like shitsburg and balti. When teams c our name on the schedule they crap themselves. Look at our divison. 3rd place gets u to the playoffs

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

you are aware you are talking about 6 years ago, no?

Bengals D has been in the top half the past three years. 09 and 11 in the top ten. it’s certainly not perfect but why clean house when you are on the fringe of an elite D

DeCastro is my dream pick

by BeWarned on Jan 25, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Wow the top half!!! Thats why marvin was brought in. Def coaching

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

lol it took marvin hiring zimmer

before we had anything resembling a Defense

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 25, 2012 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Agree and thats why people r sayin zimmer for Headcoach I as well We give marvin one more year

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Marvin was hired to be Head Coach not DC

We hired Marvin to coach the whole team, not be a defensive specialist. Anyway the D has ranked 4th, 12th & 7th in the last 3 years. We have one the best coaches in the NFL. And we have one of the better staffs as well. That’s why every year members of our staff are up for promotions to other teams. Zimmer, Coyle & Zampese have been hotly pursued for some time now. There are obstacles to coaching in Cincy. FOr one you are hampered like any small market team is financially. But also, Lewis has had to first change the culture in the locker room and roster. And then it took several more years and is still a work in process changing the culture in the front office, from the HC position. You just can’t set aside that he took over a franchise in one of the deepest ruts ever witnessed in the NFL.

by Matt Windle on Feb 1, 2012 10:46 PM EST up reply actions

+1

"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"

by ticalcaldwell on Jan 25, 2012 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

Because the LBers we bring in play well enough

But the ones we draft are really developing into anything special.. = New LB coach…

And Jack Del Rio is probly a bronco

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 25, 2012 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

Man doesnt a certian D coordinator have a son thats a LBer coach?

maybe its the bonus zimmer needs to stay another contract =)

or mike brown getting a hostage (j/k)

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 25, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Good point

by biggie22 on Jan 25, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

do you think?

What would cleaning out the defensive side of the ball do? I’m fine with Fitzgerald going but Coyle and Hayes need to stay here for as long as possible simply for the work our DLine and Secondary put in.

"It’s time people started realizing just how good a player Carlos Dunlap already is, and that starts with the Bengals. They gave him a season-high 58 snaps and what was the result? Carnage on the right side of the Seattle line." -Pro Football Focus

by Doc Scratch on Jan 25, 2012 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

We have the talent. We been drafting llbers like crazy over the years. Hall and jjoe were great but safties we a joke

These coaches r paid to win and be the best U dont win u get fired. As easy as that. The ball started with Brat. Keep it rollin

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting, very, very interesting....

by pemci on Jan 25, 2012 3:56 PM EST reply actions

Ray Lewis - LB coach for the bengals?

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 25, 2012 3:56 PM EST reply actions

Except, Ray ain't retiring....

by pemci on Jan 25, 2012 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

i think he will have to think long and hard if he really wants to come back as a player.

that injury seemed to linger a little to long

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 25, 2012 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Yes it did...and will Ed Reed also come back? They

may be going a rebuild on the defense there in Baltimore and would Ray want to go through something like that….

by pemci on Jan 25, 2012 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

not just BMore

Steelers will start next year 28 million over the cap.. = pay cuts or player cuts. = new faces on the D

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 25, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

wow thats a lot over the cap.... good luck with that. They may need to just cut big ben lol

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 25, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

oh yeah and bens not happy about aarons being fired (forced retired)

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 25, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

I would NOT be disapointed if the let him go

But I’d be even happier if it turned out to be Alexander that they we talking about!!!

by biggie22 on Jan 25, 2012 4:23 PM EST reply actions

its not

Alexander agreed to a three-year deal re-up contract in 2010.

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

by palewook on Jan 25, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

Doesn't mean it can't be terminated

Come on Man, I’m trying for wishful thinking here:) Part of Jay Gruden agreeing to extend his deal with the Bengals meant he got to bring in a new o-line coach

by biggie22 on Jan 25, 2012 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

coaches arent like players (where teams get out of paying players by terminating the contract)

if the bengals fire alexander, they will still have to pay him for 2012 and 2013

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

by palewook on Jan 25, 2012 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Hire Munoz as the Quality Control Coach...

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 25, 2012 4:28 PM EST reply actions

jack del rio will get a DC job

if not… he’d make a great LB coach.

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

by palewook on Jan 25, 2012 4:29 PM EST reply actions

The Denver DC job maybe

by Bengalsfan024 on Jan 25, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

Who wants a loser

Only Mike Brown. Is not Andy Dalton the worst pick ever? Win 9 is Andy Dalton. Dalton is the brain of the persons who consider the worth of the QB Position! Where is the Fear Factor! Can Dalton Bring Fear! Dalton cant Spin the Ball! Why is Dalton so Weak? Can the Bengals Improve the QB Position is the Question!? Will Dalton Ever Be The ARM that will bring Defenes to their knees? Did Gruden goof? Is Gruden a Coach that is a happen in? My take is that the Bengals want to play for today! Pitt gave up today to build a Future. Hand to mouth is the Pitt Team who went to the Next lEVEL!!!!! What is the missing! Are the Bengals of today .Do they a Team that will do the Ronney Plan?!

by Chili Dog on Jan 25, 2012 5:01 PM EST reply actions

Man. It's almost like you're turning into a character.

by Cry on Jan 25, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

cincy jungle's own kralnor

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

by palewook on Jan 25, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

he's

gotta be doing this on purpose, just to get the recognition, I have 2 kids, when my youngest was born, the older one got into all kinds of trouble just to get attention, I believe this is Chili’s issue, he needs attention…at least I hope, for his sake.

personally

I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach and hiring Jack Del Rio as Defensive Coordinator. Who Dey!!!

by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs

by joeb69 on Jan 25, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

Lets hope. Who doesnt like dalton's Spiral?!!

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

I just skip over these anymore

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 25, 2012 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

Translation:

Who wants a loser?

Only Mike Brown. Isn’t Andy Dalton the worst pick ever? Andy Dalton wins 9 games and everybody loves him. If Dalton is the brains behind the center, where is the fear factor? Can Dalton Bring the Fear to defenses. Dalton doesn’t throw lasers. I don’t understand why he has a weak arm and in the NFL. The questions still remain, can the bengals upgrade the QB position. Will Daltons arm ever pick apart defenses? Or is it Grudens fault? Is Gruden the right coach for Andy’s mentorship?

My take, the bengals want to win now! Pitt knows how to build for the futre. My hat goes off to Pittsburgh organization who understands how to take it to the next level. I wonder what we are missing to with our bengals today to build towards the future. I wonder if Brown will ever follow the Ronney Plan?!

Your welcome everybody!

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 25, 2012 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

impressive AMA

didn’t know you spoke chilineese fluently

personally

I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach and hiring Jack Del Rio as Defensive Coordinator. Who Dey!!!

by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs

by joeb69 on Jan 25, 2012 5:58 PM EST up reply actions

yes, im a quarter Chilineese lol

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 25, 2012 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Lol

by njbengalstat on Jan 25, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

not sure

I’d admit that online bro, once it’s typed you can’t take it back

personally

I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach and hiring Jack Del Rio as Defensive Coordinator. Who Dey!!!

by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs

by joeb69 on Jan 25, 2012 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

Obligatory Chilli nonsense

AJ Green = Optimus Prime

by Helmsy on Jan 25, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

cocaine is a hell of a drug

"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"

by ticalcaldwell on Jan 25, 2012 7:02 PM EST up reply actions

he's

the Vikings LB coach at the moment

personally

I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach and hiring Jack Del Rio as Defensive Coordinator. Who Dey!!!

by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs

by joeb69 on Jan 25, 2012 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

can we interview him??

by Touhue Cha on Jan 25, 2012 8:08 PM EST up reply actions

like Coyle

we can ask permission, but, ultimately up to the Vikings

personally

I don’t want to see Marvin fired, I want him to be promoted to G.M. while handing the reigns over to Zimmer as head coach and hiring Jack Del Rio as Defensive Coordinator. Who Dey!!!

by joeb69 on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM EST replyactions 2 recs

by joeb69 on Jan 25, 2012 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

OKAY we can try

by Touhue Cha on Jan 25, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions

I don't like him.

He irritated most of his players and was a terrible HC. And he didn’t make Willis Willis, that kid was born with those talents. Singletary is just.. a good player. Nothing more. And I didn’t see the Vikings LBers blowing up or anything.

by Cry on Jan 26, 2012 12:35 AM EST up reply actions