There's two mind sets at work after the Bengals officially hired Mike Zimmer to become the team's defensive coordinator. Both of which rely on a history of experience. As a Bengals fan, you just get that feeling that it doesn't matter who the defensive coordinator is, the defense will continue to struggle. Coaches are coaches. Players are players. If the players aren't that good, then the coaches aren't either. If the coaches aren't that good, in some cases, the players can make up the difference or make the coach look better than he really is.

Leslie Frazier was the first Marvin Lewis defensive coordinator. After an unsuccessful run -- and being a scapegoat coordinator -- Frazier went to Indianapolis -- coaching defensive backs -- helping the Colts improve their defensive ranking from 15th in 2005 to 2nd in 2006. He went on to Minnesota as the defensive coordinator and finished with a 20th ranked defense -- first against the rush, dead last against the pass.

Ironically, the Bengals best defensive season in the past five years was Frazier's last season (2004) when the defense was ranked 19th. Chuck Bresnahan didn't fare much better. The defense didn't toughen up. However, they did become an opportunistic defense leading the league with 31 interceptions in 2005 with 30 forced fumbles (6th in NFL). The Bengals frequency of interceptions ranked in the top-eight each of Chuck Bresnahan's three seasons.

I'm not degrading Mike Zimmer one bit. I think it's a good hire. Why? Because of the available candidates available, the Bengals got the most established that would reasonably be in Cincinnati. No chance of Rex Ryan. No chance of Tim Lewis. No consideration for Donnie Henderson.

And Zimmer has produced results with the Cowboys taking younger players and establishing them as stars -- pun intended. It's not that I don't believe Zimmer can do it. That invading thought that no matter who the Bengals hire as defensive coordinator, it won't make a difference. But we'll see. We have all off-season to speculate.

UPDATE: I asked Blogging the Boys senior blogger, Grizz, his thoughts on Zimmer. Good stuff.

Bengals hire Zimmer [Enquirer]
Bengals ink defensive coordinator [DDN]
Bengals name Zimmer [Bengals]

Could the return of Hue Jackson bring the wide receivers a bit more stability that would axe the "trying to run the team" mindset we've read? Mark Curnutte said, "Jackson has told associates in Atlanta that he is confident he could be back on the Bengals staff quickly." Who knows what Jackson would do though. All assistants are signed for 2008 -- including an offensive coordinator, a quarterbacks coach and a wide receivers coach.

Reports are starting to generate that the Bengals could hire former Cowboys and Falcons defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, on Monday. Of the available, and established, defensive coordinators, Zimmer was the most successful.

That brings up a question. Could the Bengals incorporate a 3-4 defense? Several friends that followed me from previous writing engagements, know I've supported transitioning into a 3-4. It's not like the Bengals were successful with a 4-3. The only argument against a 3-4 is personnel. We don't have a true nose tackle in the likes of a Casey Hampton, Jamal Williams, Vince Wilfork or Jay Ratliff. Drafting a defensive tackle in the first round? This would go along the lines of letting Bryan Robinson go, cutting John Thornton and holding onto Michael Myers for depth. It would also prompt the team to redevelop their defensive ends. Long story short, there's a lot of work to be done at defensive line -- no matter what philosophy they implement.

Furthermore, Zimmer is more experienced using the 4-3 than the 3-4. He first used the 3-4 when Bill Parcells became the head coach in Dallas. The 3-4 discussion is generated almost every off-season. And each time, it's a defense used less than the standard 4-3. But we'll see.

On the same day that we heard there's a possibility of trading head coach Marvin Lewis, it was quickly shot down."It's not something for me to respond to. Just a writer making a speculative point." And it seems that one writer making speculation has drawn Cincinnati into a "well, let's talk about this debate." Which makes me understand that a majority of Bengals fans are done with Lewis. While I'm not yet, I completely understand dissenting views of our head coach. Many speculate that the Bengals would, at least, get a first and second round pick. Which is fine. However, who would draft the players? We'd assume that a coach would be brought in for that. But whom?

The worst thing that could happen in Cincinnati is that we trade Marvin Lewis, pick up the first two draft picks, and then go searching for a head coach among a limited group of coaching candidates. What's worse, we get a coach that would be even less productive than Lewis and be gone after two or three seasons. After all, why would the Ravens entertain trading for Lewis? Because there's really nothing out there. Are you willing to give a first-time head coach another shot? Lewis was a first-time head coach on a team that had no where to go but up. This time around, the team risks heading replaying a very frustrating history. Completely different situations.

Do you want Mike Brown drafting our players? Or a head coach that has no history of head coaching? Marty Schottenhiemer? I could see that. Bill Cowher has already said he's not interested in coaching right now. At all. Rex Ryan won't come to Cincinnati because I doubt the Ravens would allow it. Most of all, I'd be ticked if the Bengals went after a college head coach.

While it's generally believed that Lewis just can't get the job done, there's really nothing out there that's available to do what Lewis hasn't. And keep in mind, throwing names around as possibilities isn't the same as hiring them. The NFL, right now, seems to be having a wide-spread anxiety issue with head coaching candidates being so limited.

I say we give him a shot at doing what he's preached towards the end of the year. Gutting the entire thing and starting over. Heck, you never know. But if we hit status quo for another season, then we'll just know he talks a fine game. We need more than a talker. This is his final notice.

Agree?

FYI, all news and updates for the Bengals defensive coordinator will be updated on THIS post only. At least for the time being. You can access this page on the right hand side under "Interest Stories".

UPDATE VIII: Search over. Bengals hire Mike Zimmer.

UPDATE VII: Signs point to Bengals hiring Zimmer

UPDATE VI: Tim Lewis, DENIED; Rex Ryan NOT possible through a trade of draft picks

UPDATE V: Bengals interview Mike Zimmer

Zimmer was promoted to defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys in 2000 primarily using the 4-3 defense. He implemented the 3-4 -- likely persuaded by Bill Parcells -- with no background of using that defense in 2005. Mike Zimmer also turned down the head coaching position at Nebraska when the school let Bill Callahan go to stick around in the NFL. There was even speculation that Zimmer would get the Dallas head coaching position once Parcells retired. His 2003 Cowboys defense allowed a league best 253.5 yards per game. In 2004, the Cowboys went through a series of major injuries in the secondary

If you're curious, here's Zimmer's history as coordinator and where his defenses ranked in the league with points and yards allowed respectively. I would ignore his results in Atlanta simply because that team was, well, distracted. Is that a good word?

UPDATE IV: DB Coach Kevin Coyle? Rex Ryan?

Note: Rex Ryan is interviewing with Miami for the head coaching job there.

UPDATE III: Job Search Begins. Bengals looking at Tim Lewis.

UPDATE II: Bengals also fired linebackers coach Ricky Hunley. Donnie Henderson leading candidate for Defensive Coordinator Job.

UPDATE I: ESPN confirmed it. Chuck Bresnahan fired.

The first off-season shot was fired. The man targeted? Chuck Bresnahan. Expected. While Lewis made note that we shouldn't expect anything big, firing your defensive coordinator would, in our eyes, constitute as big. Are you shocked? Seriously. Are you? Though we should point out this report is coming out of Pro Football Talk and not confirmed at either the official site or any of the local beat writers.

Bresnahan, an assistant coach in 2004, was promoted to defensive coordinator before the 2005 season after the team fired Leslie Frazier -- now defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.

In three seasons as the defensive coordinator, Bresnahan's defense averaged 21st in points allowed and 27th in yardage allowed. The Bengals became his first gig as Defensive Coordinator in the NFL. Below are year-by-year rankings for the defense.

Sadly, I don't suspect much change with this firing. Firing one defensive coordinator for another equally anti-climatic coordinator is what we saw the last time the position changed hands. So call me suspect until the team can actually formulate a team that will advance beyond mediocrity into an expectation to win.

Updating the site. I ditched the widget. It really has no value, other than a marketing play to buy tickets, merchandise, the same Chad Johnson video and news that's not so updated. It looks cool, but I'm not employed with the team's marketing department... especially when our head coach chooses to say this regarding people selling their season tickets on the internet.

"I bought a bunch of those," he said. "They can't get them back. They'll go to fans that want them, that are on the waiting list trying to get them. Once you put them out there, you can't come back."

Fans are having a hard time justifying their paychecks, right now, for a crappy product. There's no other way to say it. And I'm sure Lewis was just making an attempt for a laugh. But I know Cincinnatians too. I know that they will give the big bird if there's semblance of an insult. We're a proud strong headed fan base with wavering support for Lewis.

In other things...

Prep rally planned Friday.

In an offseason that's seeing quite a few first-year head coaches, the Bengals have held their breath with the possibility of losing quarterback's coach Ken Zampese (posts here and here). While he's generated interest with open seats for offensive coordinator, he's still in Cincinnati as the Quarterbacks Coach.

San Francisco made a late run for him after losing Norv Turner to San Diego. The Bengals said, no way.

Pro Football Talk is back to their speculating ways. Now, without hearing it via the "NFL Grapevine", they are wondering if Marvin Lewis would be next in line to replace Bill Parcells in Dallas.

Jerry Jones and Marvin Lewis. I just can't see that.

Page Two is ranking the Ultimate Super Rankings ranking the 80 Super Bowl participants The Bengals are ranked 69 and 62.

On the 1988 team (ranked 69)

On the 1981 team (ranked 62)

Ken Zampese is a hot commodity this off-season. He's interviewed with Carolina about the offensive coordinator's job; he didn't get it. Cleveland asked for permission to speak with him; the Bengals said "buzz off". Now the Miami Dolphins are asking the team to speak with Zampese for their offensive coordinator position.

UPDATE: The Bengals granted Zampese permission to speak to Miami.

There are those that are questioning if Marvin Lewis can get the Bengals over that hump. Enough of these 8-8 seasons; let's win a playoff game. Yes, he's led one of the most dramatic team turn-arounds (second to Sean Payton's Saints) in memorable history before taking a step backwards after an 11-5 season. His game management is questioned. His half-time adjustments -- if there's any -- are criticized. His ability to squash potential off-the-field issues unimpressive.

You can even criticize his draft choices.

Of the only players drafted in 2003, only Eric Steinbach, Carson Palmer and Jeremi Johnson start. Kelley Washington has been a disappointment and Scott Kooistra is fifth player still on the team. Of the 2004 draft choices, Landon Johnson, Madieu Williams and Robert Geathers have consistently made it on the field. Chris Perry is nothing but a broken (bone) record and Keiwan Ratliff keeps falling in the depth charts. Caleb Miller, while having a great 2006 by his standards, has been a primarily special teams player. Of the players drafted in 2005, only Eric Ghiaciuc and David Pollack started. Thurman is likely gone, Henry will never break a two-WR starting lineup and Adam Kieft has been injured since being drafted. The 2006 draft was a good one -- through the first two rounds. Then Rucker, Nicholson and McNeal have existing legal issues. Peko has shown flashes of being a good defensive tackle and Ethan Kilmer is the best special teams player on the team.

It's true; drafting in the NFL is nothing more than a crap-shoot. You pick guys and hope for quality production and guys that understand responsibility to their communities. In Lewis' defense, most of the guys that have gotten arrested either had no history of issues, or things happened while they were not under Bengals employment. And realistically, Lewis has picked up some great guys -- obviously. Some guys get lucky drafting players; others don't. Marvin is about in the middle.

More on questioning Marvin Lewis...

It drives me nuts when teams call a timeout to prevent a 5-yard delay of game penalty.

Lewis, as Mark Curnutte writes, allows his assistants to decide these things.

Curnutte gives us a perfect example as to why people are questioning Lewis' game management decisions.

Lewis has done nothing but provide a sense of pride with the fans. But sometimes we forget he's only a four-year head coach. And a head coach of an NFL team requires time with experience to develop a sound strategy in games. Look at some of the more established coaches: Jeff Fisher has coached 13 seasons; Mike Holmgren for 15 seasons; Mike Shanahan for 14 seasons. These guys have experience that Lewis does not. It will grow with time and hopefully, with the Cincinnati Bengals. Unrelated note: Tom Landry has 21 post season wins -- the all-time record.

More killer stats from Mark Curnutte that questions half-time adjustments. Here's the footnotes:

• Bengals led opponents in the first half, 197-126. Bengals, in the second half, were outscored 205-176. If you take away the 42 points by the Chargers, the Bengals outscore their opponents 176-163.
• Bengals were: 1-4 trailing at half-time, 2-6 trailing after three, 1-3 when points decided by three or less and 2-5 when points decided by seven or less. "In four seasons under Lewis, the Bengals are 6-20 when trailing at halftime and 5-24 when trailing after three quarters."

Decisions, decisions [Enquirer]
Would you make the call? [Enquirer]