Mike Zimmer

[Flypaste]

Bengals hire Falcons' Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator

 

By JOE KAY - AP Sports Writer

2008-01-15 16:42

 

CINCINNATI (AP) -Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was hired Tuesday for the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been dragged down by their defense for years.

 

The 51-year-old Zimmer was available because of the Falcons' uncertainty over their next head coach. The Falcons hired Tom Dimitroff as general manager on Sunday, and are still looking for a coach to replace Bobby Petrino, who quit after 13 games.

 

Zimmer becomes the third defensive coordinator under Marvin Lewis, who has led the Bengals to the playoffs once during his five seasons as head coach. Poor defense has been a constant thread.

 

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was fired after Lewis' second season. Chuck Bresnahan replaced him for the past three seasons, but failed to improve a unit that has regularly ranked in the bottom third of the league.

 

Zimmer was the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator for seven seasons before moving to the Falcons last year. Atlanta finished 29th in yards allowed and gave up 414 points, fourth-most in the NFL.

 

The Bengals were 27th in yards allowed and gave up 385 points, prompting them to fire Bresnahan and linebackers coach Ricky Hunley following a 7-9 finish.

[DMD]

Not sure the Bengals would know what to do if they had a decent defense. That's been like 25 years ago.

[justin]

I was a little worried that Rex Ryan could have wound up here. I know that he is still in the mix for a job with the Ravens or Falcons, but if neither of those work out, I could see Rex getting a shot somewhere else.