With defense on top, Zimmer enjoys holiday

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on December 1, 2009 10:22 AM ET

After holding the Browns to seven points Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals defense is officially the toughest unit to score against in the NFL.

Numbers like that usually get attention from owners looking for new leaders. That's why it's fair to wonder if Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will make the head coaching interview circuit this January.

Zimmer has been approached for a contract extension to stay with the Bengals, but says that "nothing came to fruition . . . we'll see."

No matter what happens with Zimmer's future, he is making sure to appreciate the present with his family.

Six weeks after the sudden passing of his wife Vikki, Zimmer's daughters flew to Cincinnati to have Thanksgiving dinner with their father. The family dined at the home of Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski; the two men have known each other since coaching together 30 years ago at the University of Missouri.

Zimmer is taking on some of his late wife's roles during the holiday season. He told his team's website he got his nails done with his daughters Friday, something their mom traditionally did with them. He also went makeup shopping with them.

"I really needed to see them," Zimmer said. "Probably more than they needed to see me."

 

[DFWJC]

He's a huge part of their success--along with the young talent and some key players getting healthy.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Zimmer Peyton what could of been =/.

 

[Duane]

I'm glad that Zimmer is getting the praise he deserves. Hopefully he gets to spend some quality time with his family this off season to help ease the pain of his wife passing.

 

[Rampage]

Zimmer Peyton what could of been =/.

Zimmer is a 4-3 DC. we needed a guy who knows the 3-4

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I love how no one seemed to want Peyton the last two years when the Saints weren't doing squat.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Zimmer is a 4-3 DC. we needed a guy who knows the 3-4

Or we shouldn't of switched to the 3-4.

 

[Rampage]

Or we shouldn't of switched to the 3-4.

half of the superbowls won in this decade have been by teams who run a 3-4 defense. I liked the switch as I like the 3-4 defense better than the 4-3.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

half of the superbowls won in this decade have been by teams who run a 3-4 defense. I liked the switch as I like the 3-4 defense better than the 4-3.

Steelers and Pats? Ravens got a win also.

 

[Rampage]

Steelers and Pats? Ravens got a win also.

Ravens used a 4-3 that year.

 

[cml750]

The last time Zim was allowed to run "his" defense here we had the #1 defense with very few "star" players!! I like the 4-3 much better than the 3-4 and think Zim is an excellent DC.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

dbair eating crow again

 

[Gaede]

I didn't like zimmer in Dallas, but I still cheer for him to do well. Just like Payton and Sparano. Once these guys leave Dallas--its strange--I actually like them more...I think there is something specific to the Cowboys organization that stifles young talent....

 

[dbair1967]

dbair eating crow again

I'm glad for him this yr. It's awful what happened to him with his wife.

That said, am not the least bit disappointed that he's gone as DC from here.

 

[dbair1967]

Zimmer Peyton what could of been =/.

They were both here, and we lost with them. The defense was a sieve.

 

[ShiningStar]

They were both here, and we lost with them. The defense was a sieve.

Zimmer is no 3-4 coach and it was horrible of Parcells to make him make that switch, either talk with him about the plans and let him walk, or stifle him. Bad move i feel.

Payton wanted out and a place to grow and Dallas didnt stand in his way, it was good of them to do that.


Both men are doing good because Dallas let them move on, if you are going to commit to the 3-4 you need the coach before the players, Bad move on dallas. Of course Payton thanx Parcells for getting him out of NY and Payton should have no ill will towards this organization. So its good for him as well. NO was perfect for him, fail and no notices, succeed and the city takes a big notice.

 

[Hoofbite]

half of the superbowls won in this decade have been by teams who run a 3-4 defense. I liked the switch as I like the 3-4 defense better than the 4-3.

Which means the other half were won by 4-3 making the advantage to switch, what exactly?

Not that I care but just being a jerk.

 

[Rampage]

Which means the other half were won by 4-3 making the advantage to switch, what exactly?

Not that I care but just being a jerk.

3-4 defenses have become more effective lately

 

[dbair1967]

Zimmer is no 3-4 coach and it was horrible of Parcells to make him make that switch, either talk with him about the plans and let him walk, or stifle him. Bad move i feel.

Good coaches can coach any scheme. It's not THAT different, especially when the HC himself was supposed to be a 3-4 guru. Its just an excuse. He coached the same scheme all but two yrs in Dallas, and for most of the remainder of his time the defense was awful. The one yr we had a somewhat quality defense, it proved to be a product of a bad schedule more than anything else.

Payton wanted out and a place to grow and Dallas didnt stand in his way, it was good of them to do that.

He wanted out? Huh? He wanted to eventually be a HC. He turned down one job and stayed an extra yr.

Both men are doing good because Dallas let them move on, if you are going to commit to the 3-4 you need the coach before the players, Bad move on dallas. Of course Payton thanx Parcells for getting him out of NY and Payton should have no ill will towards this organization. So its good for him as well. NO was perfect for him, fail and no notices, succeed and the city takes a big notice.

Payton's had an awesome yr this yr. His first yr he got his team to an NFC Championship game. The other two yrs, he was average. Zimmer left and promptly coached his next team to one of the worst defenses in the league, then the next yr had a poor defense as well.

 

[tyke1doe]

I know it wasn't intentional, but I don't know how Zimmer could enjoy the holidays with the recent death of his wife. From what I understand, holidays are particularly awful on those who've lost loved ones.

Having said that, Zimmer's defense is doing real well. It makes you, again, wonder why coaches leave the Cowboys and go on to have success?