Safe at Safety

[Kazkal]

Safe at safety

The Bengals must be ready to get on the field for 2010.

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is starting to get pumped up. Hearing the criticism about the Bengals opting not to take a safety in the draft, he offered Thursday, “They just wanted a name. If I took your name off the board they would have been happy, they didn’t care. But I know you can’t play. So why do it? Don’t worry. We’ll get a safety.”

He’s also getting ready for the on-field camps that begin May 11 and is planning to play defensive end Michael Johnson at outside linebacker for the spring while also working in SAM backer Rey Maualuga at middle linebacker in some packages.

But with the rookies taking the field Friday morning, Zimmer says he’s not sure where second-round pick Carlos Dunlap is going to end up. Left end? Right end? Tackle?

“I don’t know and I won’t know tomorrow, either,” Zimmer said.

As if on cue a few hours later Thursday, they claimed safety DeAngelo Willingham on waivers from Seattle. The 6-0, 200-pound Willingham came out of Tennessee as a free agent last year and the Bengals are already his fifth team. That doesn’t take them out of the hunt for Ken Hamlin and C.C. Brown, two veterans they worked out this week. But they aren’t looking to pay much more than $1 million and Hamlin, at least, has just been cut from a big-money deal in Dallas.

The 6-2, 210-pound Brown is a bit interesting. In five seasons (four with the Texans and last year with the Giants) he has 54 starts, 246 tackles, 19 passes defensed and three picks and he may have the ability to play some cornerback.

But Zimmer isn’t worried as he looks for a safety to join starters Chris Crocker and Roy Williams, as well as the productive Chinedum Ndukwe. Two rookie free agents from last year, Tom Nelson and Rico Murray, are still going to get looks.

Zimmer has seen the reports that the Bengals tried to trade up and take USC safety Taylor Mays in the second round Friday night.

“We called every team in front of us and either they got a better deal or didn’t do it,” Zimmer said. “We tried. That’s life. We could have taken one every round. We could have taken one in the last couple of rounds, but they probably weren’t going to make the team. We found our two safeties on the street during the season (Crocker) and before the season (Williams). I’m confident we’ll find one.”

Zimmer says they may or may not find another starter when all is said and done (“Who knows?”), but “there are guys out there and guys on other teams that can play and who are going to get cut.”

The 6-7, 265-pound Johnson is an intriguing figure at either SAM or WILL backer. A third-round pick last season, Johnson flashed big in big games. His first NFL sack came on fourth down in the fourth quarter of a win over the Ravens and the next week in Pittsburgh he had the last pressure on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that sealed that win, too. He ended up with three sacks on the year and tipped the ball that turned into Jon Fanene’s interception return for a touchdown that broken open the Detroit win.

“We’ve got a pretty good idea he can play defensive end, so we’ll put him at linebacker in the OTAs and see if we might be able to work some packages with him in any way,” Zimmer said. “We’re trying to utilize everybody best we can. We’re just looking at different combinations. Maybe we have some sub packages out of our regular defense.

“We just want to see if he can pick up these things,” Zimmer said. “See what he can do. Can he cover, can he drop? Maybe he can be a backer on some downs and an end on some downs.”

Backup SAM backer Rashad Jeanty (leg) is out until training camp and Maualuga (leg) may not be ready to go right away in two weeks. That could give Johnson a lot of snaps at SAM, but Zimmer also says he could be a WILL. Also in the mix at SAM and maybe WILL is fourth-round pick Rodderick Muckelroy of Texas.

“We’re going to use the OTAs to try some things and find out some things,” Zimmer said.

[ArmyBengal]

Interesting article.

I'm still dead serious when I say the best off season move the Bengals made was to bring Zimmer back.

[cincyhokie]

Interesting article.

I'm still dead serious when I say the best off season move the Bengals made was to bring Zimmer back.

You mean you don't miss Breshnahan's "cover none" defense?

[Kazkal]

Interesting article.

I'm still dead serious when I say the best off season move the Bengals made was to bring Zimmer back.

Indeed I couldn't even think of what life would be like if we didn't have zimmer right now.

[walzav29]

I think he'll be coach after this year. It's odd that Marvin wasn't extended and Zim was. Especially since Zim said he wanted to be considered a head coach. The only thing I wonder is if it's Marvs decision to not resign or Mikes not to resign him.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

You mean you don't miss Breshnahan's "cover none" defense?

Hey, I don't remember it much, simply due to the sheer amount of alcohol I was forced to consume after watching it. I think it's better that way.

[NJ29]

I love that Zim is already adding fuel to the "everybody still thinks we suck" fire.

[Kazkal]

I think he'll be coach after this year. It's odd that Marvin wasn't extended and Zim was. Especially since Zim said he wanted to be considered a head coach. The only thing I wonder is if it's Marvs decision to not resign or Mikes not to resign him.

Well Mr Brown has already approached Marvin Several times about a extension but Marvin is the one who seems to be putting it on Hold because he wants more control over team decisions...If we do lose Marvin though I hope Zim is our next HC & not brat >_<

[BengalszoneBilly]

I think he'll be coach after this year. It's odd that Marvin wasn't extended and Zim was. Especially since Zim said he wanted to be considered a head coach. The only thing I wonder is if it's Marvs decision to not resign or Mikes not to resign him.

Well being Miked has approached him twice about a extension I'm guessing it's Marvin wanting to get more power out of Mike Browns hands "shrug" I just hope if Marvin walks though Zimm is his replacement and not Brat :|

Would you care to reiterate that post Kaz because I had a difficult time understanding it.

[Kazkal]

Will the Cincinnati Bengals reach a long-term contract extension with coach Marvin Lewis before his deal runs out in 2010?

Frank Victores-US PRESSWIREBengals coach Marvin Lewis is only signed through 2010.

Contract extension or no contract extension?

It's somewhat bizarre that Lewis, in the final year of his contract, hasn't had his deal extended.

According to the 2009 NFL Coach of the Year, the Bengals approached him twice -- once in October and once in January -- about working out a new deal. Yet, both times the sides failed to reach an agreement.

Cincinnati's willingness to come to the negotiating table makes it clear the Bengals are interested in keeping Lewis beyond the 2010 season. But there is an interesting power struggle going on in Cincinnati behind the scenes.

The Bengals do not have a traditional front-office setup. It's been a constant battle over the years between Lewis, his coaching staff and team ownership, led by Mike Brown, over personnel decisions, philosophies and how to maintain a winning culture.

Lewis arguably had the best season of his career in 2009, which should provide leverage. But Brown is known as a very tough negotiator, which has led to this current standstill.

The AFC North blog talked to several league insiders at the NFL combine about this topic, and a majority believe Lewis would be a valued commodity if he became a coaching free agent next offseason.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/11620/the-big-question-marvin-lewis-extension

Marvin Lewis will keep contract talks "personal"

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on March 19, 2010 8:55 AM ET

In a huge upset, Marvin Lewis has become one of the longest tenured coaches in the NFL despite working for Mike Brown and the Bengals.

A much smaller victory for Lewis and the team is the lack of attention on Lewis' lack of a contract extension. Lewis gave some hints at the internal concerns holding up a deal last month, but was more tight-lipped Thursday.

"We'll just keep it personal between Mike and I. So there's an update," Lewis said to Cincinnati reporrters Friday.

Coaches talk about avoiding distractions all the time. We don't think it's a huge issue now, but it will be for Lewis and his players if it isn't settled by training camp.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/19/marvin-lewis-will-keep-contract-talks-personal/

Updated: 7:10 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS - When Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis sat down with his local media here at the NFL scouting combine, there was a lot of discussion about free agency.

Including the potential of his own, a topic that took on warp speed Friday when Lewis hinted that there are issues of power and control involved in his contract negotiations as the Bengals attempt to extend the reigning NFL Coach of the Year beyond the 2010 season. Lewis revealed the Bengals approached him in the middle of last season’s run to the AFC North title and after the Wild Card loss to the Jets.

“There were things that when I started this job in 2003 that were important to me; we can’t change those,” Lewis said. “They have to stay on track and I have to make sure we’re continuing to progress that way and those are the things are as important to me as anything.

“I’m talking about structure. I’m talking about decisions on how we do things. How I have the ability to do things to give us an opportunity to win football games."

Lewis wouldn’t elaborate on his own situation, only to say he hopes it gets done. But he made it clear as the NFL heads into a season without a salary cap and no collective bargaining agreement for the 2011 season that the Bengals have no plans to get involved in fre

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Bengals-looking-to-keep-own-Lewis/a59d7078-8e0a-47b6-8018-58d7ba4344ca

[ArmyBengal]

In the offseason heading into the 2009 season, Marvin stepped up to the mic and told everyone how he really liked the 2009 roster and how he felt like he finally had a team of "his kind of guys". All that with a bunch of questions in regards to the o-line, WR corps, and Carson coming back off injury to name a few. Lets also not forget the loss of Zimmer's wife and Chris Henry during the season that had to be dealt with and keep the team focused.

With all of that, Marvin led the Bengals to a franchise first, sweep of the Division, with another AFCN Crown and playoff game. While I would have really liked to see a playoff win, there's simply no way to discount what he did last year and he put himself out there with the "his guys" comment and earned 2009 Coach of the Year. I don't know how much more power or control (if that's a better term to use) he wants, but I haven't seen a reason to not give him a little more.

While I think Zimmer would make a fine head coach, we would be talking about a new head coach and a new defensive coordinator. That's just a little more uncertainty than I really think is necessary. I can't remember the length of Zimmer's contract, but how hard would it be to extend Marvin at least as long as Zimmer and then worry about who takes the reigns at that point in time ??

I hope Marvin stays until at least that point in time and quite frankly, I think he deserves it.

[Dadraftnick]

Listed in the begining of the year cuts are always two things.

Safties that some team over paid for and now want to cut.

and

Linebackers that some team over paid for and now want to cut.

Teams over pay for LB because they think that this guy will solve their deffensive problems and their problem is the Deffensive line in front of the LB so , they end up cutting the guy when he is not what they thought he would be.

Same thing for the S position only with S it the LB's and D-line in front of them.

There will be a Roy Williams that will show up for us if we are patient.

It happens every year.

[BengalPimp]

Interesting article.

I'm still dead serious when I say the best off season move the Bengals made was to bring Zimmer back.

Hands down.

[HairOnFire]

There will be a Roy Williams that will show up for us if we are patient.

It happens every year.

We'll see.

But right now what I'm hearing from Zimmer is they knew there was a need, they knew it was important enough that they attempted to move up in the 2nd round, and guys like me need to stop freaking out just because they didn't end up with a freaking thing.

Because they will get a guy.

As proof Zimmer points to moves already made involving the random undrafted crumb, and the occasional waiver wire whiffer. Expect a cootie or a lunger to be added as well. Because Zimmer goes on to say they may get somebody else....if that player is willing to accept peanuts.

So I guess there's nothing to do now but sit back and hope they add more of what they already had. Which Zimmer admits wasn't nearly good enough.

Thank you for the crumb, sir. May I have another?

[derekshank]

There will be a Roy Williams that will show up for us if we are patient.

It happens every year.

We'll see.

But right now what I'm hearing from Zimmer is they knew there was a need, they knew it was important enough that they attempted to move up in the 2nd round, and guys like me need to stop freaking out just because they didn't end up with a freaking thing.

Because they will get a guy.

As proof Zimmer points to moves already made involving the random undrafted crumb, and the occasional waiver wire whiffer. Expect a cootie or a lunger to be added as well. Because Zimmer goes on to say they may get somebody else....if that player is willing to accept peanuts.

So I guess there's nothing to do now but sit back and hope they add more of what they already had. Which Zimmer admits wasn't nearly good enough.

Thank you for the crumb, sir. May I have another?

That's why I want Hamlin. Hamlin is not crumbs... and under Zimmer would likely return to the quality of play he exhibited in Seattle, as well as his first year in Dallas. (Even if not, he'd be a noticeable upgrade).

But it's unlikely Hamlin would willingly accept such a small contract, or knowingly take the position of role-player instead of starter.

So we're left with the garbage that is C.C. Brown and undrafted FAs... and I'm left feeling the exact same way this year as I did lady year at this time. And unfortunately, last year, my fear about the lack of depth at the safety position prooved to be a costly weakness. And I have no reason to assume that history won't repeat itself.

[Sea Ray]

Hamlin was coming off a serious injury when he left Seattle so I don't know that he'll ever be what he was in his early Seattle years. Too many miles on the odometer.

As for Marvin's contract, it doesn't sound like he'll be back in 2011. Supposedly he's waiting on some new language and when have you ever known Mike Brown to change his stance on contract language?

As a fan here's the question we need to ponder: Would you rather have Marvin back even if it means losing Zimmer or would you prefer Zimmer be offered the head coaching job? If Marvin returns, Zimmer may very well depart as a head coach somewhere before Marvin's new contract expires. I think that's the scenario we're looking at.

Personally I'm not terribly attached to Marvin although I realize we can (and have) do worse.

[cincyhokie]

I expect Marvin to be back. Marvin is the best thing that has happened to the Bengals as a whole in the last 20 years. MB knows that. The fact is that MB is a stubborn negotiator as well. I wouldn't expect anything to get done quickly, but if it gets into the season and we go 10-6, 11-5, you'd have to think Marvin is coming back.

[BengalPimp]

As a fan here's the question we need to ponder: Would you rather have Marvin back even if it means losing Zimmer or would you prefer Zimmer be offered the head coaching job?

No question......Marvin is the man. While i really like what Zimmer has done with our Defense, being a good Defensive Coordinator and having what it takes to be a good Head Coach are 2 different things entirely. I'm not saying Zimmer won't make a good Head man someday, but anybody who expects him to just step right in, and succeed is a fool. It takes time to make that transition. Marvin has done it, but it didn't happen overnight. LeBeau never could.

We need to appreciate that we have both Marvin and Zim right now. It would be ideal if we have both for years to come, but if I could only keep one......It's Marvin. If Zimmer does leave for a Head Coaching job before his contract is up, I think they only need look to LB's Coach Jeff Fitzgerald for Zim's replacement.

Again, we currently have both Marvin and Zimmer, so enough with the "What If's?"

[Kazkal]

I hope Marvins also getting power of who needs to be resigned...Get Jjoe & Halls deals done

While I think Zimmer would make a fine head coach, we would be talking about a new head coach and a new defensive coordinator. That's just a little more uncertainty than I really think is necessary. I can't remember the length of Zimmer's contract, but how hard would it be to extend Marvin at least as long as Zimmer and then worry about who takes the reigns at that point in time ??

Aye hence why in my perfect world ML stays HC Zimmer stays DC for next 10 years ,I'm Pretty sure Zimmer got a 3 year deal.

[kingwilly]

As a fan here's the question we need to ponder: Would you rather have Marvin back even if it means losing Zimmer or would you prefer Zimmer be offered the head coaching job?

No question......Marvin is the man. While i really like what Zimmer has done with our Defense, being a good Defensive Coordinator and having what it takes to be a good Head Coach are 2 different things entirely. I'm not saying Zimmer won't make a good Head man someday, but anybody who expects him to just step right in, and succeed is a fool. It takes time to make that transition. Marvin has done it, but it didn't happen overnight. LeBeau never could.

We need to appreciate that we have both Marvin and Zim right now. It would be ideal if we have both for years to come, but if I could only keep one......It's Marvin. If Zimmer does leave for a Head Coaching job before his contract is up, I think they only need look to LB's Coach Jeff Fitzgerald for Zim's replacement.

Again, we currently have both Marvin and Zimmer, so enough with the "What If's?"

Zimmer kind of reminds me of Lebeau in this regard.

I can't say if he would ever be a good head coach but his credentials will give him that chance should he want it.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

But right now what I'm hearing from Zimmer is they knew there was a need, they knew it was important enough that they attempted to move up in the 2nd round, and guys like me need to stop freaking out just because they didn't end up with a freaking thing.

Now I realize that S will become a problem if it's not ultimately addressed...but am I the only one who thinks it's a bit overblown? I mean, it's not like the year (05 or 06, can't remember) where they had absolutely nothing at S. We're not down to starting Ohellimtoast at S, are we? Crocker and Duke and even Williams are at least OK, right?

Am I the only one who's still more worried about the Dline than S?

[derekshank]

Am I the only one who's still more worried about the Dline than S?

Yep.

[cincyhokie]

Am I the only one who's still more worried about the Dline than S?

Yep.

Yeah, I think so.

[Kazkal]

Roy if healthy is a beast and Well IMO Crocker is beast to he is zim guy.

[wpeldios]

I will feel pretty comfortable at safety when its crocker and williams in the game. Once Ndukwe comes in I am worried. The guy was just not good at all.