Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer accepted the defensive coordinator's job with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. Zimmer will replace Chuck Bresnahan, who was fired after the season. Though Atlanta finished ranked 29th in overall defense, Zimmer was credited with doing a solid job with a unit that was plagued by injuries and inexperience and was spared little relief by one of NFL's worst offenses.
Steve Wyche; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We let a good one get away here. If an experienced coach like Jim Haslet isn't an Atlanta Falcons Head Coach candidate to Arthur Blank and Rich McKay's taste and younger experienced coordinators and position coaches without head coaching experience are, then what was wrong with Zimmer? I haven't heard that one explained yet. Zimmer was Bill Parcell's Defensive Coordinator in Dallas. What better pedigree could a younger coach have? And we just let him walk?
There has been enough turmoil in Atlanta already. And there will be more. The Vick five need to be let go (Crumpler, Hall, Horn, Houston and White). Several aging stars need to be signed for less money or let go (Brooking, Dunn).
Zimmer did a yeoman's job in Atlanta. The franchise could have used the consistency. Unless, Zimmer was part of the problem of not keeping Hall and Houston in check and acting like professionals, I don't understand why he was givien the pink slip. As far as I can tell, he would have made an excellent Head Coach.
The Atlanta Falcons have named defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas as their interim head coach, sources confirm for (Atlanta's) 11Alive Sports. The move came a day after Bobby Petrino departed the Falcons after just 13 games to return to the college ranks and coach for the University of Arkansas. Thomas was a defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs for 13 years. Thomas has been an assistant coach in Atlanta since 2002.
Why Thomas as opposed to one of our Coordinators? Are they seen as Petrino's guns, perhaps loyal to him and on their way to Arkansas? Is Thomas seen as a "company" man? I think we had some experience in our Coordinators and would have liked to have seen us evaluate a continuation in our staff and program, perhaps on the Defensive side, since Bobby was hands off with the D anyway.
Mike Zimmer is in his first season with the Falcons after spending the past 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, including the last seven years as Defensive Coordinator. During his time in Dallas, Zimmer established himself as one of the NFL's top defensive minds with a fundamentally sound and aggressive scheme. After joining the Dallas staff in 1994, he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2000. In seven of his 13 years with the Cowboys , they ranked in the top 10 in total defense and pass defense, while advancing to the postseason seven times. As Defensive Coordinator in Dallas, Zimmer earned respect and recognition from around the NFL. In 2005 as he adapted his defense to the Cowboys changing rosters by successfully overseeing the transition from the club's base 4-3 defense to a 3-4 system.
Hue Jackson is in his first season with the Falcons and it is his second opportunity as an Offensive Coordinator in the NFL in 2007. Jackson was the highly-respected Wide Receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals the past three seasons. During his successful time with the Bengals, Jackson molded wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh into one of the most productive receiving tandems in Bengals history and one of the top duos in the League. Last year under the tutelage of Jackson, Johnson (1,369) and Houshmandzadeh (1,081) became the first Bengals teammates to each surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark.
Marty Schottenheimer served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns,Kansas City Chiefs, Washingrton Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He left his head coaching position with the San Diego Chargers in 2007, after leading the Chargers to a 14-2 record.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Bobby Petrino wasted no time in finding his defensive and offensive coordinators.
I am concerned about these quick decisions. These hirings are important. I am afraid the Falcon's are rushing things.
A day after being introduced as Atlanta's head coach, Petrino reached agreements Tuesday with Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Cincinnati receivers coach Hue Jackson to be his right-hand men with the Falcons.
Dallas, OK, how good was their defense? According to CBSsportsline.com they were 5th. This looks good.
Mike Zimmer (God that's an ugly mugshot.)
Cincinatti, That's scary, they are not a playoff team. How can a member of their staff get us to the playoffs if he couldn't get them to the playoffs? Second, how good was the Bengal defense?According to ESPN Cincinatti was eighth. That's good.
The hirings were confirmed by an official in the league Tuesday night, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they hadn't yet been announced. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported the agreement between Petrino and Zimmer on Tuesday.
Petrino said Monday he wants the Falcons to run a 4-3 defense. "One of my critical hires will be my defensive coordinator," Petrino said Monday. "It's certainly going to be very important to me. I want to be able to play the game very aggressive and be able to come after the quarterback. Obviously, you have to stop the run first."
I agree we need to put more pressure on the opposing teams quarterbacks. This sounds good.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the discussions with Jackson, who was the Bengals' receivers coach. Petrino plans to call the plays during games, but Jackson is expected to run the offense in practice and help coordinate the offensive game plans. Jackson, 45, has been with the Bengals for three years. He was the Washington Redskins' running backs coach in 2001-02 and the team's offensive coordinator in 2003.
Thank goodness he has OC experience in Washington. The Cincinatti resume does not look that impressive at first glance. But, how long has it been since Washington was worth a damn and what was his record as OC?
Jackson was a college assistant for 14 years, including Southern California's offensive coordinator from 1997-2000.
Old news. What have you done for me (anyone) lately? Based on what I am reading here I do not like this hire.
Zimmer, 50, has worked with the Cowboys for 13 seasons and took over as defensive coordinator in 2000.
This sounds really good. I like the sound of more than five years of OC experience.
He has agreed to a two-year contract, according to the Dallas paper. His contract with the Cowboys was expected to expire this offseason, and his future in Dallas was uncertain with coach Bill Parcells' status unknown.
Knowing the situation with Parcells was in limbo, I think it was real smart to talk with Zimmer.
Zimmer worked with Petrino at Weber State in 1987 and `88.
This is good. They know each other. The chemistry between them should be good. Based on what I am reading here, this sounds like a good hire.
Zimmer's Dallas defense led the NFL in 2003.
That's good. But where did it rank in 04, 05, and 06? 5th in 06 looks great!
Jackson directed WRs Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh to status as the most productive receiving duo in Bengals history. In 2005, they reset their yards mark at 2388 while also making the most catches ever (175) by two players. Johnson in 2005 won his third straight AFC receiving yards title with a Bengals-record 1432 yards, 286 more than the AFC?s second-place player. Though the Bengals have yet to log a season with a pair of 1000-yard receivers, they have made their two closest runs at that goal under Jackson. Houshmandzadeh had 956 yards in 2005 to complement Johnson?s 1432. Also in 2005, last season, Jackson tutored an impact rookie in third-round draft choice Chris Henry, who had 31 catches for 422 yards. Together, the 2005 Bengal wideouts scored 27 of Cincinnatis 48 touchdowns in 2005 as the team finished fourth in the NFL in scoring (26.3 points per game). The Bengals were fifth in the league in net passing yards per game (238.8).
It looks like the plan here was to hire an expert with receivers to help them catch Mikes throws. If he brings undetectable glue, it might help a lot. Also, his experience with young receivers looks like we are going to draft receivers. While granted, we need receivers, I think we need safeties and defensive tackles to a much greater degree and would prefer to see the draft concentrate on fixing the sucking Falcons defense.
Jackson (first name pronounced as "Hugh") came to the Bengals from the Washington Redskins, where he was offensive coordinator in ?03. He was back in the job market for 2004 after Steve Spurrier resigned as Redskins head coach.
OK, we now know he left Washington after an unsuccessful year. He had to leave when Spurrier had to. But I must question his judgement going to the cess pool in Washington. Given he now works for Arthur, that's strike to on his judgement. Hopefully he can overcome bad management.
Jackson helped guide Redskins RB Stephen Davis to a career-high 1432 yards in 2001, and Davis was on pace for another 1000-yard season in ?02 before a shoulder injury prematurely ended his year.
The best thing Jackson can do with our run game is leave it alone and don't mess it up.
Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
