Cincinnati Bengals
Zimmer excels as teacher, motivator
By Scott Priestle, CNATI.com Posted October 12, 2009 2:26 PM ET
After only a couple off-season practices, Mike Zimmer had 'em hooked. He was gruff and demanding, sure, but his track record earned him the benefit of the doubt, and he quickly showed he could teach defense in a way his players easily understood.
"He's got no B.S.," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said.
During his first season as the Bengals defensive coordinator, Zimmer installed his system and instilled some confidence in a group that long lacked it. Now in his second season, he has installed new blitzes and reminded his players of others' previous doubts. He is making sure they do not lose their hunger for success, even as they taste it.
If the trip to Baltimore was a reminder of Zimmer's humanity, and the win was a welcome respite from his grief, the players' performance was a testament to his talent as a teacher and coach.
The Bengals held one of the most productive offenses in the league to one touchdown and a fraction of its normal yardage, which gave the Cincinnati offense time to rally for the winning points. The Ravens averaged 31 points and 414 yards per game over their first four games but managed only 257 yards Sunday.
"Zim was so excited," defensive tackle Domata Peko said.
That type of performance was rare in Cincinnati for two decades, but it has been common over the past two seasons. The Bengals finished last season 12th in the league in yards allowed per game and tied for 10th in yards allowed per play. They currently rank 17th in yards allowed per game and 15th in yards allowed per play.
The last time the Bengals finished in the top half of the league in defense in consecutive years was 1983 and '84.
"I still think we're a work in progress," safety Chinedum Ndukwe said. "We haven't played up to how we should be playing, but the effort and intensity we play with covers up a lot of mistakes."
Veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene credited Zimmer for that effort and intensity.
"He's just a tough S.O.B.," Fanene said. "When I'm sitting in that (meeting) room every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, you can tell when it's time to go. Everybody just shuts up. It's time to go. I don't want to play around, joke around, all that."
In addition to setting such a tone, Zimmer understands his opponent and is able to spread his knowledge to his players, said safety Roy Williams, who played for Zimmer in Dallas and again in Cincinnati.
Mike Zimmer
He is less concerned with tricking the offense than with improving his players' technique and making sure they understand how their job fits within the scheme of the defense.
"He knows how to put his best players in the best position to make plays," Williams said.
Lewis said that ability to teach the game -- "the ins and outs of what you're doing" -- is an underrated skill in a coordinator.
"Unfortunately, people come to the NFL thinking that's overrated, but it's not," Lewis said. "That's why Hall of Fame players are generally your smartest players. That's why they play so long and play so well. This group has that, and Mike has instilled it in them. They've got some great leaders who have taken it and run with it."
Marvin Lewis
Lewis has known Zimmer since they were college assistant coaches in the early 1980s, Lewis at Idaho State and Zimmer at Weber State. Each entered the NFL in the early '90s, and they crossed paths often at places like the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine. They spent enough time together that Lewis knew they had similar philosophies of coaching defense, and he was sure they could work well together.
When the Bengals were in the market for a new defensive coordinator in January 2008 and Zimmer was available, it did not take Lewis long to make an offer.
"We put on a tape and we watch two plays and we start talking. The next thing we know, we've covered the universe," Lewis said. "For the most part, we see it the same."
Zimmer's players hold him in high regard, as well, even though he can be tough on them. Ndukwe, cornerback Johnathan Joseph and defensive end Frostee Rucker, among others, have been on the receiving end of some biting criticism.
"He doesn't sugar-coat it," Lewis said. "I think players respect that. Good NFL players want to be coached."
Williams respected Zimmer's advice and influence enough to sign with the struggling, small-market Bengals after being released by the Cowboys.
"He's tough, no doubt," Williams said. "You've got to understand, he's going to push you to your limits. He's not going to let you be mediocre. He knows all of our strengths, and he's just not going to let you be an average player.
"He's going to demand you be the best, and he's going to pull it out of you."
Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, Features
Tags: Bengals, Marvin Lewis, Mike Zimmer
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