Did Mike Zimmer Lose His Offensive Coordinator?
January 14th, 2012
As Team Glazer prepares to stare down potential head coaching candidates Mike Zimmer, the longtime Bengals defensive coordinator, and Rob Chudzinski, the Panthers’ one-year-wonder offensive guru, (perhaps the interviews already have happened?), the big question for either prospect is who they’ll want to run the other side of the ball — the one opposite their expertise.
After listening to former Bucs QB and current JoeBucsFan.com analyst Jeff Carlson, Joe know wonders whether Zimmer lost his man.
Speaking yesterday on PrimeTime on WHBO-AM 1040, Carlson shared that Zimmer was defensive coordinator at Weber State during his entire career there during the late 1980s and explained that Bob Bratkowski was offensive coordinator for part of that time and the two coaches were tight. Zimmer and Bratkowski later reunited in Cincinnati before Bratkowski moved on to be Matt Ryan’s quarterbacks coach the past two seasons in Atlanta.
But yesterday Bratkowski was hired as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new offensive coordinator under new head coach Mike Mularkey.
For all Joe knows Zimmer had other plans for his potential Bucs offense, but it’s intriguing to think Zimmer might have lost a guy that would have been a key member of his staff.
On the Bucs’ head coaching search, you can count Carlson among the Zimmer fans.
“He’s a yeller. He’s a curser. He’s a dipper, you know, chews tobacco and spits and does all that nasty stuff. But he’s still what you call a player’s coach,” Carlson said. “He is still a good dude. A guy that will hit you in the ribs with his elbow when he tells a joke, or whatever. He’s willing to laugh with you and understand that, but knows when business is business and it’s time to do your thing. He will certainly chew your rear end off with colorful language. But I think he’s going to get you to play at your highest level.”
(Meanwhile, this afternoon the NFL.com rumor circuit has the Dolphins heavy after Zimmer.)
As for Chudzinski, Carlson suggested that perhaps Carolina’s offensive guru gets a little too much credit for Cam Newton. Carlson gave a flip-side argument that Alex Van Pelt or Greg Olson would need to get massive blame for Josh Freeman’s tailspin if one is to heap lofty praise on Chudzinski, so reality is somewhere in between.
As for Freeman, Carlson painted a picture of Freeman needing a lot more than a new playcaller.
“I think Josh Freeman has a long way to go in getting his mechanics back,” Carlson said. “His potential is off the charts. But you gotta realize that by getting yourself under control. When you look pictures of Josh Freeman, still photo photographs of Josh Freeman, you can see that he is so out of sync that he needs an overhaul, almost like a Tim Tebow overhaul.”
Joe’s of the mind that a defensive-minded head coach is going to have an awfully tough sales job to Team Glazer and rockstar general manager Mark Dominik. Whoever it is better come to the conference table with one hell of a plan for No. 5.
January 14th, 2012 at 5:59 pm
I’m not sure what Zimmer would do, but I wonder if Marty would bring Terry Shea with him to be QB coach. Certainly Marty has a long history with Shea.
January 14th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
I honestly beleive the glazers are holding out for all the best coaches to be hired so they have an excuse to get the cheapest coach. Its sad to say but the glazers just dont care about winning. Its sad to say but its just my oppinion.
January 14th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
If Freeman needs an overhaul, why not just pick Griffin (assuming he’s there).
January 14th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Since Chud is now an option as our HC I would love to see a combo of Zimmer at HC and Chud as our OC. I understand that will never happen. Zimmer would be perfect for all the young kids on this team! Chud would be good for Freeman but Zimmer fits the mold of the coach I would like to have with a young talented roster that needs leadership. But he is also able to balance a friendship with the players but not to the point of Rah. He knows when to cut the crap and do work. I would be ok with either one of these guys and Schott would be a good pick as well. Just say no to Mike Sherman. They more I’ve looked at him, the more I wanna say Hell No to him. And the fact we haven’t signed him yet and are still looking tells me he isn’t the guy!! I hope I am correct!
January 14th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Glazers need to hurry the f up and get a head coach. All the good candidates are going to be gone, messing with the glazers. If they don’t have a hc by the end of next week that just tells you they were waiting for the cheapest candidate they could get. In my mind theyve only interviewed 3 coaches its marty, zimmer, chud. Sherman and Childress are bad jokes at best. Hurry up and get a coach glazers WTF.
January 14th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Tebow like?
Now I am worried.
January 14th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
I hope Sherman hasn’t been assembling his damn staff behind the scenes.
January 14th, 2012 at 6:55 pm
have the G’Boyz ever had anything in their combined HC seaches……other than sloppy 2nds…????
January 14th, 2012 at 7:14 pm
Wouldn’t mind Tom Clements, but then it’d become a gun offense. Not too down for that.
January 14th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
@rastamon those are the only coaches the G boys are looking for, the cheapest of the cheap because they give a damn about this team.
January 14th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
I’m still looking for a staff to look like this:
Marty Schottenheimer —– Head Coach
Todd Haley —— Offensive Coordinator
Terry Shea ——- QB Coach
Mike Nolan ——- Defensive Coordinator
John Marshall —— Defensive Line Coach
Kurt Schottenheimer —- — Special Teams Coach
January 14th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Zimm would be a great hire, that is why it wont happen. He wouldnt take anything from our snot nose, pop star, 4 pm GM – so he will probably be excluded.
Only spineless (or low demand – like Marty) candidates are being considered. Hopefully, whomever the coach, if he saves big moves until 4:01pm – he will avoid Dom altogether.
January 14th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
I know Joe, Dom may very well check his email after 4 but that isnt the same as being in the building – trust me I know.
January 14th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
It’s going to be Sherman. He has everything the Glazers and Dom want. An offense oriented disciplinarian who has coaching xperience and has network to bring good assistants.
January 14th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
People bashing Schott is crazy. He went 14-2 and got fired. I know his postseason record isn’t great. But there is more to a game than just the HC. I know he is the figure head and gets the blame. But the guy can coach and the best thing about him. Is he wants to “teach” our young guys and make this team legit. That is an important aspect to have with a young immature team like the Bucs currently have! Schott or Zimmer would both be great choices. We should overpay Chud and get him here as our OC. I know it would take alot to get him away from Riveria to not be a HC. But a combo of
Mike Zimmer Head Coach
Rob Chudzinsk Offensive Coordinator/ More likely person would be Todd Haley if Zimmer was HC
Mike Nolan Defensive Coordinator/ Would love to pry Wade Phillips away from the Texans and bring Mario Williams here with him!!! What a gift that would be!!! But not likely to happen. At all!
QB Coach would be Haley if he signs as OC
Anybody is better than what we had last year… Special Teams Coach
DL Coach- whatever guy Zimmer feels is the right person for our young talented DL
GO BUCS!!
January 14th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
@Thomas 2.2 – I’m on a lot of message boards on various subjects and you’re one of the legendary all-time trolls. Truly amazing.
January 14th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Thanks Zany!
January 14th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Good news if your like myself who want Zimmer as our HC. Charley Casserly just said on CBS that there is four names left for the Dolphins HC opening. Mike Zimmer was not one of them!! He did not say anything about the Bucs. But it sounds like Zimmer is out of the HC job in Miami!! Sounds like Tampa is the last team for him to get a HC job. I def. don’t see him going to the Raiders. Sounds good. He can bring in some good coaches with him because of the respect he brings in the game! I love it. I just hope we can get him signed!!
January 14th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Marty is a great coach but the bad thing about him is his age. Zimmer is much younger and is a great up and coming coach.
January 14th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
So I was just thinking about the Josh Freeman situation and how many holes we have on our team…We should trade Freeman to Cleveland for atleast the #4 pick in the draft and more than likely their second round pick. I honestly doubt they would give up #4 and #22 for Freeman. But getting pick #4 gives us back to back picks. And with the new rookie salary cap, its not a bunch of money for two studs! Draft Morris Claiborne and Justin Blackmon with both picks!! Talk about instant upgrade on both sides of the ball.
Then with the two second round picks draft LaMichael James and either Donta’ Hightower or Mark Barron if hes still there or Markelle Martin out of Oklahoma State if Barron is gone already. That would give us Three starters and my favorite back to pair with Blount in this draft! I know your asking who is our QB…resign Josh Johnson and make him our starter. He has a ton of talent. And we should draft Russell Wilson if he is there in the 5th or trade up into the 4th to get him. That gives us two solid options. AND if it doesn’t work then we should have another high draft pick next year when Matt Barkley will be available. I personally think he is better than Andrew Luck. I hate USC with a passion. But that kid is the real deal and would go great with our talented offense. Can’t wait for the draft!
January 14th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Funkymunky: are you hitting the sauce hard?
Do you really think that you would get a 4 and 22 for Free in a draft with Luck and RG3? Never.
Do you really think that JJ is a franchise level NFL starter? Never.
Do you really think that adding Blackmon to our receiving corps would help if JJ was the starter? Nope.
Freeman needs weapons, and no Regis Benn isnt one of them. Draft Mo Claiborne – if he is there. Otherwise, listen to offers to move down a little.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
We need DEFENSE!!!!!! Our offense could score 35 points every game but our defense will just allow 40! Then we’ll be 4-12 again.
Defense first, then offense.
January 14th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
The Tampa Clowns are watching coach after coach get signed, we need to get busy before the pickings are slimmer.
Both Fisher and Wade Phillips snubbed us, that might tell a thinking man something ?
January 14th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
Just moved up to OH for work and I can tell you they’re all worried that they’re going to lose Zimmer. Heard an hour long conversation on talk radio about whether or not they should fire Marvin Lewis immediately just to keep Zimmer around
Sounds like he’s just what we need to. A maniac that doesn’t put up with any BS from his players
January 15th, 2012 at 12:10 am
Keep your eye on vic fangio,dc in sn fran.may be a guy worth holding back for. Has done amazing things over the last decade with 9ers,ravens,and stanford.he has that d flying around playing some beastly d
January 15th, 2012 at 2:16 am
I still like
HC Zimmer
OC Hue Jackson or Tom Clements
DC Nolan, Kirby Smart, or Rich Bisaccia
If we go with Marty Shottenhiemer as HC. Then i would change it up a bit.
Hc- Marty
Oc- Same as above
DC Mike Zimmer.
January 15th, 2012 at 2:17 am
i really like the Mike Zimmer/Hue Jackson combo. have produced good teams from scraps in their respective sides of the line.
January 15th, 2012 at 4:01 am
I am so disappointed that this team took such a huge step backward this year. Disappointed in the owners,GM, coaches, and almost all the players. Our most consistent player is the punter/kicker? It feels like the “rebuilding” years have been a waste of time! It feels like we are starting over and beginning to rebuild again. The worst part is the owners don’t seem committed to finding the best coaching candidate. Even the last couple of years worth of draft picks are suspect. Brian Price and GMC can’t seem to get through a season with out a season ending injury. Talib is probably going to jail. Why the hell did we draft Mason Foster to play middle linebacker when he should be on the outside. Our wide receivers are like clones of each other. Doesn’t seem to matter which one is on the field they can’t get open. Freeman’s mechanics are all over the place. One quarter he looks horrible the next he shows flashes of a good Qb. It kills me how he stares down receivers consistently.
The free agents we get seem comfortable with below average play after the big payday. Kellen Winslow can’t get separation without getting a pass interferance call. Jeff Faine is so over priced and can’t stay healthy.
Trueblood is the second coming of Keyatta Walker. We have so many needs right now it’s mind numbing. These owners need to pull there heads out of there collective asses and find a good head coach before the better ones are all hired somewhere else. That includes assistant coaches too. Hey assistant coaches like to be where they think they can be successful too.
Last season all these needs were covered up by an easy schedule. It was as if all the powers that be said hey we went 10 and 6 we no longer need to improve. This team is good enough. Just another example of the systemic failure that is this team. Here is another one let’s take a DB coach and promote him to DC then fire the HC. Then promote the DC to HC before he even spends one year at DC. Then make the Qb coach Offensive coordinator so he uses almost the same dink dunk offense that we fired the last HC for. That way we only hand the ball off to our Rb 10 times a game. Sounds good right? These owners better get a good head coach. Then bring in at least one or two good free agents. And draft well please draft well!
Cause I can’t see supporting a team with my money and my time if the owners don’t even try to be competitive. Just disgusted absolutelu
January 15th, 2012 at 4:26 am
90% of the “coaching candidates” this year would make excellent offensive and defensive coordinators. Pretty much none of them would make a good head coach.
Of all the years to have a fundamental meltdown like the Bucs have why THIS year!?!
All the options suck! This is an absolutely miserable time to be a Bucs fan!
Good luck selling tickets. You’ll need it!
January 15th, 2012 at 5:50 am
plain and simple i like the look in his eye….he has that coaches look….a cross between a coughlin and parcells look…players respond well to him from my research as well….maybe the glazers will take a shot with zimbo over the chumscrubber…adam from ny
ps i miss rah’s quick mouthed babble already
January 15th, 2012 at 5:53 am
they should have made a high end rah bobble head doll, where you can push a little button on the back, and quickly thrown together jibberish comes out the voicebox….a babbling bobblehead….might have done well at toys ‘r us for a season or so….adam from ny
January 15th, 2012 at 5:58 am
i can hear mike williams talking all uneducated about his new coach zimbo on his ebonics filled radio show with jt peterbreath….
“man coach is no joke, he chews and spits like goose gossage”
adam from ny
January 15th, 2012 at 7:34 am
Zimmer would be fine by me.
Now……….anyone watching that 49’s/Saints game knows THAT was how to play NFL football. Those teams went hard every play. They left everything on the field. Well coached players who played to win on every down.
THAT’S what I want to see from our players, our Buccaneers. Effort and a no nonsense approach. What hurt most about this past season was the players looking like they didn’t give a damn. They were not held accountable and it showed.
NO MORE!
I think Zimmer can be the kind of HC that can change that, and fast. He’s not the only one but he’d be a solid choice I could live with.
January 15th, 2012 at 10:02 am
I’m guessing not only does Dom not work past 4 that he doesn’t work on weekends either. Where’s all the updates on the coaching search? Things seem to slow down and practically silent on the weekends. I don’t care how the Glazers have done things in the past. They should be an open book on their coaching search. Letting the fans know what their doing and why. This stupid silence is ridiculous. Dom should give the fans an update daily. That’s if hes working.
January 15th, 2012 at 10:39 am
Zimmer would be great but his OC hire will be the most important part of the equation.Tom Clements,Philbin. Please No Martz or Mr Ego Haley…
January 15th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Zimmer is looking better and better, the more I look at him.
January 15th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Dom must go! He’s a weasel, and no coach with cojones will work for this D-Bag.
January 15th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
garv is correct….when watching the niners game yesterday all i could think is “man those guys are straight up bringin’ it”…i haven’t seen the bucs play with intensity like that in a long time….both teams were playing like dogs yesterday…we need a coach who will settle for no less effort…adam from ny