Falcons want to talk to Zimmer

by Philosopher on Jan 8, 2007 7:28 PM CST

[Promoted from the Diaries, hat tip to Philosopher, who wrote this post]

Zimmer to the Falcons?

The Atlanta Falcons have requested permission from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to speak with Mike Zimmer for the defensive coordinator position under new coach Bobby Petrino, according to two sources.

Neither Zimmer nor Jones were available for comment.

On the surface, it appears the move could be good for Zimmer, who was miscast as the director of coach Bill Parcells' 3-4 defense. Zimmer's history is in the 4-3 alignment.

I gotta say, let him go to Atlanta, unless we are going to switch back to the 4-3, which isn't going to happen under Parcells, and I do believe Parcells is coming back.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/16412946.htm

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I think Zimmer wants out

He'da rather coach the 4-3, a scheme he's more confortable with. I dont understand why the falcons need permission though since Zimmer isn't under contract as I understand it.

by Deke on Jan 8, 2007 8:00 PM CST reply actions

formality I guess

Burt-D

by Burt D @ Blogging The Boys on Jan 8, 2007 8:04 PM CST up reply actions

too bad

Zimmer's been a good coach here for a long time. This won't be a move to celebrate in my opinion. I think Parcells handcuffed him much of the year (Remember the "I have to keep my coaches from going crazy" comment from Parcells about two months ago?) and that we'd have had a more aggressive scheme if not for that. Zimmer is probably the kind of guy who'll never tell; I doubt there's a Belichek-style memoir forthcoming. Too bad.

Would be nice if Parcells could make up his mind sooner rather than later as the coaching staffs are forming up.

by AmosM on Jan 8, 2007 9:11 PM CST reply actions

I think this is a good move

For all partys involved. The Falcons get a good DC, Zim gets to go back to his native 4-3 (with some 3-4 experience and some new ideas and tricks up his sleeve), and the Cowboys can hire or promote a true 3-4 guy to really get the defense in shape.

The only thing that gives me pause is the fact that more than a few of our key guys have been coached by Zim since they came in the league -- will they take to a new coach?

And who would we hire? I've heard others saying they'd like Coughlin if the Giants fire him. I'm not so sure about that.

Poke

by Poke @ Blogging The Boys on Jan 8, 2007 9:23 PM CST reply actions

Whose our Secondary coach? Bowles?

I heard somewhere he might be promoted. Not sure if that is a good thing.

Burt-D

by Burt D @ Blogging The Boys on Jan 8, 2007 9:35 PM CST reply actions

nu coach

yed ginn sr is goin 2 coach the wr and qb

NINERS RULE

by tofan on Jan 8, 2007 11:09 PM CST reply actions

It appears that Parcells is more controlling

than even Jerry Jones. What ass't.coach is going to want to come to Dallas and be hamstrung by the Tuna's gameday mood swings?

Wharter

by Wharter on Jan 9, 2007 6:42 AM CST reply actions

Job advancement

Working for Parcells is good for a coach's career. Just ask Belicheck and Payton.

Derek

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Jan 9, 2007 7:42 AM CST reply actions

True, Parcell has "spawned" many good

coaching careers. But, other than Zimmer, what current ass't. will be shown interest by other teams?

Wharter

by Wharter on Jan 9, 2007 8:11 AM CST reply actions

In a column from Gil LeBreton today:

"Personally, I'm tired of seeing what appears to be Bill's heavy hand on so many parts of this team. The unveiling of the 3-4 didn't bolster the defense; it befuddled it.

Why on Saturday night, when the Seahawks would send out three receivers, did the Cowboys so often elect to leave in their basic defense? Safety Roy Williams again had a dreadful night, forced to cover way too many pass catchers.

I have a hard time believing that a proven NFL defensive coordinator such as Mike Zimmer suddenly lost all good sense. A more plausible explanation is that Parcells himself had the defense so shrink-wrapped at the end of the season, so hamstrung by its head coach's caution, that it lost all confidence and aggressiveness."

I can't agree more, about Williams, Zimmer, and Parcells. I was disappointed to see Zimmer declined to comment for any stories today, despite his freedom to do so sinc he's no longer under contract, or, presumably, Parcells' rules. He's a classy guy and as I posted elsewhere, we'll likely never know the particular machinations of the defensive leadership in 2006. But we can guess.

by AmosM on Jan 9, 2007 2:03 PM CST reply actions