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The
Bleacher Report...
Bengals Sign
3rd-Round Rookie Brandon Thompson
Cincinnati also Extends Mike Zimmer
According to Bryan McIntyre of NFL.com, the Cincinnati Bengals have
extended the contract of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. The news
comes on the same day the team announced the signing of third-round
draft choice Brandon Thompson, reported by Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
Resolving Zimmer’s future and having Thompson available for the start
of training camp is welcome news for the Bengals defense. The unit was
rocked by earlier reports from NFL.com that rookie cornerback Dre
Kirkpatrick had sustained a serious knee injury.
However, Cincinnati’s players should be confident that Zimmer will
handle the loss of the team’s first-round pick. Since joining the
Bengals in 2007, Zimmer has coordinated some of the toughest and
smartest defensive units in the NFL.
Last season, his defense ranked seventh overall and keyed the Bengals’
run to the playoffs. What’s been most impressive about Zimmer’s tenure
is that he has crafted strong defenses without an abundance of
household names or elite talent.
Also, in an AFC North division that has favoured the 3-4 scheme for
years, Zimmer has stuck with his preferred 4-3 front. He has often
relied on man coverage concepts, while many around the league have been
seduced by fire zone schemes.
His coaching has improved players like cornerback Leon Hall and nose
tackle Domata Peko. That’s good news for Thompson, one of two defensive
tackles selected by the Bengals in the 2012 NFL draft.
The ex-Clemson standout is a classic 4-3 plugger who brings tremendous
power and deceptive first-step quickness to Zimmer’s deep line
rotation. The Bengals could need a player like Thompson sooner than
anticipated, after their normally stout run defense let them down at
crucial times last season.
Read this and other articles at The Bleacher Report
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