Mike Zimmer proved himself calling the shots for top Dallas defenses.

The Bengals' coaching staff just got a breath of fresh air with the hiring of Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator on Tuesday.

Known for his fiery, tough, emotional style, Zimmer will attempt to bring the same kind of success to the Bengals that he experienced as the Dallas Cowboys' coordinator from 2000-06.

Zimmer, who takes over for the fired Chuck Bresnahan, spent the 2007 season with Atlanta. But he was set free to pursue other opportunities after a miserable 4-12 season in which former Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino quit with three games remaining.

Zimmer's goal: Jump-start a Cincinnati defense that ranked 27th out of 32 teams, yielding 348.8 yards a game. It's the fourth time in five years the defense was 27th or lower.

Like most aficionados of pro football, I'll remember Chad Johnson for his touchdown celebrations.

His performing CPR on the football. His using the pylon to putt the football. His genuflection in a mock marriage proposal to a Ben-Gal cheerleader.

His surprisingly solid rendition of Michael Flatley's Riverdance. His pulling a placard out of a snow bank: "Dear NFL: Please don't fine me again. Merry Christmas." His grabbing a jacket that resembles the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees' wardrobe and draping it around his shoulder pads: "Future H.O.F. 20??"

And the bottles of Pepto-Bismol he sent to the Browns DBs, which he followed up with a Pepto-Abysmal performance in Cleveland.

Only a little more than a week into the search, the Ravens have confirmed what they already knew: Few of the candidates for the team's vacant coaching job have previous head-coaching experience.

But what if the Ravens could get an established head coach in exchange for draft picks? Would they be willing to make the swap?  "No, we're not at that point, not yet," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said yesterday. But they could be soon, and one name that keeps popping up is Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, the Ravens defensive coordinator from 1996 through 2001.

Lewis is still revered in Baltimore because he was the architect of the Ravens' 2000 Super Bowl-winning defense, one of the best in league history.  He has had decent success in Cincinnati the past five years (only one losing season), given the Bengals' recent history before he arrived.

If your favorite team has any holes to fill on defense, here are the experienced free agents from the defensive side of the ball who could be worth a look.

Defensive End
Simeon Rice - Was waived by the Indianapolis Colts recently and also played for the Denver Broncos this season.
Lance Johnstone - He was released by the Oakland Raiders earlier this year but could fill a situational pass rushing role.
Kenard Lang - Could be a fourth end for a team and plays the run well.
Michael Haynes (DT) - The former first-round pick of the Chicago Bears had a tryout with the Houston Texans this season.
Tyoka Jackson (DT) - Can play inside or outside as a fourth end or tackle.
Dave Ball (DT) - Versatile defensive lineman who has drawn a lot interest around the league this season. Had tryouts for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans.

They arrived at Georgetown College with delusions of grandeur — a trip to Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz.  They finished 7-9 for their first losing season since 2002.

The Bengals never thought they'd be sitting at home during the playoffs. Not with the talent they assembled.  The 2007 squad will be remembered as the most underachieving team in the league. The Bengals learned that talent doesn't win games. Teamwork does. 

Defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan and linebackers coach Ricky Hunley paid the price by getting fired. Even though the remainder of the coaching staff is under contract, more assistants could leave. 

After taking backward steps in 06 and '07, the Bengals seek brighter days in 2008 — similar to 2005 when they reached the playoffs at 11-5.  "We need to make sure we remember how we got there," coach Marvin Lewis said, "and not get away from the principles we built upon."  Bengals fans need to look at the bright side. At least the Bengals aren't the 1-15 Miami Dolphins.

Dayton Daily News

The Bengals had a 4,000-yard passer in Carson Palmer (4,131) and a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Chad Johnson (1,440) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (1,143).

Young studs:  The emergence of rookie safeties Chinedum Ndukwe and Marvin White, rookie cornerback Leon Hall and second-year corner Johnathan Joseph. They comprise the secondary of the future.

Pass protection:  The Bengals set a club record for fewest sacks allowed (17). They hit the nine-game mark with 13, then tightened up.

Turning point:  It was the 51-45 meltdown at Cleveland on Sept. 16. CARSON Palmer threw a club-record six TD passes — and lost. The Bengals never recovered.