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The Bengals don't want to hold back any of their assistant coaches from pursuing promotions elsewhere — unless, of course, the prospective new club is a division rival. That's why Cincinnati refused the Cleveland Browns permission to interview quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese for the Browns' offensive coordinator post. Zampese was allowed to interview with the Carolina Panthers for their coordinator's job, but there's no way Bengals president Mike Brown and head coach Marvin Lewis will let Zampese out of his contract — which runs through the 2007 season — to go to Cleveland.
The no-division-foe edict makes sense. Allowing Zampese the opportunity to energize Cleveland's offense would be like handing the Bengals' playbook over to the Browns. Letting wide receivers coach Hue Jackson bolt to Atlanta as the Falcons' new offensive coordinator is as reasonable as letting Zampese claw his way to the Panthers. Why? Because the Bengals don't face the NFC South until 2010. Ripple effect If Zampese leaves, the Bengals should consider moving Mike Sheppard over to quarterbacks coach. Sheppard, hired Tuesday to coach Cincy's wideouts, has extensive NFL experience coaching quarterbacks. He was former Bengals QB Jon Kitna's position coach in Seattle (1999-00) when Kitna led the Seahawks to the '99 AFC West title. Should the Bengals need to fill the job as receivers coach — again — Terry Robiskie is available. Hot stove Upgrades at five defensive positions — end, tackle, middle linebacker, strong safety and cornerback — are high offseason priorities via free agency and the draft. But the Bengals won't ignore the offense. They could use a pass-catching tight end; a quick, fast, durable tailback to complement workhorse Rudi Johnson; plus help on the offensive line. Levi Jones is a Pro Bowl quality left tackle when healthy, but his left knee injury is a major concern. Don't rule out a late-round wide receiver to push Chris Henry, who is talented, but inconsistent. At some point, the Bengals must draft a smart, efficient quarterback to groom as Carson Palmer's backup. The parade of veteran backups must end. They're expensive and only yearn to move on with the hope of starting elsewhere. Did you know ... Sheppard's most prized player at New Mexico — where he was head coach from 1987-91 — was wide receiver Terance Mathis, who caught 264 passes for 4,254 yards for the Lobos before his 13-year NFL career with the Jets (1990-93), Falcons (1994-01) and Steelers ('02). Dayton Daily News http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2007/01/20/ddn012007inside.html |
