The Cincinnati Bengals have fired defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan, Pro Football Talk reports.The news comes just a few days after quarterback Carson Palmer said he thinks changes are needed on the Bengals' coaching staff. It's not known whether Palmer was referring to Bresnahan (and it's more likely that he would be interested in changes on the offensive coaching staff), but it's an indication that Palmer is far from the only one in the organization who wanted to see changes.
Bresnahan has been with the Bengals since 2004, but he never seemed like a great fit with head coach Marvin Lewis. The two had never worked together before Lewis hired him, and although Lewis got the head-coaching job in Cincinnati because of his abilities as a defensive coordinator, Bresnahan came from a different defensive background and had a different philosophy.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-02-2008 @ 6:37PM
Randy said...
He had many chances to get this defense going, and although injuries and lack of talent has hindered the Bengals, a change had to be made. It seems as if Bratkowski may survive, but I won't be surprised to see him go. If the Bengals stay status quo, Marvin will be with a new team in 2009. He has lost his grip on this team, in my opinion.
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1-02-2008 @ 6:45PM
OldCleat said...
This is the best news for a Bengal fan. Yes, there was a talent deficit this season. But there was also a scheme problem time and again. When the Bengals D just lined up and played, it did OK. There were problems, sure, but they were not that bad. And when the defense did well, on third-and-12 or more, like clockwork, blitz, including a safety, with man defense behind. Blitz always ALWAYS picked up, the the opposing offense converts (except for the Ravens). This really contributed to the lack of progress on the defense. I hope that Marvin finds a coodinator that is more creative and shares Marvin's vision.
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1-02-2008 @ 9:13PM
Schmidty said...
I am a die hard Bengals fan and let me be the first to say THANK GOD. Our defense has always been bad before Marvin Lewis and his "defensive minded" coordinators. I mean our defense is the only reason we lose games. In one incidence our offense puts up over 40 points and we lose... that should never happen. We have a potential top 5 offense anchored by a Pro-Bowl Quarterback, 2 Pro-Bowl Wide Outs, a Pro-Bowl Running back, and several Pro-Bowl lineman and we finish with a dismal 7-9 record... the defense is to blame.
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1-02-2008 @ 9:21PM
Bill Walters said...
When is this headline going to say Marvin Lewis fired??////////??????
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1-02-2008 @ 10:53PM
jill said...
The Bengals need to stop shifting the blame to other individuals. Fire Marvin Lewis and get a real coach!
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1-03-2008 @ 6:23AM
JAB said...
Good move by the Bengals, however, this is not a cure all by no means. Marvin has shown his lack of control over this team and never takes any responsibility for the team's performance. In virtually every game Cinci was penalized for 12 on the field, or lining up offsides. At least a new coordinator might get them to count to 11 and line up properly. That would be a step in the right direction. As to the defense always loses games, I disagree. The defense played decent down the stretch. In 4 of the last 5 games the offense couldn't score 20 points and their lack of production cost them at least a couple of these games. They need a running game, or the fear of a running game, to keep teams from loading up against Palmer.
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