NFL: Zimmer’s success with Vikings no surprise to Bengals coach Lewis

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis isn’t exactly saying, “I told you so.” But he came close when asked last week about his longtime defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer.
Zimmer led the Vikings to a 7-9 record in his first season despite a long list of personnel issues, including the loss of all-time leading rusher Adrian Peterson to suspension.
“I thought he did an outstanding job, a fine job,” Lewis said. “I know they’re excited for next year (in Minnesota).”
Zimmer was Lewis’ defensive coordinator with the Bengals from 2008-13. During that time, he interviewed for five head coaching jobs that he didn’t get before the Vikings took a chance on him last year.
“It took awhile, and he went through a lot of interviews,” Lewis said, “but I’m glad it worked out for now.”
Lewis liked what he saw from Zimmer in his first season as a head coach. The Vikings’ defense improved its NFL rankings from 32nd to 11th in points allowed and from 31st to 14th in total yards.
“He did a really good job (on defense),” Lewis said. “He had good players, and they played well.”
Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who on Jan. 24 played in his third Pro Bowl in four years, took notice of the Vikings’ defensive improvement, as well.
Zimmer called himself a “fixer” when he was hired by the Vikings in January 2014, and that’s what Atkins said he did in his first season.
“I think the Vikings got a hell of a head coach, and I think he’ll take that organization pretty far,” Atkins said. “He did a great job (turning the defense around). That’s what Zimmer is going to do; he’s going to fix it. I mean, that’s what he’s known for. He’s going to fix it, whether it’s scheme, whether it’s new personnel. He’s going to figure out a way to do that.”
Atkins, a fourth-round draft pick in 2010, blossomed under Zimmer. After starting just one game as a rookie, he made the Pro Bowl and was first-team All-Pro in 2011 and earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2012.
“It was a pleasure to have Zimmer as a coach; I learned a lot from him,” Atkins said. “He helped my game get to the next level, and I’m very thankful for that. He helped me in understanding the game, what the offense is trying to do, and he always did a great job with putting players in position to make plays and just making sure everybody did their job while focusing on the team and not individual play.”
The Bengals made the playoffs in 2014 without Zimmer, but their defense slipped from fifth in 2013 to 12th in points allowed and from third to 22nd in yards allowed.
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