By Dan Pompei
A new name--and potential front-runner--has emerged in the Bears' search for an offensive coordinator.
Multiple league sources said Bears coach Lovie Smith spent the day interviewing Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, who is known for his work with Carson Palmer. The 42-year old is regarded as an up and comer and he also has been considered for other offensive coordinator jobs over the last couple of years.
Zampese is under contract with the Bengals, having just signed an extension during the season. But Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and team owner Mike Brown gave the Bears permission to interview Zampese.
It is likely the Bengals will require that the Bears move swiftly if they plan on hiring Zampese, because they will need to start a search for a replacement if he leaves.
Zampese has spent seven seasons with the Bengals. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant on the Rams staff for Mike Martz with Smith. A separate league source said Martz, figuring his chances to become Bears offensive coordinator were limited, recommended Zampese to Smith. Martz also had recommended Zampese to Lewis.
Zampese's father Ernie Zampese is a longtime NFL assistant coach and offensive coordinator who worked for the Cowboys, Chargers, Rams and Patriots.
A new name--and potential front-runner--has emerged in the Bears' search for an offensive coordinator.
Multiple league sources said Bears coach Lovie Smith spent the day interviewing Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, who is known for his work with Carson Palmer. The 42-year old is regarded as an up and comer and he also has been considered for other offensive coordinator jobs over the last couple of years.
Zampese is under contract with the Bengals, having just signed an extension during the season. But Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and team owner Mike Brown gave the Bears permission to interview Zampese.
It is likely the Bengals will require that the Bears move swiftly if they plan on hiring Zampese, because they will need to start a search for a replacement if he leaves.
Zampese has spent seven seasons with the Bengals. Prior to that, he worked as an assistant on the Rams staff for Mike Martz with Smith. A separate league source said Martz, figuring his chances to become Bears offensive coordinator were limited, recommended Zampese to Smith. Martz also had recommended Zampese to Lewis.
Zampese's father Ernie Zampese is a longtime NFL assistant coach and offensive coordinator who worked for the Cowboys, Chargers, Rams and Patriots.
Joe Lombardi QB coach of the New Orleans Saints would be worth an interview for OC. He worked wonders for Drew Brees this year.
However, the Bears would have to wait until the Saints are out of the playoffs.
There are so up and coming coaches out there on playoff teams still. In addition there are some veteran coaches left. The most important thing is they pick a guy who offensive scheme will be Cutler friendly. It makes no sense to bring in a guy who scheme takes away from what makes Cutler a playmaker. If they wanted this they should have kept Turner. Therefore it only makes sense Cutler should have a voice in the hiring. Yet, the QB coach is another story.
So before I call the process a wash. I'm going to actually wait and see who the organization pick.
Why waste so much ink on the Bears' coaches?
Where they really need talent is on the field. The fact is, they are marginally talented.
Whether you get the best QB coach in the world isn't going to make that much of a difference in the overall scheme of things.
Our secondary is in chaos. Our linebackers are in flux and the d-line is underperforming. The o-line is old, slow and out of position. The receivers are fast, but small and seemingly don't know how to run routes. Our tight ends should be game changers, but aren't. Our running backs are beat up, hesitant and slow. Our QB has talent, but the space between his ears gives us all pause.
So, let's focus on coaches. Afterall, so many of the current players swore allegiance and admiration for Lovie after the final game of the season, imploring the Bears to bring him back.
Funny how they didn't play hard for him most of the season. Seemed unprepared, unmotivated, uninterested.
And Rod Marinelli, lauded as the best free agent signing of last season, now here's a coach who had a tremendous impact. Right?
Right?
"I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ken Zampese is not to blame for Carson Palmer's struggles. Carson Palmer has seen "regression" because the team lacks legitimate wide receivers."
Oh,it should work well, because we are loaded with talent @ the receiver position...
Can I remind you that he isn't the OC, he is the QB coach, meaning he works with Carson, not the receivers.
"I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ken Zampese is not to blame for Carson Palmer's struggles. Carson Palmer has seen "regression" because the team lacks legitimate wide receivers."
Oh,it should work well, because we are loaded with talent @ the receiver position...
Has the Bears' brain trust even considered the best DC in the NFC...Leslie Frazier (Vikings)....former Bear ....who could come in, bring intelligence to the Defense (esp the Secondary)& also be the Head Coach in waiting when Lovie leaves?
I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ken Zampese is not to blame for Carson Palmer's struggles. Carson Palmer has seen "regression" because the team lacks legitimate wide receivers. They have Chad Ochocinco, but he is starting to fade. They have Laveranues Coles but he has last a step in his game (if not more). There #3 receiver passed away (R.I.P Slim) and the #4, Andre Caldwell, is progressing and will probably be the starter opposite Chad next year unless we draft a legit #1/#2 receiver. After that we have Quan Cosby, our PR, and Jerome Simpson (2 round pick in 08) who has three different coaches working with him because he can't get his butt on the field. In training camp we lost our 2 starting tightends to a ruptured achilles and a severe concussion so Carson lost any hope of a receiver across the middle. This guy is one of the better coaches on the entire Bengals squad. You would not be disappointed with him, because before Carson started to "regress" this guy was supposivly one of the most impressive minds in the NFL
This troubles me in some respects. Overall, Ken Zampese probably would be an OC that runs stuff similar to Norv Turner (and his dad). A physical brand of football that will try to attack you vertically. (Now, Norv had to adjust this year for the lack of a run game, but go through Norv's history, and you'll see a physical rushing attack that incorporates Air Coryell offensive passing aspects).
Overall, it's a sound philosophy. IIRC, Bill Walsh put it to use back in the day, before evolving his offense into what we know now as the West Coast offense. Norv Turner, Joe Gibbs, Mike Martz, and others have utilized aspects of that offense, along with Ernie Zampese, who was Coryell's assistant.
The problem is fit. The Bears OL is not a physical, blow you off the ball group, and without 1st and 2nd round picks, the chances of finding those guys goes down quite a bit. In Williams, we have a finesse/athletic LT. In Omiyale, we have an athletic guard, and Garza is more finesse than in-line mauler. Lance Louis has the potential to be special as a guard (physical and athletic), but he's too raw to put too much expectation there. Beekman and Kreutz aren't exactly physical in-line guys, and same goes more Shaffer/Marten. Guys like Marten/Kreutz have nasty streaks which could help, but the overall components don't seem to be there.
I really hope the Bears can find a zone blocking rushing attack OC. Maybe Zampese will turn to that, but I believe the OL pieces best fit a ZBS type scheme at the moment. Furthermore, I believe Forte danced too much this past year, and "one cut and go" may make him a better RB.
Forget about getting a top shelf coordinator. The Bears are incapable of bringing in a guy who will really shake things up. They want another yes man who will fall in line and do what he is told. Loser Owner whos head is up his arse, check. Loser GM who drafts crappy talent, check. Loser Head Coach who screws up everything he touches, check. A Loser OC will round out this trifecta of gridiron brillance, give us fans a 4-way circle jerk that will last into my kids adult years, Bravo boys.
Carson Palmer seems to be worse than he was three years ago. In fact, the reason the Bengals improved is because they now have a running game (Cedric Benson) and some defense. Maybe we should get their running backs coach.
I need to correct myself on one thing. Zampese's time with Philly and Green Bay wasn't Reid and Holmgren, but Rhodes. Although GB did have a top 10 offense when Zampese was there.
The negative comments on here are a bit surprising. Look, there's only two ways the Bears can go: Either an experienced, proven OC or an up-and-comer. The number of proven guys available is limited---maybe Martz, Saunders, Fassel at best? (I personally like Al Saunders.)
Anyway, Zampese seems promising as far as "up-and-comer". Palmer having a down year in 2009 shouldn't discount the good work Zampese has done with him. The Bengals offensive rankings from 2003-2007 were very good (fallen off the past couple years, but in 2008 they had a ton of injuries). Palmer's total career stats are solid (63%, 128 TD, 80 INT, 87.9 rating).
Then, you add in that Zampese has worked with good coaches (Martz, Reid, Holmgren), and it certainly doesn't hurt when your dad was once a top OC that currently mentors Norv Turner. I'm not saying he's the best guy, but at least keep an open mind.
A message to Larry, Moe, Curley and Shemp.....................................................
Cut the BS. Hiring Lovie's buddies or clones will produce more of the same or worse. If you care one iota about Beaqr's tradition, the state of the franchise or the fans, it's time to change direction. keeping Angelo and Lovie has killed any chance of getting a quality OC or DC. Who wants to sign on for a 1 or, at best 2 Yr. stint. Only guys who either think they can succeed Lovie or someone who wants a chance to resurrect his career. Ergo, my recommendations: ....Hire Mike Leach, fired Texas Tech head coach. He'll be cheap, he's smart, he doesn't take any nonsense from malingerers and malcontents, and he'll introduce an innovative offensive scheme that'll put life into the Bear's offense and confuse the opponents' defensive coordinators. He needs to have a chance at redemption. ... Hire Jin Mora as DC.... he's good, he would like to succeed Lovie, and he's so shocked and po'd by his treatment by Seattle that he may very well say yes...and he won't take any BS from the 4 stooges. I guess that automatically disqualifies him..... We;;, I tried............ from a 73 yr. old Fan of SID LUCKMAN and the 1st Bear's mistake GEORGE BLANDA.
Why is it so hard for the Bears to operate in a reasonable understandable manner?? It seems that EVERY hiring or signing is drug out & postponed as all the quality people are taken by others, and Chicago finally gets whoever is left ( Lovie for instance). I'm old enough to remember Michael McCaskey ruining one of the best teams of all-time. Seems like I can smell him in todays operation !!!!!Hopeful Hoosier
I have really had it with Lovie.
Noooooo! None of the Lovie-Smith-worked-with-this-guy network! The Bears need a coach who can challenge Lovie. Oh wait, Rivera did that.
Another Lovie Rams Lackey!
Uh the only reason you've heard of Jeremy Bates is because he's worked with Jay Cutler. Bates is and up and comer just like Zampese, and Bates has a reputation because his father has a reputation....same....same.
LOL!!!! The Seahawks bring in Carrol, and then they get Alex Gibbs to take a lateral move to O-line coach with the Seahawks, yet coaches are supposed to want to come to Chicago? Child please. Now we are interviewing Ken Zampeze? Why, because he taugh Carson Palmer the cool new way to hand the ball off? Carson is no better now than he was 4 seasons ago, in fact he isn't nearly as good as we was then. So, again, why would we be hiring this guy? I am not sure he would be good as a QB coach so they better not be looking at him as an OC.
The way things are going the bears might as well as bring back shoop. This FO is looking is going to screw up this hire and alienate fans even more and also make it for another unbearable season for cutler. How this FO can't figure this out is beside me. What's so hard to understand about bringing in a true offensive mind. Shanahan was there for the taking and the Bears didn't even consider it because they have faith in a coach who couldn't even coach his own team
last season because he had a few good years. Having Cutler is a plus and having a great coaching staff is key. The Bears should offer Clements an assistant HC title if that's what it takes to get him here
who?????????????????? know his fathers name but dont know about this guy..
They interviewed the Bengals QB coach - why? Because of the great year the Carson Palmer just had?