Zimmer, FitzGerald Look To Bring Tenacity To Bengals' Defense

Cincinnati's defense ranked 27th in the NFL in 2007. Not exactly a stellar number. That performance cost defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan his job.

Last season, the Bengals did not fool around. Bringing in Mike Zimmer from Atlanta to run the show and pillaging linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald from division rival Baltimore, the Bengals made a statement that improving their defense was a must.

The changes were immediate.

Cincinnati finished the 2008 campaign as the 12th best defense in the NFL (in other words a 15-team jump) and did so with a cast that was predominantly young.

Though there was improvement, Cincinnati still had several glaring issues.

In 2008, Cincinnati finished the year in a six-way tie for 21st in the league in interceptions (12) and tied with Cleveland (30th) for the second fewest sacks in the NFL (17.0).

Both of these statistics point to a team's inability to pressure the quarterback. Again, as they did in 2008, the Bengals set out to change the situation.

This time, instead of rearranging the coaching staff, the Bengals used the draft to improve their defense.

With their second pick, Cincinnati took USC linebacker Rey Maualuga. Maualuga had nine career sacks and five interceptions while at USC and was one of the Trojans' most feared hitters.

Cincinnati also took Michael Johnson, a defensive end out of Georgia Tech, with their third round pick. Johnson recorded 20 sacks while playing in Atlanta and is brilliant as a pass rusher. He's quick off the edge, making him ideal in certain passing situations.

With these two new additions, Zimmer—and in the case of Maualuga, FitzGerald—has been given two new ways to come at the quarterback.

It would not be surprising to see the Bengals throw out more stunts, weak-side blitzes, or even different linebacker formations thanks to these draft picks.

And if that wasn't enough, the Bengals went out and made two relatively big transactions by signing former Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams and defensive tackle Tank Johnson (both formerly of Dallas).

In Williams' seven seasons he has procured 19 interceptions and seven sacks while also forcing eight fumbles. His presence over the middle also frees up Zimmer and FitzGerald to use the linebacker corps to pressure the quarterback rather than having to drop back and defend the pass.

When Tank Johnson has been able to stay out of trouble and healthy, he has been a decent asset for both the Bears and Cowboys. In his five seasons, Johnson has 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and five passes defended from his tackle position.

At 6'3" and 305 pounds, he gives the Bengals a huge body on the line that will help slow down the running game and open holes for linebackers and blitzing safeties. His presence demands attention, opening up all kinds of options for Zimmer and Fitzgerald.

While those are the four biggest defensive changes this year, Cincinnati also went out and shored up its depth.

By re-signing linebackers Rashad Jeanty, Brandon Johnson, and Darryl Blackstock, Cincinnati has formed a lot of competition. 

The re-signing of Chris Crocker also gives the Bengals some depth at safety.

In short, all of the changes the Bengals' defense made this summer were aimed at getting more aggressive with the opposition's quarterback. On paper, it appears that they made the right moves.