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.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

No. Palmer has taken steps back since his injury.

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At first glance that might be okay.

Why would he come here? He's likely one-and-done.

To be honest the Bear are scraping at scraps at this point. Clean the whole Goddamn house out.

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1926-1931-1934-1942-1944-1946-1964-1967-1982-2006-2011

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

That DB worthy? Putting words in my mouth???

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Immitation is the sincerest form of flattery JP.

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"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." ~ H.L. Mencken

It's a well known fact that Italians are leaders of men: Paterno,Lasorda,Mussolini.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Short of Tom Clements, Zampese is one of my favorites.

I think one of the interesting things about The Zampese System is it's what Norv Turner runs a hybrid of it today in San Diego. Ernie Zampese was the OC for the LA Rams in the late 80s/early 90s and Norv was his WR coach I would call it an off-shoot of the Coryell system - very dependent on timing routes between the WR and the QB. The WR runs X route and the ball is going to be there in X seconds - predetermined reads, not a lot of decision making by WRs (good news for Forrest Hester).

So when, Chico is named Head Coach next year, he will probably have some interest in keeping some continuity of system in place with Zampese.

Interestingly enough, the Zampese system is highly effective against ..... zone based coverages, like, let's say ... the Cover 2.

Norv's brother, Ron, is not part of the same school of offense - he's a Bill Walsh/WCO disciple.

Zampese has done nothing good for Palmer. Apparently the Bears asked Kevin Gilbride, the OC for the GIants, if he was interested in becoming the Bears OC, & he said no thanks. I also appears that the Giants first choice as DC is Perry Fewell. Shanahan just hired Jim Haslett as the DC for the Redskins. This is not turning out very well for the Bears. We're gonna get stuck with an OC & DC who have never done either job.
Nice going McCaskey Family!

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

Everyday a star is born.

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Not with the Bears.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

What about your mancrush Rivera?

Was he a D coordinator somewhere before the Bears?

Not with the Bears.[/quote]


Even a blind Squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. This Bears coaching staff needs experience, not on the job training. If your guy Lovie could have gotten over his insecurities, Rivera would still be here & the Bears Defense wouldn't suck as bad as it does since Lovie took over as DC.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

Ernie Zampese is on Waddle and Silvy now.

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Is it really Lovie though?

Rivera had a healthy fully functional disruptive force named Tommie Harris

Lovis hasnt had that...the most important position of the defense.

easy peasy ken zampese

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Don't worry about how well he did for Palmer -- this is an OC job, not a QB coach job. Unless the dope thinks he's doing both jobs...

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Middle Aged Crazy, like Uncle Terry

Well, at least Rivera might have adjusted the Cover-2 when his guys became hurt/tired/old/injured/fill-ins.

Edit: Damn, where is delete button?!?

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Middle Aged Crazy, like Uncle Terry

I wish they would, Apologist, but the Bears aren't...As for "scraping at scraps", that's basically what CBS Sports' "NFL Today" co-host & Westwood One's #1 NFL analyst Boomer Esiason told Mac & Spiegs yesterday. Now that Jeremy Bates will be running the offense for new Seahawks' head coach Pete Carroll in Seattle, Boomer believes that's what the Bears appear to be looking at regarding their new Offensive Coordinator. He added that the Steve Dahl/Roger Ebert-looking Mike Martz is a better head coach than what he tried to do in Detroit & San Francisco.

Shark...your really reaching now. Mike Martz doesnt look anything like Steve Dahl. Dahl might be the better OC though.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

I don't know, I think SHARK has some bite with that one

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Team Cutler.

Wow, what do you know, JohnKirk wrong yet again. . .

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

RFDC, once again...THIS IS AN OPINION. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG HERE.

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CSFMB 2014 Nascar Pick 'em Champion

We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much. — Ronald Reagan

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

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I don't want any guy who Krenzel likes.

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