Who will the Bengals choose to fill the vacant offensive coordinator position?

Now that the much anticipated firing of Bratkowski in Cincinnati has finally become a reality the fans and media are in a frenzy trying to figure out the Bengals next move. It is never boring following the Bengals but this offseason has been filled with jaw dropping headlines. At first when I heard Marvin was meeting with Childress over steaks I had a feeling Bratkowski was going to get the ax. I just thought it would have been before the Senior Bowl but maybe the Bengals main target is unavailable to contact at this time. Either way I am excited and feel a little guilty about cheering when a man lost his job. It is nothing personal against Bratkowski but I just think this move was 2 years in the making. I had the feeling that Brat was invincible and the Bengals were stuck with him forever. So the joy and excitements I felt may come off as harsh but I am really just excited that a positive move was made to improve the team.

The big question now is who will the Bengals choose to fill the vacant offensive coordinator position? Will it be a coach that is currently employed by the organization like Zampese or Sheppard? Most people think it will be an outside hire possibly from the college ranks? Tom Clements is a name that I have heard a few times that would be a great hire in Cincy. I must admit I was not familiar with Clements until I heard Lance McAlister mention his name a few time while discussing possible replacements after the Bratkowski firing yesterday. The Bengals super fan dork inside me urged me to do some research on Clements and I love the idea.

An All-American QB at Notre Dame in 1974, Clements finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting that year has been the QB coach for the Packers since 2006. Now in his 14th overall NFL season, Clements also served as quarterbacks coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001-03), Kansas City Chiefs (2000) and New Orleans Saints (1997-99). While working with some of the game’s most successful coaches, including Bill Cowher, Mike Ditka and Lou Holtz before his time with the Packers.

I know he has only been an OC in the NFL 1 time and that was in Buffalo from 2004-2005. The current situation in Cincy might be too much for him Clements to handle. I do not think it is due to his experience coaching in the NFL. Not to mention coaching the most diva spot on the roster in most cases. He has played a big role in getting Rodgers ready to explode onto the scene in Green Bay after the Packers let the legend Favre shake his groove thing in New York City.

I will say his past history in the NFL working with quarterbacks has been impressive. The Chiefs’ Elvis Grbac (in 2000) and the Steelers’ Kordell Stewart (in 2001) and Tommy Maddox (in 2002) each of these players reached the Pro Bowl. With the Palmer situation still very much up in the air the Bengals may find themselves drafting a QB of the future. If Palmer does come back I think we can all agree he could afford to be coached up as well. After looking at the names of some QB's Clements has worked with outside of Rodgers and Favre, Palmer would defiantly be to most gifted of the group. Would this be the hire to make Palmer feel like he can suck it up and return to Paul Brown Stadium to lead this team? Who knows but I think it would be exciting for the fans, press, players and coaches in this organization would be fired up. If the Bengals do select a young QB in the draft Clements would help the Bengals groom their future franchise QB. If the Packers beat up the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV this hire would become sexier over night.