Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said on Monday that he’s convinced the Bengals will have a good defense this year.
If that happens, they are going to do it without defensive tackle Tank Johnson.
The team announced Tuesday they let go of the eight-year veteran. They also waived tight end Garrett Mills. Johnson was something of a defensive leader for the Bengals the last few years, but he was returning from a knee injury that kept him out of nine games in 2010.
Zimmer, meanwhile, is still fired up after the 34-3 loss to start the preseason.
“I may be an idiot,” Zimmer said via Bengals.com. “But I know a good defense and a bad defense and we have a chance to be a good defense. I’m more convinced after I watched the tape. That’s OK. I like to be doubted.”