Mike Zimmer says Terence Newman could fit in with the Bengals

Mike Zimmer wasn't in Cincinnati on Monday when free agent cornerback Terence Newman arrived for his visit with the Bengals. But Zimmer knows all about Newman, having been the Cowboys defensive coordinator for the first four years of Newman's career.

The Cowboys released the nine-year veteran last week, and Newman has begun his search for a new home.

"I've known Terence for so long," Zimmer said Tuesday during the University of Texas' Pro Day in Austin. "You know sometimes it's just good for guys to get a change and get a new start on things. I always loved Terence. I always thought he was a good, competitive kid with a lot of ability. I think sometimes you get in different systems and things work out better for you, because it's a better scheme fit or whatever. I'm not saying it is or it isn't. I know when I had him, which was a few years, so you've got to see that in person, but I know what kind of person he is. I know what kind of character he has. And I know how he would fit in with our football team. To me, that's important, too."

Newman, who turns 34 in September, was cut to save the Cowboys $6 million in salary-cap room and to make way for Brandon Carr. Dallas signed Carr to a five-year, $50.1 million deal last week.

Newman has missed time due to injuries in three of the past five years. Although he played all 16 games in 2010, he played through a pain rib injury for much of that season. He was only the 97th-best cornerback in the NFL in 2011, according to Pro Football Focus. He was targeted 78 times and gave up 49 catches for 797 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterbacks completed 62.8 percent of their passes against him and had an 88.5 passer rating. Newman did have four interceptions.

-- Charean Williams

Comments

[Glenn Guillory]

Zimmer...Newman is all yours if you want him!!