Cowboys TERENCE NEWMAN, CB
Newman, the fifth overall pick in 2003, slowly blossomed into a Pro Bowl player for the Cowboys under Zimmer's glare. An immediate starter, Newman intercepted 12 passes in his four seasons playing for Zimmer and later was selected to a pair of Pro Bowls. Many thought Newman was washed up when the Cowboys released him in 2011, but he rejoined Zimmer in Cincinnati, started and played well with Zimmer around to refine his technique.
Stand-out stats
36
Career interceptions for Newman
8
Interceptions in his first two seasons
1
Dallas' defensive rank his rookie year
Falcons CHRIS CROCKER, S
There weren't many bright spots during Zimmer's one year in Atlanta, but one of them was the play of safety Chris Crocker. Crocker set career highs with three interceptions and 11 passes defended in 2007, and his 51 solo tackles were also the most he has made in a single season. Crocker obviously made an impression on Zimmer, who coached him six years in Cincinnati and brought him up to Minnesota this summer, only to release him last week.
Stand-out stats
11
Passes defended by Crocker in 2007
51
Solo tackles for Crocker, a career high
70
Starts that Crocker made for Zimmer
bengals VONTAZE BURFICT, LB
Some projected Burfict to be a first-round pick before his draft stock plummeted because of discipline concerns on and off the field. After Burfict went undrafted in 2012, Zimmer and the Bengals took a chance on him, signing him as a rookie free agent. Burfict recorded 127 tackles as a rookie and was even better in 2013. He led the league with 171 tackles and was voted to the Pro Bowl. He also had three sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Stand-out stats
171
Tackles for Burfict in 2013, most in the NFL
253
Players who did get drafted in 2012
$20m
Value of his new Bengals deal
