The Cincinnati Bengals today hired as linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald, who has had that role at Baltimore the last three seasons.

FitzGerald follows former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to the Bengals as coach Marvin Lewis works on a defense that has struggled while the Bengals missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

Four Ravens linebackers -- Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs and Adalius Thomas -- were named to the 2006 Pro Bowl and the Ravens have been among the top N-F-L teams on defense.

FitzGerald played linebacker at Oregon State and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Cincinnati. He has coached for Tampa Bay, Washington and Arizona, joining the Ravens in 2004 as outside linebackers coach.

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