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***OFFICIAL*** 2013 MINNESOTA VIKINGS SEASON THREAD (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Beo
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Maelstrom
Footballguy
Detroit has their coach, and Zimmer has not been linked to the Browns at all.I hope this second interview (today?) is where the Vikings actually hire Zimmer. I don't want to miss out on a good coach by being overly cautious. Only to have Detroit or someone else snipe him from us.I've gotta agree with QuizGuy.
Zimmer is loooooooooong overdue to be an NFL head coach.
The only thing that has been holding him back is he's too honest and a bit abrasive to the front office and muckity-muck types but I think he'd be a hell of a head coach.
If you guys get him I think he's going to exceed expectations.
Zimmer and Vikings office had a very extended meeting today, but he wasn't made an offer, according to various reports. But he's in town for another day and was supposedly invited back to the Wilf's this evening. My guess, they make it official tomorrow without bringing anyone else in. Mainly just a ton of speculation at this point though, but it is definite that Zimmer is spending the night in MN and has not been offered the job.
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
At this point, I really like the situation that the Vikings are in (I'm, of course, speaking about their coaching search, not everything else). They don't have to be in any hurry, and they can wait on any of the assistants from the other teams still playing that they really like, if they so choose.
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
Jobber
Footballguy
IIRC, only one other NFL team is looking for a head coach, right? I'd expect to hear of the Zimmer hiring by the end of the day today.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
I wonder if they're stonewalling Zimmer to send a message of "We want you to coach our players but let's be clear - you won't head up operations around here. You're in charge of the players but not the team."
snogger
Footballguy
My guess, which is worth less then
They gave him a contract at the end of yesterday... Zimmer and his agent looked it over during the night, and they are meeting today to hammer out the differences.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
This is a positive ...
Donnybrook
Footballguy
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter2m
One candidate Vikings HC Mike Zimmer is considering as his offensive coordinator is Browns OC Norv Turner, per league sources.
One candidate Vikings HC Mike Zimmer is considering as his offensive coordinator is Browns OC Norv Turner, per league sources.
cheese
Footballguy
I think you will laugh at this once you follow Zimmer a while. Send whatever message you want, when Zimmer is around, Zimmer is in charge and he'll let you know it. If he gets fired over it, he doesn't care.
Anyway, he's an amazing coach and leader so congrats to the Vikings and good luck. He will be missed in Cincy.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Sounds good to me. I'm interested in seeing this play out!
Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
First off.
Congrats on the new head coach hire.
I think you guys got a really good solid no frills NFL head coach.
Add:
The only thing that I've heard from Cleveland that may not have worked in his favor is he has a clear idea of what sort of QB he wants to run his vertical-stretch offense. He favors a big strong armed pocket passer. He didn't or doesn't seem to be buying into the new sort of mobile QBs and those types of offensive systems which could box-in any NFL team like the Vikings who need a franchise QB.
I think one of the reasons why Chud and Norv were let-go so soon with the Browns (not the only reason but one of the reasons) is that the Browns front office really wants to get a franchise QB, any sort of franchise QB including but not limited to the new sort of mobile-QBs who are entering the league.
So I really like the hire of Zimmer. I think he's going to be successful and that VIkings will be back in the post season really soon especially if you get a franchise QB and if Zim comes in with Norv Turner then I think you will get your franchise QB in this draft and things will turn around very quickly.
One really positive point on Turner. He is able to scheme-open guys, like Josh Gordon, like a magician. He has earned a solid reputation as one of the top OCs in the league and he really is excellent at what he does best.
Congrats on the new head coach hire.
I think you guys got a really good solid no frills NFL head coach.
Add:
Norv did a solid job in Cleveland. He is an excellent OC. The Browns offensive stats went up on every passing stat over last year and that is with three different starting QBs. The rushing stats were down after the T-Rich deal but both WR Josh Gordon and TE Jordan Cameron blossomed. If he goes to Minnesota WR Patterson and your young TE would benefit IMHO.
The only thing that I've heard from Cleveland that may not have worked in his favor is he has a clear idea of what sort of QB he wants to run his vertical-stretch offense. He favors a big strong armed pocket passer. He didn't or doesn't seem to be buying into the new sort of mobile QBs and those types of offensive systems which could box-in any NFL team like the Vikings who need a franchise QB.
I think one of the reasons why Chud and Norv were let-go so soon with the Browns (not the only reason but one of the reasons) is that the Browns front office really wants to get a franchise QB, any sort of franchise QB including but not limited to the new sort of mobile-QBs who are entering the league.
So I really like the hire of Zimmer. I think he's going to be successful and that VIkings will be back in the post season really soon especially if you get a franchise QB and if Zim comes in with Norv Turner then I think you will get your franchise QB in this draft and things will turn around very quickly.
One really positive point on Turner. He is able to scheme-open guys, like Josh Gordon, like a magician. He has earned a solid reputation as one of the top OCs in the league and he really is excellent at what he does best.
snogger
Footballguy
Hopefully the reports are true and it will be announced shortly.. and if so LOOK AT ME!!!!My guess, which is worth less then
They gave him a contract at the end of yesterday... Zimmer and his agent looked it over during the night, and they are meeting today to hammer out the differences.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
I kind of hoping the Vikings go off the beaten path when it comes to the OC. Kinda of like the Lions did with Bill Lazor.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
Last reports are now that Lazor is going to the Dolphins as OC.Donnybrook said:
I like the Norv talk.
http://imgur.com/7xcO2qG
BigJim®
Footballguy
This has to help the defense. One interesting subplot is Cincinnati has been quite a bit more willing to draft/sign red flagged defenders. What Zimmer had for say on those, I don't know, but I assume he had a lot of input on personnel on his defense. Some like Burfict and Pacman seemed to work out pretty wellt, others did not. It will be interesting to see what sort of appetite the Viking organization has for those sorts of personnel decisions. Any event, I think Zimmer is certain to make this a tougher team.
Biabreakable
Footballguy
At a minimum no one will likely be able to complain about Zimmer's passion.
I am glad the Vikings seem committed to getting back to business of playing good defense. This is an area that has been in decline since Dungy left for Tampa honestly. We have tried for a couple decades now to win by outscoring the other teams. The commitment to the running game that started with Childress only works if the Vikings have a solid pass defense. I cannot say the Vikings really have had that, at all since Jerry Burns coached the team.
Zimmer brings some of the same fireyness that Burns had I think.
Yes the Vikings need a QB. But they need a competent defense more than a QB. For the past 3 seasons the Vikings have lost tons of games late in the 4th quarter. Many of these games they held leads for much of the game until the end. 2013 was somewhat like 2011 again in that way.
Why does this happen?
Because the defense cannot stop anyone.
Good special teams and a strong running game can win if the defense can just close the close games out.
I am glad the Vikings seem committed to getting back to business of playing good defense. This is an area that has been in decline since Dungy left for Tampa honestly. We have tried for a couple decades now to win by outscoring the other teams. The commitment to the running game that started with Childress only works if the Vikings have a solid pass defense. I cannot say the Vikings really have had that, at all since Jerry Burns coached the team.
Zimmer brings some of the same fireyness that Burns had I think.
Yes the Vikings need a QB. But they need a competent defense more than a QB. For the past 3 seasons the Vikings have lost tons of games late in the 4th quarter. Many of these games they held leads for much of the game until the end. 2013 was somewhat like 2011 again in that way.
Why does this happen?
Because the defense cannot stop anyone.
Good special teams and a strong running game can win if the defense can just close the close games out.
QuizGuy66
Footballguy
This has really been reduced a lot in recent Bengals drafts. Burfict was an UDFA who was immediately told he had a short leash and has handled everything well. Look at our last 4 or 5 drafts and really not those kinds of risks.
-QG
BigJim®
Footballguy
Yeah, I meant any sort of personnel move, not just the draft. There were few teams that would have taken on Burfict even as an UDFA as he was clearly completely off draftboards, and can't imagine there were many willing to take on Pacman after the Tennessee debacle. No way would the prior Vike regime brought in those players. I'm not really against taking more risks in order to improve the Vikes uber soft defense, just noting it will be interesting to see if Zimmer is stymied trying to bring in the sort of guys he'd like to take a chance on.
sports_fan
Footballguy
Miami LB coach George Edwards named DC
https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/status/423820603682856960
Anybody know anything about this guy?
https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/status/423820603682856960
Anybody know anything about this guy?
Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
I've never heard an NFL team who was looking for a coach say "We want to hire someone who thinks inside the box."Donnybrook said:
Outside the box thinking has turned into a platitude whose meaning has been watered down.
Basically if you get a solid NFL coach who knows how to think inside the box really well then you will see a good solid coach and that is what Norv Turner is.
The Vikes need that big strong armed QB who fits the vertical-stretch offense.
Very good probability you will get that QB in this draft.
sports_fan
Footballguy
Yeah, I think he would want a strong armed pocket passer. Basically the exact opposite of Ponder and Cassel.With Norv in, and what he has run in the past as far as QB style, I feel if Johnny was still available at 8, and Bortles or Carr are available, they'll take the "pocket Passer" over Johnny.. .
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Donnybrook
Footballguy
How many times has Norm been fired? I'm not enthusiastic about him.
BigJim®
Footballguy
I'm sort of pumped about this though, regardless. My confidence level of Spielman selecting the next prospect was zero. My confidence of an egomaniac Childress type coach assisting in that process was zero. My confidence of a guy like Turner having input, when he's been around the block and knows well the needed characteristics of a downfield passer is pretty high. I like Manziel, but chances are he won't be there anyway, and if Norv can help pick a different guy who improves upon science projects like TJack/Ponder, we'll still come out ahead in the end.Yeah, I think he would want a strong armed pocket passer. Basically the exact opposite of Ponder and Cassel.With Norv in, and what he has run in the past as far as QB style, I feel if Johnny was still available at 8, and Bortles or Carr are available, they'll take the "pocket Passer" over Johnny.. .
Heatman
Footballguy
sports_fan
Footballguy
FunkyPlutos
Footballguy
Say what you want about Norv...the only thing I want to ask is...Is he a better OC than Musgrave??
snogger
Footballguy
Here is a time lapse of it.. About the half way point they switch to an inside view..
Kind of
and 
at the same time as you see people and vehicles getting out of the way.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
Seriously? He hasn't been that great of a head coach, but he is a very good, if not great, offensive coordinator.
He calls a power run game and utilizes a deep passing game to open up the run and the TE underneath. It's pretty much ideal for the Vikings offensive players, if they can find or draft a QB that can make the downfield throws. With Zimmer focusing on the DF (he has said he will be heavily involved in the DF), I'm really glad to see the Vikes grab a guy like Norv that has been a head coach and coordinator before, and so knows what needs to be done on the offensive side of the ball. I don't think Zimmer will ignore the OF, and I think Norv will do just fine staying in his role and not overstepping his authority (not that Zimmer would put up with it anyways.)
As for the QBs, I wouldn't rule out any of the QBs on the roster now either from being the starter next year, Freeman (if resigned) definitely has the arm for it, if Zimmer and Norv can instill some discipline. Cassel I'm not thrilled about, but is likely the nominal starter right now as long as he opts to renew his contract for next season. Ponder has never had a coach like Norv, so I'm not even counting him out. Obviously the Vikes need to draft their QB of the future, but with better coaching, I think the Vikings offense, which wasn't bad this year, remember, can be a threat to be reckoned with, regardless of which of the QBs they end up with.
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Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Norv landed in a great spot with Peterson at RB (could hardly have done better), Patterson, Jennings and Simpson (has some Alvin Harper-like traits?) at WR and Rudolph at TE. Josh Gordon took his game to another level in his second season, it will be interesting to see if Norv can help Patterson step up his game in year two.
IMO Cassell can be a bridge QB, I thought they looked best last year with him at QB. Charles is great, and Bowe up and down but good, but I think Cassell's overall receiving weapons are better in MIN than they were in KC, so he can do better.
I wonder if they would try and move up if QBs like Manziel or Bortles start to slip past JAX and CLE, or if they would be content with Carr at 1.8?
IMO Cassell can be a bridge QB, I thought they looked best last year with him at QB. Charles is great, and Bowe up and down but good, but I think Cassell's overall receiving weapons are better in MIN than they were in KC, so he can do better.
I wonder if they would try and move up if QBs like Manziel or Bortles start to slip past JAX and CLE, or if they would be content with Carr at 1.8?
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Biabreakable
Footballguy
I have heard some mention Carr as an option that might be available as late as the Vikings pick.
He seems to be on the bubble of being considered a 1st round prospect. So depending on how he grades out with teams, pick 8 may be considered to high for a team to take Carr.
His main strength seems to be his deep ball and general overall accuracy. He is also talked about for pre snap read adjustment.
Weakness are having played mostly out of the shotgun in college and not performing well when the competition became more difficult.
Here Rob Rang has Carr ranked 26th overall, while Brugler has him ranked 8th http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664819/derek-carr
The arm strength does seem to fit what Norv Turner likes to do in the passing game. So it might be a good fit.
He seems to be on the bubble of being considered a 1st round prospect. So depending on how he grades out with teams, pick 8 may be considered to high for a team to take Carr.
His main strength seems to be his deep ball and general overall accuracy. He is also talked about for pre snap read adjustment.
Weakness are having played mostly out of the shotgun in college and not performing well when the competition became more difficult.
Here Rob Rang has Carr ranked 26th overall, while Brugler has him ranked 8th http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664819/derek-carr
It is early so I am just gathering information right now. But this suggests that Carr might be a reach pick if the Vikings were to take him with the 8th overall pick. He is considered the 4th best QB prospect by CBS here. 2 or 3 QB will likely be taken before the Vikings pick.
The arm strength does seem to fit what Norv Turner likes to do in the passing game. So it might be a good fit.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
If the Vikings draft Carr, I will be resigned to becoming a casual fan until his term is over.
Maybe he can show me something in the Senior Bowl but, at the moment, I don't believe he has the making of franchise QB. He seems somewhat robotic in the Fresno system. He threw a tonn of first read WR screens there. Can he improvise? I haven't seen much of that.
Maybe he can show me something in the Senior Bowl but, at the moment, I don't believe he has the making of franchise QB. He seems somewhat robotic in the Fresno system. He threw a tonn of first read WR screens there. Can he improvise? I haven't seen much of that.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
I'm with you here. I am not a huge fan of Carr, and not because of the name. He was a good talent, but not great, against weak competition. And even so, there are still considerable question marks about him. If he is the only QB of the "top 4" (Bridgewater, Manziel, Bortles, Carr) left at #8, then hopefully the Vikings go DF and pick up McCarron, Mettenburger, Boyd, Fales or Murray later in the draft.
Maelstrom
Footballguy
What a Vikings team will look like under the new coaching regime:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1925618-what-norv-turner-and-george-edwards-mean-for-mike-zimmers-new-look-vikings
One of the things mentioned is that Zimmer, being a new HC, has done a good job in his hires because he is surrounding himself with experience to draw on, particularly in regards to Norv because of his previous HC experience. Good or bad results, he has many years of experience and can help Zimmer make the transition successfully.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1925618-what-norv-turner-and-george-edwards-mean-for-mike-zimmers-new-look-vikings
One of the things mentioned is that Zimmer, being a new HC, has done a good job in his hires because he is surrounding himself with experience to draw on, particularly in regards to Norv because of his previous HC experience. Good or bad results, he has many years of experience and can help Zimmer make the transition successfully.
Donnybrook
Footballguy
I am not very high on the big school senior QBs. The two guys I like latter are Garoppolo and Brett Smith. By next week, we will know if Garoppolo looks good when he practices along side Carr and Fales. We have to wait to the combine to see Brett Smith.
I really feel that there is enough depth at QB in this draft that Carr would have to be head and shoulder above the rest to take him at 8. I would hate to see a repeat of 2011 when the Vikings felt compelled to take Ponder at 12 when a comparible QB like Dalton goes almost an entire round later. They could have drafted JJ Watt at 12 that year.
BigJim®
Footballguy
You had me up to here. I'm most definitely ruling Ponder out of any downfield passing offense. His idea of downfield passing is closing his eyes and heaving rainbows completely up for grabs. I can't remember the last time I saw an NFL QB so lacking at driving a downfield pass to an intended target. I don't think that can be taught.Maelstrom said:
Biabreakable
Footballguy
I like the signing of Gray to be defensive backs coach. I think that will be a vast improvement. It sounds like Zimmers son will be involved with defensive backs as well.
Retaining Priefer makes sense as well considering how well the special teams have been performing.
Jeff Davidson possibly staying as offensive line coach I am somewhat indifferent about.
I really hope they do not retain Pagac as linebackers coach. Singletary (who has been very low profile) is already gone. The linebackers have been the worst unit on the team under these guys. I have no idea why they would keep Pagac who also failed as a DC for the Vikings.
Here is a list tracking Viking coaches for reference-
http://www.dailynorseman.com/2014/1/23/5337842/vikings-coach-tracker
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