Vikings' Zimmer: 'No excuses' after revamping O-line Clich? time: NFL games are won in the trenches. Most often, these coaching phrases become overused because they ring true throughout history. Thus, when setting out to improve this offseason, Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer identified the one key area needing an upgrade in order for his team to get over the playoff hump: offensive line. "I feel like every other position group on our football team has a tough-minded personality. I don't know that our offensive line did," Zimmer told reporters Wednesday, via the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "Teddy (Bridgewater) was running for his life half the time, (and) we had a whole bunch of 1-yard runs. I just felt we needed to make some changes." Bridgewater was sacked 44 times in 2015, tied for sixth most in the NFL. The Vikings offensive line also gave up 96 QB hits. According to Pro Football Focus, Bridgewater was pressured on 46.9 percent of his drop backs, most in the NFL. Peterson led the NFL in rushing and earned 4.5 yards per carry, but was often stymied on early downs, leading to lengthy third down situations, which exacerbated Bridgewater's struggles. (The 4.5 yards per carry is tied for the second lowest of Peterson's career, during seasons in which he's played more than one game.) The Vikings added tackle Andre Smith and guard Alex Boone to boost the offensive line. Both are better run blockers than pass protectors. Both have also not played up to their reputations the past couple seasons. Zimmer also sounded optimistic that center John Sullivan and tackle Phil Loadholt will return from injury, giving the team depth. Zimmer believes solidifying the O-line will help Bridgewater more than any other change the team could have made this offseason. "I think that if we fix this one area, I think it's going to help him a lot more than getting a receiver in here," he said. "If we can protect for him, be better in our play-action game, and get (rid) of these non 1-yard runs, we can be more effective offensively and it will allow him to throw a lot more than having a great receiver." The Vikings upgrading the offensive line should only boost the expectations for a team that should have won a playoff game last season. "When we were trying to get Andre Smith in here, I had Teddy text him, and Adrian (too)," Zimmer said. "And then after we signed him, my text back to those guys was, 'OK, we got Boone. We got Smith. Now there's no excuses. You can't say we didn't have this or this. It's time to go now.'" (NFL.com)
Andre Smith & Alex Boone don't have be pro-bowl players just bring the toughness the Vikings O-line has been MISSING, Zimmer is right Teddy was running for his life back there under big time pressure...kinda makes the Mike Wallace Comments just sound damn silly,i really don't get the Josh Doctson talk...a STUD D-lineman that can help shut down the run game and pressure the QB is what they need IMO
i was in mpls today the Vikings US BANK STADIUM i got a good look at it,all that black and a whole lot of smoky grey glass man it looks IMPRESSIVE no kidding,and that's just on the outside i bet the inside is gonna look freaking AWESOME
Sheldon Rankins DT Louisville looks like maybe the Vikings can get him in the 2nd round he's 6"1 weight 299 llbs,if fthere hell bent on getting a wr let be one that's a big play guy one that run more than one route and a tough football player like Ohio State Micheal Thomas or Corey Coleman...who knows he just might help shutting down the run game..looks like the NFC NORTH is going to WAR!!!!
Thats fantastic... im jealous. That must have been some kind of sight to behold and I hear if you want a ticket to get in, you better jump now, lol.
I like the way you think. Anybody from the Buckeyes would be great, They run tons of different schemes and the players are well coached and can fit into any type of defense or offense.
In all fairness, after i blasted the guy (Wallace), I'd thought i'd post this... Mike Zimmer on Ravens' Mike Wallace: 'I loved him' By Chris Wesseling... Mike Wallace lasted just one season in Minnesota, turning in the least effective season of his seven-year career. Do the Vikings view their 2015 trade for Wallace as a disappointment now that the veteran wide receiver is plying his craft in Baltimore? Coach Mike Zimmer insists that's not the case, stating at last week's NFL owners meeting that Wallace's release was "more about money than anything else." Dumping Wallace helped the Vikings clear close to $11.5 million in salary-cap space. Although Wallace wore out his welcome in Miami, pulling himself out of the season finale versus the Jets, Minnesota's coaching staff had no such issues. Zimmer acknowledges that Wallace never showed frustration even when he had reason to do so. "I loved him. I thought he was a great kid," Zimmer said, via the Ravens' official website. "I think John Harbaugh and the guys over there are really going to like him as a person, as a competitor." Zimmer went on to laud Wallace as a "terrific kid," "great competitor" and "good leader." One year removed from a career-high 10 touchdowns, Wallace will be a bounce-back candidate with a big-armed quarterback in Baltimore.
he took the high road he just refused to in the gutter with him....you know what's so funny about this i really do hope the RAVENS have a outstanding O-line this season cause if not, it won't really matter if the QB does not have the time to find him....hey Mike its SHOWTIME! time to put up or shut the hell up
question if Mike Wallace was such a good guy why did not help Teddy Bridgewater be a polished qb in the NFL...i'm glad he's gone and CP better step up his game your wearing the no. 84
I think Mike Wallace is full of hot air and Zimmer just took the high road. Coach Zimmer just showed what kind of guy he is. _____________________________________ Your right about CP. Sure hope he brings his best to the table this season... he is due for a break-out season.
wow the talking heads at NFL.com...can the Packers return to Dominance in the NFC NORTH i would have to say no will the Packers be good i have to say yes they will,but so will the Vikings,Bears,Lions,it not the same Division as it used to be,the Vikings are Division champs not Green Bay....they lost all the home games against the NFC NORTH every team in this Division is getting better and better,can Green Bay return to that Dominance of old i have my doubts
Come on, man. If there's one thing we've learned as NFC North fans, it's that the NFL and all related media entities firmly believe the Packers can do no wrong. It's almost as insufferable as their fans.
Time to start thinking about a rb wishlist,LSU Leonard Fourette this guy seems not only fast but VERY powerful,Razorbacks rb Alex Collins looks really smooth,Nick Chubb Georgia looked awesome..then that NASTY!!! injury hope he can recover and comeback,Keith Marshall Georgia this guy looked interesting,but Ronald Jones USC he looked like a Monster a very bad dude....AP can't play forever
real glad to hear it..yeah to play for one team today is amazing,and then retire after an eleven year career good for him
Josh Doctson is he really the fit for the Vikings,its like a Jedi Mind Trick going on Josh Doctson Josh Doctson all the time..it just reminds me of the Troy Williamson talk laughing he was just bad,but Josh Doctson will be a good wr in the NFL we will see in a few day's which way the Vikings go
Vikings not worried about Blair Walsh getting the yips Blair Walsh's missed chip-shot field goal cost the Minnesota Vikings a playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The miss was so devastating, even first-grade students felt bad for the kicker. Last week during the NFL Annual Meeting, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer brushed aside any thought that the missed 27-yard field goal would stick with Walsh. "I pretty much move on, but I'm going to try to make sure that he has success as much as possible," Zimmer said, via ESPN.com. "You're always only as good as your last kick, right? So we want to make sure that a lot of his kicks are good kicks now. We're not going to start him out at a 60-yarder on the first day of (organized team activities). I don't know that I need to build his confidence, but I'm going to make sure I don't need to build his confidence." (NFL.com) _______________________________________ I dont know about Zimmer, but im worried. Walsh has got to be better. It's a must. Anyway, Im hoping for the best.
consistency is the name of the game for Blair Walsh....i hope the Vikings this season go more for the TD and not just the FG,in every game its about being Consist no more hit or miss will he make it or miss it
