Deserved of it's own thread

Ingram has a bright future, but I don't think he's been all that great yet. And Zimmer had Darrisaw for most of the year. Agree that Z has been terrific. 

I'll take the opposite side on Ingram -- he has a long ways to go and is nowhere near "blue chipper" territory.  He is an ok run blocker and below average in pass protection.  He is still learning assignments.  Several drive-killing pressures have been the result of Ingram not understanding or reacting to the line call or picking up a stunt -- or simply getting beat from poor technique.  Good news is that is the kind of thing that gets better with experience.  I don't think there is much doubt that he is the weakest link on the O line right now, but he has a high ceiling.

I think last year was 
a lost cause.  It was just too toxic.  We lost too many games by a play here or there
that happens when players aren’t fully committed.  I think Zimmer knew he was a lame duck, that
he was being forced out, and he was forced to do it Spielman’s way instead of
his way.  That said I do think he would
have won a couple more games if he had two quality healthy DE’s for the whole
season and likely made the playoffs, but that wouldn’t have been enough to do
anything serious or keep his job.  Our
defense is on the razors edge right now between acceptable play and horrendous
play.  If we lose Smith or Hunter for the
season, I think we’re in for a world of hurt.

@"purplefaithful" said: Two players imo are blue chippers and a huge part of the teams early success:

Darrisaw
Z'Darius

Some might argue Ingram too...

Might Zimmer have won a few more games with these players playing?

Not only did we change schemes we have  a total of 5 new players (out of 22 - 23%) and 6 new starters from initial roster last year on defense alone.  6 new starters out of 11 is 55% change.  Dantzler  (Zimmers doghouse sporadically) over Breeland and Bynum who started late in the year for the injured Xavier Woods are 2 new starters from day 1 + 4 new defenders.  Hicks leads the team in tackles so far but he is also more familiar in the 3-4 then Kendricks.  New scheme, new players, new starters, new coaches = no I don't think Zimmer's downhill trend on defense would have stopped.  He lost the team.  

Zimmer should have been fired 3 seasons before he was.  He created a toxic culture and I doubt will ever be interviewed for an NFL HC job again.  

Once I learned Spielman and Zimmer weren't talking, they both had to go.

@"VikingOracle" said: Once I learned Spielman and Zimmer weren't talking, they both had to go.

Heck add in Zimmer and Cousins.  That was just as big of an issue. 

@"purplefaithful" said: Two players imo are blue chippers and a huge part of the teams early success:

Darrisaw
Z'Darius

Some might argue Ingram too...

Might Zimmer have won a few more games with these players playing?

The other thing worth mentioning is how much more comfortable Cousins seems to be this season compared to the others.  Cousins is finally allowed to lead and make decisions at the LOS that he wasn't doing under Zim. 

I think KC's relationship with KOC is a big contributor to the 5-1 record.  Kirk seems way more relaxed about being a leader of the offense than he ever did with Zim.

@"HappyViking" said:

@"purplefaithful" said: Two players imo are blue chippers and a huge part of the teams early success:

Darrisaw
Z'Darius

Some might argue Ingram too...

Might Zimmer have won a few more games with these players playing?

I'm not sure Rick and Zim would've gone after Z'Darius.  Like M65 said, Zim, wouldn't need a 3-4 OLB would he?

The other thing worth mentioning is how much more comfortable Cousins seems to be this season compared to the others.  Cousins is finally allowed to lead and make decisions at the LOS that he wasn't doing under Zim. 

I think KC's relationship with KOC is a big contributor to the 5-1 record.  Kirk seems way more relaxed about being a leader of the offense than he ever did with Zim.

@"AGRforever" said:

@"VikingOracle" said: Once I learned Spielman and Zimmer weren't talking, they both had to go.

Heck add in Zimmer and Cousins.  That was just as big of an issue. 

i saw something last night indicating that P Squared is having a good year to date

@"MaroonBells" said: Ingram has a bright future, but I don't think he's been all that great yet. And Zimmer had Darrisaw for most of the year. Agree that Z has been terrific. 

Zimmer needed some DBs.  Lost their first rounder to legal issues, Dantzler has been slow to apply himself and PP is a shell of the former great corner.