In-depth interview with Zimmer

I think the interview raises questions about whether or not he is head coach material.  He didn't have a relationship with Bradford?  WTF?  His stuffed cat thing sounds like something Les Steckle would come up with.  Asking the players if he lost the team? 
The jury is definitely still out for me with him as a head coach.  He may be just better suited as a defensive coordinator.

@"Purplewhizz" said: I think the interview raises questions about whether or not he is head coach material.  He didn't have a relationship with Bradford?  WTF?  His stuffed cat thing sounds like something Les Steckle would come up with.  Asking the players if he lost the team?  The jury is definitely still out for me with him as a head coach.  He may be just better suited as a defensive coordinator.

I'm starting to think this way also, whizz. Would like to be proven wrong. 

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Purplewhizz" said: I think the interview raises questions about whether or not he is head coach material.  He didn't have a relationship with Bradford?  WTF?  His stuffed cat thing sounds like something Les Steckle would come up with.  Asking the players if he lost the team?  The jury is definitely still out for me with him as a head coach.  He may be just better suited as a defensive coordinator.

I'm starting to think this way also, whizz. Would like to be proven wrong. 

@"Purplewhizz" said: I think the interview raises questions about whether or not he is head coach material.  He didn't have a relationship with Bradford?  WTF?  His stuffed cat thing sounds like something Les Steckle would come up with.  Asking the players if he lost the team?  The jury is definitely still out for me with him as a head coach.  He may be just better suited as a defensive coordinator.

Tell me when he had time to develop that last year?  As he mentioned, Bradford was cramming the playbook into his brain and by all accounts, did a pretty solid job.  Perhaps he should have taken some time off to "hang" with Zim. 

And as the CEO of the team, not every player has a relationship with the head coach.  QBs really should because they are the general on the field.  But that is why Zim was talking about, some of the nuances didn't get worked through in the crazy little time they had together.  Bradford wasn't allowed to call timeouts before?  Now that is crazy, not the fact that Zim didn't know that about him.

And the cat thing?  He said that came from Parcells.  So mock it as you wish.  But as he said, the guy has a few superbowl rings. 

@"Purplewhizz" said: I think the interview raises questions about whether or not he is head coach material.  He didn't have a relationship with Bradford?  WTF?  His stuffed cat thing sounds like something Les Steckle would come up with.  Asking the players if he lost the team?  The jury is definitely still out for me with him as a head coach.  He may be just better suited as a defensive coordinator.

I dont think he meant that he didnt talk with the guy at all,  I think he meant that they didnt have time to form a real close bond that opens true communication until this offseason.  How long does it take you to get comfortable enough with a person that you are able to really open up and say whats on your mind?  Sam is likely pretty close guarded with his comments after the coaching roller coaster his career has been on considering where he is at in his career.

and if he didnt try to do things outside the box....well then what good is that?  ( and les would have had them doing sit ups till they puked.  so he tried something and it didnt go over well... he is trying new approaches, isnt that what we wanted in a HC?  a guy that is willing to break the mold a bit?

so its bad that he didnt have a good line of communication with Sam,  but then when he does talk straight to the players that he does have a good re pore  with its taken as a sign of weakness or ineptness?  No way IMO,  him talking straight to his players IMO will only endear them more to him and he seems like the kind of guy that will take what ever they say,  evaluate it,  and use it to make him, his approach, his staff, and ultimately his team better.

I am more comfortable now with Zim than I have been.  He is relaxing and learning his style,  that will translate well IMO to the team and will help him be better equipped mentally for the in game stuff that has been a bit of a slow growth for him.

Well, we'll see this season.  So far all he has proven to me is that he's a good defensive coach. 

@"Purplewhizz" said: Well, we'll see this season.  So far all he has proven to me is that he's a good defensive coach. 

well he will never be a good offensive coach if that is what you are expecting.   about all I am waiting for is his in game process to improve.  a few head scratchers,  but that is to be expected from any first time HC.

Nice digs Zim!  B) 

http://www.twincities.com/2017/07/20/vikings-coach-mike-zimmer-on-optimism-regrets-and-why-he-believes-he-didnt-lose-the-locker-room/

"I’m going to try to be a little more reckless defensively this year, a little more aggressive."

Anyone else get wood when they read this?

@"Kentis" said: Nice digs Zim!  B) 

http://www.twincities.com/2017/07/20/vikings-coach-mike-zimmer-on-optimism-regrets-and-why-he-believes-he-didnt-lose-the-locker-room/

If his kids don't come to visit him there, I'll go down and spend a couple weekends with Zimmer!  We'll shoot some bucks and pound some beers.

BOOM

@"minny65" said: I'll tell you what, that was an excellent interview by Murphy.  Very pointed questions that revealed a lot of Zimmer's thought-process.  

Many like to bash the media at every opportunity but this interview was excellent and revealing.

Strange, but I came away feeling sorry for Zimmer.  He builds this beautiful 8,000 sq/ft mansion/ranch that he can't spent much time at but his neighbor's take care of for him.  His wife passed away 8 years ago and his youngest daughter just got married.  The ending question when he answered I "hope" my kids (not grand kids) come and hang-out at the ranch and this might not be where he retires.

Then you add his personal health issues, the personal issue with Turner, the two Lions game coaching losses, and to me (just my opinion) but he seems kinda down.

Being an NFL coach is a job most of us could never do.  The lifestyle is brutal with all the moves and the pay along the way is not good.  If you have a family it must be brutal for the spouse and children because you are rarely home.  I know everyone is going to say but he made a ton of money....but that is recent, not when the kids and family are young and really need you there.  

Zimmer seems very lonely to me! I say we make up a profile on match.com or ranchersonly.com.  Have to include the patch, chicks dig that :)  He reached his dream job late in his career and is now entering his 4 year as HC.  I think and hope that last year just knocked-the-wind-out of him and that he is ready to rebound.

I got that same impression Minny...

Today's NFL doesn't allow for coaches to build up their system, staff, and personnel for the long haul. That's why the only dynasty in this modern era happens to be the Patriots, where Belichick has been in place for 17 years. You see the results, right? Mind you, I understand that there are plenty of coaches who aren't good enough to be retained for the long run but I'm of the opinion that Zim IS good enough. I hope that the Wilfs will think so too.

I only wish we'd signed Zim 5 years sooner.

That was a fantastic interview. He was straight up as always. I love that he asked about whether or not he lost the locker room. I didn't think he did but he got it out of the way so it's not an issue. And I think he was open and honest about what he needs to work on as a coach especially in regard to the offense. Also about his relationship with Bradford, it takes time for that to development. Having the off season and one on one time was helpful for that process. I love what he said about his daughter. He went to the bridal shower and dress fittings, that's a great dad. He is definitely one person that is for real. There is no artifice with him. And I am glad he left the Norv question alone. Onward and upward. This man has overcome some adversity in his life, he has a strong character. All the ridiculousness with his eye is over. I am looking forward to the next chapter. Good stuff right there.