Tag: Mike Zimmer

Vikings rank 21st in PFF’s secondary rankings

One thing the Vikings have on their side is coach Mike Zimmer, who has had plenty of success developing cornerbacks throughout his career.

The Vikings have Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris on their team.

So, how in the world could they rank in the bottom third of Pro Football Focus’ secondary rankings?

Well, that’s because they have an unproven and inexperienced cornerback group after the departures of Mackensie Alexander, Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes.

In Steve Palazzolo’s rankings over at PFF, the Vikings rank all the way down at 21st.

Here’s a bit of what Palazzolo wrote about the Vikings:

Few secondaries have more uncertainty than the Minnesota Vikings’ unit right now. They lost their top three cornerbacks from a season ago in the offseason, leaving just Mike Hughes and Holton Hill to battle for playing time against rookies Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler. Hughes was a first-round pick in 2018, but injuries have limited him to just over 700 snaps in two seasons split across multiple different positions. Hill played well as a rookie in 2019, but an eight-game suspension for 2020 makes it challenging to rely on him going forward, which will give Gladney and Dantzler every chance to start and feature heavily.

Minnesota’s cornerback group is something I wrote about earlier this week and it’s probably the storyline to watch with the Vikings this season.

The one thing the Vikings have on their side is head coach Mike Zimmer, who has had plenty of success developing cornerbacks throughout his career.

To round out the NFC North, the Packers rank 11th, the Lions rank 14th and the Bears rank 20th.

You can check out the full rankings here.

Cook’s agent denies that his client spoke to Vikings RBs coach about reporting to camp

Viking RB Dalvin Cook is coming off a 2019 season where he had career highs in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said that he “totally” expects his team’s starting running back to be at training camp, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

And the situation gets more complicated from there. Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller, said to ESPN that what Zimmer said didn’t happen.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Cook told Vikings running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu that Cook plans to report to training camp, per a source.  Polamalu relayed that to coach Mike Zimmer, who has texted with Cook last night to straighten things out, according to Pelissero.

Another chapter in this story: Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Cook’s agent told him that Cook “never mentioned to (Polamalu) anything in regards to reporting to camp.”

“I’m not sure where the miscommunication is,” Hiller told Schefter. “I hope Dalvin plays a major role in the Vikings future success.”

Cook is coming off a 2019 season where he had career highs in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Dalvin Cook’s agent denies that his client spoke to Vikings coach Mike Zimmer about reporting to camp

“However, Dalvin has not spoken to him in regards to reporting to camp.”

Speaking with reporters, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said that he “totally” expects his team’s starting running back to be at training camp, as reported by Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Zimmer said that Vikings running back Dalvin Cook assured him of it.

However, Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller, said to ESPN that what Zimmer said didn’t happen.

“First, congrats to coach Zimmer on his well-earned contract extension,” Hiller said in a statement to ESPN. “However, Dalvin has not spoken to him in regards to reporting to camp. We are unsure why this was said. I hope Dalvin can continue to play a major role in the Vikings future success.”

Cook is coming off a season where he had 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He is in the final year of his rookie contract. Under his current contract, Cook is to earn $1.3 million in 2020.

Earlier this offseason, Adam Schefter reported that Cook will hold out until he receives a reasonable deal. It will be interesting to see what happens with Cook come training camp.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer: ‘I love the culture in the state of Minnesota’

Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer had good things to say about the Vikings, their fans and the state.

Mike Zimmer recently signed a three-year contract extension, and it didn’t take long before the Vikings coach talked to reporters and spoke highly of the organization as a whole.

“I feel blessed to be able to continue on with the Minnesota Vikings,” Zimmer said, via Vikings.com. “I’ve had great help with our owners – they’ve given us everything that we’ve ever asked them to do – and great help with the front office, with [General Manager Rick Spielman] and [Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski] and [Assistant General Manager George Paton] – those guys have been giving me a lot of help.”

Not only did Zimmer speak about the team, but he also had positive things to say about the state and Vikings fans:

“The fans have been outstanding to me. I love the culture in the state of Minnesota. I love the way that they’ve opened their arms to myself and our [Mike Zimmer Foundation],” via Vikings.com. “Hopefully we can continue to build upon this and get to where we need to be, which is in the Super Bowl.”

Zimmer is entering his seventh season as coach of the team. He has three playoff berths and a career 57-38-1 record with Minnesota.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Everson Griffen: ‘I’d love to have him back’

Minnesota DE Everson Griffen is coming off a 2019 season where he had eight sacks and an interception for the Vikings.

Former Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen voided his contract with Minnesota this offseason.

Optimistic Vikings fans tabbed Griffen to return to the team, re-signing on a cheaper deal. But later, Griffen announced on Instagram that he would not be returning to the team.

Then, Griffen told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network “never say never” about a possible return to the Vikings.

It’s July and Griffen has yet to sign with an NFL team. Asked about Griffen possibly returning to Minnesota, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he doesn’t know. Here’s what else he said:

“I’d love to have him back,” Zimmer said, via the Pioneer Press. “He’s always been one of my guys. If that happens, it would be great. But I don’t know where that’s at right now.”

Griffen is coming off a 2019 season where he had eight sacks and an interception for the Vikings. His presence would help solidify the defensive line, despite defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo appearing to be a decent replacement.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer ‘totally’ expects Dalvin Cook to be at training camp Tuesday

Mike Zimmer does not think Cook will miss camp, saying that he “totally” expects his team’s starting running back to be there.

The Vikings full roster starts training camp on Tuesday, and one of the biggest storylines heading into that date is what will happen with Dalvin Cook.

Earlier this offseason, news came out that Cook will reportedly hold out until he receives a reasonable deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

However, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he “totally” expects his team’s starting running back to be there, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Zimmer also said that Cook assured him of it.

The CBA states that Cook would hypothetically be fined $50,000 for every day of training camp he missed, and he could lose an accrued season on his contract.

Losing that accrued season would make him a restricted free agent next offseason if he doesn’t get a new deal, meaning that teams could possibly have to give the Vikings draft pick compensation if they wanted to sign him and Minnesota didn’t want to match that offer.  If that scenario happened, it’s reasonable to believe that Cook’s value would drop.

Dan Graziano of ESPN reported that players were told on an NFLPA rep call that so long as a player is on the Week 1 roster and they play at least one game, their contract this year won’t toll and they’ll still get an accrued season and benefits.

Of course, that helps Cook if that rule goes into effect, because his value as a free agent would almost certainly be greater.

Vikings announce that Mike Zimmer has signed three-year contract extension

It’s official. The Vikings announced that Mike Zimmer signed a three-year contract extension with the team.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, reported that the Vikings were finalizing a multi-year contract extension with Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer.

On Friday, the Vikings announced the deal. Zimmer signed a three-year extension, putting him under contract through the 2023 season.

“We are excited to have Coach Zimmer continue to lead the Minnesota Vikings this season and beyond,” Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf said via Vikings.com. “We strongly believe in his leadership and the team culture he’s fostered. We look forward to him furthering the team’s success of the previous six seasons and leading us to our ultimate goal of bringing a Super Bowl Championship to Minnesota.”

Zimmer is entering his seventh season as coach of the Vikings. This new deal means that he is no longer in the final year of his contract.

Zimmer has a record of 57-38-1 during his time with Minnesota, making the playoffs three times.

In 2019, the Vikings finished 10-6 in the regular season, and followed that up with a playoff victory over the Saints.

Where Mike Zimmer ranks on the Vikings’ all-time win list

The Vikings reportedly signed Zimmer to a contract extension earlier this week.

The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly signed head coach Mike Zimmer to a contract extension.

It makes sense. The Vikings finished 10-6 last season, upsetting the Saints in the wild card round of the playoffs.

Zimmer, 64, has spent six seasons with the Vikings. He’s made the playoffs three times and has had a losing record just once. His defensive mind is one of the best in the entire league.

His masterpiece was when he helped the team to the NFC Championship in 2017 behind the arm of Case Keenum.

In his career, Zimmer has a record of 57-38-1 with a win percentage of 59.5%.

Where does that rank among Viking greats?

Zimmer’s 57 wins rank third in team history. He’s 40 wins behind Dennis Green for second and 101 wins behind Bud Grant for first. Given his age, it’s probably unlikely Zimmer hits either of this marks.

Zimmer’s win percentage also ranks third. Green ranks second at 61% and Grant ranks first at 62.1%.

What can Zimmer to do separate himself from Green and Grant on this list?

Win a Super Bowl.

How Mike Zimmer’s multi-year contract extension impacts the Eagles’ Doug Pederson

Minnesota Vikings finalizing a multi-year contract extension with head coach Mike Zimmer

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The NFL is predicated on high-profile quarterbacks and coaches who are able to manage the personalities of 53 players, his staff, and a bevy of other distractions.

Doug Pederson is one of the top head coaches in the NFL and although he received a contract extension during the summer of 2018 after leading the Birds to the Super Bowl, he appears to be a bit underpaid in some circles.

After leading the Eagles to their third straight playoff appearance in 2019, Pederson might be in line for a new deal after the Minnesota Vikings started formalizing a multi-year contract extension with head coach Mike Zimmer.

Zimmer has a 59-41 record, including playoffs, and he’s the third-winningest coach in Vikings history behind the late Dennis Green (101-70) and the legendary Bud Grant (161-99).

With Zimmer at the helm, the Vikings have had one of the top defensive units in the NFL. What The Vikings and Zimmer don’t have in that timeframe is a Super Bowl.

In his six seasons as coach of the Vikings, Zimmer has made the playoffs three times, including winning two NFC North Division crowns. Pederson has led the Eagles to the playoffs in three straight seasons, including a Super Bowl in 2017.

As of today, Pederson isn’t in the top-10 highest-paid coaches in football or the top-20 highest paid in sports despite his playoff prowess.

1. Bill Belichick: $12 million
2. Pete Carroll: $11 million
3. Jon Gruden: $10 million
4. Sean Payton: $9.8 million
5. John Harbaugh: $9 million
6. Matt Rhule: $8.5 million
7. Sean McVay: $8.5 million
T-8. Mike Tomlin: $8 million
T-8. Dan Quinn: $8 million
T-8. Andy Reid: $8 million

Pederson is 38-26 over his first four seasons and hasn’t had a losing season since his first season as a head coach back in 2016. The Eagles rarely have contract disputes with coaches but it’ll be interesting to see how Howie Roseman proceeds with Pederson having two-years remaining on his current deal.

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Report: Coach Mike Zimmer, Minnesota Vikings finalizing long-term extension

Mike Zimmer is headling toward a long-term contract extension as coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer won’t have the prospect of the final season of his contract over his head anymore, per a report.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweeted Wednesday the Vikings and their coach are closing on a long-term extension.

Zimmer has a 59-41 record, which makes him the third-winningest coach in Vikings history behind Dennis Green (101-70) and Bud Grant (161-99). In his six seasons as coach of the Vikes, Zimmer’s squads have made the playoffs three times, including two NFC North Division crowns.