16 Comments
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Pollock34's avatar

So happy that Zimmer has been given the opportunity to build up another roster without looking over his shoulder everyday. Hopefully alleviates some of the tension you've mentioned around the organization. Potentially get to see Zimm pick another qb in the next few years .... Or get Teddy back ;) .. a man can dream.

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Ken's avatar

They needed to get this done he's been at the top of the game and would had been impossible to replace but I wished they could have kept one of the last offensive coordinator and made him like co-Head coach or something

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AT King's avatar

Happy they resigned him. Seemed like a "grass isn't always greener on the other side" deal if they were to have let him walk

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Ron Rubin's avatar

Overdue

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Steve's avatar

Not that it was in doubt but having this depth of instant reaction is exactly why a subscription to Purple Insider is worth it.

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Steve's avatar

Oh and same with the recent Irv Smith article - in depth, illustrative analysis in a wasteland of NFL content with so little happening right now. Great stuff.

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Matthew Coller's avatar

Really appreciate that, Steve. Support from all of you great folks here in the comments is the reason that I get to keep doing it.

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Masaki's avatar

I knew the Wilfs were going to extend Zimmer's contract eventually. Had it not happened, it would've been awkward for his new co-defensive coordinators, too. If I were the Wilfs, my only peeve with Zimmer's performance last year is that he was 2-4 within the division.

I'm excited to see what Zimmer will do with the new young nucleus of talent on his defense, though. I believe Harrison Smith is the only holdover from the Frazier era.

One question: Had the Vikings lost to the Saints in the Wild Card game last year, would it have been as simple to promote Kevin Stefanski to replace Zimmer? Don't you have to go through outside and minority candidates per the Roony Rule?

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Jim Schultz's avatar

I think Zimmer is a very likable and a good coach, however I have 2 mentions. 1) Can a defensive head coach win the SB with today's NFL rules. 2) I have concern of his what appears to be (as I'm not there) interest in offense, but not concerned if Kubiak sticks around. Hes had good results with not so great QBs. Let's see if Bill is so great without Brady. I would have extended as well. Guess I still wonder if it's better to go with offensive vs defense head coach these days.

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andrew stead's avatar

You're far from alone on that point, but if you look at the last 20 years: BB, Tomlin, Cowher, Dungy (who probably deserves Gruden's, too) Carroll, and Harbaugh weren't offensive guys, and that's 12 Lombardis. Frankly, Kubiak's D carried the Broncos to a win, and Coughlin's Giants won twice with a combined 38 points scored, buoyed by their pass rush (and healthy dollop of luck). Hell, until 5 months ago Andy Reid couldn't win, and even then he coached so well that his team was down 24-zip in a divisional game--which isn't ideal.

We know that Zimmer can win. It's hard to find a good coach or a good QB, but when either one is in the building keep him there as long as possible.

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Lancer's avatar

I think this is a no brainer, but I have to admit I was concerned. I think Zimmer is a helluva coach, and now that there is an OC with which he is comfortable, I think this team will retool and be a contender well into the future. Good on the Wilfs!

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Rzuppelli's avatar

I think that the number of things that do NOT "irk" Zim could be counted on two hands. Like him as a coach, he just seems like a"get off my lawn" type of chap.

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Bob's avatar

Now what happens with Speilman. Do you think he will get extended too?

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Matthew Coller's avatar

After the draft they had and with the overall direction of the roster, I'd be pretty surprised if that didn't happen

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andrew stead's avatar

It's fair to point out the lack of continuity at OC.

Turner's had success in the league, but his inability/refusal to adapt was criminal. One can run whatever the hell one wants behind Tunei-Newton-Stepnowski-Gogan-Williams, including the Triangle Offence or a neutral zone trap, and it will work. Asking a QB to take 7 step drops with TJ effin' Clemmings and Sirles as the OTs was criminal.

The extension was easily the right call, but do you see any risk that Kubiak stays for a year or so and then gets another HC gig (and one would presume, takes Klint with him)?

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Matthew Coller's avatar

Kubiak said straight up that he wasn't interested in being a head coach anymore. Certainly that can change but he seems to really love this situation. I think he stays as long as Zimmer does

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