Has Zimmer lost control? DBs ditch his game plan

[Patler]

This is surprising. From NFL.com:

Minnesota Vikings defensive backs went rogue in Saturday's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Coach Mike Zimmer planned for corner Xavier Rhodes to shadow Jordy Nelson the entire game. Instead, Vikings corners decided to each play their side of the field.

"To be honest, I really don't want to answer that," Rhodes said, via The Star Tribune, then explained what happened.

"A matter of fact, forget it. We felt as a team, as players, we came together and we felt like we'd never done that when we played against the Packers," Rhodes said. "Us as DBs felt like we could handle him. That's how we felt as DBs that we could stay on our side and cover him. In the beginning, we'd always played against them and played our sides, so that's what we as DBs went with."

Ditching the game plan helped Nelson go off in the first half. Aaron Rodgers' favorite target complied 145 yards and two TDs on seven first-half receptions -- some of that yardage came against Rhodes. The Packers led 28-13 before the Vikings got to the locker room and Zimmer took control.

With Rhodes shadowing Nelson in the second half, the Packers' receiver caught two passes for nine yards.

"That's what he was supposed to do the whole game," Zimmer said. "Someone decided they wouldn't do that."

Zimmer said corner Terence Newman mentioned something to him on the sideline about the change in plans.

"In the first half when Terence Newman came over and said something to me like 'I can cover this guy, let me have him,'" Zimmer said. "I said, 'do what you're supposed to do.'"

Newman declined to comment on the issue saying simply, "nothing. I have no idea."

In a season that started out with so much promise before spiraling out of control, the defensive back revolt is a bad look for a Vikings team that lost its way down the stretch.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Things are in full meltdown mode in MN. I wonder if Zimmer is going to be shown the door after the season. It's either that or there needs to be a massive housecleaning of the players.

[Freak Out]

Wow. Someone needs to be shown the door. Sure looks like its the DBs. WTF?

[red]

if i was a queens fan i would be demanding the db's responsible are cut tomorrow

[George Cumby]

If things have degraded this badly, can Zimmer EVER get control back?

I doubt it. Having the GM come in and fire the DBs will hurt Zims cred, IMO.

Zimmer needs to handle this himself. I think he's toast.

[Rutnstrut]

If things have degraded this badly, can Zimmer EVER get control back?

I doubt it. Having the GM come in and fire the DBs will hurt Zims cred, IMO.

Zimmer needs to handle this himself. I think he's toast.

It's too bad because imo he is a great coach.

[RashanGary]

If we're being completely honest with ourselves, I'm pretty sure Randall did something similar last week in doing whatever he wanted instead of detailing his responsibility. He then got pulled from the game and it sounds like the only players who will play are the ones who follow the plan.

It's not completely unusual for players to pull shit like that. Coaches have to correct it though. I don't know how bad it is. Doesn't look good, but it's a small glimpse and i don't want to assume too much about it.

[gbgary]

wow. 2-6 since turner quit/retired/forced-out and now this. time for another regime change. that should keep them at bay for another season or two.

[Pugger]

What is bad is the word got out about the players disregarding the game plan. I truly think Zimmer lost this team a couple of weeks ago or so when he started to call out his players in public. Say what you will about Mac but he didn't say anything negative about his players to the press lIke Zimmer has during that 4 game losing streak.

[Patler]

If we're being completely honest with ourselves, I'm pretty sure Randall did something similar last week in doing whatever he wanted instead of detailing his responsibility. He then got pulled from the game and it sounds like the only players who will play are the ones who follow the plan.

It's not completely unusual for players to pull shit like that. Coaches have to correct it though. I don't know how bad it is. Doesn't look good, but it's a small glimpse and i don't want to assume too much about it.

It's one thing for a player to not follow all of the details of his instructions in some situations; it's something entirely different for the entire backfield to ignore the basic game plan for an entire half. If I was the coach, as soon as I was sure what was happening, I would have called a timeout and dragged their buts over to the sideline for an explanation.

[pbmax]

I think Zimmer already got control of this situation because he won the argument at halftime. In the future, he can just put on the game film from the first half to remind them what happens when you deviate from the plan.

The question is can he and the GM avoid another season where a promising 5-0 start is shredded by 4, 2 and 2 game losing streaks?

He'll be find if the team can have success moving forward.

As an aside, pretty sure there is a veteran FA involved in these shenanigans. Seems like he brought along an agenda of his own to the team he is helping.

[King Friday]

I don't put the blame for this on Zimmer...but the Vikings organization is clearly facing a boatload of trouble, something which they have become very familiar with during recent years.

The fact of the matter was that THIS YEAR was the one the Vikings were hoping would produce a push deep into the playoffs...one that would give their young potential franchise QB experience and confidence to lead the team forward once AP retired. Instead, their young potential franchise QB may now never become the player they hoped due to a horrific injury...and now they are stuck with Sam Bradford, who will never be a franchise caliber QB.

This won't be a very good week for the Vikings players who dared to go their own way. You can damn well be certain that Zimmer now knows the situation and the principle players. He will single them out and embarrass them with game film that proves they aren't nearly as good as they think they are. The point will be made rather emphatically for Zimmer thanks to Rodgers and Jordy absolutely slicing up the Viking secondary yesterday. Those players will lose a lot of respect in the locker room...because they made it harder for ALL of the Vikings players to perform at a high level.

Zimmer is a good coach, but he's been dealt a very difficult hand going forward. This will be a trying offseason for the Vikings and the ultimate success of the team in the future will depend on the solidarity of the front office in cleaning house of the bad apples.

[Pugger]

Is Zimmer as wonderful as some here are stating? How in the hell did he lose this locker room? They've had a boat load of injuries but so have other teams. I truly believe he lost his players the moment he began to throw them under the bus in his press conferences. He probably is one of those coaches who isn't HCing material and is more suited to be a DC.

[BZnDallas]

Is Zimmer as wonderful as some here are stating? How in the hell did he lose this locker room? They've had a boat load of injuries but so have other teams. I truly believe he lost his players the moment he began to throw them under the bus in his press conferences. He probably is one of those coaches who isn't HCing material and is more suited to be a DC.

I'd take him. FIRE DOM, and hire Zim as DC (unless there is a HC gig available, which is very possible). Especially if they fire him. Let him come back and get revenge on Minny twice a year. Oh I'd love to see the things he could do with this defense.

[King Friday]

I'd take him. FIRE DOM, and hire Zim as DC (unless there is a HC gig available, which is very possible). Especially if they fire him. Let him come back and get revenge on Minny twice a year. Oh I'd love to see the things he could do with this defense.

Absolutely. If he were to get fired, I would want Green Bay to take a SERIOUS look at grabbing him. Capers is close to applesauce and 6pm bedtimes at this point...he's had a hell of a career, but I think it is time to move on if an upgrade is available.