When it comes to the coaching jobs of the Minnesota Vikings things continue to move at a gradual place, but that hasn’t prevented the expected from becoming reality.
The Vikings had to wait for some language regarding Norv Turner’s contract in Cleveland to be hashed out before they could officially hire him, but reports indicate that deals are now official making Turner the team’s offensive coordinator and George Edwards the defensive coordinator.
Turner is an NFL institution in his own right that has had a storied NFL career. His offensive coordinator stints are held in much higher regard than his head coaching attempts, but I am as excited about this hire as any other possibilities this offseason. Turner’s resume suggests that the Vikings will turn into a well-prepared offense capable of developing quarterback talent, able to make Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Rudolph even more dangerous threats, while continuing to highlight Adrian Peterson’s power style to keep defenses on their toes.
Edwards is likely to have less power than Turner. Head coach Mike Zimmer made it clear he plans to be heavily involved in refurbishing this defense. Both have experience in a variety of schemes and it makes sense that Minnesota would target a guy specializing in linebacker play given their recent lack of production out of that position.
Our new coaching staff has rejuvenated optimism within the ranks of Vikings fans, but key roster moves are needed next, and that is what excites me most about these hires. Now that we know a little bit about the direction of this team we can start the speculation machine… time for some free agency and draft features!
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I'm as excited as I have been in many years for this team. A complete housing cleaning is what I thought we needed and now it's happened.
I was especially encouraged to see not one negative comment about Coach Zimmer from past players, coaches and owns alike. The guy is obviously a highly respected coach and after being in the league as long as he has, that says a lot.
And then to get Turner as our OC, wow!
The next most important move will be the QB position and it will be interesting to see what Turner does with our existing players. It wouldn't surprise me a bit to see him keep two of them, maybe even Freeman bring one of the two.
There is talk that DE Michael Jackson (Bengal franchise player last year) may follow Zimmer to the Vikes. I really don't know much about him other than he's huge, 6'7" and Zimmer likes him. He'll probably cost too much but he'd sure be a good replacement for Jared.
VERY exciting times for the Minnesota Vikings!
Michael Johnson would be a nice get for the Vikes. His sack total dropped like a rock this season but it was clear, while watching the Bengals, that Zimmer's defense revolved around him in a number of ways.
I saw that sack stat too. Went from 11.5 in 2012 to 3.5 in '13.
Big drop, for sure.
Other than that, if the Zim likes him, so do I :)
Adam/Brett,
I have been busy the past week and haven't found any info yet so I'll ask here; with the Zimmer hire are we moving to the 3 4? Will we be running a hybrid defense like in Seattle/sf?
PS: Tom Brady is still awesome the rest of the offense in NE is just awful.
Zimmer runs 4-3. Zimmer was forced to run 3-4 in Dallas, but prefers 4-3.
Both Zimmer and Edwards have experience with the 3-4. I imagine we'll see some more creative approaches than what we saw under the Tampa-2 but our base seems very likely to be a 4-3.
I did some digging now that i have time. Zimmer already said he'd run a scheme to match his players, he hasn't decided on one yet.
That was gruesome, Bowman is done for the season.
What the hell was that from Sherman? Show some respect dude...Go Broncos.
Agreed. Go Broncos! Hope they kick the crap out of Minnesota West
what that was, cc, was arrogance and classlessness. he's good, but he ain't cool
Sherman is classless.
He sounds straight out of the hood. will be rooting for the Peyton and the Broncos .
Yeah, Sherman was well below the Randy Moss line, both in the end zone and with a microphone in his face. That would really sour the victory if I had a player act like that.
"Below the Randy Moss"
Good one Coach!
sf-sea, just goes to show, again, that you can win with a good defense. i watched this game thinking, here's what we have to shoot for
peyton manning has had a really great year and won't make the mistakes that kaep made. bit surprised den won as easy as they did. should be a good SB
Normally I'd be rooting for the Seahawks but after seeing Richard Sherman's "Play", I'm hoping Manning throws a few fades for TD's over him.
Should be a great game; #1 D vs #1 O.
It should be a good game...Don't believe the Seadderall Hawks have faced a QB like Manning.
Freds doesn't have a clue if Zimmer is a good hire or not , but if he doesn't have a quarterback that is competent, he will end up being a crappy head coach that's for sure. The only reason Freds enjoys the fact that Zim is our head coach, is that Freds can't wait for a good meltdown on the side lines. I'm not talking about a Jim Harbaugh whinning fit, I mean something like.... when Chris Cook gets his butt burned for the third time in one game, old Zim calls for a transport cart, asks Cook to stand next to the cart, then punches him in the throat, rolls him onto the cart and yells.. " get this bag of crap out of my site!!" and the cart rolls into the tunnel. Freds wants old Zim to go "BJohnny" on the sidelines....no offense Johnny, but you know damn well, you'd like to have done that to Cook.
By the way, if your old pal Fragile had a son that acted like Seattle's defensive back Dick Sherman after the game yesterday Dick would have received a call last evening from his old dad Freds, and it would have started like this. "Son, I couldn't be more proud of your growth as a football player, congratulations on reaching what is the pinnacle of your profession. I'd like you to join me for dinner tomorrow evening. Apparently I haven't done my job as your father and I'd like to apologize to you in person for letting you down. Perhaps you'd allow me another chance in explaining sportsmanship, and the value of carrying our family name. I am proud to carry the name Sherman, I hope you will guard this name like your father and those men that that carried the same name before you."
excellent, freds. thumbs up for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-J2wJ8KOXU
That is sweet, Cal. Absolutely sweet. Apparently Childs is above the "mediocre" line.
I believe that's Jarius Wright, Coach. Sweet indeed. He even threw an arm out there...to no avail. Sherman got schooled.
Right, Cart. Thanks.
Fred,
Maybe Cook won't be there this year for Zimmer to yell at.
I can only hope, Tired of him...
PS: Mickey Mouse says Hi !
Mine would have been more along the lines of, "You have already embarrassed this family enough for the next five years, so you will say nothing other than yes or no to any media person for the next two weeks, and the next two years after that. Is that clear? And if you ever flash that choke signal at an opponent again, the next set of hands around your neck will be mine. Is that clear?"