The Vikings 9th Head Coach is...

[frosted]

Yes, but it doesn't exclude the talent. The players are still the ones on the court or, to get back to football, on the field. It's too simplistic to just say "Frazier had no answers", as if that in itself is a logical explanation for late 4th quarter collapses.

I understand that coaching plays a role in key game situations. What I don't understand is why so many fans seem keen to ignore the role the players on the field, who are actually playing the game, play in those situations. Is the need to have one individual to blame that compelling?

Personally I believe the talent was lacking. This wasn't a Super Bowl team, no matter how you look at it. The players deserve some of the blame for the way the season went, as does Spielman and the coordinators. Unfortunately, Leslie was the head coach, and as is usually the case, the head coach gets the majority of the blame. Not to say he didn't deserve some of that blame. He definitely does. Just saying it was his only fault is misguided, however.

Now, that said, I don't think he is or ever has been a great head coach. A great man, a good football mind, but nothing I have seen leads me to form the opinion that he is a great head coach. That's just my opinion. I don't think he was really even qualified to get the jobwith in the first place.

I'm not saying Zimmer will be a great coach either, FWIW.

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[frosted]

I do think much of the blame for situations such as the five late game collapses is more on Williams and Frazier than on the players. There were so many times the defensive calls in those situations left you scratching your head. At first I wondered if the players were just failing to execute, but at one point some of the defensive players even voiced their displeasure with the defensive playcall late in games. Again, not all of that blame falls on Leslie by any means, but to say he was ''doomed' by the talent is a bit of a stretch. It goes both ways. We need(ed) an improvement from both the players and the coaching staff.

I guess what I am trying to say is that Frazier deserved to be fired as much as some of the players deserve to be fired. You can play the Frazier was in a lose-lose situation card all day, but I would counter by saying a lot of the players said to have contributed to the lack of talent Frazier had to work with were in lose-lose situations themselves. Playing in a scheme they didn't fit into and being put in bad positions all season long.

Continuity, and allowing a coach time to get things figured out is also a great point, but the coach needs to earn that right. There needs to be improvement and progress in my opinion.

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[Texas Vike]

Classic Wobschal interview.

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... 8802166f3e

Love how he tells him to "get to work" at the end, as if he were his boss.

[CbusVikesFan]

Classic Wobschal interview.

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/vide ... 8802166f3e

Love how he tells him to "get to work" at the end, as if he were his boss.

I watched this earlier in the day and had to back up the video to make sure that is what Wobby said. That was pretty good. I think we all share the same sentiment.

[Slick Rick]

Couldn't be more pleased with the coach we got. Zimmer has a great reputation, and the support he has from Bengals players, fans and the media has been overwhelming, and just says a lot about his character.

I think the Vikings made the right choice, and I think this is probably just the first step in what I expect to be an excellent offseason.

[MountainGirl]

Couldn't be more pleased with the coach we got. Zimmer has a great reputation, and the support he has from Bengals players, fans and the media has been overwhelming, and just says a lot about his character.

I think the Vikings made the right choice, and I think this is probably just the first step in what I expect to be an excellent offseason.

Yes, this was the best choice. I am excited to see how quickly he can turn around this team. I think it just took him a couple of years to turn the Bengals defense into top 10.

[J. Kapp 11]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/fuji ... ach-011614

This is a great read on Zimmer. Scott Fujita, a former player of Zimmer's wrote it. Pretty amazing some of the things he says.


...The biggest thing that stuck out at me was:
^This past season....we were awful in specific game situations such as our "two minute drill", blowing games, play calling, etc. That boils down to one person. It's nice to see Zimmer is the complete opposite!

I don't know where coaching falls on the continuum of success in the NFL. I don't know whether player talent or coaching acumen matters more, or whether that's even important. But I do know this ...

THIS is a great read. Scott Fujita is a very good writer. As a professional writer myself, I'm extremely impressed.

And I have to say, this convinces me. I was excited about the Zimmer hire before I read this. Now I can't wait for next season.

Vikings brethren, read this carefully. It's good stuff. I think it's time to stop comparing what Zimmer could be to what Leslie Frazier was or wasn't. Mike Zimmer is our coach. And if this article is even half true, we're going to be in good hands.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I don't know where coaching falls on the continuum of success in the NFL. I don't know whether player talent or coaching acumen matters more, or whether that's even important. But I do know this ...

THIS is a great read. Scott Fujita is a very good writer. As a professional writer myself, I'm extremely impressed.

And I have to say, this convinces me. I was excited about the Zimmer hire before I read this. Now I can't wait for next season.

Vikings brethren, read this carefully. It's good stuff. I think it's time to stop comparing what Zimmer could be to what Leslie Frazier was or wasn't. Mike Zimmer is our coach. And if this article is even half true, we're going to be in good hands.

Well said Mr. Kapp

[Delaqure]

I do think much of the blame for situations such as the five late game collapses is more on Williams and Frazier than on the players. There were so many times the defensive calls in those situations left you scratching your head. At first I wondered if the players were just failing to execute, but at one point some of the defensive players even voiced their displeasure with the defensive playcall late in games. Again, not all of that blame falls on Leslie by any means, but to say he was ''doomed' by the talent is a bit of a stretch. It goes both ways. We need(ed) an improvement from both the players and the coaching staff.

I guess what I am trying to say is that Frazier deserved to be fired as much as some of the players deserve to be fired. You can play the Frazier was in a lose-lose situation card all day, but I would counter by saying a lot of the players said to have contributed to the lack of talent Frazier had to work with were in lose-lose situations themselves. Playing in a scheme they didn't fit into and being put in bad positions all season long.

Continuity, and allowing a coach time to get things figured out is also a great point, but the coach needs to earn that right. There needs to be improvement and progress in my opinion.

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I agree completely. Frazier and Co deserved to be fired for their decision making and overall coaching. Players deserve to be fired for their poor play. There were so many times I wondered what on earth this staff was doing regarding their game calling and many times I wondered what on earth certain players were doing as well. So blame falls on both and both need to be let go.

We can't fire a whole team and the whole team doesn't need to be fired but certain players do. We probably dont need to fire the entire coaching staff either but some coaches do need to be let go. I think we got the coaching thing right now lets start on the players.

[losperros]

I find the hiring of Zimmer and the incoming new coordinators to be exciting. Then again, I no longer care about who did what last season. Was Frazier in over his head? Maybe. But not anymore. It just became old news.

Back to Zimmer, there is a new sheriff in town and we'll see if he can help clean the place up. And it needs it. Of course, as we all know, Zimmer can't do it alone anymore than any other head coach can. Spielman and the entire staff have to step up, too.

That includes filling some talent gaps on the defense, plus finding and coaching a new QB. Yes, I think player talent does matter. I guess that's why I'm also excited about the upcoming draft and free agency.

[MountainGirl]

This is very encouraging. He can't wait to stand up on the podium and watch the super bowl trophy being handed to the owners. He didn't talk about if, but WHEN. another quote..."Im doing a disservice to my players if I'm not honest with them."

[Funkytown]

This is very encouraging. He can't wait to stand up on the podium and watch the super bowl trophy being handed to the owners. He didn't talk about if, but WHEN. another quote..."Im doing a disservice to my players if I'm not honest with them."

Definitely loved those parts.

[Pondering Her Percy]

via Rotoworld:

Vikings DT Sharrif Floyd says he's excited to play for new coach Mike Zimmer.
Floyd, the No. 23 pick in last April's draft, projects to fill the Geno Atkins role as an interior pass rusher in Minnesota. He recorded 2.5 sacks as a rookie while rotating in behind Kevin Williams. Williams is now a free agent and may not return. NFL Films guru Greg Cosell called Floyd "without question" the top talent in the 2013 draft. Floyd drew comparisons to Warren Sapp last winter.

I have a feeling Floyd is going to be a beast this coming year. I never realized that Cosell said that about him. Either way, it's very encouraging.

[Webbfann]

I have a feeling Floyd is going to be a beast this coming year. I never realized that Cosell said that about him. Either way, it's very encouraging.

Who is that in your avatar? It looks like Chuck Berry, lol.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Who is that in your avatar? It looks like Chuck Berry, lol.

hahahaha It's Patterson on draft day.