What a difference a Coach (ing staff) makes ...

[jackal]

I liked Zimmer's comments after the game .. He acknowledged the work, but also pointed out, how
far the team had to go...

[Eli]

Well, it should go without saying that this team has a LONG way to go to become viable again. But it's certainly nice to see someone light a fire under their #### for a change.

[Demi]

I'm not sure I've seen him mentioned with the other positives like Colemen, but Audie Cole was all over the field. The guy has a nose for the football.

I wonder if he's just not a good practice player or what. He did just fine when he came in last year. And looks solid in every preseason game he's in. But guys like Erin and Brinkley keep getting the starting job. Hopefully he does enough this preseason to be the starting Mike by week 1!

Same with Coleman. Especially after all the other young guys they've trotted out there that looked lost more often than not.

[Eli]

I wonder if he's just not a good practice player or what. He did just fine when he came in last year. And looks solid in every preseason game he's in. But guys like Erin and Brinkley keep getting the starting job. Hopefully he does enough this preseason to be the starting Mike by week 1!

In Zimmer's post-game press conference he mentioned that he thought both MLBs did good things (Saying "I know you guys want to know about middle linebacker" to the press). Sounds like the starter is still very much up in the air.

[Laserman]

it was ONE preseason game against the Oakland Raiders. Calm down a bit. Upper half of the NFL talent wise? Are you serious? We have maybe 4 players who fit that bill and one is a Kicker. get real. I do like the Coaching changes and it seems ( So far) that players have bought in.

[Purple bruise]

I have maintained all year long in 2013 that the Vikings had as much talent as anybody, but were being held back by the QB and the ENTIRE offensive and defensive coaching staffs. I felt 2013 was the perfect example of how coaching can literally drive a juggernaut into the ground, and the only way for that idea to be proven is for a new coaching staff to show what you can do. and in one preseason game it is OBVIOUS what a difference that made. In one offensive drive, the Turner/Cassel combo looked smoother than any drive of 2013. Without exaggeration.

The defense looked sharper all over the place too and always seemed to be in the right spots to stop or prevent bigger plays. As opposed to last year where we always seemed to be in the wrong places. (Also playing prevent defense after a 3 point lead in the 1st quarter isn't a very good defensive strategy Leslie and Alan)

I am SSOOOOOOOO happy with this new team behind the new coaches. Of course it all comes down to execution and the Vikings will have their off days, but it is clear to see that a system is finally in place to encourage success. Good riddance to that vanilla playbook we've been dealing from the past few years and SKOL Vikings!!!!

So you think that the 2013 Vikings were loaded with talent ( how many pro-bowlers were named?) They had some of the worst DB's in the league (especially after Smith went down) a poor offensive pass protecting line, very poor overall linebackers, a really bad interior defensive line, and as you mentioned the QBs "held them back". Hard for me to blame all of that on coaching, the players must be held accountable for a whole lot of it,IMO.
I agree though that the coaching will be night and day different and that can only help. I still feel that the weakest part of this team will be the QB position but I am hopeful that TB will come around sooner than later. If the Vikes have to count on Cassel then it will be another very loooong season, no doubt.

[DK Sweets]

I'm pulling for Cole big time, but I wonder if Zimmer wants a thumper like Brinkley in the middle and is preparing Cole to take the Will spot next year (and dumping Greenway's salary).

[jackal]

I have been a big fan of Cole since the two interception game against Buffalo
in preseason.. He as a knack for hunting down the ball and making quick tackles

[PurpleKoolaid]

The coaching staff looked much more professional. Not sure if that matters, but it was nice to see a HC walking the sideline, talking to players and coaches, instead of standing still, arms crossed, starring at nothing. I think if bad calls are made, you will see Zimmer get on the field and talk to the refs. Hopefully not like a Harbough though. I am glad Fraizer is gone, but I hope he makes it in Tampa. He was a very likeable guy, until you heard his press conferences.

Theres so much optimism this year, I personally don't remember a year with like it. I know we were good in the 90's and people actually expected us to win games. But from the fans themselves, this year is chuck full of it. But I don't think many truthfully expect us to win many more games then 6-7. But I would love to be surprised.

[Reignman]

I have maintained all year long in 2013 that the Vikings had as much talent as anybody, but were being held back by the QB and the ENTIRE offensive and defensive coaching staffs.

You and me both brother! How long did it take Patterson to get involved on offense? Fraziers week 1 post game press conference, "it's clear we need to get Patterson more involved" ... week 10, Patterson is finally more involved. And how many injuries did it take to get the real best player at each position into the starting lineup? There's bringing young guys along slowly, and then there's just . I'm optimistic that this new staff will have the best players on the field at all times regardless of their experience.

So you think that the 2013 Vikings were loaded with talent ( how many pro-bowlers were named?) They had some of the worst DB's in the league (especially after Smith went down) a poor offensive pass protecting line, very poor overall linebackers, a really bad interior defensive line, and as you mentioned the QBs "held them back". Hard for me to blame all of that on coaching, the players must be held accountable for a whole lot of it,IMO.

Tell us how you really feel? Wow! Wait until Purple bruise reads your comment. He rakes me over the coals and calls me a negative fan simply for criticizing our special needs QB. I can't wait to see what he's going to say about a "fan" like you. I mean who throws current players under the bus in order to defend the former coaching staff? They're not even here anymore.

[Reignman]

I've had multiple friends say they noticed a huge difference, too. Hopefully we aren't all crazy.

Hold the funking phone ... 3 things ... 1) one is not considered multiple, 2) they don't count if they're imaginary, and 3) you might be crazy.

Ponder didn't have to compete for the job last summer because they were trying to develop him, to show commitment to a plan. Once Bridgewater becomes the starter, I suspect we'll see the same approach

I can't argue with that. Those who get to make these decisions were slow to realize Ponder was a bust much sooner than they should have. Or maybe they did and stubbornly stuck to their guns to the detriment of Vikings fans everywhere. And doubly unfortunate because it immediately followed an identical, unreasonably long failed commitment to one Tarvaris Fox Jackson. Nearly a decade of talented rosters wasted watching this franchise try to polish a turd at the most important position. Lets all hope Alvin Simon Theodore "Teddy" Bridgewater breaks the cycle.

I have been a big fan of Cole since the two interception game against Buffalo
in preseason.. He as a knack for hunting down the ball and making quick tackles

Haha, that's why I affectionately dubbed him "Mr. Preseason" in the game day thread. Lets hope he can start making these type of plays in the regular season and becomes a healthier version of Clay Matthews. He has the hair for it xD.

it was nice to see a HC walking the sideline, talking to players and coaches, instead of standing still, arms crossed, starring at nothing.

Refreshing wasn't it? I even liked it when he got in James grill on the sideline in the 2nd half. He looked mad about something. Not Jim Schwartz kind of mad, but just the right kind of mad xD.

[Funkytown]

Hold the funking phone ... 3 things ... 1) one is not considered multiple, 2) they don't count if they're imaginary, and 3) you might be crazy.

[Mothman]

I respectfully disagree. I think you're being overinfluenced by the W/L record in terms of evaluating the actual talent on the field. If you look at the talent individually you'll see we drastically underachieved. And as I said, the only way to prove which one of us was right will be by the performance of this squad in 2014. If they still stink then you were right. If they end up with one of the better records in the NFL than I was. The proof can only be in the pudding at this point and it'll be up to the players to do that.

It's a different team now and they'll play a different schedule too so this year's record will really only tell us about this year's Vikings. The debate will just have to rage on!

[DK Sweets]

Remember: this team went 10-6 with Simpson/Jenkins as our starters at WR, Brinkley/Henderson at LB, and Cook/Robinson playing major snaps at CB. We had some weak position groups.

[Mothman]

I didn't say the offense is NFL elite based on one quarter of one preseason game, I was saying how superior the offensive system, coaching, and playcalling is based on one quarter of one preseason game. I don't need an entire regular season to recognize that, and nor do a lot of other people. It's obvious to us, if you can't recognize it as fast as we can, that's your problem

Okay, we'll agree that's my problem.

All I'm saying is that one good drive is insufficient data to draw any firm conclusions (except about that one drive).

I qualify that statement because I can't predict that they will be a top offense yet, because they still have to actually execute the plays and all sorts of things can happen during a season that will show they still haven't grasped and mastered Turner's offense. And that can and likely will take time. But the coaching element has at least been taken care of in my opinion.

I have little doubt that Turner is a better offensive coordinator than Musgrave so we can certainly agree about that much.

That's a pretty tough draw for any NFL defense, but yes we will see how they do. But like the offense, at least the system is in place, and it will be an excellent trial by fire on their development in the first quarter of the season. I wouldn't expect any team short of the Niners or Seahawks to "shut down" those teams, but I would bet the farm we will do better than we would've done if Frazier/Williams were still running the show.

I don't see how we'll ever be able to make that determination without a fair and relatively equal comparison but I also don't think it matters. We're looking for improvement, the coaching and personnel changes on defense are intended to yield that improvement and as you said, the opponents they face early in the season will serve as an excellent 'trial by fire". Whether that goes well or not, hopefully, it will help forge the defense into a better unit and be an experience they can build upon as the season progresses.

But remember I draw these conclusions not because of a great individual play (and honestly the Raiders seemed to be off for some reason. A few more games will show if the Raiders stunk more or if we were just too dang awesome) but it was very obvious the differences in scheme from last year, and that's why its so easy to prounounce improvement in at least that department.

I agree that the difference in schemes was obvious. We'll just have to disagree on the pronouncement, at least for now. I don't put much stock in preseason games and I just can't draw such firm conclusions from so little evidence.