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Mike Zimmer waited a long time to become an NFL head coach, paying his dues as one of the most respected assistants in the league before being hired by the Minnesota Vikings last offseason. And while the Vikings finished with just a 7-9 record in 2014, Zimmer deserves an immense amount of credit for marked improvement and for guiding his team during an adverse year and unusual circumstances.
About those unusual circumstances: The team will need to make a decision about Adrian Peterson, but that's not the extent of the tasks at hand as we look ahead to 2015:
1. Make a decision on Peterson
Running back Adrian Peterson could be back on the field at the start of the 2015 season, depending on how his disciplinary issue with the NFL is resolved, though where he will be playing may be in question. With base salaries that balloon to $12.75 million, $14.75 million and $16.75 million over the next three seasons, respectively, none of which is guaranteed, it's far from a sure thing that he'll be back in Minnesota. He'll turn 30 in March, and the Vikings drafted Jerick McKinnon in the third round last May. The team wouldn't likely be able to trade Peterson, but nonetheless, Minnesota has a decision to make about whether to keep its talented running back.
2. Get the arrow pointing up for Kalil and Patterson
Two players who had disappointing seasons by the standards they have previously set were offensive tackle Matt Kalil and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. An NFL personnel man told ESPN.com that Kalil's struggles were technique-related, as he's displayed the requisite physical skills to be a blindside protector. Patterson, a dynamic open-field threat, has further development as a receiver ahead of him. Keeping the arrow pointing up for both players is critical to the team's long-range offensive outlook.
3. Fill needs at linebacker and safety
The Vikings hit a home run with their first draft pick in 2014, landing the athletic Anthony Barr, a linebacker out of UCLA. Zimmer has a long history of identifying and developing talented linebackers, and Barr has already established himself as a defensive building block. But linebacker remains an area of need for this team, particularly a young middle linebacker to eventually take over for veteran Chad Greenway. Greenway is ultra-reliable but not the greatest athlete at this point in is career, and adding speed on defense is critical for Minnesota going forward.
At safety, Harrison Smith bounced back from an injury-shortened 2013 season to re-establish himself as one of the better young defensive backs in the league. And while Robert Blanton, Smith's college teammate, has been sufficient as a starter, Blanton isn't much of an on-ball threat to force pass breakups or turnovers (just one career interception).
4. Stay the course on Bridgewater's development
I thought the Vikings put on a clinic in terms of using and developing a rookie quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater didn't have to fight questions during the preseason about being the starter (that was Matt Cassel's gig) and Zimmer hired Norv Turner and his son Scott to oversee the offense and quarterbacks. Bridgewater slid into the starting role when Cassel was placed on injured reserve, and though the youngster had some rookie moments, he truly appeared to be taking one step forward each week. 2015 could be a breakthrough season for Bridgewater.
Offseason fixes for Minnesota Vikings - NFL - ESPN
By Field Yates
About those unusual circumstances: The team will need to make a decision about Adrian Peterson, but that's not the extent of the tasks at hand as we look ahead to 2015:
1. Make a decision on Peterson
Running back Adrian Peterson could be back on the field at the start of the 2015 season, depending on how his disciplinary issue with the NFL is resolved, though where he will be playing may be in question. With base salaries that balloon to $12.75 million, $14.75 million and $16.75 million over the next three seasons, respectively, none of which is guaranteed, it's far from a sure thing that he'll be back in Minnesota. He'll turn 30 in March, and the Vikings drafted Jerick McKinnon in the third round last May. The team wouldn't likely be able to trade Peterson, but nonetheless, Minnesota has a decision to make about whether to keep its talented running back.
2. Get the arrow pointing up for Kalil and Patterson
Two players who had disappointing seasons by the standards they have previously set were offensive tackle Matt Kalil and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. An NFL personnel man told ESPN.com that Kalil's struggles were technique-related, as he's displayed the requisite physical skills to be a blindside protector. Patterson, a dynamic open-field threat, has further development as a receiver ahead of him. Keeping the arrow pointing up for both players is critical to the team's long-range offensive outlook.
3. Fill needs at linebacker and safety
The Vikings hit a home run with their first draft pick in 2014, landing the athletic Anthony Barr, a linebacker out of UCLA. Zimmer has a long history of identifying and developing talented linebackers, and Barr has already established himself as a defensive building block. But linebacker remains an area of need for this team, particularly a young middle linebacker to eventually take over for veteran Chad Greenway. Greenway is ultra-reliable but not the greatest athlete at this point in is career, and adding speed on defense is critical for Minnesota going forward.
At safety, Harrison Smith bounced back from an injury-shortened 2013 season to re-establish himself as one of the better young defensive backs in the league. And while Robert Blanton, Smith's college teammate, has been sufficient as a starter, Blanton isn't much of an on-ball threat to force pass breakups or turnovers (just one career interception).
4. Stay the course on Bridgewater's development
I thought the Vikings put on a clinic in terms of using and developing a rookie quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater didn't have to fight questions during the preseason about being the starter (that was Matt Cassel's gig) and Zimmer hired Norv Turner and his son Scott to oversee the offense and quarterbacks. Bridgewater slid into the starting role when Cassel was placed on injured reserve, and though the youngster had some rookie moments, he truly appeared to be taking one step forward each week. 2015 could be a breakthrough season for Bridgewater.
Offseason fixes for Minnesota Vikings - NFL - ESPN
By Field Yates
