Mike Zimmer Names Starting MLB, SS After Media Goading
By Dan Zinski
Earlier this week, Mike Zimmer showed himself to be a proponent of the Brad Childress “secret squirrel” approach when he refused to name his starting Mike linebacker or strong safety for this weekend’s opener against the Rams.
More from Minnesota Vikings News
- Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
- Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
- 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
- Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022
- Vikings have reportedly begun extension talks with T.J. Hockenson
Keep ’em guessing Mike!
Well, apparently Zimmer isn’t quite as stubborn and shady as Brad Childress after all, because on Wednesday he reversed course and offered up the names of his #1 Mike and strong safety.
Per Zimmer, Jasper Brinkley will get the start at MLB and Robert Blanton at SS.
Why the change in approach? Apparently Zimmer was just sick of being asked about the situation.
Mike Zimmer saying so he doesn't get the Q anymore: Jasper Brinkley is the starting mike linebacker, Strong Safety is Robert Blanton
— Dawn Mitchell (@DawnAtFOX9) September 3, 2014
And you thought the main stream media were good for nothing. Apparently those guys do have some influence after all. They goaded Mike Zimmer into giving up the names of his starters.
Congratulations Twin Cities media, you finally showed that you are good for something.
Though Zimmer did finally relent and give up the names of his starters for this week, the coach reminds us that these are just temporary situations.
Zimmer mentioned that he likes Brinkley’s run-stopping ability against the Rams, who figure to feature the run a lot with backup QB Shaun Hill in the game. So it’s really more a match-up thing.
Maybe, when the Vikings play a pass-happy team, we’ll see the better coverage linebacker Audie Cole get the start.
Robert Blanton is starting, Zim indicated, because he made the fewest mistakes in preseason and because his cornerback experience gives him good man-to-man cover abilities. But Blanton’s starting status is week-to-week also.
This is information Zim would have been happy to keep to himself, but reporters kept asking so he coughed it up.