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Minnesota Vikings: Mike Zimmer trying to ‘put it all together’

By Adam Carlson

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The Minnesota Vikings have this week off from football.

Many squads dread an early bye week because it means that there will be a longer stretch at the end of the season that doesn’t allow them a chance to rest.  However, in the case of the Vikings, that could be a great thing as many players on the team are currently struggling with their health and they will be facing off against some very tough teams soon.

Even though Minnesota has the day off, head coach Mike Zimmer seems to never turn off his football mind.  While the players get to relax with only one practice this week, Zimmer’s mind is always moving, trying to figure out what he can do to make the Vikings a better team.

Zimmer spoke about the bye week and what is to come in a recent article on the ESPN website:

"“We have to execute better. Sometimes with this team, it seems like when we get in big games everyone wants to make a play instead of, ‘Hey, look here, this is my job. I’m going to do my job.’ So that’s just something I’m going to have to continue to figure out.”"

Oct 4, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer talks with head linesman Jerry Bergman (91) during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

You can bet that Mike Zimmer will continue to teach his players to execute the plays and perform their assignments.  It’s through that kind of discipline that the big defensive plays can turn into game changers.

We saw some of these kind of plays against the Denver Broncos last week, when Anthony Barr jumped a route to intercept Peyton Manning and Harrison Smith netted another pick later in the game.  Sadly, the Minnesota Vikings lost that game, and the goal is to turn those narrow losses into wins.

"“They want to be with all the elite teams in the league. I think every time we get in these situations and we’re able to teach and we’re able to coach and we’re able to fight back like we did in that ballgame, I think these are all great learning experiences with a young football team. At some point in time, we’re going to get over the hump.”"

Right now, the Minnesota Vikings are sitting at a 2-2 record with a 1-0 record in the division.  It will be hard to catch 4-0 Green Bay barring some kind of meltdown with the Packers, so every single win will count if the boys in purple want to be a playoff team in 2015.

"“I’m not happy with where we’re at. I think we have a chance to be a good football team. And if we ever do put it all together, we could be a really good football team. But that’s a lot of ifs and injuries and all kinds of things. But there’s a lot of football left to be played.”"

Hopefully, the Minnesota Vikings can “put it all together” and show the NFL that they are a real contender.  The team will get a chance to do just that when they return from their bye to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on October 18, 2015.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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