Mike Zimmer would like to see receivers and defensive backs participate in non-contact one-on-one drills at the combine.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer spoke to SI’s Don Banks from the combine about various topics, including ways the combine itself could be improved.
One thing Zimmer would like to see added to the schedule? Something that might help coaches and scouts get a better feel for how receivers and defensive backs work against each other (via SI.com):
"When you’re talking about on-the-field drills I’d like to see the receivers go against the DBs, a little one-on-one. Not necessarily contact but you see them going against each other a little bit. These drills are all so stagnant in how they run things."
Zimmer admits it’s unlikely that the NFL would ever allow such drills to be added to the combine schedule. The way players are dropping out of running the 40 this year, maybe the NFL should look into one-on-one stuff. Gotta keep those ratings up!
In addition to that, Zimmer also spoke briefly about the Vikings’ new stadium and whether he thinks it could give the team a bump in the first year. The coach admitted he’s done some research on whether a new stadium can really help a team, but said in the end it doesn’t matter where you’re playing, the better team is going to win.
Next: Zimmer wants the right guy at safety
Zimmer also addressed the defensive line depth in this year’s draft and took a moment to praise the work of defensive line coach Andre Patterson, giving Patterson credit for the Vikings’ ability to develop players like Danielle Hunter so quickly.