Minnesota Vikings: It’s time to stop giving Mike Zimmer a pass

The Minnesota Vikings are off to a rough start this season and the time has come to stop making excuses for their head coach.

If you’ve ever watched Sesame Street, whether growing up as a child or watching with your child as a parent, you know that what makes that show special is their demonstration of kind-heartedness.

Among all the things they teach on the show (friendship, community, etc.), probably at the top of their list is teaching the importance of giving as it reflects of selflessness.

As of today there is only one television show that has surpassed Sesame Street in emphasizing the value of giving and that is the defense of the Minnesota Vikings.

Since the second half of their 2017 divisional round playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, the Vikings’ defensive unit has been beyond gracious in their charitable ways to opposing offenses.

Known as one of the greatest defensive minds in the National Football League, Mike Zimmer’s defense is currently 27th in the league in yards allowed per play, 22nd in points allowed per game, and 23rd in passing yards allowed per game.

Going back to the playoffs, Minnesota’s defense has given up just over 26 points per contest, a 10 point increase compared to their number one status last year.

Everyone is well aware of the remarkable turnaround this franchise has had since Zimmer took over in 2014. Let’s not forget that the primary cause of the turnaround was due to the defense.

Thanks to the Vikings head coach, Xavier Rhodes developed into a shutdown corner with the catch-phrase “Rhodes Closed” attached to his brand. Since the Saints game though, the Rhodes have been wide open.

Opposing quarterbacks are no longer reluctant to target Rhodes as he has looked lost in coverage.

One example to look at is back at Minnesota’s Week 3 game where the only reason Rhodes didn’t give up a touchdown on the Buffalo Bills’ second possession was due to Bills receiver Kelvin Benjamin dropping a wide open pass on a slant route.

Under Zimmer, Eric Kendricks turned into one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL. He’s been a ghost so far in 2018.

You rarely hear the names of Harrison Smith (who is a future first ballot Hall of Famer), Andrew Sendejo (coming off his best season in 2017), and Linval Joseph (who is known as one of the best defensive tackles in the league).

While Zimmer deserves all the credit in the world for his work done in Minnesota, something that cannot be ignored is that the NFL is a “What have you done for me lately?” league.

Lately, Zimmer’s defensive personnel look like they’ve lost their fire, their swagger. They appear as if they feel sorry for themselves. Slice it however you want to. This falls on Zimmer.

Let’s also not forget how Zimmer got out front and center to emphatically refute rumored reports that the Vikings were fielding trade offers for linebacker Anthony Barr earlier this year.

"“I was made aware of an erroneous report about Anthony Barr. Anthony is my guy. Number one, we are unequivocally not trying to trade Anthony. He was my first draft pick we have ever had with me. He’s helped this defense go from 32nd or 31st or whatever it is to being pretty good, and so there’s no, none whatsoever, truth to that rumor.”"

Well isn’t that just beautiful?

Although Barr has been underwhelming following his rookie season, with even Zimmer himself speaking up on how the linebacker has the tendency to coast, this blind allegiance to one of his defensive captains may have proven to be costly. Barr has no doubt been Minnesota’s worst defensive player through the first quarter of the season as his trade value has all but plummeted.

Where do we even start?

Minnesota Vikings

How about getting taken out of a pass rush attempt by a running back in Green Bay? How about the half ass tackle attempt by Barr on an Aaron Rodgers’ pass to Devante Adams which resulted in a touchdown?

We already know what happened in Los Angeles last Thursday against the Rams, but how about the swinging gate performance from the linebacker against Buffalo in Week 3? How about Barr allowing Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen to gallup over him like a horse competing in the Kentucky derby?

This is the guy Zimmer stuck up for?

Speaking of Allen, the rookie has received heavy criticism with his accuracy coming into the league due to his 56 percent completion rate in his collegiate career. So how is it possible that he’s only completed an average of 53 percent of his passes in his three starts this season, yet he was able to complete 68 percent of his throws against Zimmer’s defense at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 3?

So just to recap:

• After blowing a 17-0 lead to the Saints and after the 53-yard field goal made by Kai Forbath to put the Vikings back up 23-21 with 1:29 left in regulation, the defense had an opportunity to end the game on 4th and 10 with 45 seconds left in regulation at the Minnesota 46-yard line.

However, Zimmer’s defense gave up a fourth down conversion on a 13-yard completion by New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees which ultimately led to the Saints going up again 24-23. Zimmer’s only playoff win was thanks to one of the greatest plays in history on the offensive side of the ball, which he had nothing to do with.

• Zimmer was severely out-coached by Philadelphia’s Doug Pederson in last season’s NFC Championship game, resulting in a 38-7 Vikings loss to the Eagles.
• Zimmer had the entire 2018 offseason to learn from the playoffs and to fix the defense. Instead, Minnesota’s opponents this year have just continued from where Philadelphia left off last season.

Is the 2018 season lost for the Vikings? Of course not. Zimmer could certainly find a way to right the ship for Minnesota this year.

However, this whole idea that he deserves a pass and warrants zero criticism is hogwash. Although, if that’s the narrative we’re going with then hell, let’s build him a statue now.

If my memory serves me correctly, every player, coach, and general manager is required to perform at a satisfying level. If not, then eventually they will be replaced. Zimmer, as a coach, has not performed well this season.

This is your defense, Zimmer. Fix it.