01-03-2022, 03:06 PM
In sorting through the rubble, it's abundantly clear that Zimmer bungled two strategic decisions in preparing for what felt like a make-or-break season.First, he overestimated his offense's production in 2020 by believing young, unproven coordinator Klint Kubiak could handle being a first-time play-caller when the results have proven otherwise. He wasn't ready for the job.
Second, both Spielman and Zimmer rebuilt their defense on the fly with veterans who did not pan out the way they envisioned, most notably in the secondary.
An offense blessed with high-end talent at skill positions never reached its full capacity because Kubiak appeared overmatched after exhausting his scripted plays, and Zimmer compounded problems with his time-warp love affair with running the ball.
The Vikings entered Sunday's game ranked 12th in the NFL in scoring. An offense that features Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and an accurate passer in Cousins should not finish outside the top-10 in scoring.
Spielman has invested heavily in the offensive line in recent years, but the interior remains a liability.
And starting Mannion over rookie third-round pick Kellen Mond on Sunday served as an indictment on Mond, Spielman's scouting and Zimmer's coaching staff.
The offense wasn't nearly as good as he advertised — not top-10 in scoring last season either — and the defense made only marginal improvement.
Zimmer's unit ranks among the NFL's worst in yards allowed and rushing defense. When a defensive head coach rolls out an unreliable defense, there's only so much blame to share.
This is a Zimmer problem and a Spielman problem. A coaching problem and a personnel problem.
The rebuilt secondary undercut the defense all season. Former first-round pick Jeff Gladney's legal trouble cost him employment. Spielman's offseason cornerback signings of Bashaud Breeland and Mackensie Alexander flopped, meaning the secondary needs to be reconfigured again this offseason.
There have been more disappointing Vikings seasons, but this has been one weird team. Something seemed amiss from the start. Ultimately, the blame falls on the shoulders of the coach and GM. Their operation, their failure.
https://www.startribune.com/bungling-vik...600132193/
Second, both Spielman and Zimmer rebuilt their defense on the fly with veterans who did not pan out the way they envisioned, most notably in the secondary.
An offense blessed with high-end talent at skill positions never reached its full capacity because Kubiak appeared overmatched after exhausting his scripted plays, and Zimmer compounded problems with his time-warp love affair with running the ball.
The Vikings entered Sunday's game ranked 12th in the NFL in scoring. An offense that features Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and an accurate passer in Cousins should not finish outside the top-10 in scoring.
Spielman has invested heavily in the offensive line in recent years, but the interior remains a liability.
And starting Mannion over rookie third-round pick Kellen Mond on Sunday served as an indictment on Mond, Spielman's scouting and Zimmer's coaching staff.
The offense wasn't nearly as good as he advertised — not top-10 in scoring last season either — and the defense made only marginal improvement.
Zimmer's unit ranks among the NFL's worst in yards allowed and rushing defense. When a defensive head coach rolls out an unreliable defense, there's only so much blame to share.
This is a Zimmer problem and a Spielman problem. A coaching problem and a personnel problem.
The rebuilt secondary undercut the defense all season. Former first-round pick Jeff Gladney's legal trouble cost him employment. Spielman's offseason cornerback signings of Bashaud Breeland and Mackensie Alexander flopped, meaning the secondary needs to be reconfigured again this offseason.
There have been more disappointing Vikings seasons, but this has been one weird team. Something seemed amiss from the start. Ultimately, the blame falls on the shoulders of the coach and GM. Their operation, their failure.
https://www.startribune.com/bungling-vik...600132193/
![[Image: excuses-files.gif]](https://c.tenor.com/1BjvH4DqWDgAAAAd/excuses-files.gif)
