ESPN: Cowboys could look to trade for Zimmer

As ridiculous as it sounds, I have a feeling this isn't off the table even if we win. 

There has been a lot of speculation that Zimmer will go to the Cowboys. I don't know if there is anything to it other than just to generate stories. 

Like I said in the other thread about Zimmer...  I think it would be a mistake to let him go.  That said, I don't know how the organization feels about Zimmer, Stefanski, etc.  If the front office is really high on Stefanski as a HC candidate and Zimmer is getting worn out and wouldn't mind a change of scenery...  maybe it makes sense to make the move this offseason?

The only thing that makes me pause is this...  if we move on from Zimmer and potentially move on from Cousins (or make decisions that will let us move on after 2020)...  what happens to Spielman?  Are we looking at a total shakeup from GM to HC?  And you know Zimmer would likely pluck some of our current staff to take with him to Dallas...  does that mean Coach Dre and others leave too?  With what he has done on our defensive line, I'd hate to lose him.

F that!

Hmmmm.  Would Kubiak be amenable to a HC gig again?  I thought I read somewhere those days were behind him.  Or keep KS as HC and make the Kubiak clan as offensive coordinators?

Zimmer for two firsts and an OL of our choice.  

deal.  

@"Vanguard83" said: F that!

I'll second that.

@"Wetlander" said: Like I said in the other thread about Zimmer...  I think it would be a mistake to let him go.  That said, I don't know how the organization feels about Zimmer, Stefanski, etc.  If the front office is really high on Stefanski as a HC candidate and Zimmer is getting worn out and wouldn't mind a change of scenery...  maybe it makes sense to make the move this offseason?

The only thing that makes me pause is this...  if we move on from Zimmer and potentially move on from Cousins (or make decisions that will let us move on after 2020)...  what happens to Spielman?  Are we looking at a total shakeup from GM to HC?  And you know Zimmer would likely pluck some of our current staff to take with him to Dallas...  does that mean Coach Dre and others leave too?  With what he has done on our defensive line, I'd hate to lose him.

Pretty sure this is just about Zimmer. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Wetlander" said: Like I said in the other thread about Zimmer...  I think it would be a mistake to let him go.  That said, I don't know how the organization feels about Zimmer, Stefanski, etc.  If the front office is really high on Stefanski as a HC candidate and Zimmer is getting worn out and wouldn't mind a change of scenery...  maybe it makes sense to make the move this offseason?

The only thing that makes me pause is this...  if we move on from Zimmer and potentially move on from Cousins (or make decisions that will let us move on after 2020)...  what happens to Spielman?  Are we looking at a total shakeup from GM to HC?  And you know Zimmer would likely pluck some of our current staff to take with him to Dallas...  does that mean Coach Dre and others leave too?  With what he has done on our defensive line, I'd hate to lose him.

Pretty sure this is just about Zimmer. 

I think its super goofy. 

@"Wetlander" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Wetlander" said: Like I said in the other thread about Zimmer...  I think it would be a mistake to let him go.  That said, I don't know how the organization feels about Zimmer, Stefanski, etc.  If the front office is really high on Stefanski as a HC candidate and Zimmer is getting worn out and wouldn't mind a change of scenery...  maybe it makes sense to make the move this offseason?

The only thing that makes me pause is this...  if we move on from Zimmer and potentially move on from Cousins (or make decisions that will let us move on after 2020)...  what happens to Spielman?  Are we looking at a total shakeup from GM to HC?  And you know Zimmer would likely pluck some of our current staff to take with him to Dallas...  does that mean Coach Dre and others leave too?  With what he has done on our defensive line, I'd hate to lose him.

Pretty sure this is just about Zimmer. 

You can't really have this discussion without talking about the rest of it though...

@"StickyBun" said: I think its super goofy. 

for Dallas I agree.

I used to think Zim would be the next Bud Grant and retire here.  After six seasons, I'm no longer thinking he's going to be legendary in Viking history.  While I do believe he's raised the bar for season outcomes/expectations, and has brought respectability back to the team, the Vikes have been flawed every season he's coached.
I like Zim, but I'm not sure this team will improve before it continues to decline.  I'm fearing the aging defense will only get worse, and don't see a quick fix for the DL and DBs.
If the Vikings can get decent compensation for a Zimmer trade, and have a plan in place for a top notch replacement, then I could support it.  

They need to rebuild, and I'd have no problem if Spielman left too.  I don't trust him to rebuild this team either; especially when drafting QBs and WRs.

I think it is super shitty on ESPN's part.  Just throwing shit against the wall while the team is getting ready for a playoff game.  I don't see this as anything other than click bait speculation.  And the timing of it sucks. 

I hope Zimmer coaches here until he retires.  So sick of the grass is greener looking to be the next cleveland.

@"greediron" said:

I think it is super shitty on ESPN's part.  Just throwing shit against the wall while the team is getting ready for a playoff game.  I don't see this as anything other than click bait speculation.  And the timing of it sucks. 

Agree, its 100% complete and utter conjecture and the timing is ridiculous. Media whores. Its the same type of horseshit you see in the weeks before the Draft where 85% is garbage rumors. Clickbait.

@"HappyViking" said:

They need to rebuild, and I'd have no problem if Spielman left too.  I don't trust him to rebuild this team either; especially when drafting QBs and WRs.

You don't trust him to draft a QB despite the fact that he drafted Teddy? You don't trust him to draft a WR despite the fact that he drafted Diggs in the 5th, undrafted Thielen and Bisi looks pretty good. Certainly looks better than half of the two dozen or so receivers who went ahead of him. It's OK to hold him responsible for Ponder and Treadwell, but if you do that, I'd like you to me a favor and look up the drafts of every NFL team over the last 6 to 8 years and tell me which of those is without not just a couple, but several 1st round busts. If you objectively compare his drafts to the rest of the NFL, I'm fairly certain you will find that, in terms of drafting, he's easily a top 5 GM. And the best part is that he's getting better at it. 

One of the things that always bugs me is that when the media ranks their top GMs, Rick typically finishes top 6 or 7 and Belichick finishes #1. It's bullshit. Patriots have been good for two reasons. Tom Brady and Belichick's defense. Belichick the GM (at least the drafter) has been pretty god-damned awful. Who do you want Sony Michel or Dalvin Cook? Aaron Dobson or Stefon Diggs? Dominique Easley or Danielle Hunter? Damian Harris or Alexander Mattison? I know ther'es more to being a GM than the draft, but that's what I pay attention to. In fact, in terms of just drafting, the only GM I'd put ahead of Rick is Mickey Loomis. 

Hopefully the Wilfs are able to take things apart and evaluate them separately, because losing Spielman would be a colossal blunder. 

Wow, that concept hurts my brain.

I truly like and am grateful for Zimmer's time with the Viikings...and would hate to see him go.  Having said that, I think his schemes have been largely figured out by many OCs on rival teams, and our mid-pack defensive rating this season bears that out.

What I'd prefer is for Zimmer to hire a new DC (as it sounds like Edwards is gone, soon) that's young and manages to build on Z's foudations while challenging him with new concepts...and the current offensive think tank stays intact for another season at least.  If Zimmer was to go, I'd want Kubiak to select our new HC, keep grooming Stefanski, and make certain that our D and our trench players remain high priorities.

@"Zanary" said: Wow, that concept hurts my brain.

I truly like and am grateful for Zimmer's time with the Viikings...and would hate to see him go.  Having said that, I think his schemes have been largely figured out by many OCs on rival teams, and our mid-pack defensive rating this season bears that out.

What I'd prefer is for Zimmer to hire a new DC (as it sounds like Edwards is gone, soon) that's young and manages to build on Z's foudations while challenging him with new concepts...and the current offensive think tank stays intact for another season at least.  If Zimmer was to go, I'd want Kubiak to select our new HC, keep grooming Stefanski, and make certain that our D and our trench players remain high priorities.

I too have enjoyed his time as our coach.  I think he connects with the players because he is honest and actually cares about them, but is also demanding.  I think the players gravitate towards that genuine honesty. 

As to his schemes, I think he continues to evolve, he hasn't relied on the double A like everyone in the media still quotes.  The issue is largely the lack of pass rush from the middle.  Richardson was not worth the money, but he did bring it from the middle on passing downs.  Without that, the ends are less effective because the QB can just step up.
That is the biggest issue with our D. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"HappyViking" said:

They need to rebuild, and I'd have no problem if Spielman left too.  I don't trust him to rebuild this team either; especially when drafting QBs and WRs.

You don't trust him to draft a QB despite the fact that he drafted Teddy? You don't trust him to draft a WR despite the fact that he drafted Diggs in the 5th, undrafted Thielen and Bisi looks pretty good. Certainly looks better than half of the two dozen or so receivers who went ahead of him. It's OK to hold him responsible for Ponder and Treadwell, but if you do that, I'd like you to me a favor and look up the drafts of every NFL team over the last 6 to 8 years and tell me which of those is without not just a couple, but several 1st round busts. If you objectively compare his drafts to the rest of the NFL, I'm fairly certain you will find that, in terms of drafting, he's easily a top 5 GM. And the best part is that he's getting better at it. 

One of the things that always bugs me is that when the media ranks their top GMs, Rick typically finishes top 6 or 7 and Belichick finishes #1. It's bullshit. Patriots have been good for two reasons. Tom Brady and Belichick's defense. Belichick the GM (at least the drafter) has been pretty god-damned awful. Who do you want Sony Michel or Dalvin Cook? Aaron Dobson or Stefon Diggs? Dominique Easley or Danielle Hunter? Damian Harris or Alexander Mattison? I know ther'es more to being a GM than the draft, but that's what I pay attention to. In fact, in terms of just drafting, the only GM I'd put ahead of Rick is Mickey Loomis. 

Hopefully the Wilfs are able to take things apart and evaluate them separately, because losing Spielman would be a colossal blunder. 

Depends on how Sunday goes.  If Zimmer shows that he's willing to try to win by any means possible- rather than just winning "his way"- then I think we keep him.  If he remains stubborn, and prefers to lose "his way" than win any other way... then I say it's time to let him go.  

And, by "his way", I mean trying to win solely with a running-heavy offense and bend-but-don't-break defense.  I've come around on my thinking on that.  I used to like it.  Now I see that all it does is guaranteed that every game is going to be close (or closer than it should be).

We will not win that way on Sunday- especially with 1 CB (Hughes) out and the other (Mac) hurt.  We will only win by out-scoring the Saints.  Now: will Zimmer go along with that... or just try to control the clock and play prevent defense?  We shall see.