O'Neill comments

Sounds like Zimmer's "Tough Love" approach had worn thin on several players starting to come forward. 

Speaks to what the #Vikings haven't had internally. Not even just about Zimmer, who was the face of it, but leadership throughout. A player once said Spielman walked around like he was the caricature of Billy Beane in Moneyball, and he was the personable one.

— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) January 10, 2022

I love the reaching question and formulating a narrative based on them.

Pretty generic comment.

Eric Kendricks:

"I don't think a fear-based organization is the way to go"

Ruh roh.  Not so generic, pretty much gives the impression Zim wasn't a very likeable guy, and not very positive.   Between the Mond comments, the revolving door at OC, I think it paints a pretty clear picture of the culture in the lockerroom.

everyone is always happier when your winning

Mark Wilf kept emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration today. Obviously those things are important but there is a reason for emphasis.

I don't think Belichick is walking down the hall showering everyone with pleasantries and none of his players say boo about him.  Maybe that is the difference between teams that win and those that don't, the players take responsibility for their play on the field and are intrinsically motivated to be the best they can be instead of wanting to be babied and having everything given to them like they have been accustomed to most of their lives.  You can see that this team plays with little energy and their is no leadership, some of these comments make me think a lot of this is on the players.  

@"JR44" said: I don't think Belichick is walking down the hall showering everyone with pleasantries and none of his players say boo about him.  Maybe that is the difference between teams that win and those that don't, the players take responsibility for their play on the field and are intrinsically motivated to be the best they can be instead of wanting to be babied and having everything given to them like they have been accustomed to most of their lives.  You can see that this team plays with little energy and their is no leadership, some of these comments make me think a lot of this is on the players.  

I think it is on both.  Everyone can become grating when things go wrong for too long.  Bill has won repeatedly (albeit in his 3rd try as HC) so he can just move on from players that don't buy in.

Bill Belichick is a good dude and well liked by most people in his building. He’s just gruff with outsiders. He has a reputation as being a mean task master, but every behind the scenes video I’ve seen the guy is great. He’s not loud, but personable. Anyone of the guys on the Vikings would have played their hearts out for Bill. 
The players were not the problem in this organization and it should be obvious after today. 

Got a chance to spend a day with a former NFL kicker a few years back. I asked him about Zim. He said that guy is a A-hole. The guy didn't play for Zim. 

@"Still Hurtn" said: Got a chance to spend a day with a former NFL kicker a few years back. I asked him about Zim. He said that guy is a A-hole. The guy didn't play for Zim. 

yeah, but Zims relationship with kickers was like watching “Mommie Dearest”

Not doubting hes an A-Hole, just he was a SPECIAL kind of A-Hole to kickers and the press.

Kendricks and right tackle Brian O'Neill revealed what players thought the Vikings were missing under former coach Mike Zimmer.
Linebacker Eric Kendricks was asked Monday about what's important in building the right culture around the Vikings as the franchise looks for new leadership following the firing of general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer.

Kendricks played seven of the eight Vikings seasons led by Spielman and Zimmer, and he's hoping to see a workplace attitude that encourages collaboration and each other. He said he doesn't "think a fear-based organization is the way to go."
"Because there's a lot of stressors that become involved when you lose games and people's emotions get tied into things," Kendricks said. "A culture where communication is put at the forefront and no matter what your role is on the staff, you having a voice and being able to communicate things that you think could help facilitate wins. I think just having that voice, no matter how big your role is, is important, to listen up and take each other's feelings into account. I don't think a fear-based organization is the way to go."
Kendricks, a 2019 All-Pro selection, wrapped his seventh Vikings season by talking to Spielman and co-defensive coordinator Adam Zimmer over the phone on Monday. He hadn't yet spoken to Mike Zimmer before talking with reporters that afternoon.
Asked about his relationship with Zimmer, the brash 65-year-old football lifer, Kendricks said: "We had a great run. It's hard to know that — I felt like there were some things left out there as far as our relationship is concerned. I think that's a question you've got to ask him, for sure."
Right tackle Brian O'Neill said he has "a ton of respect and gratitude" for Spielman and Zimmer. But the first-year team captain also revealed what a young Vikings locker room was missing under previous leadership.
"It could be something as little as, 'Hey, how you doing?,' in the hallway," O'Neill said. "We spend so much time together and the season is so long that little personal things here or there could make a huge difference for a young guy, or a rookie who is coming in and isn't really sure how he fits or if he belongs. Little different personal things like that because guys play their best when they feel good about themselves and their role within a team."
O'Neill said some positive energy is welcomed at TCO Performance Center.
"Kind of just an overall culture shift," O'Neill said. "Getting everybody pushing in the same direction and working together in a collaborative environment that's enjoyable to work in. I think some more energy throughout the building could be a good thing."
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-culture-mike-zimmer-eric-kendricks-brian-oneill-fear-based-organization/600134551/

Players are different now. They need a word of support or friendliness from time to time. Completely ignoring them is a slight and if your only interaction is lighting them up that's the wrong way to go. Tommy Kramer said Bud never said a word to 40% of the players on the team. But that was a LONG time ago. People thinks Belichick is a cold machine but he's interactive with his players. Not sure Z was.

Regarding Spielman and Zimmer's attitude, when their bare asses are hanging inches above an open flame, their social behavior can be waning...No excuse though.  Just saying.

Fans here have been saying this for a while now...

 - Eagan doesn't look like a very happy place to be 
 - The truth will come out when the regime changes

Both are proving to be true.

Kendricks and O'Neill are both smart and savvy guys. They dont air their grievances over social media or during Festivus. So when they speak I'll listen (and believe). 

@"ArizonaViking" said: Regarding Spielman and Zimmer's attitude, when their bare assess are hanging inches above an open flame, their social behavior can be waning...No excuse though.  Just saying.

I'm enjoying the visual commentary this morning!

@"purplefaithful" said: Fans here have been saying this for a while now...

 - Eagan doesn't look like a very happy place to be 
 - The truth will come out when the regime changes

Both are proving to be true.

Kendricks and O'Neill are both smart and savvy guys. They dont air their grievances over social media or during Festivus. So when they speak I'll listen (and believe). 

Agree, PF. I would consider these guys two veteran leaders of the team, amongst a few others. Removing the football aspect from this and just looking at them as people, these are 2 guys that I feel are solid people that represent the organization well,  Kendricks especially.  They sure aren’t guys I’d ever view as divas or the infamous “locker room cancer.”

These questions were leveled at them in the wake of major changes in the organization . IMO their responses were completely fair.

I think O'Neill's comments come off more as wishful thinking.  If they were winning, nobody would care that the coach is a hardass.  But as AZ so aptly put it, when that bare ass is exposed, criticism comes across a bit different.

Kudo's and thank you's are great and all and a kind word helps, but too much of that doesn't work either.  Winning is the only solution.

@"purplefaithful" said: Fans here have been saying this for a while now...

 - Eagan doesn't look like a very happy place to be 
 - The truth will come out when the regime changes

Both are proving to be true.

Kendricks and O'Neill are both smart and savvy guys. They dont air their grievances over social media or during Festivus. So when they speak I'll listen (and believe). 

Courtney Cronin was on with PA this morning and relayed some things that makes me really sour towards Zim, not just as a coach, but as a person as well.  Really made him come off as a robot,  devoid of feelings or consideration for all but those close to him.  I am not saying he was a bad person,   but just likely not as I thought he would be based on the reports from a few of his former players,   but in light of what some of the veterans here are saying I tend to believe Courtney's take.   Perhaps this was a new side brought on by the stresses he has encountered in the last decade,  or maybe he just felt freer to be a dick,   but hearing these reports really makes me say,  good riddance. 

You don't need to give atta boys to adult professionals,   but at least acknowledge that they are there and may have some insight as professionals.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"purplefaithful" said: Fans here have been saying this for a while now...

 - Eagan doesn't look like a very happy place to be 
 - The truth will come out when the regime changes

Both are proving to be true.

Kendricks and O'Neill are both smart and savvy guys. They dont air their grievances over social media or during Festivus. So when they speak I'll listen (and believe). 

You don't need to give atta boys to adult professionals,   but at least acknowledge that they are there and may have some insight as professionals.