A local take on the team, I think is pretty spot on...
The Vikings owners made the correct call after eight years with Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman had the team no closer to a championship.This leadership makeover isn't inspired by scandal, or outright incompetence, or something as clear-cut as a dereliction of duty.
It was just time.
Time for a change. Time for a different approach. Time to acknowledge that staleness had taken root inside the Vikings organization and was impeding progress in the pursuit of a championship.
Zygi and Mark Wilf had their eyes wide open in arriving at the necessary decision to fire both General Manager Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer on Monday in what constitutes the most impactful football decision of their ownership.
Eight years of that tandem was enough.
"We have high expectations for this football team," Mark Wilf said Monday. "We believe we can be super-competitive right here in 2022. … As much of a difficult decision as it was, we feel it's the time and place to go in a different direction and get us to the next level."
Unflattering comments from several players Monday afternoon about team culture reinforced the need for new leadership. When star linebacker Eric Kendricks says that "I don't think a fear-based organization is the way to go," that shows serious problems were festering behind the scenes.
In making their decision, the Wilfs showed they recognize a Band-Aid won't fix a franchise that missed the playoffs three of the past four seasons with a roster filled with high-priced veterans. Removing only Zimmer from the equation without addressing personnel deficiencies would have been a lesson in scapegoating.
If assigning a letter grade to the Spielman-Zimmer regime, a B-minus feels appropriate. Good but not good enough and certainly not great.
Under Spielman and Zimmer's leadership, the Vikings always felt like they had a chance to be competitive but that they were never going to win a Super Bowl.
Their ceiling was higher than that of many teams, but lopsided losses in the playoffs brought a sobering reminder and realization that they weren't that close after all.
They danced a paralyzing tango for eight seasons. Two steps forward, two steps back. It was enticing, even hopeful at times, but you kept waiting for a larger payoff that just never materialized.
The NFL shelf life only values stability if the reward exceeds a brief playoff appearance every other year. This leadership duo had plenty of time and opportunity to get it right.
Spielman's ledger as GM includes draft-pick hits and misses, and one could spend a week playing pingpong with that discussion. His inability to draft and develop a franchise quarterback was a combination of his own miscalculations and some bad luck that led Spielman and Zimmer into their all-in covenant with Kirk Cousins.
The gamble didn't work, not in the way they envisioned and sold to the Wilfs. Instead, the triumvirate produced a 33-31-1 record and one playoff victory over four seasons.
Zimmer looked worn down by the end. A man who takes great pride in his defense fielded one of the NFL's worst defenses over the past two seasons, despite the organization committing significant capital to repair that side of the ball.
The old-school gruffness that made Zimmer so endearing and popular early in his tenure came across as get-off-my-lawn screeds by the end. His dismissive comments about rookie quarterback Kellen Mond after the debacle in Green Bay were unnecessarily harsh, indicating a cranky coach who had had enough.
The demands Zimmer placed on his offensive coordinator to run, run, run were ripped out of a 1995 playbook. His game management blunders became frequent. He took veiled shots at Spielman's personnel decisions at different times this season, a sign of his unhappiness with roster construction and also an indication that he felt pressure in a win-or-else season.
Ultimately, it was just time to part ways with both. The Wilfs mostly stay in the background on football matters, but they understand that the NFL is a results business. The Vikings hit their ceiling with Spielman and Zimmer. To believe that sticking with people that ownership clearly likes personally and trusted professionally would produce different results is naïve.
It was time to hand the baton to someone else, a fresh set of eyes with no bias or allegiances, knowing the roster has major issues to solve, starting with Cousins and his albatross contract.
The Spielman-Zimmer regime did plenty of good things for the organization, but their fate came down to one question: Where is this thing going after eight years?
The honest answer pushed their bosses to take a different path.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-owners-wilfs-made-necessary-decision-to-fire-mike-zimmer-rick-spielman-nfl-chip-scoggins/600134499/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
One of RS's biggest blunders imo was passing on Russel Wilson when they had Ponder on the books. I read recently Vikings coaches loved him, raved about him when they got to coach him up - must of been a Sr Bowl or something..
I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis.
Agreed. It was just time. Both had to go so that the team can make that next leap forward. Everything is there for the next GM and HC to succeed, maybe not next year but soon. The foundation from ownership, to facilities, to fanbase, etc. is there to stand on and hold up a Superbowl trophy. A well thought out strategic plan for short and long term with a slightly improved collaborative culture could work magic sooner rather than later.
The thing is you just never know how these things will pan out. That's why they play the games. I'm looking forward with hope that the script can finally be changed.
@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis.Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.
At least the Wilfs are not like some owners that change GMs and coaches on a yearly basis. Spielman and Zimmer had every opportunity to better this team...
@"StickyBun" said: Agreed. It was just time. Both had to go so that the team can make that next leap forward. Everything is there for the next GM and HC to succeed, maybe not next year but soon. The foundation from ownership, to facilities, to fanbase, etc. is there to stand on and hold up a Superbowl trophy. A well thought out strategic plan for short and long term with a slightly improved collaborative culture could work magic sooner rather than later.The thing is you just never know how these things will pan out. That's why they play the games. I'm looking forward with hope that the script can finally be changed.
When hard-core fans like me (us) become apathetic? That's a huge warning for ownership. The Vikings had become a poster child for mediocrity.
I'll bet the Wilfs had made up their mind about mid-season on this. Vikings were always just below or at .500 this entire season.
@"purplefaithful" said:@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.
@"StickyBun" said:Its that midwest humor coming through again....@"purplefaithful" said:@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.
@"StickyBun" said:@"purplefaithful" said:@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.I felt Zimmer would be gone for sure after this season and Spielman next year if that turned out to be a failure also. The Wilfs seemingly had enough and cleaned house with the intentions of starting fresh and new. Great move on their part.
@"purplefaithful" said:Truth.@"StickyBun" said:Its that midwest humor coming through again....@"purplefaithful" said:@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.
@"purplefaithful" said:Don't mistake folly for kahunas.@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.It was obvious in my mind that Zimmer had to go, but I think Spielman got caught up in this notion of "starting fresh." If the Vikings were going to open themselves up to HC candidates who wanted personnel control, perhaps it would be better if Rick weren't there. I also think they had already decided to move on from Cousins, which sort of flips over the Rick card. Still, this is a guy universally recognized as one of the better GMs in the NFL.
Again, Detroit has been through 6 GMs since 2000, Cleveland 10, Raiders 5, Jets 6. How many GMs will the Vikings go through before landing on the one that works for them?
Losing RS didn't surprise me any more than losing Zim. It's not like RS was giving Zim heaping amounts of FA and draft talent and Zim was just wasting it. It was time for both to leave and start a new era. The unknown is risky, but how do you get better without taking chances?
@"purplefaithful" said:@"StickyBun" said: Agreed. It was just time. Both had to go so that the team can make that next leap forward. Everything is there for the next GM and HC to succeed, maybe not next year but soon. The foundation from ownership, to facilities, to fanbase, etc. is there to stand on and hold up a Superbowl trophy. A well thought out strategic plan for short and long term with a slightly improved collaborative culture could work magic sooner rather than later.The thing is you just never know how these things will pan out. That's why they play the games. I'm looking forward with hope that the script can finally be changed.
When hard-core fans like me (us) become apathetic? That's a huge warning for ownership. The Vikings had become a poster child for mediocrity.
I'll bet the Wilfs had made up their mind about mid-season on this. Vikings were always just below or at .500 this entire season.
But we almost won 5-6 more games if it weren't for a missed fg, a fumble in ot, a hickup on the D at the end of a game, etc. If we had won those games we would be like 14-3 or 13-4. For those taking this line of thinking, such as Zimmer himself, "almost win" means we lost those games. There is no asterisk by the loss that somehow gives us invisible credit for a potential win.I agree with the previous posters that we were mediocre under RS & MZ. We needed a change to at least try to break out of that culture. I have been a die hard fan all my life. I even watched the Vikes every week during the Steckel 3-win season. But this season, I watched less and less as the season progressed. I didn't even really care if I saw them play. I could already script the game plan - BORING. This change was needed. As one poster suggested, we might suck a new way next year. Well, at least it's different and there is some hope we won't suck or be mediocre. If nothing changes, nothing changes.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"purplefaithful" said:Don't mistake folly for kahunas.@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.It was obvious in my mind that Zimmer had to go, but I think Spielman got caught up in this notion of "starting fresh." If the Vikings were going to open themselves up to HC candidates who wanted personnel control, perhaps it would be better if Rick weren't there. I also think they had already decided to move on from Cousins, which sort of flips over the Rick card. Still, this is a guy universally recognized as one of the better GMs in the NFL.
Again, Detroit has been through 6 GMs since 2000, Cleveland 10, Raiders 5, Jets 6. How many GMs will the Vikings go through before landing on the one that works for them?
So you think the comments yesterday are indicative of an ending of the Cousins marriage? The tea leaves were certainly there, I'm not sure thats exactly what I heard?
Firing both was necessary. I know it's unknown and scary to some but they had their chance. Some people will make excuses for one or the other but a new perspective is needed. Mark Wilf talking about collaboration and communication clearly showed the need for change.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"purplefaithful" said:Don't mistake folly for kahunas.@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.It was obvious in my mind that Zimmer had to go, but I think Spielman got caught up in this notion of "starting fresh." If the Vikings were going to open themselves up to HC candidates who wanted personnel control, perhaps it would be better if Rick weren't there. I also think they had already decided to move on from Cousins, which sort of flips over the Rick card. Still, this is a guy universally recognized as one of the better GMs in the NFL.
Again, Detroit has been through 6 GMs since 2000, Cleveland 10, Raiders 5, Jets 6. How many GMs will the Vikings go through before landing on the one that works for them?
I have more unease about letting RS go vs Zimmer. And even less about KC.
I think you mentioned this in another post and I have to agree; the chances of them getting GM/HC/QB right in one fell swoop isnt good. Not when you look at Vikings history and around the league.
And if we're parsing out blame? I put more of it on Zimmer than I do scouting or the front office.
Two things are starting to materialize for me now on these Vikings:
1). The culture and atmosphere there was bad, maybe as bad as I had feared. That's on RS and Zimmer. That doesnt go over well with what the Wilfs value.2). KC and RS are tied at the hip and I'm not sure the Wilfs are in love with KC or his stance on contracts and more.
@"purplefaithful" said:Frankly, pure speculation, but I am guessing that if Spielman's brother was not in Detroit, Spielman would have accept another position within the Vikings organization. I am guessing the Wilfs wanted to move him into another position and he was holding out for more power (because he had Detroit as a back-up plan). Hence, the meeting last week was not to decide Zimmer's fate but to decide Spielman's fate and whether the Wilfs were going agree to some of Spielman's demands. Just pure speculation.@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.
@"purplefaithful" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"purplefaithful" said:Don't mistake folly for kahunas.@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.It was obvious in my mind that Zimmer had to go, but I think Spielman got caught up in this notion of "starting fresh." If the Vikings were going to open themselves up to HC candidates who wanted personnel control, perhaps it would be better if Rick weren't there. I also think they had already decided to move on from Cousins, which sort of flips over the Rick card. Still, this is a guy universally recognized as one of the better GMs in the NFL.
Again, Detroit has been through 6 GMs since 2000, Cleveland 10, Raiders 5, Jets 6. How many GMs will the Vikings go through before landing on the one that works for them?
I have more unease about letting RS go vs Zimmer. And even less about KC.
I think you mentioned this in another post and I have to agree; the chances of them getting GM/HC/QB right in one fell swoop isnt good. Not when you look at Vikings history and around the league.
And if we're parsing out blame? I put more of it on Zimmer than I do scouting or the front office.
Two things are starting to materialize for me now on these Vikings:
1). The culture and atmosphere there was bad, maybe as bad as I had feared. That's on RS and Zimmer. That doesnt go over well with what the Wilfs value.2). KC and RS are tied at the hip and I'm not sure the Wilfs are in love with KC or his stance on contracts and more.
I also get the feeling from the presser yesterday that the Wilf's aren't comfortable with Cousins' contract situation.The fact is that there really isn't a way out of that situation until '23 at the earliest unless KC sees clear to restructure for the betterment of all involved. Sure, we could probably find a trade partner, eat part of his contract, and muddle along with a far worse QB, and hamstring our incoming HC/GM.
KC holds all the cards, and is probably a contributing factor in why RS is no longer employed with the Vikings. The KC situation is more likely the icing on the cake to go along with a host of other questionable moves/contracts that are well chronicled.
@"purplefaithful" said:The fact a 4 year starter QB in the SEC drafted with the 66th pick in the third round was NOT ready to play by week 17 of the NFL season by such a margin Mannion was the starter was all I needed to see that both Spielman and Zimmer had to go. Atrocious@"JustinTime18™" said: I will say a complete divorce from Spielman was something I did not see coming. Ballsy move to break from a guy you were in contact with on a daily basis. Yup, blew my bloomers off too...I didnt think the Wilfs had the stomach or Kahuna's.
I don't know what everyone is afraid of. The "well we're better than the Lions at least" bar needs to be raised IMO. If the risk is little, so is the reward.
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