The $1,000,000 question heading into the break...

He'll have to look at the tape and gets things fixed.

Yes, I went there.

Rhodes is a liability.  

The real question should be why should we still trust Zimmer? It used to be he couldn't get the team up to play a team with a winning record in a nationally televised game. Now that they've won a game like that for a change they can't even get up for a Home Game against a shit opponent  

The Zim-lovers are going to try and talk up Denver. Whatever. 3-6 entering the game with a backup QB. Wouldn't surprise me at all if the Broncos end the season with 5 wins.

This looked like a flat team with yet another week of no opponent-specific gameplanning. Reiff was iso'd on Miller way too many times. Took an entire half to go to the hurry-up. No blitzing when the D-Line laid yet another egg during the 1st Half.

And how many times has Minnesota come out of a bye or an extended week and looked completely flat and unprepared?

History tells us to expect a Mike Zimmer coached team to come off a bye, go on the road against a team with a winning record in a nationally televised game, and get in a hole right away. 

But now they look flat and unprepared against a shitty team at home in non-nationally televised game too? Good teams are used to winning games against other good teams and don't come out flat at home the next week like they have a Superbowl hangover. 

I said after the Cowboys game that Minnesota will only go far with Aggressive Coaching. On both sides of the ball. One way to be Aggressive is to have opponent-specific gameplans and having the guts to make in-game adjustments in the first damn half. Neither of those things happened today and it nearly cost them.

He's not playing well.  I think our secondary is getting hung out to dry too often with our non-existent pass rush though.

Griffen and Hunter did NOT have the impact I thought they would this game.  Allen had way too much time most of the game. 

I'd say starting the second half in no huddle was an aggressive and not seen before adjustment...

Zim is the CB whisperer, but the message in at least one case is falling on deaf ears...wonder how many cases of wine it would take to get Terrance Newman in the building as a consultant/future replacement for Jerry Gray?

@"Wetlander" said: He's not playing well.  I think our secondary is getting hung out to dry too often with our non-existent pass rush though.

Griffen and Hunter did NOT have the impact I thought they would this game.  Allen had way too much time most of the game. 

@"BarrNone55" said: I'd say starting the second half in no huddle was an aggressive and not seen before adjustment...

Zim is the CB whisperer, but the message in at least one case is falling on deaf ears...wonder how many cases of wine it would take to get Terrance Newman in the building as a consultant/future replacement for Jerry Gray?

Absolutely the pass rush is a big issue and it will cost em a game or 2 against a really good QB. And we have a few of those left this season. 

I'm not on Jerry Gray's asz yet, I do think there are some big pix stuff (like DL) and rule changes that are hampering things. That said, XR has fallen off the cliff. Kinda sad actually. 

Is the non-existent pass rush the result of declining talent or the result of declining coaching/planning?

@"Hidalgo" said: Is the non-existent pass rush the result of declining talent or the result of declining coaching/planning?

I think part of it is mental...at least two times on big plays the defenders had their head turned and didn't play the ball...does it get more basic than that?

I think the real question is will they trade him for whatever they can get this off season so they can extend Waynes and Alexander.  I think they will due to his age and apparent declining skills.
Hopefully they can get a 5th round pick for him.
I think they will try to move him because Zimmer did not draft him but he did draft the others.

@"MarkSP18" said:

I think the real question is will they trade him for whatever they can get this off season so they can extend Waynes and Alexander.  I think they will due to his age and apparent declining skills. Hopefully they can get a 5th round pick for him. I think they will try to move him because Zimmer did not draft him but he did draft the others.

We'll see...Be interesting to see what they do with that backfield next season. Harrison Smith isn't getting any younger either. 

I can see Zim is having a heck of a time when he calls man coverage. Offenses are identifying and winning one on ones against man with ease. It's a huge problem with our zone coverages not working because there aren't many other ways to dial up coverage... 

When we need to put the cute shit aside, buckle down and make a stop, our players matched up hat on a hat are getting beat.

That's my thing. I see the swiss cheese zone and absolutely freak when I see man coverage also fail.

@"Hidalgo" said: Is the non-existent pass rush the result of declining talent or the result of declining coaching/planning?

The pass rush has not been great, but with this secondary it doesn't really  matter as they can't stay with the WR right from the start, so what does it matter, they are going to get burned fast or late, but either way they are getting torched.  

@"Ralphie" said:

@"Hidalgo" said: Is the non-existent pass rush the result of declining talent or the result of declining coaching/planning?

Our DE's seem to get adequate pressure but our DT's...while solid against the run....just look like dancing bears on pass plays.   I know Aaron Donald's don't grow on trees but hopefully come April we focus on that D-line position. We need interior line help badly.

@"BarrNone55" said: He'll have to look at the tape and gets things fixed.

Yes, I went there.