DAILY CLIPS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 LOCAL NEWS: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Star Tribune

With Dom Capers, Vikings defensive minds don't lack for experience By Mark Craig http://www.startribune.com/with-dom-capers-vikings-defensive-minds-don-t-lack-for-experience/567783982/

Gary Kubiak is 'just really excited' to be calling plays again By Ben Goessling http://www.startribune.com/gary-kubiak-is-just-really-excited-to-be-calling-plays-again/567779442/

Pioneer Press

Gary Kubiak looking for just one change with Vikings offense: better results By John Shipley https://www.twincities.com/2020/02/11/gary-kubiak-looking-for-just-one-change-with-vikings-offense-better-results/

SKOR North

With familiar faces, how different will Vikings’ coaching staff be in 2020? By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/02/with-familiar-faces-how-different-will-vikings-coaching-staff-be-in-2020/

5 takeaways: Mike Zimmer talks new coaching hires By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/02/5-takeaways-mike-zimmer-talks-new-coaching-hires/

The Athletic

Why the Vikings made Gary Kubiak the guy to get their offense over the hump By Chad Graff https://theathletic.com/1601009/2020/02/11/gary-kubiak-vikings-offensive-coordinator-mike-zimmer-kirk-cousins/

NATIONAL NEWS: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

ESPN

Dom Capers returns to NFC North to bring 'fresh ideas' to Vikings' defense By Courtney Cronin https://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/29506/dom-capers-returns-to-nfc-north-to-bring-fresh-ideas- to-vikings-defense

Maven Media

Vikings Mock Draft Roundup 3.0: Projecting the First Two Rounds By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-mock-draft-roundup-two-rounds

MULTIMEDIA NEWS: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Vikings All-Decade Team: Running Backs By Vikings Entertainment Network https://www.vikings.com/video/vikings-all-decade-team-running-backs

New Coaching Roles By WCCO http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=662f8727-1d3a-46a8-8675-0e703c401d37

Vikings Introduce Coaching Staff By KMSP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=9d63e87a-21c6-4a7e-99f3-63ab5e01d81f

It’s Kubiak’s Show Now By KSTP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=d9c9218b-d0c0-4086-bdb3-76d4117d5894

Vikings Hire Dom Capers By NFL Live http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=cbb8e282-01ae-47ce-85d1-6e74c182deaf

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Wednesday, February 12, 2020

New Vikings Role Based on How Dom Capers Can 'Contribute the Most' By Craig Peters https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-role-based-on-how-dom-capers-can-contribute-the-most

Time on Tractor Leads Gary Kubiak to Accepting Vikings Offensive Coordinator Gig By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/time-on-tractor-leads-gary-kubiak-to-accepting-vikings-offensive-coordinator-gig

Co-Coordinators Andre Patterson & Adam Zimmer Explain Goals for Vikings Defense By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/co-coordinators-andre-patterson-adam-zimmer-explain-goals-vikings-defense

Vikings 2020 Mock Draft Tracker: Version 2.0 By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/minnesota-vikings-2020-mock-draft-tracker-version-2-0

Panel & Fans Vote on Vikings Best RBs & FB from 2010-19 By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/minnesota-vikings-all-decade-best-running-backs-from-2010-19

PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 2/12/20

With Dom Capers, Vikings defensive minds don't lack for experience

By Mark Craig

The NFL keeps no such records, but it’s safe to assume Vikings coach Mike Zimmer just became the first 63-year-old defensive guru to hire a 69-year-old defensive guru to be his (super?) senior defensive consultant.

“It did surprise me when he called,” said the 69-year-old, Dom Capers.

Zimmer is heading into his 27th NFL season. And Capers has him beat by eight years.

“I think it was very smart of Mike to do something like this,” said longtime Zimmer confidant Andre Patterson, now Vikings co-defensive coordinator along with Adam Zimmer. “Dom has seen a lot. To have a voice in that room to give us ideas, I think that’s outstanding.”

Zimmer was a defensive coordinator for 14 years, winning one Super Bowl with the Cowboys, and has been a head coach going on seven years. Capers was a defensive coordinator for 15 years, winning one Super Bowl with the Packers, and was a head coach for eight years.

“I just want another idea guy, really,” Zimmer said. “Somebody to come in and maybe have a little better way of doing things than we’ve done in the past. … And then we all sit in a room and decide how we want to do things.”

ELIZABETH FLORES, STAR TRIBUNE Dom Capers fielded questions from the press during a news conference Tuesday at TCO Performance Center in Eagan. Zimmer carved out his NFL reputation with a 4-3 scheme featuring the Double A-gap pressure packages that have been copied leaguewide. Capers comes from a 3-4 scheme and was on the ground floor of the zone blitz craze that spread from Pittsburgh to all corners of the league.

“We had a lot of success with it, and within a few years a lot of people were zone blitzing,” Capers said. “And the more familiar people become with [a scheme], sometimes it loses its effectiveness. And you have to look for the next edge.”

That, essentially, is what Zimmer said he needed help with as the Vikings were finishing fifth in scoring defense but struggling with consistency in 2019.

“I had written down toward the end of the season that I kind of would like to get another defensive guy in there who has a background in a lot of different things,” Zimmer said. “There are some things that Dom has done that have intrigued me that I would like to know more about.”

Capers said he’ll funnel ideas through the defensive coordinators, similar to how he did last year as senior consultant with Jacksonville. But it also sounds like Zimmer will be asking a lot of questions.

“We’ve been running this defense for a long, long, long time,” Zimmer said. “I just thought it would be good to get some new, fresh ideas.”

Meanwhile, at defensive coordinator, Zimmer chose familiarity, giving his son Adam, 36, and Patterson, 59, their first coordinator jobs as they continue coaching linebackers and defensive linemen, respectively.

“I thought that would be the best of both worlds,” Zimmer said.

Zimmer said specific roles will be worked out during spring practices and training camp. He also didn’t rule out giving up defensive play-calling duties.

“If I feel like the best thing for the team is for me to call defenses, I will,” he said. “And if I feel like it’s not, then I won’t.”

Adam Zimmer and Patterson said they’re comfortable with the unusual arrangement because they’ve worked well together for many years. Patterson took it a step further, saying he’s known Adam “since he was a little boy” back when Patterson and Mike Zimmer were coaching together at Weber State in the mid-80s.

“Adam and I got together and talked a lot of things through,” Patterson said. “And I think it’s going to be a great thing …. So I have no concerns whatsoever.”

Adam said there’s no added pressure in having Pops promote him.

“He’s not just going to do something just because I’m his son,” Adam said. “I think he believes that I’m ready. And I’m going to try and prove him right.”

Zimmer said Adam and Patterson already have been able to run the defensive meetings with the kind of efficiency that “I don’t have to be there every minute.”

“Zim knows that Adam and I understand what the defense is supposed to look like,” Patterson said. “That’s the biggest thing. You can’t achieve it until you know what it’s supposed to look like. Adam and I know when this defense is right, what it’s supposed to look like.”

And if that look needs some tweaking to stay ahead of the pack? Well, that apparently is why the 63-year-old guru calls the 69-year-old guru. PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 2/12/20

Gary Kubiak is 'just really excited' to be calling plays again

By Ben Goessling

Hours after the Vikings returned to the Twin Cities following their NFC divisional playoff loss to the 49ers last month, offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski accepted the Browns’ offer to become their head coach, forcing coach Mike Zimmer to look for the fifth offensive play-caller of his time in Minnesota.

Offering the job to Gary Kubiak took little time on Zimmer’s part. And given all Kubiak had been through in recent years, even his deliberations were relatively quick.

Kubiak collapsed at halftime of a 2013 game while he was the Texans’ head coach, and health concerns led him to retire as the Broncos’ head coach in 2017. But after two years in an advisory role with the Broncos, he put himself back in consideration for Denver’s offensive coordinator job before he joined the Vikings as assistant head coach in 2019. He had decided not to be a head coach again, but he’d never ruled out a return to calling plays.

When Zimmer asked Kubiak to take over for Stefanski after the season, Kubiak said he needed a couple of days to think before taking on the fourth coordinator job of his career. He beat his self-imposed deadline.

“I just said, ‘Coach, do you mind if I go back home and mow some grass for a couple days or something to think about it?’ ” Kubiak, 58, said. “I told him two days, and I think I called him in about a day and a half. I was just really excited to do it.”

Kubiak’s impact on the Vikings’ 2019 offense, which scored the eighth-most points in the NFL while incorporating many of the coach’s longstanding principles, made him the logical choice to succeed Stefanski in 2020. His presence also brings continuity to a Vikings offense that’s had little of it in recent years.

ELIZABETH FLORES • [email protected] Gary Kubiak during a news conference on Tuesday. Zimmer said Tuesday the Vikings could see some changes in their passing game as a result of Kubiak replacing Stefanski as their play-caller, but the team’s scheme and terminology will remain largely the same in what figures to be the least disruptive offseason for the Vikings’ offense since 2016.

Andrew Janocko is the new wide receivers coach after three years working on the offensive line, while new assistant offensive line coach Phil Rauscher worked in Denver with four of the Vikings’ current coaches — Kubiak, quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak, offensive line coach Rick Dennison and tight ends coach Brian Pariani.

After a season in which the Vikings scored more than 400 points for the first time in the Zimmer era, they’re doubling down in 2020 on what worked for them. That stability helped make Gary Kubiak’s decision relatively simple.

“I get here, we put a system in place, we go to work, we do a job throughout the course of the year,” he said. “And then one thing changed: One guy got a head coaching job. For me, it’s very familiar. I didn’t have to go back to work a month ago and, say, start over with a new group of coaches. We’re way ahead. We can go back to work and try to make up some more ground here. I think all those things together added a little fuel to the fire, so to speak. It made it easier for me to say, ‘Zim, I appreciate the opportunity, and I’m looking forward to it.’ ”

Kubiak came to Minnesota a year ago in part because of his relationship with Stefanski, and Kubiak talked with Stefanski on Monday night about his new job with the Browns.

“I think all of us try to work in a direction to have an opportunity like that someday,” Kubiak said. “I think we’re all happy for him; we also understand what he’s taking on. He’s got his hands full from that standpoint. But I think we’re all proud of the fact that this football team gave him that opportunity, by the way they played and the way the coaches worked with him. I think we’re always proud when one of our buddies gets a chance to do that.”

As he succeeds Stefanski, Kubiak — who’s won four Super Bowls as a coach — figures to spend much of his offseason lending perspective to the Vikings’ efforts to break through in the NFC after a 2-3 playoff record the past five years.

Those efforts will lean more on guile and effectiveness than a novel offensive scheme. From Kubiak’s experience, all the Vikings can do is get ready to try again.

“The only way I know how to get over the hump is, keep going back to the hump,” he said. “You’ve got to be good enough to get there every year, and find a way to be playing in January. I used to always preach to my teams, ‘Hey, the bottom line [is], can we get ourselves in, and can we play better than anybody else for one month?’ That’s what this league boils down to: a lot of good coaches, a lot of good players, and a very fine line between being really successful and being successful.” PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 2/12/20

Gary Kubiak looking for just one change with Vikings offense: better results

By John Shipley

The Vikings drastically improved their running game last season, fielded another top-five defense and won a first- round road playoff game at New Orleans — all positive steps in Minnesota’s quest for its first Super Bowl appearance since 1977.

But a lopsided, second-round playoff loss to eventual NFC champion San Francisco left head coach Mike Zimmer entering the offseason with one big question: How do we get over the hump? New offensive and defensive coordinators have started working on an answer.

“The only way I know how to get over the hump is to keep going back to the hump,” offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said. “You have to be good enough to get there every year and find a way to be playing in January.”

Kubiak is one of seven Vikings coaches in new positions this season. A senior offensive assistant last season, the Super Bowl-winning coach is replacing Kevin Stefanski, who left after one season as coordinator to become head coach in Cleveland.

On orders from Zimmer, Stefanski dramatically improved the running game in 2019, finishing sixth in the NFL (133.3- yard average) after ranking 30th in 2018. The Vikings were sixth in scoring defense, giving up an average 18.9 points a game.

It was good enough to earn a wild-card playoff bid and a 26-20 playoff victory over the Saints, but the Vikings were overmatched in a 27-10 loss at San Francisco, leaving them one win shy of the NFC Championship Game.

Zimmer, entering his seventh season as head coach with one season left on his contract, said he hired Kubiak in part because the transition will be virtually seamless.

“There will be some changes, obviously, in probably some of the pass game,” the head coach said. “Every year you’re looking for new and better ways to do things, but the large majority of the offense will be very, very similar.”

A longtime head coach who won a Super Bowl in Denver after the 2016 season, Kubiak played a big role in designing last year’s offense and said Tuesday not much will change. The change, he hopes, will be in playoff performance.

“I used to always preach to my teams, ‘Hey, the bottom line, can we get ourselves in? Can we play better than anybody else for one month?’ ” he said. “That’s what this league boils down to: a lot of good coaches, a lot of good players, a very fine line between being really successful and being successful.

“I think we’re all searching for that, but we’ll work toward that and stay committed to each day and try not to get ahead of ourselves.”

Kubiak, 59, retired in 2017 for health reasons before returning to the NFL as a consultant, and then as a senior assistant to Zimmer last season. He took two days to accept Zimmer’s offer to return to the sideline for the first time since he won Super Bowl L.

“I’m really excited about it,” he said. “I had a great time last year.”

Kubiak will have his most important players back.

Third-year pro Dalvin Cook rushed for 1,135 yards and averaged 4.5 yards a carry, and quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,603 yards and 26 touchdowns with just six interceptions.

RELATED ARTICLES Target apologizes after putting ‘Minnesota Badgers’ onesies up for sale Bus service could roll into Viking Lakes this year. Development is growing rapidly. Vikings hire Dom Capers, 69, as defensive assistant Super Rally: Mahomes, Chiefs win NFL title with late surge The Loop Special Report: Super Bowl LIV Top receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen return, as does tight end Kyle Rudolph, who caught 34 passes for 326 yards and seven touchdowns in his final 11 games including the playoffs.

Kubiak was last an offensive coordinator for Denver in 2005.

“He’s got a great way about him,” Zimmer said. “He’s very down to earth. He’s got a lot of skins on the wall, so the players really respect him. They respect the way that he does teach them, and he’ll get after them when they need to get reprimanded, I guess, or coached hard. He’s not afraid to do any of that. I just think it’s a great fit.”

PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 2/12/20

With familiar faces, how different will Vikings’ coaching staff be in 2020?

By Matthew Coller

EAGAN — The Minnesota Vikings’ new offensive and co-defensive coordinators will not need any maps of the campus at TCO Performance Center or new key fobs to get into the building. They won’t have to ask where to park or where to find a lunch menu. But the new positions for OC Gary Kubiak and DCs Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer offer plenty of differences from previous years.

Shortly after offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski took a head coaching position with the Cleveland Browns, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer dropped by Kubiak’s office to offer him the position. Kubiak didn’t take much time to think before accepting the job.

“We got back from San Francisco and coach [Mike Zimmer] had given us some time off and I just said, ‘Coach, mind if I go back home, and mow some grass for a couple days or something and think about it?'” Kubiak said. “But I told him two days and I think I called him in about a day and a half, so I was just really excited to do it.”

Last year with the offense operating Kubiak’s system with the Kubiak crew of long-time offensive assistants Rick Dennison, Brian Pariani and Klint Kubiak on the staff the Vikings posted their best offensive numbers of the Zimmer era, ranking eighth in points scored and 10th in yards per offensive play. But Kubiak was working in an adviser to the offense while Stefanski called the shots. Now he’ll be back at the helm as play caller for the first time since 2016.

“I look forward to it,” Kubiak said of calling plays again. “It’s something I’ve done for what 26-27 years, so I’ve done it, but I also think it’s something you have to prepare to do. Zim’s got to put me back to work, put me in situations in practice where I’m getting going again, but I feel very comfortable because of the group I’m around.”

As far as the offensive scheme, Kubiak is likely to stick with the things that have worked since he first became an assistant in the 90s with the Denver Broncos: Play-actions, bootlegs, setting up the pass with the run, taking shots down field. But in the NFL if you are standing still you are falling behind. Kubiak will have the challenge of building on an offense that was unique in its personnel usage and heavy play-action game in 2019.

“The good news is all the verbiage and stuff’s not [going to change], so it’s going to be easy for us to go back to work here,” Kubiak said. “I think we can grow from that standpoint rather quickly. Last year, we started from scratch with verbiage and all those things, starting over. Every year is different. You have to find a way to get better. How do we get better? We’ve got to find some new things to do, some new ways to go out there to try to move the football. We all start in the same place this year rather quickly. I think that’s going to be a good thing moving forward.”

Zimmer and Kubiak both said that the current system is a strong fit for quarterback Kirk Cousins’s skill set. He ranked in the top-five in play-action and deep ball passer rating last year, per PFF.

In ’19 the Vikings’ offense started with success on the ground. During Kubiak’s entire tenure as an OC or head coach, his offenses have ranked in the top 10 in rushing yards 14 times in 24 years. As OC of the Baltimore Ravens in ’14 finished eighth in total yards and seventh in yards per attempt. Last year behind Dalvin Cook’s breakout year the Vikings were sixth in yards and 11th in YPA.

Long story short: Don’t expect less rushing.

“I think you love to be balanced,” Kubiak said. “Each given day in this league, you don’t know how you’re going to win. Sometimes you show up and you can run the ball a lot an find a way to get out with the W. Some weeks you get behind and you have to throw the ball. I think you have to build to do both, but I know one thing. You have to be physical to be successful in this business. [Mike Zimmer] wants to be physical, so we’ll start with that.”

On the defensive side, Patterson has known Zimmer since 1988 when they were both on the Weber State staff. They worked together again with the Dallas Cowboys in the early 2000s and the entire time during Zimmer’s era in Minnesota. He talked on Tuesday about the synergy they have as coaches.

“You’ve heard of good cop, bad cop, right? You know, I think it’s like that,” Patterson said. “There’s no gray with Mike Zimmer. There’s no gray. You know where you fit. He’s going to tell you, whether you want to hear it or not, he’s going to tell you the truth of what you’re doing good, what you’re doing bad and what you need to improve on. I’m more of the motherly type. I’m going to put my arm around you and teach you just like I did when I was a teacher. So I always use the analogy of if I was a math teacher and you were having problems with something, I wouldn’t stand by you and hit you in the back of the head and cuss you out. I’d pull up a chair and sit down and show you how to figure out the problem. That’s my philosophy as a coach.”

Patterson will continue as defensive line coach, where he’s played a major role in developing stars Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph and Danielle Hunter.

“I think the toughest part is going to be more demand on my time,” Patterson said. “Before, I can spend a lot of time just really focusing in on the other team’s offensive line. What they were doing in the run game, how are they trying to protect this, how can I get Danielle (Hunter) and Everson (Griffen) a mismatch? Those kind of things. Now it becomes more of an overview of the whole defense. So I would just say me being able to manage my time correctly is going to be the big thing.”

The exact roles for Patterson and Adam Zimmer will work themselves out. Mike Zimmer did not say whether he planned on calling plays for the defense, rather that they have a plan and will adapt as they go along.

“There will be aspects of the game plan and the other game that we both will focus on, and then come together and put it all together,” Patterson said. “That’s what we’ve been doing so far the last couple of weeks as we go through all the cutups and try to find the areas that we can improve.”

Adam Zimmer has been an NFL assistant since 2006 with the New Orleans Saints and has worked under his dad since they were together in Cincinnati in 2013.

“I think it’s a collaborative effort,” Adam said. “We’re going to be in there, Dre and I are going to make this transition as smooth as possible. We’ll work together on the game plans, I know coach [Zimmer] will be involved a lot in them. I think that the more we can collaborate and work together, the better it’s going to be, because we’ve all been through a lot of games in this league.” PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 2/12/20

5 takeaways: Mike Zimmer talks new coaching hires

By Matthew Coller

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer held a conference call on Tuesday to discuss changes to his coaching staff, which include elevating Gary Kubiak to offensive coordinator, D-line coach Andre Patterson and LBs coach Adam Zimmer to co-defensive coordinators and adding long-time defensive coordinator and head coach Dom Capers as an assistant. Here’s five things that stood out from Zimmer’s comments:

Dom Capers will be an idea guy The Vikings announced Monday that they would be adding Dom Capers to the staff. Zimmer said that his role in 2020 will be similar to the way Gary Kubiak contributed to the offense in 2019.

Capers has been an NFL coach since 1986 when he acted as defensive backs coach of the New Orleans Saints. He’s been a defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers as well as a head coach for the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans. Last year he served as an advisor for the Jaguars.

Along the way Capers has largely been known for his 3-4 defense. Of course in the NFL today teams rarely use four linebackers on the field at once but his perspective on defense will be different.

Zimmer said:

“Part of it was Dom has been doing this for a long time and I know he’s always really had good ideas in the pressure game defensively. I just wanted another idea guy. Someone who comes in who can have a little better way of doing things than we’ve done them in the past or at least being able to say: ‘Have you thought about doing it this way or that way?’ And then we can all sit in a room and decide how we want to do things. With the experience that he has and the number of things that he’s done in his career and basically he was doing a lot of the same things in Jacksonville as he’s doing here.”

Co-DCs and calling plays With George Edwards leaving to join the Dallas Cowboys, Zimmer elected to fill the vacancy with both Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer. Each has extensive experience working with the Vikings’ head coach. Zimmer quipped: “Andre has been with me for pretty much my entire career.”

During Patterson’s tenure the Vikings have developed numerous defensive linemen, most notably Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter. Linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr have both made the Pro Bowl during Adam Zimmer’s time.

Zimmer did not commit to continuing to call plays, though it would be surprising if he gave up duties after calling the defense for his entire time in Minnesota.

Zimmer said:

“I just felt like if we could combine those guys and still have them coach their same positions that they coach because the position players that they had have all played really well. I just feel like if the way we’ve got it set up now, I thought it would be the best of both worlds.”

“We’re still in the process of [the play calling decision], we’ll figure all that out as it goes. I can always call the plays but we’ll see how it goes in the spring. We’ve got a plan that we’re going to stick to and we’ll see how it goes. If I think the best thing for the team is for me to call defenses I will and if I feel like it’s not then I won’t. We’ll work through that process.”

“I’m still sitting in the meetings as we’re going through these cut-ups and these plays from last year. I have other duties that I have to do but the one thing that’s really good is these guys don’t wait for me, they just go out there and get it done.”

Keeping Gary The Vikings offense under the Gary Kubiak-Kevin Stefanski leadership put up the best numbers of Zimmer’s career as a head coach. Naturally Zimmer wanted to maintain the same system that also saw Kirk Cousins set career highs in QB rating and PFF grade. Zimmer was thrilled to have Kubiak return and maintain the same offense that worked well in 2019.

Zimmer said:

“I was definitely relieved [when Kubiak agreed to take the job]. When Kevin Stefanski left I walked into [Kubiak’s] office and talked to him about it and what he wanted to do and he said, ‘give me a couple of days to think about it,’ so I waited two days and called him. He was excited about it and said, ‘let’s go do it.’ That was great because I thought he did an outstanding job last year and I anticipate it will be even better.”

“It was the perfect fit for the entire offense. The terminology will be very, very similar. Players won’t have to learn all kinds of different things. I think the quarterback played as well as he’s played in his career and I feel like those things will continue to improve. The more comfortable you are in what you’re doing the faster you play and the better you play usually.”

“There will be some changes in some of the pass game. Every year you’re looking for new and better ways to do things but the large majority will be very, very similar.”

Adjusting to a new staff While the Vikings have seen a number of new offensive minds come and go since Zimmer took over in 2014, he’s maintained the same main defensive coaches. This will be the first year in which some new faces are coaching veteran players who have been with Zimmer the entire time.

Zimmer said:

“We had a lot of new coaches but they were on offense. We had the same set of coaches defensively for the six years that I’ve been here so it’s just about talking things through. Talking about technique, talking about alignments, taking on blocks, it’s just about getting on the same page…then we can get all the players on the same page. Really in the NFL you’re going to have a lot of new coaches, a lot of new players, so the most important thing is everybody getting up to speed.”

Getting the defense back to the top The Vikings still had a quality defense last year, ranking fifth in points allowed but Zimmer would like to see them get back to their dominance of 2017, when they ranked No. 1 overall in points and yards. He expressed that a need to improve was behind the changes in the coaching staff.

Zimmer said:

“It’s about consistency and we’ve got to do better than what we did. We had some good games and we had some games where we probably weren’t up to our standards, so I think the biggest thing is that we all get in here and roll up our sleeves and get back to work and see where we can improve. It’s part of the reason I brought Dom in here, it’s part of the reason why Adam and Andre are taking charge in the room.” PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 2/12/20

Why the Vikings made Gary Kubiak the guy to get their offense over the hump

By Chad Graff

Shortly after it had become official that Kevin Stefanski was, indeed, leaving the Vikings to become the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Mike Zimmer made a familiar walk down the hall of the team’s headquarters in Eagan.

He’d become accustomed to making the short trek to the office of Gary Kubiak, the assistant head coach who Zimmer frequently visited, often to decompress and relish in stories of decades together in the NFL. Their talks helped make 2019 the most enjoyable year of Zimmer’s time as a head coach.

But on that day, Zimmer had a different request. Kubiak had already helped the Vikings implement the offense that led him to a Super Bowl in Denver and had brought along his top associates to Minnesota. Now Zimmer wanted him to take the reins of the entire offense, occupying the most important assistant job on Zimmer’s staff.

Kubiak, who had left coaching for two years due to health concerns, wanted time to think it over. He wanted to return to the ranch he purchased in Texas where he thought he’d retire to mowing the enormous lawn, the place where he once thought he’d leave football behind.

“Coach, do you mind if I go back home and mow some grass for a couple days or something to think about it?” Kubiak asked Zimmer.

A day and a half later, Kubiak phoned Zimmer.

“Let’s go do it,” Kubiak said.

With that, Zimmer addressed the first and arguably most important question of the Vikings’ offseason. While seemingly every other team in the league searches for the next young, hotshot offensive coordinator, Zimmer is putting the offense in the hands of Kubiak, 58, for two main reasons. First, he felt Kubiak’s scheme helped deliver the best season of Kirk Cousins’ career and wants to see if Cousins improves even more with another year in the system. Secondly, Kubiak is the rare Super Bowl-winning coach willing to work as a coordinator, a valuable asset to Zimmer as he tries to get the Vikings over the hump. They’ve proven in recent years that they can win a playoff game but have also been blown out in the postseason in two of the last three years. Kubiak not only serves as an offensive coordinator but a mentor with the experience of multiple Super Bowl appearances.

“The only way I know how to get over the hump is to keep going back to the hump,” Kubiak said. “You have to be good enough to get there every year and find a way to be playing in January. I used to always preach to my teams, ‘Hey, the bottom line is, can we get ourselves in? Can we play better than anybody else for one month?’ That’s what this league boils down to, a lot of good coaches, a lot of good players, a very fine line between being really successful and being successful. I think we’re all searching for that, but we’ll work toward that and stay committed to each day and try not to get ahead of ourselves.”

Minnesota Vikings ✔ @Vikings  Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach Gary Kubiak addresses the media. #Skol https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1ypJdQVEwEoxW …

Live from TCO Performance Center in Eagan Minnesota Vikings @Vikings

93 11:31 AM - Feb 11, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 20 people are talking about this That’s Kubiak’s latest task, helping turn the Vikings into a really successful team. Yes, Zimmer is the head coach with ultimate responsibility. But during his tenure, the defense has seldom been the issue.

So Zimmer has tasked Kubiak with helping the offense take another step forward after finally catching up to the defense, or at least coming close, last season.

“It was the perfect fit for the entire offense,” Zimmer said of Kubiak’s scheme, which was heavy on zone rushes and play action. “Terminology will be very, very similar. Players won’t have to learn all kinds of different things. I think the quarterback played as well as he’s played in his career. I feel like those things will continue to improve. The more comfortable you are in what you’re doing, the faster you play and the better you play, usually.”

It wasn’t a given that Kubiak would take the job, though. He’d sworn off becoming a head coach again and enjoyed his role as an assistant head coach and offensive adviser last season.

Not even Zimmer knew if Kubiak would have interest in returning to such a forward-facing role that included calling plays.

“I never lost the joy,” Kubiak said of his recent years in different roles. “I just think I made the decision that I knew I didn’t want to be a head coach again. I’ve been through that with you all. For me, it was trying to find a way to continue a career. What was that going to be? Was it going to be in personnel? Was it going to be some form of coaching?”

Under Kubiak, Zimmer doesn’t expect the offense to change much, which is part of the reason Kubiak got the job in the first place. Zimmer likes a balanced attack, so that will likely remain. Zimmer likes that the zone rushing scheme brought out Dalvin Cook’s best season, so that too returns.

“Every year you’re looking for new and better ways to do things, but the large majority of the offense will be very, very similar,” Zimmer said.

While it’s not entirely clear who will call defensive plays after Zimmer tabbed Andre Patterson and son Adam Zimmer as co-defensive coordinators, Kubiak will have that responsibility on the offensive side. It’ll mark the first time since he resigned as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2016 that he’s called plays, a role Stefanski held a year ago.

“I look forward to it,” Kubiak said. “It’s something I’ve done for what, 26, 27 years. I’ve done it, but I also think it’s something you have to prepare to do. Zimmer’s got to put me back to work, put me in situations in practice where I’m getting going again, but I feel very comfortable because of the group I’m around. Being with Rick (Dennison) all these years, with these young coaches on our staff that test me each day when I’m in that meeting room, very bright minds. I think all of us together have to find a way to put our best foot forward, so I look forward to that.”

On the day Kubiak was introduced as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, though, those all seemed like issues to be sorted out another day. What mattered in the early part of the offseason is that Kubiak was returning in an even bigger role. He hasn’t been around Zimmer the longest. But he’s quickly become one of Zimmer’s most trusted advisers and now arguably his most important assistant.

After wondering whether he’d ever coach again, Kubiak is set to lead the Vikings’ offense.

“I was definitely relieved,” Zimmer said. PUBLICATION: ESPN DATE: 2/12/20

Dom Capers returns to NFC North to bring 'fresh ideas' to Vikings' defense

By Courtney Cronin

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was already planning to make adjustments to his defensive staff toward the end of last season.

On a conference call Tuesday, Zimmer said he mulled over the idea of bringing in another defensive mind "that has a background in a lot of different things" as a way of improving his defense in the offseason.

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That led Zimmer to hire Dom Capers this week as a senior defensive assistant.

After spending the 2019 season in the same role with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Capers returns to the NFC North, where he spent nine seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers and won a Super Bowl in 2010. In 25 seasons as a head coach or defensive coordinator, Capers was known for his 3-4 defense and led one of the NFL's most frequent blitzing teams in Green Bay.

Zimmer praised Capers' defensive concepts, including his expertise in generating pressure on quarterbacks, and sought to bring in the 69-year-old coach as an "idea guy," involving him in the overall defensive game plan.

"There's some things that he's done that intrigue me that I'd like to know more about," Zimmer said. "It's more about just having another set of eyes in there -- you see things -- and also being able to say, ‘Hey, we used to run this pressure, what do you think about this?' Or as we're putting the defensive package together, being able to discuss different things and go from there."

Zimmer said Capers' role will be similar to the one Gary Kubiak held last season as an adviser to the offense, in addition to Kubiak's title as an assistant head coach.

Veteran coach Dom Capers gives the Vikings "another idea guy" as a senior defensive assistant, says Mike Zimmer. AP Photo/Mike Roemer "We won't change defensively, terminology or really -- his role will be more of kind of an overseer, an idea person. Maybe the corners should play this way or maybe we should play defensive line a little differently," Zimmer said. "Just things like that, really. It's more of another guy, like a consultant that can come in and -- we've been running this defense for a long, long, long time and I just thought it'd be good to get some new, fresh ideas."

The Vikings recently made several changes to the coaching staff, including the promotion of linebackers coach Adam Zimmer and defensive line coach Andre Patterson to co-defensive coordinators.

Since he arrived in 2014, Mike Zimmer has been responsible for calling defensive plays. Whether that will change with two coordinators presiding over the defense along with their position groups is still to be determined.

"We're still in the process with all that," Mike Zimmer said. "We'll figure all that out as it goes. I can always call the plays. We'll just see how it goes in the spring. We've got a plan that we'll stick to, and we'll just see how it goes. If I feel like the best thing for the team is for me to call the defenses, I will, and if I feel like it's not, then I won't. We'll just kind of work through that process as we continue to move forward." PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 2/12/20

Vikings Mock Draft Roundup 3.0: Projecting the First Two Rounds

By Will Ragatz

It's time for another Vikings mock draft roundup.

Two weeks ago, we brought you our second one of the offseason. So far, we've focused solely on the first round and looked at all kinds of opinions on who the Vikings might select at No. 25 overall. Now, with more and more multiple- round mock drafts being released, we're going to expand this roundup to the first two rounds. Without further ado, here are a few recent two-round projections for the Vikings and our analysis on the selections.

Mike Renner, PFF (Posted on 2/11) Round 1, Pick 25: Marlon Davidson, IDL, Auburn

Davidson was one of the biggest movers with his play at the Senior Bowl a couple of weeks ago. He has prototypical 3-tech traits even though he played mostly on the edge at Auburn. Earning an 83.8 pass-rushing grade playing out of position in the SEC is pretty dang impressive.

InsideTheVikings analysis: A three-technique DT with interior pass-rushing ability would fill a major need for the Vikings, who didn't get much production at all from Shamar Stephen in 2019. I'm just not sure I like the value of this pick; most mocks I've seen have Davidson going in the second or third round. Depending on how the Vikings feel about Neville Gallimore, Ross Blacklock, and other defensive tackles, I think it's probably more likely that they take a defensive back or offensive lineman in the first round and then address DT shortly after.

Round 2, Pick 58: Damien Lewis, OG, LSU

Lewis has been a block of granite for the LSU offensive line the past two seasons. He’s only allowed 22 pressures on 1,089 pass-blocking snaps over that span. Pat Elflein’s starting role is very much in question after allowing 30-plus pressures each of the past two seasons.

InsideTheVikings analysis: I'm not a big fan of this second-round pick from PFF, either. While the Vikings need help on the offensive line, left tackle might be the more pressing need than left guard. 2019 rookie Dru Samia figures to compete for the LG role, and that job could also belong to Riley Reiff if the Vikings move him inside instead of cutting him. Also, Lewis doesn't seem to be a good fit for Gary Kubiak's zone-blocking scheme. Per Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network: "Lewis doesn't have a lot of dynamic range and won't be appealing to zone heavy rushing offenses." The Vikings can do a lot better than Davidson and Lewis in the first two rounds.

Eric Edholm, Yahoo! Sports (Posted on 2/10) Round 1, Pick 25: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

Jones could be this year’s Andre Dillard — the Senior Bowl attendee whose evaluation takes a jump and lands him in the later portion of Round 1. Jones has the physical tools and enough nasty for the Vikings to consider having him replace Riley Reiff at left tackle eventually. Once Jones gets stronger and cleans up his pass sets a bit, he could be a force.

InsideTheVikings analysis: At this point in time, Jones may be my single favorite prospect for the Vikings to potentially select at No. 25. He's perfect for a zone-blocking scheme because of his incredible combination of size and athleticism/mobility. Jones does need to improve from a technical standpoint, but I think Rick Dennison and Phil Rauscher would be able to help him develop and maximize his mammoth upside. The Vikings love their Senior Bowl offensive linemen, and Jones could be their left tackle of the future. The only problem is that he might not make it to the 25th pick.

Round 2, Pick 58: Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn

There was no explanation given from Edholm for most of his second-round choices.

InsideTheVikings analysis: Igbinoghene doesn't turn 21 until late November and only played two seasons of corner at Auburn (he was originally recruited as a wide receiver), so he's definitely a raw prospect. But the tools – athleticism, speed, body control – are all there. Like Jones, he would need some coaching to reach his sky-high upside. I would have no issues with this pick, because corner is obviously a major need. I just wonder if the Vikings would opt to take someone more experienced, who is more likely to be able to help from day one.

Jordan Reid, The Draft Network (Posted on 2/10) Round 1, Pick 25: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Based on what [the Vikings] have drafted in years past, Jeff Gladney will have many fans in the team’s draft room. He possesses excellent match-mirror technique and has plenty of interest with tackling in run support. Gladney is the type of cornerback prospect that the team has taken a liking to before.

InsideTheVikings analysis: With Jones, Kristian Fulton, and Trevon Diggs also still available, Reid has the Vikings going with Gladney based on their past track record. From everything I know about Gladney, I'd be thrilled with this pick. He has outstanding footwork and fluid athleticism that allow him to excel in man coverage. He's also a willing tackler, which is important. Gladney is experienced from three years as a starter in the pass-happy Big 12, so he'd likely be able to step in and start right away in the event that the Vikings lose both Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. The one concern is that he's a bit undersized, but Gladney makes up for that with toughness and competitiveness.

Related Video: Cornerbacks the Vikings Could Draft in the First Round

Round 2, Pick 58: Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn

There was no explanation given from Reid for his second-round choices.

InsideTheVikings analysis: We're now three for three on mocks that have the Vikings taking an Auburn Tiger in the first two rounds. Tega Wanogho is actually a somewhat similar prospect to Jones, just with a longer path to realizing his upside. He has all the tools to succeed, but is raw and inexperienced. He would fit well in a zone-blocking scheme, so it's not too hard to see the appeal for the Vikings here.

Jonah Tuls, The Draft Network (Posted on 2/6) Round 1, Pick 25: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

One of my pet cats in this class is Josh Jones. He is perfectly suited for a zone-blocking scheme with his foot quickness and elite movement skills in both pass protection and as a run blocker. Jones is this year’s version of Andre Dillard and fits exactly what the Minnesota Vikings want to do up front.

InsideTheVikings analysis: Yep. Tuls lays it out perfectly; Jones would be a perfect schematic fit for the Vikings, and possesses All-Pro upside.

Round 2, Pick 58: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

There was no explanation given from Tuls for his second-round choices.

InsideTheVikings analysis: Dantzler would be a solid value in the second round. He's been one of the SEC's best corners over the past two seasons and has great length, but he does need to get stronger. Good coverage and ball skills. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 2/12/20

New Vikings Role Based on How Dom Capers Can 'Contribute the Most'

By Craig Peters

EAGAN, Minn. — Mike Zimmer and Dom Capers have admired each other's careers from afar for decades.

The mutual respect between two defensive gurus who rose through the ranks as defensive backs coaches has led to Capers' hire this week as a senior defensive assistant.

Zimmer, 63, and Capers, 69, also have the distinction of having been copied across the NFL, notably Zimmer's double A-gap blitz and Capers' zone-blitz scheme that was deployed in Pittsburgh.

Together, however, they will work to find new ways to affect defenses, along with Co-Defensive Coordinators Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer.

Mike Zimmer said during a conference call Tuesday morning that Capers has "always had really good ideas in the pressure game defensively."

"I just wanted another idea-guy, really, someone to come in and have a better way of doing things than we've done it in the past … or at least someone able to say, 'Have you thought about doing it this way or that way?' Then we all sit in a room and figure out how we want to do things," Zimmer added. "I just think with the experience he has and the number of things he's done in his career — basically doing a lot of the same things in Jacksonville [last season] that he'll be doing here."

Capers told members of the media Tuesday that he was surprised when Zimmer called with the job offer.

"I was excited about it because I've got such respect for Mike and what he's been able to do here with this defense, not only here, but in Cincinnati … and with Dallas," Capers said. "There's a reason why every place he's been they've had outstanding defenses over the years.

"This league is such a copycat league that when somebody does something and does it well, you're going to see other people study that, and there normally aren't a lot of secrets because we study each other so much," Capers continued. "Mike's always been ahead of the game and does a lot of things that are very innovative."

A year ago, Zimmer hired Gary Kubiak as assistant head coach/senior offensive advisor. Zimmer sang the praises of that decision in November.

On Tuesday, Zimmer explained that before the 2019 season ended, he had written that he wanted to "get another defensive guy in there that has a background with a lot of different things."

Zimmer said Capers' role will be "similar" to the role that Kubiak held in 2019.

"Gary probably had a little more [influence] on terminology and things like that," Zimmer said. "We won't change defensive terminology. His role will me more of, like I said before, kind of an overseer … an idea person … 'Maybe the corners should play this way, or maybe we should play the defensive line a little differently?' Just things like that, really.

"We've been running this defense for a long, long, long time, and I just thought it would good to get some new, fresh ideas," Zimmer added.

Capers is joining the Vikings after spending 2019 with the Jaguars in a similar role. Prior to that, he was defensive coordinator for the Packers from 2009-17.

Vikings 2020 Coaching Staff View photos of the Vikings 2020 coaching staff.

He also was a defensive coordinator of the Dolphins (in 2007), Jaguars (1999-2000) and Steelers (1992-94) and the first head coach in the history of two expansion teams: Panthers (1995-98) and Texans, where he started in 2001 ahead of Houston's inaugural 2002 campaign.

"There's some things he's done that have intrigued me that I'd like to know more about, but it's more about having another set of eyes in [the meeting room]," Zimmer said. "You see things and also being able to say, 'We used to run this pressure, what do you think about this?' Or, as we're putting the defensive package together, being able to discuss different things and go from there."

Capers has stacked considerable success from a 3-4 alignment of the front seven defenders; Zimmer and the Vikings have operated mostly from a 4-3 front.

"The biggest thing in this league is figuring out who your best players are and then adapting what you're doing to fit the players," said Capers, adding that there's "carryover between both schemes."

While Capers' role will continue to be defined as the offseason progresses, the goal is to continue to find "the next edge" to counteract the increased understanding of/exposure to/time spent practicing against time-tested schemes and find "the next edge."

"I'm a big believer that you win and try to get a feel for the situation and figure out how you can contribute the most," Capers said. "We all know to have a good team, everybody has to have their role and they've got to trust everybody else to do their role and figure out how you can contribute the most." PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 2/12/20

Time on Tractor Leads Gary Kubiak to Accepting Vikings Offensive Coordinator Gig

By Eric Smith

EAGAN, Minn. — Gary Kubiak didn't need long to decide whether or not he wanted to be the Vikings offensive coordinator in 2020.

Just a few days on his tractor to ponder things while mowing his grass in Texas.

Kubiak, whom the Vikings announced as their offensive coordinator in late January, met with the local media Tuesday morning at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. He has taken over a role that was held in 2019 by Kevin Stefanski.

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer approached Kubiak about the possibility shortly after Minnesota's season came to an end in the Divisional round against San Francisco and Stefanski departed to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Kubiak asked for a little time before providing his answer.

"You're all tired after the season. The NFL season is a grind," Kubiak said. "It all went down really quickly when we got back from San Francisco, [Zimmer] gave us some time off and I said, 'Coach, do you mind if I go back home and mow some grass for a couple days and think about it?' I told him two days, and [we talked] in a day-and-a-half … I was just really excited to do it."

RELATED LINKS Co-Coordinators Andre Patterson & Adam Zimmer Explain Goals for Vikings Defense Kubiak noted he was drawn in by the chance to continue working with people he has decades of experience with — offensive line coach Rick Dennison and tight ends coach Brian Pariani — plus his son, quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak, and a group of players he became close with in 2019.

And unlike the 2019 offseason, Kubiak and his staff will be able to hit the ground running this spring.

"I wasn't hesitant at all. The circumstances were interesting how they took place," Kubiak said. "First off, for me to be here and be a big part of the group I've coached with for a long, long time. And then I get here and we put a system in place and go to work and we do a job throughout the course of a year.

"Then one thing changed — one guy got a head-coaching job — so for me, it's very familiar. I didn't have to go back to work a month ago and start over with a new group of coaches," Kubiak added. "We're way ahead and can go right back to work and try to make up some more ground. All those things were sort of fuel to the fire, so to speak, and made it easy for me to say, 'I appreciate the opportunity and I'm looking forward to it.' "

The 58-year-old Kubiak is returning for his second season with the Vikings after spending the first as the team's assistant head coach/offensive advisor.

He was last an offensive coordinator in 2014 with Baltimore. He was also in that role with Denver from 1995-2005 when he helped the Broncos win back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

Kubiak has nearly 10 years of head coaching experience in the NFL and has an 82-75 overall regular-season record.

Kubiak also has four Super Bowl rings to his name. He was the Broncos head coach in a 24-10 win in Super Bowl 50 against Carolina, won the two titles as Denver's offensive coordinator in the late 1990s and also captured a ring as the 49ers quarterbacks coach in 1994.

Vikings 2020 Coaching Staff View photos of the Vikings 2020 coaching staff.

Zimmer said he was "definitely relieved" when the two chatted and Kubiak agreed to accept the role.

"That was great because I thought he did an outstanding job last year, and I anticipate it will be even better," Zimmer said.

"It was really the perfect fit for the entire offense. The terminology will be very, very similar. Players won't have to learn all kinds of different things," Zimmer later added. "I think the quarterback [Kirk Cousins] played as well as he's played in his career. I feel like those things will continue to improve … the more comfortable you are in what you're doing, the faster you play and the better you play, usually."

Kubiak also spoke highly of a group of offensive players including Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph and the offensive line.

"Had a great time last year. Obviously with the role I was asked to take on last year with Kevin and the offense, it was something I really enjoyed," Kubiak said. "We had a great group [of players], and with Kevin leaving, the group hasn't changed. Very fortunate that Zim' and [Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman] asked me to do this."

Kubiak's influence was certainly felt in the Vikings rushing attack this past season.

The Vikings showed a vast improvement in the running game in 2019 as Cook led the way with 1,135 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl nod.

Minnesota ranked sixth with 133.3 rushing yards per game and 19 rushing touchdowns in 2019. The Vikings ranked 30th in 2018 with 93.3 rushing yards per game, and were tied for 29th with just nine rushing scores.

Best of Offensive Line Photos in 2019 View the best photos from Vikings team photographers of the offensive line during the 2019 season.

Kubiak said Tuesday that he wants the Vikings offense to be as balanced as possible, but did reiterate that Minnesota will have a strong vow for the running game.

"The first thing I would say is commitment," Kubiak said. "You've got to be committed to running the football and being physical, and that starts with Zim' … 'Hey, this is what I want to be and what I want you guys to work on.'

"I think we made a commitment in the offseason and stuck with it through training camp. It's not always easy and it doesn't go perfect during the season, but we stayed with it. Even when we lost Dalvin, we tried to stay with it and struggled for a couple weeks," Kubiak added. "I just think being committed to doing it, and it's what we think is best for our team, so we'll stay committed to it and find ways to get better and make some big plays off it."

While Kubiak will be working with the same collection of players, he did say he looks forward to challenging himself each day in the offseason. Part of that will come during spring practices when he's tasked with calling plays.

"I look forward to it, it's something I've done for 26, 27 years," said Kubiak, who worked games in 2019 from the coaches' box. "I've done it, but I also think it's something you have to prepare to do.

"Zim' has got to put me back to work and put me in situations in practice where I'm getting going again. But I feel comfortable because of the group I'm around," Kubiak added. "Being with Rick [Dennison] all these years, having these young coaches on our staff, very bright minds in that meeting room … I think all of us together have to find a way to put our best foot forward."

Vikings players are slated to return to the team facility April 20 for voluntary offseason workouts. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 2/12/20

Co-Coordinators Andre Patterson & Adam Zimmer Explain Goals for Vikings Defense

By Lindsey Young

EAGAN, Minn. – There might not be a duo who knows Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer as well as Adam Zimmer and Andre Patterson do.

Adam has spent a lifetime learning from his father – and now seven years coaching with him at the NFL level. Patterson and Mike Zimmer have spent most of their careers together. They first overlapped back at Weber State in 1988 when, for reference, Adam was 4 years old.

Since Mike Zimmer took the Vikings helm in 2014, Adam has coached linebackers and Patterson has coached the defensive line.

Now, Adam and Patterson will join forces as Minnesota's co-defensive coordinators.

Sharing the role is a unique situation, to be sure, but Patterson assured that there are "no issues" with co-piloting the Vikings defense.

"I've known Adam since he was a little boy," Patterson told Twin Cities media members on Tuesday. "And obviously, Zim' and I have coached together a long time. So other than his three children and his mom, I'm probably the only other person that knows him better than he knows him.

"To me, that transition is very smooth," Patterson continued. "Adam and I have had great communication in the six years that we've been together [with the Vikings]. When Mike called us both in and asked us would we consider doing this, Adam and I got together and talked a lot of things through.

"I think it's going to be a great thing for our players, for our defense and for the Minnesota Vikings," he added. "So, I have no concerns about it whatsoever."

Adam spoke highly of the chance to work with Patterson in this role.

He emphasized how the two go "way back," recalling memories of his father and Patterson working together at Washington State from 1992-93, and similarly pointed out the respect and rapport they've had for one another over their time in Minnesota.

"We've already worked really closely together, so I don't think that will be a change now that we're both trying to put this all together in the grand scheme [of the defense]," Adam said.

RELATED LINKS Time on Tractor Leads Gary Kubiak to Accepting Vikings Offensive Coordinator Gig The 2020 season will mark the first for Patterson and Adam to assume defensive coordinator positions.

Both called it an honor.

"It was a proud moment for me," Patterson said. "I've been doing this a long time. Anybody that does this always wants to try to find a way to advance in their career.

"It felt good that Zim's giving me this opportunity," he continued. "And it's definitely something that I wanted to do, that [I take pride in], and I'm going to do the best of my ability to make sure we do the best job we can to make the Vikings family proud."

Adam called it an exciting opportunity as a young, but experienced, coach entering his 15th NFL season.

Asked if Mike specifically expressed "you're ready" sentiments in elevating Adam to co-defensive coordinator, Adam said he didn't need to.

"I know he wouldn't have made this move if he didn't think I was ready. He's just like that," Adam said. "He's not just going to do something because I'm his son or anything like that. I think he believes this is the time and I'm ready, and I'm going to try and prove him right."

As the Vikings move toward the 2020 season with Adam and Patterson sharing coordinator responsibilities, the question has surfaced whether Mike Zimmer will retain or delegate play-calling duties.

Echoing Mike's comments from earlier Tuesday morning, Adam said that "whatever he thinks is best for the Vikings" is the direction they'll take.

"If he thinks it's best for him to continue to call the plays, we'll help him as much as we can. If it's best for me or Andre to call them, we're open to that possibility," Adam explained. "Whatever we go through in training camp and OTAs and however he feels comfortable, I think that's how we're going to approach it."

What is certain, however, is that Adam and Patterson will continue to oversee their respective position groups.

Mike Zimmer explained that he felt it was an important aspect of the transition.

"Both of those guys do a great job," Mike told media members via conference call. "I just felt like if we could combine those guys and still have them coach their same positions, because the position players that they've had have all played really well … I thought it would be the best of both worlds."

Patterson, who stood on a table to draft Danielle Hunter in 2015 and has helped develop players like four-time Pro Bowler Everson Griffen and up-and-comer Ifeadi Odenigbo, couldn't agree more.

"You know how I feel about my guys. Those are my boys," Patterson said. "I take a lot of pride in how they play and how they develop, so to be able to do both is great for me – and I think it's great for the guys in my room."

Vikings 2020 Coaching Staff View photos of the Vikings 2020 coaching staff.

Patterson will continue to call on his background as a high school science and physical education teacher while working with players, though his mentorship will now extend to all three levels of the defense.

His coaching philosophy may differ most days from that of Mike Zimmer – "You've heard of 'good cop, bad cop,' right?" – but the contrast also is why the two work so well together. The longtime co-workers and friends share a common bond for getting things done on the football field.

"There's no gray with Mike Zimmer. Whether you want to hear it or not, he's going to tell you the truth: what you're doing good, what you're doing bad and what you need to improve," Patterson said. "I'm more of the motherly type. I'm going to put my arm around you and teach you.

"[But we] both strive every day to be great, and we both strive every day to overturn every rock that we can to put our players in a better position so they can succeed," he added. "All the years we've been together, it's always been about that."

And this season will be no different, as Mike and Adam Zimmer and Patterson collaborate to help the Vikings defense be the very best it can be in 2020.

"He knows that Adam and I understand what it's supposed to look like. I think that's the biggest thing," Patterson said. "You can't achieve it until you know what it's supposed to look like. And Adam and I know, when this defense is right, what it's supposed to look like." PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 2/12/20

Vikings 2020 Mock Draft Tracker: Version 2.0

By Eric Smith

EAGAN, Minn. — The 2020 NFL Draft is inching closer.

The league's top offseason event will be held April 23-25 in Las Vegas, with the Vikings currently scheduled to have the 25th overall pick.

We found 15 recent projections from draft analysts around the league, with almost half of those experts (seven) predicting a cornerback ending up in Minnesota. Draft analysts also project multiple defensive tackles and offensive tackles to the Vikings, as well as a quarterback.

Here's a look at our second Vikings 2020 Mock Draft Tracker:

DT Ross Blacklock AP RELATED LINKS Vikings 2020 Mock Draft Tracker: Version 1.0 ESPN's Todd McShay

Feb. 3, 2019

The predicted pick: Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU

I really like Blacklock's tape, and he's flying under the radar ahead of the combine later this month. Yes, Minnesota piled on 48 sacks last season and was in the top half of the league in run defense, but Everson Griffen is a free agent, and Linval Joseph isn't getting any younger at 31. The big, athletic Blacklock can help that front remain strong. Cornerback and offensive line are also positions to keep an eye on for the Vikings, but I didn't love the value here — though Auburn's Noah Igbinoghene is a possibility.

Click here for McShay's full mock draft.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic

Feb. 4, 2020

The predicted pick: Josh Jones, T, Houston

If Minnesota elects to move Riley Reiff inside to guard, offensive tackle shoots to the top of the Vikings wish list this offseason. Jones needs to strengthen his anchor, but players with his athletic feet and body control usually don't make it out of the first round.

Click here for Brugler's full mock draft.

CB Trevon Diggs AP NFL.com's Chad Reuter

Feb. 3, 2020

The predicted first-round pick: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

The Vikings secondary is due for a reboot this spring. Diggs gets to take on his brother, Stefon, in practice on a daily basis, which will be good prep for taking on the rest of the league's top wideouts.

The predicted second-round pick: K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State

The predicted third-round pick: Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri

Click here for Reuter's three-round mock draft.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein

Jan. 29, 2020

The predicted pick: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

Johnson is a long, man-cover cornerback who could make both Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes (pending free agent) expendable.

Click here for Zierlein's mock draft.

Kevin Hanson of Sports Illustrated

Feb. 7, 2020

The predicted pick: Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama

Both Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander are scheduled to become free agents and the play of Xavier Rhodes has regressed significantly. Younger brother of Stefon, Trevon has ideal length for the position and led Alabama in pass breakups (eight) last season.

Click here for Hanson's full mock draft.

QB Jacob Eason AP Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports

Feb. 3, 2020

The predicted pick: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

Eason looks a lot like Carson Palmer when he's on the field. And while he could've benefitted from another year at Washington, he has the physical tools to play the position at a high level. Like most young QBs, he'll need time to grow into the position. In Minnesota, Kirk Cousins has one more year left on his current deal, and Eason would be a natural successor should the two sides decide to part ways.

Click here for Wilson's full mock draft.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports

Feb. 5, 2020

The predicted pick: Marlon Davidson, DT, Auburn

Davidson was a rock on the edge for the past two years at Auburn but has bulked up into the 290s to present himself as an interior lineman. He has a good first step and a developed depot of pass-rushing moves with plenty of power in his punch.

Click here for Trapasso's full mock draft.

DE Yetur Gross-Matos AP Josh Edwards of CBS Sports

Feb. 7, 2020

The predicted pick: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State

Minnesota needs another edge rusher and potentially two before long. Gross-Matos is a long player that can apply some pressure around the edge.

Click here for Edwards' full mock draft.

R.J. White of CBS Sports

Feb. 5, 2020

The predicted pick: CJ Henderson, CB, Florida

Henderson has a high ceiling and should be able to handle himself when pressed into early duty.

Click here for White's full mock draft.

Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus

Feb. 3, 2020

The predicted pick: Marlon Davidson, DT, Auburn

Davidson was one of the biggest movers with his play at the Senior Bowl a couple of weeks ago. He has prototypical 3-tech traits even though he played mostly on the edge at Auburn. Earning an 83.8 pass-rushing grade playing out of position in the SEC is pretty dang impressive.

Click here for Renner's full mock draft.

CB Kristian Fulton AP Matt Miller of Bleacher Report

Feb. 3, 2020

The predicted pick: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

Fulton, who grades out higher than 2019 draft pick Greedy Williams did at LSU, is a physical cornerback with excellent instincts and toughness. He was banged up in 2019 and played through an ankle injury that may have some questioning his tape, but don't question his mentality. He's wired to be great, and like Tre'Davious White before him coming out of LSU, he could be special as a late first-rounder.

A sneaky need for Minnesota would be quarterback if one happened to fall, but none of value are available in this spot.

Click here for Miller's full mock draft.

Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports

Feb. 10, 2020

The predicted pick: Josh Jones, T, Houston

Jones could be this year's Andre Dillard — the Senior Bowl attendee whose evaluation takes a jump and lands him in the later portion of Round 1. Jones has the physical tools and enough nasty for the Vikings to consider having him replace Riley Reiff at left tackle eventually. Once Jones gets stronger and cleans up his pass sets a bit, he could be a force.

Click here for Edholm's full mock draft.

Dan Kadar of SB Nation

Feb. 10, 2020

The predicted pick: Josh Jones, T, Houston

Thomas and Jones both fell a little bit in this week's mock draft, but never forget that no one really knows what's going to happen on draft night. If Jones slides, the Vikings can stop his free fall at No. 25 and Riley Reiff can finally be moved off the left tackle spot.

Click here for Kadar's full mock draft.

CB Jeff Gladney AP

Jordan Reid of The Draft Network

Feb. 10, 2020

The predicted pick: Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU

Based on what they have drafted in years past, Jeff Gladney will have many fans in the team's draft room. He possesses excellent match-mirror technique and has plenty of interest with tackling in run support. Gladney is the type of cornerback prospect that the team has taken a liking to before.

Click here for Reid's full mock draft.

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News

Feb. 6, 2020

The predicted pick: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

Xavier Rhodes has faded fast as a big cover man, and Trae Waynes is a pending free agent. Dantzler (6-2, 185 pounds) has nice size and uses his hands and hips well to be disruptive against receivers downfield. He's at his best operating in zone and can be deployed well in Mike Zimmer's defense.

Click here for Iyer's full mock draft.

PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 2/12/20

Panel & Fans Vote on Vikings Best RBs & FB from 2010-19

By Eric Smith

A new decade is upon us, as the Vikings have their sights set on 2020 and beyond. But before we fully turn to what's next, Vikings fans looked back at some of their favorite players from the previous decade.

Minnesota went 81-77-2in the seasons between 2010 and 2019, winning a pair of NFC North titles and making four total playoff appearances during the decade (2-4 in postseason play).

There isn't an All-Decade Team for the Minnesota Vikings, but if there was one, who would be on it for their play with the team between 2010-19?

Vikings.com opened the topic for debate to a panel featuring "Voice of the Vikings" Paul Allen, analyst Pete Bercich, Mark Rosen and Kevin Seifert. Fans also were invited to vote online for their best players of the decade. Fans could vote for two running backs and one fullback. More than 5,000 ballots were cast. rb RELATED LINKS Panel & Fans Vote on Vikings Best QB from 2010-19 Adrian Peterson, 2012-2016

Fan Vote: 5,173 votes

Stats from the Decade: 77 games, 1,503 rushing attempts for 7,263 yards (4.8 yards per carry) with 57 rushing touchdowns, 61 rushes of 20-plus yards; 158 receptions for 1,116 yards and four touchdowns

Thoughts from the Panel

"It's Adrian by a mile … the 2012 [NFL] MVP." — Paul Allen

"I think he was the best running back, period, in the NFL for the decade. … When you look back, you realize how much teams did to scheme to stop him, and they still couldn't do it. That's a man, and a great running back." — Pete Bercich

Dalvin Cook, 2017-2019

Fan Vote: 4,512 votes

Stats from the Decade: 29 games, 457 rushing attempts for 2,104 yards (4.6 yards per carry) with 17 rushing touchdowns, 15 rushes of 20-plus yards; 104 receptions for 914 yards and two touchdowns

Thoughts from the Panel

"In my mind, it's Adrian Peterson and Dalvin Cook." — Mark Rosen

"Dalvin is my second guy." — Paul Allen

C.J. Ham (fullback), 2017-2019

Fan Vote: 3,771

Stats from the Decade: 47 games, 20 rushing attempts for 38 yards (1.9 yards per carry) with a rushing touchdown; 35 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown

Thoughts from the Panel

"I went with C.J. Ham by an inch over Jerome [Felton] … this is a race to the wire won by C.J. [because of] his special teams work. Now, that's not technically as a fullback, but as a fullback, he was impeccable. The way he was utilized in the offense this year with his pass-catching ability … he was a super-accomplished tailback in college, so he had to kind of change and morph into what he's doing now." — Paul Allen

Vikings All-Decade Team Candidates: Running Backs View images of the Vikings All-Decade Team candidates at running back.

Also received votes…

Jerick McKinnon, 2014-2017

Stats from the Decade: 58 games, 474 rushing attempts for 1,918 yards (4.0 yards per carry) with seven touchdowns, nine rushes of 20-plus yards; 142 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns

Latavius Murray, 2017-2018

Stats from the Decade: 32 games, 356 rushing attempts for 1,420 yards (4.0 yards per carry) with 14 touchdowns, 13 rushes of 20-plus yards; 37 receptions for 244 yards

Toby Gerhart, 2010-13

Stats from the Decade: 61 games, 276 rushing attempts for 1,305 yards (4.7 yards per carry) with five touchdowns, nine rushes of 20-plus yards; 77 receptions for 600 yards and three touchdowns

Matt Asiata, 2012-16

Stats from the Decade: 74 games, 361 rushing attempts for 1,259 yards (3.5 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns, three rushes of 20-plus yards; 101 receptions for 722 yards and one touchdown

Jerome Felton (fullback), 2012-2014

Stats from the Decade: 45 games, 4 rushing attempts for 27 yards (6.7 yards per carry), one rush of 20-plus yards; nine receptions for 72 yards

Zach Line (fullback), 2013-16

Stats from the Decade: 35 games, 13 rushing attempts for 25 yards (1.9 yards per carry), two touchdowns; seven receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown