Mike Zimmer (Coach) - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Kaepernick, Lions, Megatron

May 22nd, 2017 at 4:06pm CST by Zachary Links

A group will gather outside of the NFL’s headquarters on Wednesday to show support for former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, as ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein writes.

“He stood up for us. It’s only right that he took our issues in our communities and brought it to a national level and sacrificed salary and being ostracized by the NFL,” nonprofit chair Kevin Livingston said. “It was only right that we stand up for him. I started this, literally, when he came to my office — I was moved. I work with parolees. People usually want to ostracize this particular population. Me working with him on the front lines and him coming to my office, this is not the first time I’ve worked with him. “So I thought it was only right that I stand up for him.”

In addition to the demonstration in Manhattan, there will also be pro-Kaepernick gatherings in Brooklyn, Harlem, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Orlando, Florida, Chicago, Houston, Washington, D.C., Miami, Detroit, and other locations. The Seahawks are known to have some interest in Kaepernick, but the QB still remains without work.

Here’s more from the NFC:

Former Buccaneers first round pick Josh Freeman participated in an open CFL tryout in Dallas, as noted by Neil Stratton of Inside The League (on Twitter). Freeman, 29, has not appeared in an NFL game since he made one start for the Colts in 2015. Freeman’s agent tried to get the quarterback signed by Dallas last summer after Kellen Moore broke his leg. Dallas declined, but things worked out pretty OK for the team anyway in 2016.
Calvin Johnson is annoyed at the Lions for having to repay the unearned portion of his signing bonus, but Mike Florio of PFT argues that he could have avoided this predicament. The wide receiver had a salary of $15.95MM and a cap number of $24MM hitting the books in March 2016, so he could have held the line before opting to retire.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer will be taking some time off to recovery from eye surgery, the team announced today. He’ll miss the start of OTA practices, but the hope is that he will be “back on the field in a few weeks.”

NFC Rumors: Megatron, Vikings, Redskins

May 20th, 2017 at 6:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Calvin Johnson said again Saturday he is not coming back to football, and the potential Hall of Fame wide receiver didn’t like the way his relationship with the Lions concluded when he retired in March 2016.

“I just didn’t feel like I was treated the way I should have been treated on the way out. That’s all,” Johnson said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I mean, it’s all good. I’m not tripping. I don’t feel any kind of way, just hey, that’s what they did. Hey, it is what is.”

Johnson declined to go into specifics regarding this. Birkett points out the Lions attempted to recoup some of Megatron’s signing bonus, reporting Johnson paid $320K — one-tenth of the $3.2MM the Lions could have collected under the CBA — when he retired. The parties agreed to a reduced payment last year, Birkett notes. This retirement unfolded smoother than Barry Sanders‘ did in 1999. The Lions filed a grievance against the Hall of Fame running back, and he paid the team back in installments.

Johnson also alluded to a conversation he had with the team regarding the reason he was retiring. Last year, the receiver did say it would have been harder to follow through with the early-retirement plan if the Lions were in a better position to compete. But he maintained this NFL exit centered around his health.

“They told me they wouldn’t trade me if I came back and stuff like that, but it wasn’t about that,” Johnson said, via Birkett. “It was about how I felt.”

Here’s the latest from the NFC.

Mike Zimmer underwent an eighth right eye operation this week, Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. All of these procedures have occurred since November of last year. The fourth-year Vikings coach said he’s unsure if this will be the last one. Zimmer missed Week 13 of last season due to eye troubles and acknowledges he will experience vision problems in his left eye at some point.
Zimmer said the franchise carefully took Michael Floyd‘s off-the-field history into account before signing him. “We always try to weigh every situation, but you know he’s from here. I think he has a good support system with Harrison Smith and Kyle Rudolph partly,’’ Zimmer said (via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press) of two former Floyd Notre Dame teammates. “So a lot of those things were factored in and entered into it.” A Floyd arrest for a super extreme DUI led to the Cardinals releasing him last season.
The Redskins don’t plan to move one of their outside linebackers to defensive end before training camp. The team drafted Ryan Anderson to join a stable of outside ‘backers that includes Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Murphy, Preston Smith and Junior Galette. But none will be tried at 3-4 end, John Keim of ESPN.com reports. Washington may have a crowd here, but it’s not full of reliable players. Murphy will serve a four-game suspension, and Galette hasn’t played since 2014. Free agents Stacy McGee and Terrell McClain preceded Jonathan Allen‘s arrival in what will be a new-look defensive end corps. Washington lost Chris Baker and cut Ricky Jean-Francois this offseason.

NFC Notes: Redskins, Panthers, Cowboys

March 3rd, 2017 at 9:02pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Although free agency opens in less than a week, the Redskins still haven’t attempted to negotiate a new deal with Pierre Garcon, the soon-to-be available wide receiver said Thursday (via Peter Halley of CSN Mid-Atlantic). “I haven’t heard anything from the Redskins,” Garcon said on former Colts punter Pat McAfee’s podcast. “I have not heard anything at all. But everybody does strategic moves right before free agency, or right during free agency, so I couldn’t tell you what they’re up to.” As arguably a top 25 free agent in the 2017 class, the 30-year-old Garcon could garner $9MM-plus per annum on his next contract.

NFC Notes: 49ers, Eagles, Vikings

January 26th, 2017 at 12:04pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

In their drawn-out quest to find a general manager, the 49ers are down to two finalists – Vikings assistant GM George Paton and Cardinals Terry McDonough – but “it’s not a lock” either will end up with the job, a source close to the team told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. While there’s a “good chance” one of them will land the role, per the source, the previously reported Mark Dominik “could become involved” if the Niners go in another direction, writes Maiocco.

Mike Zimmer To Resume Coaching Vikings

December 5th, 2016 at 9:28am CST by Zachary Links

Mike Zimmer has returned to his coaching duties and is expected to travel with the team to Jacksonville for this weekend’s game, the Vikings announced. Zimmer will address the media later on today.

It’s not immediately clear how Zimmer will be traveling to Jacksonville because it could be hazardous to fly after his most recent eye surgery. If he cannot board a plane, the Vikings have a plan in place to drive Zimmer in Florida, according to reports from last week.

Last week, Zimmer was forced to stay home while the Vikings faced the Cowboys. As he listened on the radio to help rest his eyes, Minnesota fell 17-15 under the guidance of special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. If Zimmer was forced to missed this upcoming game, Priefer presumably would have been in the interim role once again.

After the Dallas loss, the Vikings are 6-6 and second place in the NFC North. They’ll need to turn it on the final month to have a chance of catching the 8-4 Lions.

Vikings’ Mike Zimmer Could Return Next Week

December 4th, 2016 at 3:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer underwent a fourth eye operation on Friday, he could still return to coach his club in Week 14, a source tells Ben Goessling of ESPN.com. Zimmer was forced to miss Minnesota’s Thursday night contest against the Cowboys after having emergency eye surgery on Wednesday night.

The Vikings are set to play the Jaguars on December 11, and while Zimmer’s most recent procedure could prevent him from flying to Jacksonville, he would likely be able to drive to Florida to attend the game. However, Goessling reports that Zimmer could return to the club before that contest. In fact, Zimmer is scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday, so it would appear that Minnesota is aiming for business as usual.

If plans change, the Vikings would once again turn to special teams coach Mike Priefer to lead the team. Priefer did so against the Cowboys, presumably so coordinators Pat Shurmur and George Edwards could focus on their play-calling roles. According to Goessling, Priefer said he would be honored to step in for Zimmer once again, but said he hopes he’s “not needed in that capacity.”

The NFC North rival Lions and Packers both secured victories today, and now stand with records of 8-4 and 6-6, respectively. The Vikings are also 6-6 after Thursday’s loss to Dallas, and need to finish the season strong to have a chance at a postseason berth. After the Jaguars game, the Vikings will face the Colts, Packers, and Bears to close out the 2016 campaign.

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer To Miss TNF

December 1st, 2016 at 10:21am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings announced that head coach Mike Zimmer is undergoing emergency eye surgery and will be forced to miss Thursday night’s game against the Cowboys. General manager Rick Spielman announced that special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be in the driver’s seat while Zimmer is out. It’s not immediately clear whether Zimmer could miss multiple games.

“We are taking it one day at a time. We want to get through tonight’s game and then tomorrow we will reassess where we’re at,” Spielman said.

This is at least the third eye operation for Zimmer, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. Zimmer previously had eye surgery in early November after tearing his retina during a game, as Dave Campbell of the Associated Press detailed at the time. Zimmer was able to coach the Vikings’ subsequent game, but did note that he had not sought immediate treatment, he may have been at risk for blindness.

The decision to go with Priefer is interesting, considering that the Vikings already have two former head coaches on staff. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano was previously the head coach of both the Dolphins and Raiders, while offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur once led the Browns. Former offensive coordinator Norv Turner also had head coaching experience, but he resigned earlier this month.

PFR extends its best wishes to Coach Zimmer and hopes for a safe, quick, and thorough recovery.

This post was modified from an earlier version published on Wednesday.

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer May Miss TNF

November 30th, 2016 at 9:21pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings announced that head coach Mike Zimmer is undergoing emergency eye surgery and could be forced to miss tomorrow night’s game against the Cowboys. General manager Rick Spielman stated that he has met with the club’s coaches and players, and Minnesota has a “contingency plan in place” in case Zimmer is unable to coach.

This is at least the third eye operation for Zimmer, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. Zimmer previously had eye surgery in early November after tearing his retina during a game, as Dave Campbell of the Associated Press detailed at the time. Zimmer was able to coach the Vikings’ subsequent game, but did note that he had not sought immediate treatment, he may have been at risk for blindness.

As noted, the Vikings have plan in place in the event that Zimmer is sidelined, and the club does have two former head coaches on staff. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano was previously the head coach of both the Dolphins and Raiders, while offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur once led the Browns. Former offensive coordinator Norv Turner also had head coaching experience, but he resigned earlier this month.

PFR extends its best wishes to Coach Zimmer and hopes for a safe, quick, and thorough recovery.

Vikings Sign Mike Zimmer To Extension

July 28th, 2016 at 12:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings and coach Mike Zimmer have reached agreement on a contract extension, GM Rick Spielman announced. Spielman did not disclose the length or terms of the deal, saying only that Zimmer will be the Vikings’ coach “for a long time.” Spielman said that talks started right after the playoffs, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

“Mike has instilled a very positive atmosphere over the past three years and our players have thrived under his tutelage and leadership,” team owner Zygi Wilf said in a press release. “His focus on helping our players develop and maximize potential, individually and collectively, is critical for our current and future success. We believe the continuity established with Mike leading our football team is a very positive step for our organization.”

Zimmer led the Vikings to an 11-5 record last season and the club’s first NFC North title since 2009. Zimmer holds an 18-14 record in his two seasons as a head coach, the second-most wins by a Viking head coach in his first two seasons, trailing only the late Dennis Green who had 20 wins.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Notes: Vikings, Saints, 49ers, Packers, Hill

August 1st, 2015 at 6:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

As we head into Saturday night, here’s the latest from around the NFC.

Panthers wideout Stephen Hill‘s bad week worsened Saturday in the form of a right leg injury that resulted in him being carted off the field, according to Steve Reed of the Associated Press. This comes a few days after his marijuana-related citation. Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer tweeted Hill’s status “doesn’t look good.” He has to be considered a longshot to play in North Carolina this season, considering what’s happened this week and the players residing ahead of the former second-round pick on the Panthers’ depth chart.
A starter at right tackle in Minnesota’s final five games last season, Mike Harris will receive the first crack at earning the Vikings‘ starting right guard job, coach Mike Zimmer confirmed to media (via Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune). Rookie T.J. Clemmings also figures to factor in there, but Harris has started 17 games since arriving in the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
Adrian Peterson‘s game-action drought will likely continue until the Vikings take the field for the regular season, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports. Although this means the running back’s time without having suited up for a game will last more than a year, with the Vikings’ opener coming Sept. 14, Peterson hasn’t carried the ball in a preseason game since 2011.
Saints coach Sean Payton was not surprised by the suspension given to tight end Orson Charles‘ one-game suspension for a road-rage incident, telling media (including NOLA.com’s Evan Woodberry), “We were on top of all of that. None of that was a surprise, “Payton said. “He’s been very forthright in communicating. He’s been very open with the league and with ourselves.” Charles has started six games in three seasons, each coming with the Bengals as a rookie in 2012.
As part of his reworked contract, fifth-year 49er Aldon Smith collected a $300K roster bonus Saturday. The perpetually afoul-with-the-league linebacker’s earned $800K in bonuses since April 1, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Sean Richardson‘s eventful offseason continued Saturday, with the safety receiving a $200K bonus for being on the roster on the third day of Packers training camp, per ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky (via Twitter). The Packers matched the Raiders’ $2.55MM contract offer and kept Richardson in Green Bay for another season.