*Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer *
Q: What have you seen from the Jaguars run defense?
A: They're good, they're very active. [Paul] Posluszny makes a lot of tackles. [Malik] Jackson is very active inside. They hit and get off blocks quickly. They play a lot of extra guys in the box. They're pretty darn good.
Q: How similar is their defense to Seattle's?
A: It's very similar in a lot of ways. Base defense is very similar. They might have a few more variations. The base is the same.
Q: Do you see progress in the run game?
A: We ran the ball, we're getting some more efficient runs and handling the ball better. We just have to do a better job running it when we get in the red zone. We have to do a better job, obviously, of eliminating some of these bad plays. There is progress.
Q: Do you see that progress in the run blocking as well?
A: Yeah, all parts of it.
Q: Did you ever anticipate this team going from a run-first team to a pass-first team this season?
A: Well, there's a lot of things that I didn't plan on when the season started. It's part of adaptation in this league. It's really what every NFL season is.
Q: Why has Adam Thielen been able to break out this year?
A: He has gotten way more opportunities, obviously. He goes in there and makes plays when he gets a chance. The more plays you make, the more opportunities you get.
Q: Was it steady improvement or did Thielen have a particularly good training camp?
A: I think it started in training camp but he also made a great catch in Tennessee the first game, a couple great catches. He's made some great catches. The more you do that, the more chances you get.
Q: Where is Cordarrelle Patterson with his route running?
A: At times, really good, and at times, it needs to be better.
Q: How has Nick Easton played when he has been in there?
A: Pretty good. He has been quick to get to the second level. He has been good on the double teams. He has got a low center of gravity with some strength, so he hasn't been getting overpowered. So, I think, there has been a lot of good things, and obviously, there are some things he has got to clean up.
Q: Where does Joe Berger stand in the concussion protocol? Is he still in it and working through it?
A: Yeah.
Q: Is there hope that he can still play Sunday?
A: I don't know. The injury report will come out in a little bit.
Q: Do Sam Bradford and Nick Easton take extra exchanges with each other to develop more chemistry with under-center snaps?
A: Not necessarily. They get a lot of reps together, but I wouldn't say they go on the side and get extra. We have a ball handling period when we do stuff. They get [reps], all the centers and quarterbacks.
Q: Are you cleared to travel with the team?
A: *(Nods yes.) *We're not talking about injuries. *(Reporter: You're not on the injury report, though.) *True.
Q: Are you going to coach from the sidelines this week, or is there any chance you'll coach from the box?
A: I don't know.
Q: What would be the difference for you if you were up in the box? How would communication work?
A: I don't know. I'm not going to worry about it. The doctor just doesn't want me to get hit. That's all. So, we'll be OK.
