Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer
We finished up practice today. I brought them in a little bit later because of the late game the other night, just give them a little bit more recovery time and then we went to work. Good practice today and we'll keep getting back at it this week.
Q: Where are you guys at as far as emotionally recovering from Monday night?
A: We're good. We put it to bed and we're ready to roll.
Q: Did you watch a lot of that film from the other night?
A: We watched some of it, yes.
Q: Did you say anything in your team meeting today or did you say your peace the other night?
A: I always have a team meeting on Wednesday.
Q: Did you say anything you would like to share with us?
A: No.
Q: How have you seen Everson Griffen step into the leadership role of being a captain?
A: The players voted him a captain and he's a guy that I'm extremely proud of and the maturation that he's had and the way that he's grown up in a lot of ways. He cares an awful lot about the Vikings, he cares a lot about this organization and he cares about being a good football player. I bet you three years ago or whatever he probably wouldn't have gotten the most votes.
Q: How do you feel Matt Kalil played the other night?
A: Fine. I really want to talk about Detroit. That's what we're going to talk about is Detroit. We're not talking any more about the game [last Monday]. We're just going to focus on Detroit now.
Q: What does Trae Waynes have to do moving forward to crack the lineup in some capacity?
A: Cover guys better.
Q: What is the difference in the dynamic of the Detroit defensive line with Haloti Ngata there instead of Ndamukong Suh?
A: Not much really. Ngata is a big physical guy like Suh was and their front tries to get after you every single play if they can. It hasn't changed really at all.
Q: As tough as they were against the run last year, is it pretty much the same this year despite the changes they had in the front four?
A: Yeah, I think they're a really good defense. They do a good job with their scheme, they do a good job with their coaching and they've got guys that will run and hit.
Q: What have you seen from Ameer Abdullah?
A: He's a big-time explosive back. We looked at him really hard coming out. He's a big-time explosive back, gets in space, can put his foot in the ground and accelerate, catches the ball good out of the backfield. He's a dangerous weapon.
Q: Is swarming to the ball and lane integrity all the more important against a guy like Abdullah?
A: All important, yeah.
Q: Have you sensed a similar maturation with Gerald Hodges buying into what you're doing?
A: Yes, he's much improved that way. He's not totally there yet, but he's got one foot over the fence, so we just keep him going that way.
Q: What is he like as a person and what are your impressions of Hodges?
A: He's serious about football, he cares, he wants to play, he had to realize that the respect and the way that you play is earned, not given to you because you're a good athlete. It's about earning your playing time, so I think that's part of his growing up.
Q: How does Detroit present a different challenge as far as its rushing attack compared to San Francisco's?
A: They've got a lot of weapons outside with Golden Tate and [Calvin] Johnson. [Eric] Ebron is a good tight end, he had some catches last week. They've got some skill guys in the backfield with [Theo] Riddick and [Ameer] Abdullah, like he mentioned. I'm assuming it will be a different attack. The problems are the same, you've got to do what you've got to do and you've got to do it the right way.
Q: Do you plan to keep Gerald Hodges at middle linebacker?
A: Yeah, we plan on keeping him going the same way.
Q: Will you just wait until next week to fill the open roster spot with Jabari Price?
A: Haven't decided yet. We've talked about filling it, but we haven't come to a conclusion yet.
Q: Do you think this was a wake-up call for both sides of the ball?
A: I don't know. I don't know, we'll find out I guess.
Q: To get Adrian Peterson going do you want to stick to a script?
A: We're going to do what we feel is best to win the football game however we have to do it. Whatever that is, is what it is.
Q: Adrian Peterson said his biggest challenge after not playing for a while was his recovery time, have you got any indications of how he's recovered?
A: No, he looked fine to me in practice today. You'd have to ask him. I just try to get these guys ready to play, that's all.
Q: Do you want guys to take a loss like Monday night's personal so they can correct what needs to be corrected?
A: I don't know. I'm focused on Detroit and what we've got to do to win that game. Can't do anything about the past, as Bill Gates said, 'we can only connect the dots going forward.'
Q: Can you describe the demeanor in the film sessions when you're going over some of the issues you want to fix?
A: Serious.
Q: How would you say Brian Robison did when he played inside?
A: He didn't get very many chances the other day, so we'll see.
Q: How do you think Teddy Bridgewater's reaction and his ability to move forward to Detroit?
A: He seemed the same to me. It's hard for me to describe what guys are feeling and how their emotions are and things like that without really asking them and I'm not a big emotional guy.
Q: Have you seen Teddy Bridgewater's focus increase?
A: No, Teddy's focus is always good. I don't think so.
