• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • Pro Wrestling
  • MMA
Your 2017 NFL Coach of the Year, Mike Zimmer

Your 2017 NFL Coach of the Year, Mike Zimmer

December 4, 2017
senators

Five Takeaways from Senators GM Pierre Dorion

April 13, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: David Moore

April 13, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
2021 Dolphins Draft Prospect: Center Landon Dickerson

2021 Dolphins Draft Prospect: Center Landon Dickerson

April 13, 2021
Legend, By Example: Patriots WR Julian Edelman Announces Retirement

Legend, By Example: Patriots WR Julian Edelman Announces Retirement

April 12, 2021
Bruins hall

Taylor Hall Has To Embrace Bruins’ High Expectations, Not Lower Them

April 12, 2021
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff Admits to Making Last-Minute Trade

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff Admits to Making Last-Minute Trade

April 12, 2021
2021 Dolphins Draft Prospect: Running back Kenneth Gainwell

2021 Dolphins Draft Prospect: Running back Kenneth Gainwell

April 12, 2021

FPC Chiefs 2021 Mock Draft: Holecek 3.0

April 12, 2021
wrestlemania 37

37 Thoughts on Wrestlemania 37 Night Two

April 12, 2021
Even If Bruins Aren’t One Taylor Hall From Cup, Sweeney Had To This Make Trade

Even If Bruins Aren’t One Taylor Hall From Cup, Sweeney Had To This Make Trade

April 12, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Opinion: Avoiding Last-Season Swoon

April 12, 2021
1 Step Forward, 1 Step Back For Flyers Ahead Of Trade Deadline

1 Step Forward, 1 Step Back For Flyers Ahead Of Trade Deadline

April 11, 2021
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • FullPressRadio.com
  • SHOP FPC
  • FullPressHockey.com
  • FullPressWrestling.com


Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Full Press Coverage
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Coverage
No Result
View All Result
Home Around FPC

Your 2017 NFL Coach of the Year, Mike Zimmer

Sam Smith by Sam Smith
December 4, 2017
in Around FPC, Minnesota Vikings, NFC, NFC North, Opinion
Reading Time: 3min read
1
Your 2017 NFL Coach of the Year, Mike Zimmer

Aug 31, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer looks on during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium. Miami won 30-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

1.5k
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Let’s be honest: The Coach of the Year Award should really be called the “Exceeded Expectations Award.” If that were not the primary criteria for identifying the top coach then Bill Belichick would win every year. But since the formula for the prize essentially boils down to actual wins minus expected wins, there are three top candidates in 2017: Sean McVay, Doug Pederson and Mike Zimmer.

I know what you are thinking. Yes you, the Vikings fan who Twitter yells “How did the Vikings have low expectations? We REAL fans knew they were skol to the bowl all along.” But this team was .500 last year and, aside from a revamped offensive line, they brought virtually the same roster this season. The prevailing prediction in August was in the range of seven wins to 10 if everything went according to plan.

More FromFPC

Legend, By Example: Patriots WR Julian Edelman Announces Retirement

Legend, By Example: Patriots WR Julian Edelman Announces Retirement

April 12, 2021

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff Admits to Making Last-Minute Trade

April 12, 2021

Raiders Opinion: Avoiding Last-Season Swoon

April 12, 2021

Giants Draft: Trade-Down Scenarios

April 11, 2021

And that was before they lost their stud running back and had to turn to their third quarterback option. The fact that this team now holds the top spot in the NFC is nothing short of astounding.

That being said, it seems the public has named Pederson and McVay the front-runners. It is tough to argue; the Eagles won seven games a year ago and the Rams won just four and they are currently second and third respectively in the NFC. McVay’s case is especially strong given that there was not a person on God’s green Earth who had the Rams competing for the division, let alone a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

What has really opened up eyes on those two coaches is their work with their second-year quarterbacks. Jared Goff was a bust as the top pick a year ago. There was nothing to point to and say “this Goff kid is going to be a stud.” Now, with McVay coaching him on pre-snap reads and play-calling to his strengths (West Coast schemes and downfield throws), Goff is likely headed to the Pro Bowl. Pederson’s work with Wentz is perhaps even more impressive, given Wentz is an MVP candidate after struggling down the stretch in year one.

The “quarterback whiperer” head coach is a sexy commodity these days. People see development of a young gunslinger and say “That is good coaching right there.” And it is; McVay and Pederson deserve a lot of credit for turning their teams into offensive powerhouses. But we need to make an apples-to-apples comparison when identifying Zimmer’s candidacy.

Zimmer is a defensive coach and a darn good one. In fact, you could make the argument that he is the league’s best defensive schemer. His use of linebackers, safeties and nickel corners with A-Gap blitzes and exotic coverage schemes keeps offensive coordinators up at night. He has elite players at each level that play aggressively, yet disciplined. They are savvy, yet they fly from sideline to sideline. This is a direct result of the defensive culture that Zimmer has set.

For defensive-minded head coaches, the talk is most often about the culture they set as opposed to the play-calling. Do not kid yourself, the culture Zimmer has established is impeccable. But as far as being a schemer, Zimmer is every bit the coach that McVay is, just on the other side of the ball.

And speaking of culture, chew on this idea: Most teams that lose their starting quarterback and star running back for the season get down, lose faith, show the effects of those losses. The Vikings have not lost a step with Case Keenum under center and Latavius Murray taking over carries. They are one of only two teams in the league in the top-five on both offense and defense. Granted, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur deserves much of the praise for playing to Keenum’s strengths and developing an effective, balanced attack. But everything falls under Zimmer’s regime.

McVay and Pederson may have the quarterback development trump card. They both can tout their record a year ago against their record this year. Pederson’s Eagles squad is top-five on offense and defense themselves. But neither of them have the full resume of overcoming obstacles and expert scheming that Zimmer has. He is the 2017 Coach of the Year.

  • NFC North: What Needs Fixing For Each Team in 2021?
  • Fall from Grace for the Once-Proud Minnesota Vikings Defense
  • Vikings at Buccaneers: Preview and Prediction
  • NFL Monday Night Football Odds: Vikings Favored to Claim Rare Win in Chicago
  • Lions Commit Three Turnovers, Get Run Over in Loss to Minnesota

–Sam Smith is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Vikings and Full Press Coverage NFC North. Like and Follow @samc_smith Follow @fpc_vikingsFollow @fpc_nfcn

Tags: featured
Share608Tweet380
Previous Post

Giants Fire Ben McAdoo And Jerry Reese

Next Post

Chargers vs Browns: Drive of the Game

Sam Smith

Sam Smith

Next Post
Chargers vs Browns: Drive of the Game

Chargers vs Browns: Drive of the Game

Report: Redskins Trying To Extend Zach Brown

Report: Redskins Trying To Extend Zach Brown

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: Noteworthy Vikings; Where Are They Now? - Full Press Coverage

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A Twitter List by iglen31

FPC Podcasts

  • Ep 43: Falcons Talk With D. Orlando Ledbetter
    by Full Press Coverage on April 13, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44320259/eyetest_ep43.mp3
  • Ep.233: Mistakes, Incompetence, and Murder
    by Full Press Coverage on April 13, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV1167213732.mp3?updated=1618327468
  • Ep #100: Chiefs Draft Deep Dive: Offensive Linemen
    by Full Press Coverage on April 13, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4526838532.mp3
  • Ep.222: Eternally Targeted
    by Full Press Coverage on April 13, 2021 at 5:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6421292541.mp3?updated=1618284791
  • The Pick and Roll NBA Podcast W/ Jet and Sap - EP 37 - Kyrie Shares Thoughts on the N-Word After Ejection
    by Full Press Coverage on April 13, 2021 at 1:03 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44310956/pick_4_12.mp3
  • "Free Agents....Kinda"
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 11:26 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4664755665.mp3
  • Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadline
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 8:48 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV1538735570.mp3?updated=1618261081
  • Ep.91: King's Eye View
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3783486604.mp3?updated=1618245114
  • 4/12 - Weekend Wrap, Vaccine Recap, Ed O'Neal, NHL Trade Deadline
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 1:59 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9628533181.mp3?updated=1618236895
  • Ep.61.: Where the Raiders Stand
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 5:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2116364394.mp3?updated=1618204893

  • 4/12 - Weekend Wrap, Vaccine Recap, Ed O'Neal, NHL Trade Deadline
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 1:59 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44303436/adv5842490920.mp3
  • 4/9 - Wrestlemania, 2024 Glendon/D'Abate Ticket, and Julian Edelman
    by Full Press Coverage on April 9, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44272056/adv5505172386.mp3
  • 4/8 - More Cowbell, Sports Movies, Space Adventures, and More
    by Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44258247/adv6567559796.mp3
  • 4/7 - Documentaries, Aaron Rodgers, and More With John Sapochetti
    by Full Press Coverage on April 7, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44242041/adv1869381289.mp3
  • 4/6 - Baylor Beats Gonzaga, Vaccines and Gil Hill, Sam Darnold To Panthers
    by Full Press Coverage on April 6, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44221388/adv9103610065.mp3
  • 4/5 - Married With Children, Vaccines, Red Sox, and More
    by Full Press Coverage on April 5, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44211047/adv7870235805.mp3
  • 3/30 - John Sapochetti Joins The Show
    by Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2021 at 6:17 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44133895/adv6448062767.mp3
  • 3/29 - Dolphins/49ers Trade; Jimmy G's Future; Cam and The Patriots
    by Full Press Coverage on March 29, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44099239/adv6405979487.mp3
  • 3/25 - RIP Jessica Walter, King Kong, NFL headlines
    by Full Press Coverage on March 27, 2021 at 2:27 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44072622/adv1740052945.mp3
  • 3/24 - Wrestlemania VII Memories, Patriots Free Agency, and NBA Talk With John Sapochetti
    by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2021 at 1:53 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44042109/adv3394145997.mp3

  • 37 Thoughts on Wrestlemania 37 Night Two
    by Evan Gomes on April 12, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    37 Thoughts About Wrestlemania 37 Night Two 1. No rain delays on our Wrestlemania Sunday. It was a […]

  • Wrestlemania 37 Night Two Predictions
    by Evan Gomes on April 11, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    Wrestlemania 37 Night Two Predictions After an exciting Night One, we’ve still got another round […]

  • 37 Thoughts on Wrestlemania 37 Night One
    by Evan Gomes on April 11, 2021 at 3:45 am

    37 Thoughts on Wrestlemania 37 Night One The weather at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa had the […]

  • Wrestlemania 37 Night One Predictions
    by Evan Gomes on April 10, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    Wrestlemania 37 Night One Predictions The Showcase of The Immortals is here! Wrestlemania 37 is […]

  • Crossbody of Work Episode 58: Beth Phoenix
    by Evan Gomes on April 10, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    Welcome to Crossbody of Work, a show where we break down a wrestler’s career through five of […]

More Wrestling News

  • Islanders’ Division Rivals Got Better Too At Trade Deadline
    by Curtis Rush on April 13, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    While the Islanders made trade-deadline moves, their East Division rivals kept pace by adding key […]

  • Five Takeaways from Senators GM Pierre Dorion
    by Murray Pam on April 13, 2021 at 1:04 pm

    It was business as usual for the Ottawa Senators and general manager Pierre Dorion at the NHL Trade […]

  • Penguins Acquire Carter for Conditional Picks
    by Luke Talotta on April 13, 2021 at 12:07 am

    The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired forward Jeff Carter from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a […]

  • Taylor Hall Has To Embrace Bruins’ High Expectations, Not Lower Them
    by Matt Kalman on April 12, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    Taylor Hall doesn’t get to set the expectations; they’ve already been set. The post Taylor Hall […]

  • Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff Admits to Making Last-Minute Trade
    by Carter Brooks on April 12, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    In what was expected to be a day highlighted by the announcement of an incoming top-four blueliner, […]

More Hockey News

  • Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadline
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Ian and Chris welcome in Mike Cratty to discuss the trade acquisitions of […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/31287822/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-3-12%2Ff58714b8-6022-3934-eaa5-6290cfb68d8c.mp3
  • Ep 58: Chris' Trip To TD Garden, Bruins Trade Target Goes Elsewhere, Injuries, and the Capitals
    by Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    Ian and Chris discuss Blackey's return to the Garden, the Islanders trade […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/30997504/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-3-8%2Ff5ad8b3a-4858-ae42-2228-24fde2fee0c2.mp3
  • Ep 57: Trade Deadline Talk w/ Mike Cratty
    by Full Press Coverage on April 1, 2021 at 5:34 pm

    Mike Cratty joins Ian and Chris to discuss the Bruins win over the Devils, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/30509893/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-3-1%2Feda15c50-e46c-8460-b62e-0f602613cda3.mp3
Full Press Coverage

© 2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • Staff Portal
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • Have a news tip?
  • Privacy Policy
  • FPC Radio Network
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • FullPressHockey.com

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows

© 2020 Full Press Coverage