Presser Points: Zimmer Wants CBs to Progress from Kindergarten to Master's Program

[Viktor]

EAGAN, Minn. — Mike Zimmer provided one of his best quotes of the 2020 season on Wednesday morning in a videoconference with the Twin Cities media.


The Vikings Head Coach was asked about his young cornerbacks group, a topic that is inquired about almost every time he speaks with local reporters.


Zimmer provided a solid one-liner about that group's progression.


"Right now we're still in kindergarten," Zimmer said, "but we're trying to get to a Master's program here quickly."


The Vikings are playing a host of young players in the secondary this season. Jeff Gladney, Cam Dantzler and Harrison Hand are rookies, while Kris Boyd is a second-year player.


Mike Hughes and Holton Hill are third-year players. Others such as Mark Fields II, Chris Jones and Marcus Sayles, who is on the practice squad, have minimal NFL experience.


But even with some mistakes so far in 2020, Zimmer said he's also seen progress, too.


"They've all made improvements, each one of them in different areas," Zimmer said. "I know Gladney had some bad plays this week, but he had some good plays, as well.


"Those are the kinds of things you're looking for," Zimmer added. "These good plays where they, really what I'm looking for out of these guys is not so much 'paint-by-the-numbers.' It's a little bit more, 'Oh, I can kind of anticipate what they might be doing here based off the split or the motion or the receiver that's in there.' "


Zimmer was also asked if he has to be protective of his young corners with his defensive calls.


That led to an unprompted word search, as reporters chimed in to help Zimmer, who couldn't quite put his finger on how to answer that.


"I guess the best way to say it is that I'm … what's the word I'm looking for?" Zimmer said. "You always have that in the back of your mind of when to be aggressive and when not. I wouldn't say 'protective' … I'd say more … I can't think of the word now. Help me out."


"Not cautious," Zimmer said. "I'm going to pick my spots, how's that? That wasn't what I was looking for, but you get the idea."


Selective?


"No, not the word I was looking for either. I've got to get out the Webster's [Dictionary] here," Zimmer quipped.


Jones is currently the Vikings eldest cornerback to 25 years old. He has played in just 14 career games, all with Arizona.


Here are three other topics Zimmer discussed Wednesday: