I think this is fascinating. Should Zimmer lose his job for essentially losing his defense? Are the players subject to team discipline? Does this happen more often than we know?
http://www.startribune.com/zimmer-s-...t/408179386/#1In previous games against the Packers, Vikings cornerbacks have played a side of the field rather than following Packers receiver Jordy Nelson. Zimmer said Saturday that he wanted cornerback Xavier Rhodes to follow Nelson.
That’s not what happened in the first half. On the Packers’ first possession, Rhodes, Terence Newman and Captain Munnerlyn all covered Nelson, who finished the first half with seven catches on seven targets for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
In the second half, Rhodes covered Nelson on both sides of the field. Nelson caught two more passes for nine more yards.
“Well, that’s what he was supposed to do all game,” Zimmer said. “Someone decided that they wouldn’t do that.”
When did Zimmer notice that the players weren’t following the plan? “In the first half when Terence Newman came over and said something to me like ‘I can cover this guy, let me have him,’ ” Zimmer said. “I said, ‘Do what you’re supposed to do.’ ”