Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is not happy with his team in the wake of its latest loss. After the Vikings fell to 2-4 at the hands of the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Zimmer went off on his players for their lack of focus and preparation.
“I’m extremely disappointed about this loss,” he told reporters, via Ben Rohrback of Shutdown Corner. “I can handle getting beat, but I can’t handle getting our butts whipped like that. I’m not going to let them slide. I’m going to keep pounding my head. Like I told them, the fines are going to start going to the max now. I’m tired of it.”
Zimmer expressed disappointment in pretty much everyone on his team, including Teddy Bridgewater. The rookie threw three interceptions, two of which came on tipped passes and another on a horrible throw that was intended for wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.
As for Patterson, Zimmer does not seem happy with the way the former Tennessee star has played this year. Patterson recently told reporters that he wants the ball more. Here was Zimmer’s response to that.
“He’s got to do a better job of getting open. I’m tired of hearing about all of this stuff. He’s the second-most targeted guy on the team, so if he wants the ball, tell him to get open.”
Patterson, who revealed after the game that he is playing at less than 100% health with a hip injury, was targeted eight times against the Lions. He caught just two passes for 15 yards.
The Vikings have lost four of their last five games since starting off the season with a 34-6 win over the St. Louis Rams. They have scored 10 or fewer points in each of their losses. Bridgewater is a rookie who is getting very little help at the moment. Zimmer can blame the players, but there is obviously some bad coaching going on too.
