Presser Points: Zimmer on Vikings Belief Following the Bye

[Viktor]

4. Speaking of anticipation…


Zimmer on two different occasions emphasized the ability for defenders to anticipate the offense's next move.


So then, is anticipation a teachable skill for young players, specifically for Minnesota's inexperienced cornerbacks?


Zimmer said there always are "tips and tells" to study ahead of any given opponent.


"Based on splits of receivers, based on where the back is, based on where the tight end is. I mean, there's always little things that can give you a tip, and if you're able to line up quickly and then be able to see the bigger picture, [you can capitalize on that]," Zimmer said.


He referenced former Vikings cornerback Terence Newman, who often was called upon to play in different positions.


"When [Newman] was playing in the nickel or playing outside, he always had some tips. And it might be as little as the receiver has his inside foot up or outside foot up," Zimmer said. "There's so many different things – the tight end's off the ball, or the tight end is in line and the back is to him.


"There's so many different little tips that as these guys get more mature, they'll start understanding these things. It's just taken a while," he added. "They want to do what they're told to do, which is what we expect them to do, but we want them to do that naturally and then see the rest of the picture."