Vikings Back To Work With NFC North Division Lead At Stake
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Minnesota Vikings players often get the day off the Monday following a win.
Not this week. Mike Zimmer called them into work.
"I wanted to talk to them today," the Vikings head coach said.
And when they arrived, each player found a new T-shirt in his locker with the words "Beat Green Bay" printed on the back.
Zimmer's handiwork.
"It's just a T-shirt," Zimmer said with a grin. "It's just a T-shirt. You can go down to the store and print 'em up. It's not a big deal."
But not every opponent gets its own custom-ordered shirt. Though maybe not by what they say, their actions show the Vikings know just how big of a game this is.
"Our players understand this is a big game," Zimmer said. "I don't think I'm going to have to bring out magic wands or anything like that. I think they'll understand."
It appears they do.
"They're still Green Bay," defensive end Brian Robison said. "So we've just got to get ready and do what we've been doing."
What they've been doing is playing the physical, smart brand of football Zimmer has been trying to establish here since he took over. And they've won their last five games because of it.
"I think we're developing toughness and smartness," Zimmer said. "I think we're developing a tough-minded attitude."
It's an attitude that is a reflection of their coach himself. Printing those T-shirts are just the latest imprint Zimmer has made on this Vikings franchise.
"I think this team probably exemplifies the personality of the coach better than any team I've been on," linebacker Chad Greenway said.
Robison agreed.
"He's brought a different mentality the last two years," Robison said. "Everything is about being more physical, outworking our opponent. I think that's what you're seeing on the field."
And seeing on a T-shirt.
"The division goes through Green Bay," Greenway said. "And we've proven nothing until we can go prove (we can) beat them."
