Training » interceptions while starting 14 games last season

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - The Minnesota Vikings had just finished a mediocre season with a modest victory over a last-place team, hardly a setting where raw emotion was expected.Yet there was coach Mike Zimmer, when asked specifically at his postgame news conference about the improvement made by second-year cornerback Xavier Rhodes, pausing briefly for composure.The gruff, demanding Zimmers voice cracked as he carefully revealed how Rhodes approached him in the locker room with gratitude for his tutelage and guidance.Hes got a chance to be a really good football player, Zimmer said, after Rhodes stifled Chicago wide receiver Alshon Jeffery throughout the win Sunday over the Bears.For all the dissatisfaction Zimmer expressed in his teams performance during his first season as a head coach, that competitive drive keeping him restless as the Vikings wobbled their way to a 7-9 finish, he was clearly moved by the sign of a young player finding his groove at a difficult position.One of the early themes associated with Zimmer and his coaching style, which will ultimately have a significant influence on his success, was his self-described pride in being a fixer.There was a lot to fix when he took over nearly a year ago, particularly with a defence that gave up an NFL-worst average of 30 points per game, and upgrades are needed still in several areas.This group, though, was unquestionably better in 2014. Player after player, in interviews Monday during the annual cubicle clean-out at the team facility, pointed to Zimmer for the progress.Hes brought a completely different tone around here of just being professional, playing aggressive, tough, disciplined football, safety Harrison Smith said.Zimmer had been an assistant coach in the league for 20 years, including 14 as a defensive co-ordinator, before accepting this job. The word was out. There were no secrets. The Vikings knew they were getting an intense, hard-nosed new boss.Thats the type of coach he is, but at the same time hes one of those guys that you immediately fall in love with and you immediately want to run through a brick wall for because he seems to know when he needs to take care of guys and when he needs to push guys, defensive end Brian Robison said.The Vikings finished 11th in the NFL with an average of 21.4 points per game allowed, better than seven of the 12 teams that made the playoffs. They were 14th with an average of 344.7 yards per game given up, better than five playoff teams. They tied for ninth with 41 sacks.Not that were where we want to be, but its trending that way, Smith said.The Vikings struggled in several games to stop the run, so better tackling will be high on the to-do list for 2015. Takeaways will be as well, since the Vikings forced only 19 turnovers to rank tied for 25th in the league.There were late lapses that led to losses, such as the winning touchdown drive by the Bills in Buffalo that featured a fourth-and-20 conversion and the 30-point second-half by the Dolphins at Miami.Adjusting to the assignments of the new scheme took time, too. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn acknowledged not listening as much as he should have to Zimmer.Its all about trust. When they tell me to do this, do that, even though Ive been in the league for a while, I still start to question, Man, why do you want me to do this? Munnerlyn said. Just go out there and do it.For all the mistakes and disappointments, though, there were just as many success stories. Rookie linebacker Anthony Barr had several strong games before hurting his knee. Defensive end Everson Griffen was a force at times in his first season as a starter. Rhodes tied for fourth in the NFL with 18 passes defenced.He was just a big piece of clay, really, that had a ton of ability, Zimmer said.Theres more left to mould in his second year.___Online:AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Air Max 90 China . Inter moved five points behind fourth-place Fiorentina and eight points behind third-place Napoli, which visits relegation-threatened Sassuolo on Sunday. Vapormax Cheap Sale . They are back to a game above .500 on the year and back to .500 on the road. It was their 10th extra time game of the year, and only the second one that did not got to a shootout. http://www.brandshoescheaponline.com/who...ltra-boost.html. None of them are Finlands Pekka Rinne, who stands as Canadas biggest challenge in Thursdays quarter-final round. Even while a young Finnish team has struggled with penalties, turnovers and a lack of offensive depth, Rinne has been a rock with a 1. Wholesale Name Brand Shoes .com) - Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League Player of the Month for April. Discount Vapormax . I kind of got a taste of being able to pick a suit with the draft lottery, I went with the bow tie.LOS ANGELES -- Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian says the school is investigating defensive back Josh Shaws claim that he injured both of his ankles jumping off a balcony to save his nephew from drowning. Sarkisian said USC has received several calls contradicting Shaws story about the circumstances leading to his two high ankle sprains. Shaws story was told in a detailed post on the Trojans website Monday hailing the team captains heroism, but Sarkisian acknowledged USC isnt exactly sure what happened. "Were looking at it," Sarkisian said after practice Tuesday morning. "Josh is adamant with what occurred, and well continue to vet some of the other stories that have come across our desk or across our phones, and see where we can go from there." Lt. Andy Neiman of the Los Angeles Police Department also said Tuesday afternoon that a man named Joshua Shaw was mentioned -- but not as a suspect -- in a report involving a Saturday night break-in at a downtown apartment building. Sarkisian said he had "no history to not believe Josh and his story," but acknowledged the situation was increasingly murky. The first-year USC coach declined to discuss the discrepancies in detail, or the identity of the callers who contradicted the story. Shaw, a fifth-year senior, wasnt made available to reporters, and he didnt return a phone call. Shaw apparently told the school he was at a family party in Palmdale, California, when he saw his 7-year-old nephew, Carter, struggling in a pool. According to the website post, Shaw jumped from a second-story balcony onto concrete before dragging himself into the pool and rescuing his nephew, who doesnt know how to swim. Although Shaws injuries arent expected to keep him out for the season, Sarkisian still wants to know exactly how theyy happened.dddddddddddd. "I think its important to know your players," Sarkisian said. "Josh Shaw has been a good leader for us. Hes given me no reason not to believe what he has told us that occurred, but we do need to know. I think its important to know in the direction were headed." In another layer to the confusion, Neiman said LAPD officers answering to a report of a woman screaming in a downtown apartment complex Saturday interviewed a woman inside and several witnesses. USC is on the south end of downtown. "There is a mention of a Joshua Shaw in this report but not in terms of him being a suspect," Neiman said. "To make any link at this point would be premature." The woman told officers that someone had pried open a window, entered the third-floor apartment and fled, but nothing was taken, he said. "The victim acknowledged that she had a relationship with a Mr. Shaw," Neiman added in an email. The 15th-ranked Trojans open their season Saturday at home against Fresno State. Shaw, a starting cornerback, is widely regarded as a solid teammate who leads by example, although several Trojans recalled a handful of fiery in-game speeches from Shaw last season. The Florida transfer is a key component of USCs secondary, considered one of the nations best groups. Shaw had four interceptions while starting 14 games last season, his second with the Trojans. He has played both safety and cornerback, moving around a defence with little depth due to NCAA sanctions. Shaw is out indefinitely, but Sarkisian said X-rays and MRI exams on the defensive backs ankles all showed no structural damage. Chris Hawkins and Kevon Seymour will fill in for Shaw during his absence, with freshman Adoree Jackson likely serving as the third cornerback. ' ' '