导出博客文章EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- After spending the night at the office, Minnesota Vikings
coach Mike Zimmer had a surprise early-morning visitor.Offensive coordinator
Norv Turner, following the offseason hire of a potential replacement and feeble
performances by the Vikings in losing the last two games, came to tell the boss
he was quitting for the best interest of both Turner and the team.After taking
the leagues only remaining undefeated record into their bye week, the Vikings
have stumbled badly. Turners abrupt resignation Wednesday was the latest
stunner, with players returning from a day off to learn of the change in
leadership on offense. Pat Shurmur, who has five years of experience as an NFL
offensive coordinator plus two as a head coach, was picked to replace Turner.I
obviously didnt see this coming. I was in here yesterday talking to him. I didnt
really think anything was different, said quarterback Sam Bradford, who found
out via phone from his wife as he pulled into the parking lot at team
headquarters.Zimmers voice cracked and his bottom lip quivered near the end of
his news conference while discussing his relationship with Turner. He hired
Turner to run the offense after getting the job with the Vikings in 2014.Zimmer
said the decision was made entirely by the 64-year-old Turner, but after two
seasons of lagging production by the offense Zimmer hired Shurmur as an
overqualified tight ends coach for 2016.Norv is a very, very good friend of
mine. He has helped me tremendously in the three years that Ive been here,
Zimmer said. Hes had an unbelievable career. Hes been, really, my right-hand
man.Turner released a statement through the Vikings, stating his tremendous
respect for Zimmer, the staff and the players, and his desire to see them
succeed without him. He said in subsequent interviews that the decision stemmed
from differing views with Zimmer about the direction of the offense.It just got
to the point where I didnt think it was going to work with me, so I removed
myself, Turner told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.The Vikings have scored only 10
points in each loss after the 5-0 start, with the offensive lines performance
the primary concern. Bradford, sacked 11 times over the last two games, said he
had no problem with the scheme and that the players felt responsible for Turners
departure.The first thing you think about is what you couldve done differently,
what we could have done as an offense to prevent this from happening, tight end
Kyle Rudolph said. Weve just got to get everybody to do their job. We have the
talent and ability to make that happen. There just has to be a little bit more
sense of urgency on our side of the ball to go out and execute.The Vikings (5-2)
host the Lions on Sunday, still in first place in the NFC North and second in
the conference despite their recent struggles. Theyre averaging 2.7 yards per
rushing attempt, by far the lowest in the league, and are fourth worst in sacks
allowed. The original starters at quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater), running back
(Adrian Peterson) and tackle (Matt Kalil and Andre Smith) are all on injured
reserve.So while Turners departure could further the post-bye spiral, Shurmurs
takeover could also provide a system restart needed for a sputtering group.Its
really hard to say. I know that the players really respect Norv. I know the
coaches do. I know I certainly do. So well just have to see how that goes,
Zimmer said. I do think that its hard to do a lot of things different during the
season.Turner, who was calling all of the plays, has been with nine NFL teams
over 32 years, almost half of that as a head coach. This was his 10th season as
an offensive coordinator in the league. Turners son, Scott, remains Minnesotas
quarterbacks coach, and the rest of the staff remains intact.Zimmer became more
involved in the offensive planning last year and hired Tony Sparano as offensive
line coach along with Shurmur, putting three former NFL head coaches on the
offensive staff.Since Norv has been here Ive given him almost 100 percent total
free will in everything that theyve done offensively, Zimmer said. Obviously Ill
come in and make suggestions, but there really has not been a time where Ive
demanded everything from there.Last season, Shurmur had Bradford as his
quarterback with the Eagles. His input helped Vikings general manager Rick
Spielman make the emergency trade for Bradford on Sept. 3 after Bridgewater was
hurt. Shurmur was also Bradfords offensive coordinator in 2010, the quarterbacks
rookie year with St. Louis.Ive always enjoyed working with Pat, Bradford said. I
think hes a great football mind.---For more NFL coverage:
http://www.pro32.ap.org and
http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
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season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Newly
re-signed Penrith veteran Peter Wallace has backed the clubs rookie halves
pairing to lead the side to an unlikely NRL finals berth.Pencilled in as the
clubs halfback in the pre-season, Wallace is the clubs first-choice hooker for
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2018 season.I remember I met with (coach Anthony Griffin) at the start of the
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