Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has singled out run defense from among the things that impressed him most about Sunday's 14-3 win over the Steelers in the Hall of Fame game.
Zimmer encouraged by run defense in Hall of Fame game
August 11, 2015 at 7:55PM
In case you've forgotten, that was a noticeable weakness during last year's 7-9 season.
"I feel like we controlled the line of scrimmage the other night," Zimmer said. "So that's important to me on both sides of the ball."
The Steelers, who didn't use running back Le'Veon Bell, ran the ball 25 times for only a 2.7-yard average.
Zimmer was asked about the play of his top two nose tackles, Linval Joseph and Shamar Stephen. Joseph played only two snaps before the nickel defense forced a punt and ended the night for most of the starting defense. Stephen saw extended playing with the backups, notching a game-high five solo tackles and a sack.
"Shamar played very well," Zimmer said. "Linval only played two plays because we went to the nickel on the third play. He's had a really good camp. It's hard to judge on [two snaps]."
The Steelers also didn't play their best lineman, center Maurkice Pouncey.
Joseph has now had a full season to adjust to a much different system than he played in with the Giants. Coaches also has worked with him to "use his hands a little better," Zimmer said.
"I've been very impressed with him in this training camp," Zimmer said. "And the two plays that he had, he did good. Just a small sample size. I don't know what [grade] Pro Football Focus had on him."
Zimmer then smiled. He's not a big fan of the popular websites that grade players.
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
