PLUS THREE FROM PATRICK

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer turns 58 in June. Reasons he might avoid "older coach'' blues:

• It's his first job as a head coach. Fire burns.

• It's the NFL. Head coaches set the agenda. Gigantic staffs can do the real work.

• It's a 16-game season, not 35-40 (Tubby) or 82 (Adelman).