What others are saying about new Vikings coach Mike Zimmer

Comments on the Vikings hiring former Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer as their head coach.

"We've got the guys in the locker room to handle any type of coach they throw at us. I think we got a lot of mentally tough guys that, if you look at our season last year, things weren't going the way they needed to be. Guys stayed in and fought hard, so I think we have guys that can pretty much handle anything in that locker room."

Vikings defensive end Brian Robison

"I've heard nothing but great things about him. I heard he's a passionate coach, a player coach, a man of respect. That's what you want out of a head coach. I like the way he communicates with the players on the sidelines, he'll get in your face and he's aggressive. I love that as a defensive player. That's what every defensive player wants. You see the things he did in Cincinnati. They were playing great defense out there. That's one aspect we're looking to correct. That's the last thing you want to be, almost dead last in the league in defense."

Vikings safety Jamarca Sanford

"At the end of the day, the league doesn't owe you much, but if you at least get a coach that can give it to you straight, you can respect that. And from what I hear, that's what we're getting in Coach Zimmer."

Vikings fullback Jerome Felton

Mike Zimmer's son Adam, an assistant defensive backs coach for the Bengals

"The way the Bengals play defense, the way they attack the ball and some of the things I've heard from guys around the league on his mentality, his style and aggression, it seems like a good fit for the Minnesota Vikings."

Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen

"How hard is it to follow Michael Jordan? It's kind of that same feeling because the expectations are so high, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. The bar has been set so high. Cincinnati hadn't been known for defense before Zim got there. Now, you can hang your hat on it. The next guy has got a heck of a challenge."