Zimmer gets emotional

Usually, when an NFL head coach speaks at a postgame press conference, the only visible emotion is anger.

Sunday afternoon, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer looked like he almost cried.

Asked about cornerback Xavier Rhodes' improvement this season, Zimmer said, ``Xavier came up to me and said, `Thanks for everything,' helping him get good."

Then Zimmer paused, trying to collect himself as his eyes welled. He regained his composure and went on, saying, ``He's got a chance to be a really good football player...."

It's hardly been a flawless season for Zimmer. He's made a few mistakes, and acknowledged them. Overall, though, he's made the best of a difficult situation.

His star player was arrested after beating a child and only played in one game.

His starting quarterback went down in Week 3, forcing him to play a rookie.

Zimmer won seven games. More important, he presented himself as a passionate teacher who can connect with players, as a gruff old-school defensive coordinator willing to take advantage of modern philosophies.

At midseason, I sat down for a talk with Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway, who said he had the wrong perception of Zimmer. Greenway said he thought he'd see the coarse-talking guy whose profanities were highlighted on Hard Knocks. Instead, Zimmer proved to be human, and flexible ,and open to new ideas.

This franchise and roster have a long way to go to becoming, as Zimmer puts it ,``a championship team." But as the season ends, it's hard not to like the coach and his rookie quarterback.

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