Zimmer: Vikings CB Chris Cook has some ability

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is a self-proclaimed "fixer." He'll accept every challenge to work his magic and fix a player, even unrestricted free agent cornerback Chris Cook.

Zimmer and Cook spoke on Monday, according to Cook's Twitter account where he Cook said Zimmer "told me like it is."

When asked about his impression of Cook from the meeting, Zimmer said, "I don't know. My impression is that he probably shouldn't be tweeting our conversations."

Zimmer doesn't know how to tweet, but he'd like to keep those conversations private. But "The Fixer" does think Cook has potential despite an underwhelming four seasons with the Vikings.

"H­e's a guy that has some ability that I've had some luck in the past with, getting guys to play good that have ability," Zimmer said. "So if he comes back here then I'm going to coach him as hard as I can and see if I can get him to play good."

Cook saw Zimmer's comments on Twitter and responded. Once again, Zimmer doesn't know how to tweet and only knew that Cook tweeted the two met on Monday.

Other notes from Zimmer's lunch and film session with the media on Thursday:

* Zimmer wants every Vikings free agent back, including quarterback Matt Cassel, defensive ends Jared Allen and Everson Griffen and defensive tackle Kevin Williams (all were asked), but he knows that won't be the case.

"But there comes a point where money that they're getting, or money that they're asking or money that we're willing to pay; there's a line there somewhere," Zimmer said. "If it crosses the line on that part or if it crosses the line on how much they're willing play then we understand that it's not going to happen. But we'd like to have them if it can work out."

Zimmer said he's not sure if it will happen but wants Cassel back. He's recently expressed that to Cassel in a conversation.

"He's got a bunch of pretty girls looking at him right now," Zimmer said. "And he wants to explore and see what's best for him. I don't blame any of these guys. In free agency, I think that's why they have the rules is that they get a chance to go see what their market's worth. Then if they find a better situation than what they think is here then I think that's everywhere."

* Zimmer still hasn't decided whether he will call defensive plays next season. He will use the first two preseason games to experiment with the situation.