Does that mean anything about Nick Easton?"easonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsReport: Vikings consider moving Riley Reiff to GuardNew Cheap Marcus Epps Jersey ,381commentsDoes that mean anything about Nick Easton? CSTShareTweetShareShareReport: Vikings consider moving Riley Reiff to GuardMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsAnyone who follows the Minnesota Vikings knows that the offensive line is a position group that has to be addressed this off-season. The interior offensive line, in particular, needs some serious attention.If this report from Star Trib beat reporter Andrew Krammer is accurate, they may be trying to move another tackle inside to guard, in consecutive seasons:For one, this isn’t set in stone, like the Mike Remmers move appeared to be from the outset. That’s good! I find it borderline amazing that the Vikings paid top dollar for Remmers and Riley Reiff in free agency two years ago to play tackle, and now they’re contemplating having both of them move inside in consecutive seasons. Remmers and Reiff are two different players, and much like your kids, you should never compare them when they’re in the same situation, but the Remmers move was a complete failure. Had it not been for the unexpected emergence of Brian O’Neill, it would have gone from failure to unmitigated disaster. Still, our old friend Arif Hasan has a couple thoughts on this development. They’re encouraging and worth a quick read:I know a lot of folks aren’t really keen on Reiff Marcus Epps Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , but I thought he played really well in 2017 until he got hurt in the second half of the season, and was okay last year. Not great, but just okay. He’s a guy I actually think can be a building block at LT for this o-line fix going forward, so a move inside would be a strange one for me. In 2019, Reiff is due to make $11.7 million, with a dead cap hit of $6.6 million, so I’d be surprised if Reiff ends up getting released, not with that much dead money. But it’s not surprising to another good friend of DN, Andy Carlson, who has an interesting theory about this:Secondly, I don’t know that this portends to Nick Easton’s health either way. In 2016, the Vikings o-line rebuild was largely contingent on C John Sullivan and RT Phil Loadholt returning from injuries. When that didn’t happen things fell apart, and injuries mounted at an almost historic level. This could be a possible insurance move that signals Easton Minnesota Vikings Jerseys Stitched , who is recovering from a herniated disc in his neck, won’t be ready in time for training camp. Since the article didn’t specify left or right guard, it could also mean the end of the road for Remmers and/or Tom Compton in a Vikings uniform. Or it could mean nothing other than someone thinking out loud, and the Vikings are just looking for ways to get me so mad about moving another tackle to guard I actually write something.Finally, the Vikes could maybe get a better player in the draft or free agency, but right now, today, there isn’t a better LT on the roster than Reiff. Before they contemplate moving another T to G, I’d have an answer at LT first, because if they don’t they just made two spots worse. So, what’s the answer? Do you want to draft a guy and plug him into the LT spot? Move O’Neill to LT and backfill RT, which I think would be idiotic right now? Is Easton healthy? The Vikings o-line has been need of fixing for going on five years now, and the only time they seemed to get it right was two years ago when they signed Reiff Marcus Epps Jersey nfl draft , Remmers, and drafted Elflein. Now, it seems like the Vikings are moving to un-do two thirds of that fix, with evidence to show it didn’t work the first time. Let’s see how it all shakes out. Now that the Vikings disappointing season has been unceremoniously put out of its misery, the time for off-season evaluations is upon us.Let's start things off with the man at the helm - head coach Mike ZimmerHead Coach Mike ZimmerMike Zimmer just completed his fifth year as head coach of the Vikings.Those five seasons have included three basically .500 seasons where his team finished out of the playoffs, two NFC North division titles, and one playoff win.There may be an exception, but I believe most coaches that have made it to the Super Bowl as a head coach have done so within their first five years at the helm.That’s not to say it can’t happen later, but historically it hasn’t.Zimmer’s tenure has been a pattern of a mediocre year, good year, mediocre year, good year, mediocre year.I guess that’s optimistic for next season.He’s built a consistently good defense Youth Marcus Epps Jersey , if not a consistently good team that makes runs into the playoffs.And therein lies the problem.Zimmer has been a top defensive coordinator for a long time.But he’s only been an above average head coach.He’s not been willing to give up ‘‘his baby” calling plays and being the de facto defensive coordinator, and has been more of an observer on the offensive side - pretty much giving his offensive coordinators free reign on that side of the ball.More importantly, Zimmer has not been able to adequately prepare his team for big games or the post-season.Perhaps because he’s too involved in his defensive coordinator duties to look at the bigger picture of building a consistent message and culture - and team chemistry. He’s also been out-coached in big games in the past, and this may have damaged his stock in the eyes of his players.Philadelphia last season was the biggest example, but also the season finale this season against the Bears, and generally against the playoff teams the Vikings played they have been out-coached.Those opponents have had better game plans, more motivated troops, and got more from their players.This situation isn’t a recipe for consistent post-season success.And so change needs to happen.And that change needs to come from Mike Zimmer, but not necessarily by replacing Mike Zimmer.Self-Evaluation The first thing Zimmer needs to do - and change - is to decide what he wants to be.If he wants to be a head coach and honestly feels these duties are where his strength as a coach lies, then he should focus on that and delegate the defensive coordinator duties to the defensive coordinator. On the other hand, if he feels he’s best as a defensive coordinator, he should have the self-awareness to step down from the head coaching duties and be defensive coordinator.He should be welcomed back in either role - but not both.A Time For Fresh Ideas Zimmer has built the Vikings defense into a consistent, top unit.That has come largely from the development of talented players Womens Marcus Epps Jersey , and a solid scheme. But as players have changed, the scheme has not adapted as much as perhaps it should to get the most from them.Zimmer has thought aloud about some changes he has contemplated, but never really put in place.Perhaps because he doesn’t have the time to see them through himself as he would like.Or perhaps he has become more unsure as an innovator compared to his earlier years, and its time to hand it off to a younger capable man with good ideas.Either way, if you’re not innovating and evolving as a team in the NFL, you’re falling behind and notgetting the most from your players.Zimmer Needs to DecideBottomline, Mike Zimmer needs to decide what role he wants to pursue going forward.Being both head coach and defensive coordinator is selling both positions short while not providing the hands-on direction and leadership the offense needs.Mike Zimmer has a wealth of knowledge and ability as an NFL coach.But if the Vikings want to bring home a Lombardi trophy, they need Mike Zimmer to have only one role.That should be the discussion Rick Spielman has with Zimmer as he evaluates him and how to improve the team going forward.