Here’s what Vikings coach Mike Zimmer had to say about the Falcons in a conference call with the Atlanta media Wednesday:
Q: How is the re-tool of the offense going under your coaches Kevin Stefanski and Gary Kubiak?
A: "It's going well, they have a very good relationship. Communication on that side is very good. I think the players have brought into it. Hopefully, it works out well."
Q: What will be some of the keys on that side of the ball?
A: "Well, it's important that we stay balanced. We don't want to be one way or the other. We have to stay balanced. Obviously, third downs will be a key. Trying to help with the running game and doing a great job in the pocket with (quarterback Kirk) Cousins."
Q: What stands out to you about Devonta Freeman, who went to the same high school and college as Dalvin Cook?
A: "That would be a pretty good pair to have, those two guys. Devonta is a very explosive runner. He's a lot like Dalvin in a lot of ways. He's very explosive. He's a hard runner. He's good in protection and he does a really nice job on his routes and catching the ball."
Q: When you’re looking at the Falcons outside of Devonta, what else jumps off on tape about the Falcons this year?
A: "I think part of it is, they are going to get a lot of guys back that they were missing last year. Dan Quinn has always done a great job there. They have a very, very fast defense. Offensively, they've got a lot of weapons. Julio Jones, and I was with Mohamed Sanu in Cincinnati, so I kind of know what kind of person and player that he is. Now, they've added (Calvin) Ridley, which is another good pick. Matt Ryan has always been a really tough guy to defend. So, they are a really solid football team. Their offensive line has got five first-round draft picks in it. They are a really good team. (Tight end Austin) Hooper helps them more in the passing game now. It will be a tough test for us."
Q: What are your thoughts on coach Dan Quinn as a defensive play caller?
A: "He's terrific. He was great in Seattle. He's been great everywhere that he's been. Typically, that style of defense that they run, you get fast guys that keep a lot of eyes on the football and really make it tough for an offense to go a long way. I think that's why they are always typically in the top 10 defensively in the league."
Q: Are you still calling the Vikings defense? Or is George Edwards calling it?
A: "Yeah, I'm calling it. I don't really want to, but I'm calling it."
Q: How’s Kirk Cousins set to go for you in his second year with the Vikings?
A: "It's been going really well. It's not that we are asking him to do too much. We are just trying to be more efficient with everything that we do. Like I said, have more balance. That's the biggest thing. Kirk is very, very talented. Very smart. Really good player. But we've got some weapons around him that we can help him with it. That's really what we are trying to do. It's not about taking anything off his plate I guess."
Q: How big was it to get Anthony Barr back after the free-agency situation?
A: "Antony is a great kid, good football player. He was my first draft pick I ever had when I got here. He's really smart. He helps with the continuity of the defense. That's a big plus for us. We're glad that he's back and hopefully he has a great year."
Q: There are a lot of intriguing matchups in this one?
A: "It will be a good test. Atlanta is a good football team. Well-coached and hopefully we are, too. I think it's going to be a really good football game."
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