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Players whom Zimmer has developed, who would be seen as some of the coach's star pupils, suddenly decided not to follow a game plan -- and apparently not to tell Zimmer, defensive coordinator George Edwards nor defensive backs coach Jerry Gray about it. Did they lose faith in the scheme after a 34-6 loss to the Colts last Sunday? Did they think their ideas wouldn't be heard if they approached coaches with them? Did Zimmer decide to let the plan play out in the first half, or was he trying to stop it?

Those questions remain open, and Zimmer's ability to discipline players next Sunday against the Chicago Bears would be hampered somewhat by the lack of other options in his secondary. But Saturday's developments, at the end of a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations and will end with a meaningless Week 17 game, suggest there's more at play in the Vikings' demise than just injuries and some bad luck.

Zimmer admitted in his post-game comments that his defensive backs plotted against him to change how they matched up with Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson. Those disagreements rarely see public air. There is no explanation for why a coach would allow the world to know he’s lost control.

There may, however, be an explanation for why they players decided to go against him.

In the locker room, there was a great deal of frustration last week over the fact that the Vikings’ defense got badly out-schemed by the Indianapolis Colts. Zimmer elected to play Munnerlyn, a solid nickel corner, only 32 plays. Indy used their three tight end sets to bait the Vikings into playing their base package, then they passed out of those sets. Andrew Luck completed three passes for 50 yards and a touchdown to speedy third-string tight end Erik Swoope, a former basketball player who runs a 4.6 40-yard dash.

It is also plausible to think the Vikings players may have been unhappy with Zimmer’s messages through the media throughout the season.

Mothman wrote:More on this subject from Matt Collier of 1500ESPN.com:

http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2016/ ... -gameplan/

joe h wrote:
The guy just doesn't take charge in the locker room and lets the players walk over him on the field. Turns out the guy is nothing more than another Tice/Frazier.

Pondering Her Percy wrote: Yup totally man. 2 bad games now he's the next Leslie Frazier. Frazier was a pathetic HC. But yeah you can totally tell after 2 games. Funny you weren't saying that last year after the GB and Seattle losses. Weird.

VikingPaul73 wrote:I'm not ready to throw in the towel on Zimmer just yet

But the collapse of this defense this year is alarming, and this article certainly doesn't make me feel better.

A few weeks ago I wrote on this board that the team might be quitting on Zim. I didn't have any evidence just a feeling after watching them play

Now it looks like there is some evidence. I hope Zim is able to nip this in the bud because if not next year could be a Les Steckelesque debacle

Mothman wrote:
Indeed. It could get really ugly.

It will be interesting to see how the Vikes perform next week.

Mothman wrote:More on this subject from Matt Coller of 1500ESPN.com:

http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2016/ ... -gameplan/

J. Kapp 11 wrote: If this alleged mutiny is true, something has to change. Somebody has got to step in and solve this, or it's going to get ugly. And as usual, we fans will get the short end of the stick.

J. Kapp 11 wrote:I've been solidly behind Zimmer since his hiring. But this is truly troubling.

Just another reason why 2016 has been the most disappointing season in all my years of following the Vikings.

Here's the kicker for me, though. Let's say it's true, and Zimmer DID get out-schemed by the Colts. What right does that give the players to commit such mutiny?

It's inconceivable that veteran players would do this, especially when you consider that the Vikings have played good defense for most of the year, and for all but the past two games have been among the very best at defending against the pass. And why would Xavier Rhodes, who thrives on going against the other team's best, agree to go along with a scheme that allows somebody else to cover Nelson?

If this alleged mutiny is true, something has to change. Somebody has got to step in and solve this, or it's going to get ugly. And as usual, we fans will get the short end of the stick.

PurpleMustReign wrote:Zimmer will be here next season. I guarantee that. I do, however, think he will have to adjust his game planning and more importantly his attitude toward the players. I keep bringing up Bellicheck, but you never hear him call out one of his players. Never. I was worried when Zimmer would do that and i now wonder if the players are rebelling against it. The other problem is why on earth did it take one half of football before he made the DBs play what they practiced?