12-30-2019, 08:25 AM
MINNEAPOLIS - For the last three years, Jay Gruden and Mike Zimmer had an office across the hall from each other at Cincinnati Bengals headquarters.This week, theyll set up shop on opposite sidelines in Minnesota.I honestly dont like going against my friends, just because at the end of the day one of us is going to be upset, said Zimmer, who was hired by the Vikings this season, a week after Washington picked Gruden to take over the Redskins. It is what it is, and so Im sure hell have his team ready to play, and hopefully Ill have mine ready to play.Zimmer spent the last six years as defensive co-ordinator for the Bengals, and Gruden was the offensive co-ordinator for the last three.We competed every day in practice. It was not friendly, usually. Both of us are pretty good competitors and we all wanted to win the drill, definitely, in Cincinnati so we had our share of arguments and tension, but ultimately I have a ton of respect for him, Gruden said.Particularly for his ability to scheme.Ive seen some of the best quarterbacks come in there and walk out of there scratching their head, Gruden said.Of course, Gruden has been planning for a defence he has seen often. Gruden, like his fellow first-time head coach, has been busy trying to put his stamp on a team in need of some repair.Its been a pretty smooth transition, outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan said. Hes been a great coach to play for. Hes the type of guy you want to win for because hes competitive and a very tough-minded coach.Here are some key nuggets to know about the game between the Redskins (3-5) and Vikings (3-5):RG3 RETURNS: Robert Griffin III is expected to return at quarterback for the Redskins, whove turned to Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy since Griffin dislocated his left ankle in the second game of the season. McCoy completed 36 of 42 passes and led the overtime victory at Dallas on Monday night, but this is Griffins job.In two prior games against the Vikings, hes thrown for four touchdowns and rushed for two while turning the ball over once.BLITZING BRIDGEWATER: Redskins defensive co-ordinator Jim Haslett has used a variety of blitzes out of his 3-4 scheme, and the rush has been largely effective. They had five sacks against the Cowboys, and with a rookie quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater the opponent this week, the Redskins are again likely to bring the heat.Its very exotic. You never know what youre going to get, said Bridgewater, who will make his fifth career start.Kerrigan credited new linebackers coach Brian Baker, who was a Vikings assistant from 2001-05, with refining his technique. Hes fourth in the NFL with 7 1-2 sacks.At times I would rush too wide and wouldnt take the most direct route to the quarterback, and when youre doing that youre taking more time, and by that time the balls gone, Kerrigan said.TWO-MINUTE TEDDY: Bridgewater guided a nine-play, 61-yard drive over the final 1:57 of regulation last week to get the Vikings in position for the tying field goal. Though hes been up and down since taking over the job, he has shown a knack for handling those hurry-up situations.Our coaches are calling great plays, allowing me to think less, but still me being a young guy and trying to be perfect, I find myself thinking too much, Bridgewater said. I have to continue to trust my teammates, trust everything that Im being taught and allow those guys to make plays.TEMPERED ENTHUSIASM: The Redskins, who have already matched their victory total from last season, have won their last two games. With Minnesota, a bye week and a home game against Tampa Bay (1-6), an ascent into the NFC East race is possible. But left tackle Trent Williams tried to offer some caution.Weve only won three out of eight games. Youre not going to see anybody around here beating their chests, he said.PROTEST PLANNED: Nationwide pressure on the Redskins to drop their nickname has been ratcheting up, with critics decrying it as racist and owner Dan Snyder and defenders claiming its a tribute to Native Americans. Minnesota has been a ground zero of sorts for the movement, and theres a protest planned by several groups prior to the game. Radio ads have been running this week to elicit support for the rally, which will include a march through the University of Minnesota campus to the stadium.Former Vikings strong safety Joey Browner, a six-time Pro Bowl pick, is scheduled to be one of the speakers against the nickname at the event.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Abdel Nader Jersey .com) - Novak Djokovic captured a mens Open Era-record fifth Australian Open title on Sunday by defeating rival Andy Murray in the final in Melbourne. Steven Adams Jersey . Now comes an off-season of questions about manager Matt Williams decisions and a handful of key roster choices, including what to do about Ryan Zimmerman, whether to sign Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond to long-term deals, and how to upgrade an offence that fell flat in October. https://www.cheapthunder.com/1591h-chris...under.html. 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"Its still the same cranky Phil.ALAMEDA, Calif. - Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis met with a delegation of officials from San Antonio on Friday to talk about a potential move for the franchise.Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros and other city officials travelled to the Bay Area for the meeting, which comes about four months after Davis and other team officials had met with the group in San Antonio.Were going to present San Antonios strengths and assets in the most persuasive way possible, Cisneros told the San Antonio Express-News before the meeting. We have a very, very good opportunity to set it forth in a way the Raiders can digest.Team officials declined to comment on the meeting.The Raiders are in the final year of their lease at the Oakland Coliseum and are seeking a long-term deal. Davis has said his first choice is to remain in Oakland but he haas been unable to reach a deal for a new stadium with local officials.dddddddddddd The Raiders also could move back to Los Angeles, their home from 1982-94.The Raiders are the only NFL team that shares its stadium with a baseball team. The Athletics recently signed a 10-year lease to remain in Oakland. But that agreement includes a provision to allow the Raiders to knock down the Coliseum for a new football stadium.The Raiders left Oakland once before when they moved to Los Angeles following the 1981 season. Late owner Al Davis brought the team back in 1995.Raiders officials also attended a college football game earlier this year at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio to determine if it was suitable as a temporary home if they decided to move there.___Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '