technical details
  1. is_video => true
  2. alias => "bayarea\/\/raiders\/paul-guenther-mike-zimmer-similarities-odds-when-raiders-face-vikings"
  3. nid => "482461"
  4. title => "Paul Guenther, Mike Zimmer similarities at odds when Raiders face Vikings"
  5. is_chrome_page => false
  6. article_body => "<p>Mike Zimmer and Paul Guenther go way back. The respected defensive coaches linked up and became fast friends in 2008, when Zimmer was hired as Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator. Guenther already was on staff, helping several different position groups.<\/p>\n<p>Guenther took over the linebacker corps in 2012, and was given the defensive coordinator job Zimmer vacated to become Minnesota Vikings head coach. Guenther could\u2019ve gone with Zimmer to Minnesota \u2013 or to Washington with Jay Gruden, for that matter -- but stayed put and on a path that eventually paired him with Jon Gruden as Raiders defensive coordinator.<\/p>\n<p>Guenther and Zimmer remain friends. Their families are close.<\/p>\n<p>So are their defensive schemes. That\u2019s logical, considering how long Guenther worked under Zimmer running an excellent defense.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe foundation of it came from him, for sure,\u201d Guenther said. \u201cThe coverage, the fronts, all the stuff we do. I owe him a lot of gratitude from working with him. I learned a lot from him, but I\u2019m going to try and kick his ass on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Guenther and Zimmer will throw new wrinkles into familiar systems when the Raiders and Vikings clash at U.S. Bank Stadium, trying to keep the other team off balance and counter any insight provided to their respective offensive staffs. These two know each other well and how each other thinks, meaning this&nbsp;coaching chess match will have an influence on Sunday\u2019s outcome.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPaul will always have his spin on things, that\u2019s kind of how he\u2019s always been, but I think they\u2019ll be much, much improved,\u201d Zimmer said in a conference call. \u201cThey\u2019ve got much better talent all the way across the board. I think former [Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict] really helps them get guys lined up and he understands their system so well, but they\u2019ve got good players upfront. They\u2019re much, much improved in the backend in my opinion as well, so yeah I think they are going to continue to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Zimmer\u2019s right. The Raiders have improved this year, with talent upgrades and greater scheme comfort. It\u2019s early yet, but the Raiders rank fifth in run defensive with 63 yards allowed per game. The pass rush still has issues, but they have five sacks in two contests. That\u2019s a step in the right direction, even if the pass defense as a whole needs some work. Guenther\u2019s scheme is effective, as we\u2019re seeing as the Raiders acquire more quality players.<\/p>\n<p>[<strong>RELATED: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/raiders\/why-raiders-must-exercise-some-restraint-pursuing-jalen-ramsey-trade\" target=\"_blank\">Why Raiders should use restraint when pursuing Ramsey trade<\/a>]<\/p>\n<p>While the Raiders are rebuilding their defense slowly and largely through the NFL draft, the Vikings are an established crew with most impact players&nbsp;having worn purple a long, long time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know Mike Zimmer\u2019s scheme is a very solid, very successful scheme since his time in the NFL,\u201d Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. \u201cAlso, now you add players as well. They\u2019re very talented on defense and again, as you mentioned, they\u2019ve had a number of players that they\u2019ve drafted that they\u2019ve been able to keep in their second contracts. That\u2019s very rare. He\u2019s been able to maintain continuity in terms of personnel, and he\u2019s maintained continuity in terms of scheme being there. Certainly a challenge for us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It will be a bit easier on Sunday for a few reasons. The Raiders' offense has been practicing against this scheme all spring and summer, so quarterback Derek Carr knows it well. Guenther also has insight on Zimmer and vice versa, adding intrigue to this matchup.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe systems are very similar,\u201d Guenther said. \u201cObviously, he\u2019s doing his wrinkles and I\u2019m doing mine, but \u2018Zim\u2019 is a good coach. I learned a lot from him. We worked together a long time in Cincinnati and we had a really good time. He\u2019s a good friend.\u201d<\/p>\n"
  7. author => "Scott Bair"
  8. mps => {"author":"Scott Bair","league":"","sport":"","sponsor":""}
  9. published => "1569009300"
  10. created => "1569005398"
  11. changed => "1569009314"
  12. status => "1"
  13. hero_image_credit => "USATSI"
  14. tags => [{"tid":"11856","name":"Paul Guenther","url":"tags\/paul-guenther"},{"tid":"3971","name":"Minnesota Vikings","url":"tags\/minnesota-vikings"},{"tid":"1111","name":"Scott Bair","url":"tags\/scott-bair"},{"tid":"1016","name":"NFL","url":"tags\/nfl"},{"tid":"1101","name":"Oakland Raiders","url":"tags\/oakland-raiders"}]
  15. section => "Raiders"
  16. team => "Raiders"
  17. image => {"uri":"public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/bayarea\/2019\/09\/20\/091819richieincognitoreturs.jpg","alt":"091819richieincognitoreturs.jpg","title":"Raiders' Richie Incognito 'excited' to return from two-game suspension"}
  18. video_url => "https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/video\/raiders-richie-incognito-excited-return-two-game-suspension"
  19. is_mediaid => true
  20. mediaid => "jN0s_s7oCgvy"
  21. video_autoplay => true
  22. video_automute => false
  23. mpx_account_id => "BxmELC"
  24. player_id => "bayarea_article"
  25. chrome_data => "{\"league\":\"\",\"sport\":\"\",\"sponsor\":\"\"}"
  26. sponsor => ""
  27. region => "bayarea"
  28. fb_url => "https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dialog\/share?app_id=304476467003440&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fbayarea%2Fraiders%2Fpaul-guenther-mike-zimmer-similarities-odds-when-raiders-face-vikings&display=popup"
  29. tw_url => "https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Paul%20Guenther%2C%20Mike%20Zimmer%20similarities%20at%20odds%20when%20Raiders%20face%20Vikings&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fbayarea%2Fraiders%2Fpaul-guenther-mike-zimmer-similarities-odds-when-raiders-face-vikings&original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fbayarea%2Fraiders%2Fpaul-guenther-mike-zimmer-similarities-odds-when-raiders-face-vikings"
  30. mailto => "mailto:?subject=Paul%20Guenther%2C%20Mike%20Zimmer%20similarities%20at%20odds%20when%20Raiders%20face%20Vikings&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fbayarea%2Fraiders%2Fpaul-guenther-mike-zimmer-similarities-odds-when-raiders-face-vikings"
  31. tags_hide => []
  32. type => "article"
  33. meta => {"file":"\/mnt\/gfs\/rsnunited\/sites\/default\/files\/archive\/article\/bayarea\/raiders\/paul-guenther-mike-zimmer-similarities-odds-when-raiders-face-vikings.json","assets":["public:\/\/archive\/assets_article\/bayarea\/2019\/09\/20\/091819richieincognitoreturs.jpg"]}
  34. orig_image => {"uri":"public:\/\/2019\/12\/20\/091819richieincognitoreturs.jpg","alt":"091819richieincognitoreturs.jpg","title":"Raiders' Richie Incognito 'excited' to return from two-game suspension"}
  35. article_type => "article"
Raiders

Raiders

Mike Zimmer and Paul Guenther go way back. The respected defensive coaches linked up and became fast friends in 2008, when Zimmer was hired as Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator. Guenther already was on staff, helping several different position groups.

Guenther took over the linebacker corps in 2012, and was given the defensive coordinator job Zimmer vacated to become Minnesota Vikings head coach. Guenther could’ve gone with Zimmer to Minnesota – or to Washington with Jay Gruden, for that matter -- but stayed put and on a path that eventually paired him with Jon Gruden as Raiders defensive coordinator.

Guenther and Zimmer remain friends. Their families are close.

So are their defensive schemes. That’s logical, considering how long Guenther worked under Zimmer running an excellent defense.

“The foundation of it came from him, for sure,” Guenther said. “The coverage, the fronts, all the stuff we do. I owe him a lot of gratitude from working with him. I learned a lot from him, but I’m going to try and kick his ass on Sunday.”

Guenther and Zimmer will throw new wrinkles into familiar systems when the Raiders and Vikings clash at U.S. Bank Stadium, trying to keep the other team off balance and counter any insight provided to their respective offensive staffs. These two know each other well and how each other thinks, meaning this coaching chess match will have an influence on Sunday’s outcome.

“Paul will always have his spin on things, that’s kind of how he’s always been, but I think they’ll be much, much improved,” Zimmer said in a conference call. “They’ve got much better talent all the way across the board. I think former [Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict] really helps them get guys lined up and he understands their system so well, but they’ve got good players upfront. They’re much, much improved in the backend in my opinion as well, so yeah I think they are going to continue to get better.”

 

Zimmer’s right. The Raiders have improved this year, with talent upgrades and greater scheme comfort. It’s early yet, but the Raiders rank fifth in run defensive with 63 yards allowed per game. The pass rush still has issues, but they have five sacks in two contests. That’s a step in the right direction, even if the pass defense as a whole needs some work. Guenther’s scheme is effective, as we’re seeing as the Raiders acquire more quality players.

[RELATED: Why Raiders should use restraint when pursuing Ramsey trade]

While the Raiders are rebuilding their defense slowly and largely through the NFL draft, the Vikings are an established crew with most impact players having worn purple a long, long time.

“We know Mike Zimmer’s scheme is a very solid, very successful scheme since his time in the NFL,” Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. “Also, now you add players as well. They’re very talented on defense and again, as you mentioned, they’ve had a number of players that they’ve drafted that they’ve been able to keep in their second contracts. That’s very rare. He’s been able to maintain continuity in terms of personnel, and he’s maintained continuity in terms of scheme being there. Certainly a challenge for us.”

It will be a bit easier on Sunday for a few reasons. The Raiders' offense has been practicing against this scheme all spring and summer, so quarterback Derek Carr knows it well. Guenther also has insight on Zimmer and vice versa, adding intrigue to this matchup.

“The systems are very similar,” Guenther said. “Obviously, he’s doing his wrinkles and I’m doing mine, but ‘Zim’ is a good coach. I learned a lot from him. We worked together a long time in Cincinnati and we had a really good time. He’s a good friend.”