EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. Goran Dragic Jersey . - The Minnesota Vikings had just finished a mediocre season with a modest victory over a last-place team, hardly a setting where raw emotion was expected.Yet there was coach Mike Zimmer, when asked specifically at his postgame news conference about the improvement made by second-year cornerback Xavier Rhodes, pausing briefly for composure.The gruff, demanding Zimmers voice cracked as he carefully revealed how Rhodes approached him in the locker room with gratitude for his tutelage and guidance.Hes got a chance to be a really good football player, Zimmer said, after Rhodes stifled Chicago wide receiver Alshon Jeffery throughout the win Sunday over the Bears.For all the dissatisfaction Zimmer expressed in his teams performance during his first season as a head coach, that competitive drive keeping him restless as the Vikings wobbled their way to a 7-9 finish, he was clearly moved by the sign of a young player finding his groove at a difficult position.One of the early themes associated with Zimmer and his coaching style, which will ultimately have a significant influence on his success, was his self-described pride in being a fixer.There was a lot to fix when he took over nearly a year ago, particularly with a defence that gave up an NFL-worst average of 30 points per game, and upgrades are needed still in several areas.This group, though, was unquestionably better in 2014. Player after player, in interviews Monday during the annual cubicle clean-out at the team facility, pointed to Zimmer for the progress.Hes brought a completely different tone around here of just being professional, playing aggressive, tough, disciplined football, safety Harrison Smith said.Zimmer had been an assistant coach in the league for 20 years, including 14 as a defensive co-ordinator, before accepting this job. The word was out. There were no secrets. The Vikings knew they were getting an intense, hard-nosed new boss.Thats the type of coach he is, but at the same time hes one of those guys that you immediately fall in love with and you immediately want to run through a brick wall for because he seems to know when he needs to take care of guys and when he needs to push guys, defensive end Brian Robison said.The Vikings finished 11th in the NFL with an average of 21.4 points per game allowed, better than seven of the 12 teams that made the playoffs. They were 14th with an average of 344.7 yards per game given up, better than five playoff teams. They tied for ninth with 41 sacks.Not that were where we want to be, but its trending that way, Smith said.The Vikings struggled in several games to stop the run, so better tackling will be high on the to-do list for 2015. Takeaways will be as well, since the Vikings forced only 19 turnovers to rank tied for 25th in the league.There were late lapses that led to losses, such as the winning touchdown drive by the Bills in Buffalo that featured a fourth-and-20 conversion and the 30-point second-half by the Dolphins at Miami.Adjusting to the assignments of the new scheme took time, too. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn acknowledged not listening as much as he should have to Zimmer.Its all about trust. When they tell me to do this, do that, even though Ive been in the league for a while, I still start to question, Man, why do you want me to do this? Munnerlyn said. Just go out there and do it.For all the mistakes and disappointments, though, there were just as many success stories. Rookie linebacker Anthony Barr had several strong games before hurting his knee. Defensive end Everson Griffen was a force at times in his first season as a starter. Rhodes tied for fourth in the NFL with 18 passes defenced.He was just a big piece of clay, really, that had a ton of ability, Zimmer said.Theres more left to mould in his second year.___Online:AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Tim Hardaway Jersey . -- Another baseball tradition is about to largely disappear: a manager, with a crazed look in his eyes, charging the field and getting into a face-to-face shouting match with an umpire. Chris Bosh Jersey . Portland won Game 4 Sunday night at the Moda Center and are now up 3-1. The last time the Blazers won a playoff series came in the 2000 Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz. http://www.authenticbasketballshopheat.com/edrice-adebayo-heat-jersey/ .com) - Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price is set to return Tuesday against Nashville after sitting out the past two games because of a minor upper body injury.Next up for Michael Phelps comeback: Two events that produced Olympic gold. Phelps has entered the 100-meter butterfly and the 200 freestyle at the Charlotte Grand Prix meet in North Carolina next week, his coach, Bob Bowman, told The Associated Press on Monday night. With both events on May 16, Bowman can stick to the plan of building up Phelps endurance while staying away, at least for now, from the grueling, multi-day programs that were once the norm for Phelps. There will be morning preliminaries and evening finals, though the coach said hes not yet certain Phelps will actually compete in both races. Phelps returned to competitive swimming at a meet in Arizona less than two weeks ago, his first since retiring after the 2012 London Games as the most decorated athlete in Olympic history. He is the three-time defending Olympic champion in the 100 fly, so its obvious that race would be part of any plans to compete at the Rio Games. He won the 200 free at the 2008 Beijing Games -- during his record eight-gold performance -- but dropped the event in London. Phelps also competed in two events at the Mesa Grand Prix, finishing second to longtime rival Ryan Lochte in the 100 fly and matching the fourth-fastest time in the world this year. The other event, the 50 freestyle, wassnt nearly as serious. Dion Waiters Jersey. That race has never been part of Phelps program at a major meet, and he even used his preliminary heat to work on his butterfly stroke. Not surprisingly, he finished 42nd overall against swimmers who were using the much faster freestyle. Still, it was a good starting point for what the Phelps camp is describing as a low-key comeback. "We were encouraged by his performances in Mesa and look forward to trying a 200 in Charlotte," Bowman said in a text message. Phelps has also put his name in for the final Grand Prix meet of the season in Santa Clara, California, next month, though he is taking the comeback one step at a time and not committing to any long-term goals. Still, its clear he wouldnt be putting in the work if the 2016 Olympics were not his primary focus. Phelps has already competed in four Summer Games, winning 18 golds and 22 medals overall. The Grand Prix schedule provides tuneups for the U.S. national championships in August, where spots will be earned for the Pan Pacific Championships later that month and next years world championships in Kazan, Russia -- an important steppingstone for the Olympics. After the Charlotte meet, Phelps will head to Colorado for high-altitude training beginning May 27. 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