EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Mike Zimmer and Teddy Bridgewater will be forever linked with the Minnesota Vikings, regardless of how the team fares over the rest of their time together.This is the state of the NFL. For all the excess credit or blame that continually falls on the head coach and the quarterback, success or failure in this league is unavoidably linked to these two people.Despite the losing record produced by their first season with the Vikings (7-9), Zimmer and Bridgewater not only kept their reputation in tact but gave reasons to believe theyll be together in Minnesota for a while.Honestly, I never felt overwhelmed, from the day I walked in, Zimmer said Tuesday at his final news conference of 2014.He added: Are there some things that I would do differently? Sure. Did I make some mistakes? Sure. But I felt like each and every day I came into work that I gave this team, the fans and the organization the very best that I could give them. And I believe in my head that Ill be even better next year with everything that I do.Over the past 10 offseasons, the Vikings have changed coaches three times and searched for a quarterback a lot more than that.With Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers again on top of the NFC North with Green Bay, theres a long way to go for Minnesota to reach the conferences elite.Finally, though, the Vikings have entered a winter without any questions about wholl be running the team or wholl be taking the snaps.The Vikings finished 7-9, but their last five losses were by a combined 16 points. Bridgewater threw 12 interceptions against 14 touchdown passes, but he was at his best this month and posted a 64.4 completion rate that was the third-best rookie-year mark in NFL history. Bridgewater also gained the respect of teammates on both sides of the ball with a balance of humility and confidence.The guys around here, theyve allowed me to be more assertive with them. We have a great group of men here that they will take leadership, whether its from the coaching staff or from the youngest player on the team, Bridgewater said.Here are some other key themes to know about the Vikings as they enter the offseason:PETERSON PREFERENCERunning back Adrian Petersons absence from all but one game, the fallout from the child-abuse case that came up in Texas, was a major hurdle both Zimmer and Bridgewater had to overcome this year.The Matt Asiata-Jerick McKinnon tandem, though productive at times, likely wont be enough. Given Petersons age, contract and public image, his return in 2015 is hard to fathom. Hes suspended by NFL through at least April 15, and as Zimmer indicated Tuesday the Vikings prefer to settle his status as soon as possible so they can plan accordingly in free agency and the draft. But Zimmer said he would welcome Peterson back, if it works out that way and he gets his life in order.GREENWAY GONE?The Vikings were one of the youngest teams in the league this season, but Peterson isnt the only highly paid veteran who could be cut before his contract expires. Linebacker Chad Greenway, who missed three games with broken ribs and another because of a knee injury, said hed love to return for a 10th year but realizes the nature of the NFL for players over 30.Zimmer said he believes Greenway is still good enough to start at the weak side position, but to do so hed probably have to take another pay cut.It wont simply come down to money or business or anything. Itll come down to whats best for the family, Greenway said, hinting hed rather stay than sign elsewhere for a better deal.Fullback Jerome Felton and left guard Charlie Johnson are two other key players who could be let go for cap relief. Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley will be a free agent.BRIDGEWATERS BUDDYBridgewater plans to return to the Miami area this winter and gather the wide receivers together at some point to work out and continue to develop their chemistry. He also revealed that hes relied on former Vikings quarterback Donovan McNabb for advice.Hes a guy who had success in this league, and hes someone that I look toward as a mentor or for guidance, Bridgewater said.PATTERSON PLANOne of the most disappointing players was wide receiver Cordarelle Patterson, who scored only two touchdowns, none by kickoff return, and vanished from the offence down the stretch as Charles Johnson and Adam Thielen surpassed him. Zimmer said he has a mentor he declined to name in mind for Patterson.I think this will be good for him, and hopefully hell follow through and get to where he needs to get to, Zimmer said.KALIL CONFIDENCELeft tackle Matt Kalil also had a letdown year, but his blocking was better over the last several weeks. He said hell have his knee examined again. After surgery last off-season, it didnt feel right most of the year. But Kalil said hes confident in a bounce-back 2015.I know what Ive got to do. I dont know if this sounds bad or not, but Im not worried about it, Kalil said.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFLJoe Haden Jersey . Gomes drove in all three runs, including a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning, and Cleveland rallied for a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. Sean Davis Jersey . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Chukwuma-Okorafor-Jersey/ . The former world No. 1 Djokovic, who is the top seed here despite being ranked No. 2, snuck past 35-year-old Czech showman Radek Stepanek in four high- quality sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), on Centre Court. Djokovic appeared relieved when he converted on his first match point by swatting a cross-court forehand winner that just caught the line to end an affair that featured only two service breaks. Chukwuma Okorafor Jersey . The former Edmonton Oilers defenceman was with the St. Louis Blues in training camp on a professional tryout. Whitney, 30, had four goals and 13 points in 34 games with the Oilers last season. Mason Rudolph Jersey . Lawries batting helmet hit an umpire during his ninth-inning outburst in the Jays 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The 22-year-old threw his helmet to the ground and it bounced up and hit home plate umpire Bill Miller on the right hip after Lawrie was called out on strikes for the second out.JUPITER, Fla. - The rowdiest event on the PGA Tour landed golfs biggest attraction Friday when Tiger Woods said he would play the Phoenix Open for the first time in 14 years.The tournament starts Jan. 29 and ends on the Sunday of the Super Bowl, which also is in Phoenix.Woods also announced on his website he will play the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines a week later. That was no surprise, for Woods has won there eight times as a pro, including his last major in the 2008 U.S. Open.He has not played the Phoenix Open since 2001. And while Woods has made only three appearances at the TPC Scottsdale, he always generates news. Woods made an ace on the par-3 16th hole in 1997 and was showered with beer cups over the sheer emotion of the moment.He was criticized in 1999 when he was permitted to let fans move a massive boulder in front of his ball after it had been declared a loose impediment. Also that year, a spectator who had been heckling Woods was found to have had aa gun in his fanny pack.ddddddddddddIn his most recent appearance in 2001, someone lobbed an orange onto the green while he was putting.It will be great to return to Phoenix, Woods said on his website. The crowds are amazing and always enthusiastic, and the 16th hole is pretty unique in golf.This is the time Woods usually starts his PGA Tour season. Torrey Pines and Phoenix have switched spots on the calendar because the Phoenix Open prefers to end on Super Bowl Sunday. It is the biggest day at the tournament, with crowds estimated at over 500,000, is on Saturday.Woods played only nine times worldwide last year because of surgery to his back and lingering issues. In his return after four months off, he tied for last in the Hero World Challenge in Orlando, Florida.Woods is working with a new coach. He has slipped to a No. 34 ranking and he is still not guaranteed a spot in the first World Golf Championship of the year at Doral for the top 50 in the world. Cheap Jerseys ChinaNFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Jerseys WholesaleDiscount Basketball JerseysCheap NHL Jerseys AuthenticCheap Baseball Jerseys Free ShippingCheapest College Jerseys SaleCheap Football Jerseys ChinaNike NFL Jerseys CanadaWholesale NHL Jerseys From ChinaMLB Jerseys Outlet CanadaWholesale NBA Jerseys Canada StoreCheap Soccer Jerseys ChinaCheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '