MINNEAPOLIS -- On the somewhat-infrequent occasions the Minnesota Vikings have dipped into free agency during the two years since Mike Zimmer became the head coach, their forays have often taken them to players the coach, or someone on his staff, already knows.
It started when the Vikings brought veteran safety Chris Crocker out of retirement during the 2014 training camp, so the former Bengals safety could teach the Vikings' younger players about Zimmer's defense.