al against the Bulldogs in Perth.And he said it would be better if rival clubs held back on talking about players from teams in finals mode.Im sure Essendon would take the conversation back if they could, Simpson said.Its O

MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings trickled into the residence hall for their two-week training camp stay, toting the usual duffel bags, electronic gadgets and mattress pads.Coach Mike Zimmer came with a contract extension.The Vikings announced Thursday theyve added to Zimmers deal, rewarding their revered coach well before his contract status ever became a headline and further galvanizing an organization already buzzing with anticipation of the season and the future.General manager Rick Spielman declined to disclose the terms of the deal, revealed when the Vikings reported to Minnesota State University, but Zimmers original contract was not close to expiring. Zimmer even said he saw no rush to address it, entering his third season on the job.They really didnt have to. There was nothing that was pushing this deal, Zimmer said. But I feel very, very fortunate to be the coach of the Vikings. Its a great organization, a lot of great people.Talks took place over the past month between Spielman and Zimmers agent, Marvin Demoff.Our ownership, myself, the entire organization felt very strongly about getting something done with coach Zimmer, Spielman said.We have so much excitement building up with the new facility, the new practice facility, and I know how strongly we feel about coach Zimmer in leading this football team in the future.The ribbon has been cut at U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis. Next week, theyll break ground on new suburban headquarters. Coming off an 11-5 regular-season finish that earned them the NFC North title, the team has plenty of momentum. Now the power structure has even more stability.I can tell you, in my 26 years in the NFL, I have not had the experience and the cohesiveness with a head coach as I do with coach Zimmer, Spielman said.Zimmer, a long-time defensive coordinator for Dallas and Cincinnati who got his first opportunity to be a head coach with Minnesota at age 57.Hes 18-14, with one loss in the playoffs. Only Dennis Green, with 20, had more wins in his first two seasons as coach of the Vikings.I dont want to oversimplify it because I think hes done a lot of things, safety Harrison Smith said, finally settling on a favorite: Really, just the get-it-done attitude. Theres no excuses for anything. Its either you got it done or you didnt get it done, and guys really enjoy that. Because its just straightforward, and you know where you stand, and that allows you to get better.Both sons of football coaches, Spielman and Zimmer have been in step from the beginning. Spielman is the boss, but Zimmer said theyve hardly had any disagreements about decisions regarding the roster.Were kind of like the odd couple. Hes messy, and Im the clean one, Zimmer said, before his tone turned serious. Its been a real good relationship, and Im looking forward to more.Zimmer is the kind of coach who can keep a team carrying high expectations appropriately grounded. Supplementing his own brand of defiance, fueled by all those head coach positions he interviewed for but didnt get, Zimmer has rarely missed an opportunity to prod his players by slapping the doubt card down on the table.Deep passing and the kicking game are the biggest questions surrounding this team, not the danger of complacency.When you have a lot of good people, guys who work hard, all the things that Ive been saying about this team, I think its easy, Zimmer said.Throughout his first two seasons, Zimmer often said half-jokingly in response to queries about the future that he wasnt sure whether hed be around for it. He once dismissed a question from a team official about the color of the wood in the new stadium locker room: I said, `Heck, I dont know if Im going to be here for the new stadium.Here he is, with the Aug. 28 exhibition opener against San Diego a month away.Thats what pushes me, that someone else can come and take my job or we dont play as good as we can play or proving people wrong, the 60-year-old Zimmer said. Thats just my mentality.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Clearance Shoes Australia . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. Buy Shoes Australia . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. https://www.shoesaustraliaonline.com/ .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. Wholesale Shoes Australia . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Shoes Australia From China . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. West Coast coach Adam Simpson has refused to buy into the trade talk surrounding out-of-favour defender Eric Mackenzie, saying rival clubs shouldnt publicly target players who are still in the AFL finals race.Essendon coach John Worsfold ruffled some feathers last week when he said he would consider luring Mackenzie and Mitch Brown to the Bombers.Mackenzie has struggled to recapture top form since missing all of last year with a knee injury.The 2014 club champion has featured in just two games since round 11, falling behind emerging star Tom Barrass in the pecking order.Brown, who also underwent a knee reconstruction last year, is another player whose future at West Coast looks bleak.Although both Brown and Mackenzie are contracted for next season, the duo could seek fresh opportunities elsewhere.Simpson refused to bite when asked about the future of Mackenzie on Thursday, saying his full focus was on preparing for next weeks elimination final against the Bulldogs in Perth.And he said it would be better if rival clubs held back on talking about players from teams in finals mode.Im sure Essendon would take the conversation back if they could, Simpson said.Its OK if youre out of the finalss, but to talk about other clubs who have got players playing finals footy - I think we need to hold back on that.ddddddddddddI suppose thats one of the drawbacks of having a bye. Theres all this trade talk happening this week because theres a bit more time.I think we need to respect the fact theres teams still playing in the finals and individuals still fighting for spots.Of more immediate concern to Simpson is the fitness of ruckman Scott Lycett, who has been battling a posterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee since round 10.The problem has flared in recent weeks after Lycett copped heavy knocks in wins against Hawthorn and Adelaide.The 23-year-old underwent scans on Tuesday, but Simpson is confident hell be fit to take on the Bulldogs.However, Simpson said another big knock to the area could put Lycett out of action.I dont think any long-term damage is the risk - its more getting through a game, Simpson said.Last weeks superb performance of fringe ruckman Jonathan Giles means West Coast will have the luxury of giving Lycett more time up forward. ' ' '