Mike Zimmer says Vikings' Matt Cassel will start Week 3 vs. Saints

It took all of three quarters for the cries to be heard at TCF Bank Stadium, but Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer didn't scale the NFL coaching ranks by being impetuous.

After Matt Cassel threw a career-high four interceptions in a 30-7 thrashing from the New England Patriots, Zimmer did his best to hush the palpable desperation for fresh-faced first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater. 

"I'm going to hold the quarterback position just like every position here to the same standard, and I also said I wasn't going to have a quick hook,'' Zimmer said via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. 

"Matt needs to play better. It's pretty obvious he needs to play better. We all need to play better. I need to coach better.''

Zimmer explained that inserting Bridgewater was never an option, and that Cassel will start Sunday against the winless New Orleans Saints.