MINNEAPOLIS -- In coach Mike Zimmer's view, the struggles plaguing Minnesota Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil have little to do with his physical ability, which probably means the Vikings feel they can mitigate what's hindering the fourth overall pick from the 2012 draft. Things will get better, Zimmer said, when Kalil starts to flush his previous struggles more quickly.

He allowed another sack and a quarterback hit in Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints, after getting beat by New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones several times in the Vikings' previous defeat. The Saints' Junior Galette also beat Kalil on the play where quarterback Matt Cassel broke his foot, collapsing the pocket with outside pressure and forcing Cassel to scramble.

Kalil held up well against St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn in Week 1, though the Vikings gave him some help in pass protection. But if he's better about not dwelling on past mistakes, Zimmer believes, his struggles will start to subside.

"He allows one play to affect the second play sometimes," Zimmer said. "He needs to be like a corner -- have a little short memory, forget it and let's go."

The left tackle made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2012, but he struggled particularly against speed rushers last season, when he played through a knee injury. His problems have lingered into the 2014 season, and both Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner have gone out of their way to defend Kalil on a couple of occasions, particularly in light of criticism during the preseason from Pro Football Focus. It's fair to wonder if those efforts were made to give Kalil a shot of confidence in hopes of getting him back on track.

"He's got all the physical tools to do it," Zimmer said. "It's like the golfer, when he misses the put and goes up on the tee box and hits a bad drive. We're all going to have bad plays, and he has enough athletic ability, and physical skills and mental toughness. He has all those things. Now, he can't compound it by making another mistake."