Vikings' defense can take steps toward being elite in 2016

[Mothman]

http://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-viki ... te-in-2016

Nine of the Vikings' 11 defensive starters have been with the team since Zimmer became the coach. The starting unit includes four players the Vikings selected in the first round, and one more they took in the second round. The group returns all 11 starters, and a handful of key role players, from a team that gave up the fifth-fewest points in the league. And the Vikings' defenders have learned to conform to the exacting standards of a coach who isn't all that impressed by any of it yet.

"I think we’ve still got a long way to go. My expectations are pretty high all the time," Zimmer said Monday. "I don’t like to give an inch, so when we do, I get upset about it."

More at the link.

[VikingPaul73]

Good article tanks for posting.

Interesting that they only count 4 1st round starters on defense. I count:
Floyd
Barr
Greenway
Rhodes
Smith

Maybe they're not counting greenway as a starter??

Either way, throw in Waynes who should see a lot of snaps and kendricks (2nd) and Joseph (2nd round by Giants) and the vikes really have a lot of high round picks on D!!!

[Mothman]

Good article tanks for posting.

Interesting that they only count 4 1st round starters on defense. I count:
Floyd
Barr
Greenway
Rhodes
Smith

Maybe they're not counting greenway as a starter??

That's my guess.

Either way, throw in Waynes who should see a lot of snaps and kendricks (2nd) and Joseph (2nd round by Giants) and the vikes really have a lot of high round picks on D!!!

They've been investing heavily there for years now and it's starting to pay off. Hopefully, the defense will take another step toward actually being elite this year. I don't think we've seen a truly elite Vikings defense since Tony Dungy was with the Vikings so that would be refreshing.

Stop the run!

[losperros]

Stop the run!

Yes! Because if they can't, then the word "elite" cannot be used to describe the team's defense.

[autobon7]

Yes! Because if they can't, then the word "elite" cannot be used to describe the team's defense.

Exactly right....

[Mothman]

Yes! Because if they can't, then the word "elite" cannot be used to describe the team's defense.

Agreed.

They'll face what should be a good test this weekend.

[jackal]

yeah the Titans gave an improving Ol, dimarco murray and that 240 lb beast from bama
(I kinda wanted the Vikings to take.)

Not to mention the long time Steelers defensive coordinator

[halfgiz]

Eric Kendricks (five solo tackles, one for loss, and a pick six) was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

[Mothman]

Eric Kendricks (five solo tackles, one for loss, and a pick six) was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week

He earned it! Kudos to Kendricks.

[halfgiz]

Kendricks is the fifth #Vikings defender to win the award in the brief Zimmer era.

[IrishViking]

64 yards rushing isn't all bad considering the Titans are a power smashmouth rushing team.