Vikings Message Board.Com

http://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-viki ... -in-a-year

The offensive staff that joined Mike Zimmer in Minnesota -- to help identify the Vikings' next quarterback and resuscitate the team's productivity under Norv Turner -- is now almost completely gone.

The changes started a year ago today, when offensive line coach Jeff Davidson's deal was not renewed. Running backs coach Kirby Wilson left for a running game coordinator position in Cleveland two weeks later. Turner resigned Nov. 2, and his son Scott (the Vikings' quarterbacks coach) was fired on Monday. With former tight ends coach Kevin Stefanski now coaching running backs, only wide receivers coach George Stewart remains in the same position he was in when Zimmer was hired three years ago.

The article at the link above was published on January 11th and we've seen more changes since then. The Vikes have reportedly hired former Broncos Ol coach Clancy Barone to coach the TEs (Shurmur held the job last year) and
former UCLA offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu (Troy Polamalu's uncle)to coach the RBs.

Kevin Stefanski, who's been with the Vikings since the Childress era, is rumored to be moving to QB coach but as far as I can tell, that's not official at this point.

Also from the article:

The 2015 season brought shifts in the offensive philosophy, away from the traditional Turner scheme and more toward the quick passes that Teddy Bridgewater preferred, as Zimmer became more willing to speak his mind on that side of the ball. And with two position coach openings to fill in 2016, the Vikings hired two former head coaches in Tony Sparano and Pat Shurmur. Those developments, sources have said, left Turner feeling marginalized. They also effectively ended the possibility of his son succeeding him. Scott Turner had taken on a larger role in game-planning and player evaluation than many position coaches would, but once his father left in November, it seemed likely his days with the Vikings could be numbered.

Given how instrumental both Norv and Scott Turner were in the quarterback search that landed Bridgewater, it's striking to see what amounts to a near-complete reboot of the Vikings' offensive staff occurring just 365 days after they hosted a playoff game.

Quite frankly I think the WR coach needs to go too. None of our WRs can get separation and none of them have really developed into anything resembling a #1 (Diggs being the closest).

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Mothman wrote:http://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-viki ... -in-a-year
The article at the link above was published on January 11th and we've seen more changes since then. The Vikes have reportedly hired former Broncos Ol coach Clancy Barone to coach the TEs (Shurmur held the job last year) and
former UCLA offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu (Troy Polamalu's uncle)to coach the RBs.

Kevin Stefanski, who's been with the Vikings since the Childress era, is rumored to be moving to QB coach but as far as I can tell, that's not official at this point.

Also from the article:

And they hosted a playoff game because of their defense. The offense sucked last year too but the defense was more consistent.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Funny how it went from "too many cooks in the kitchen" to this. So much for all of that NFL coaching experience.

My only hope is that we can run a true West Coast now. Also, for the love of God - please implement a zone blocking scheme. This power man scheme is outdated and doesn't match any of our personnel.

PurpleMustReign wrote:Quite frankly I think the WR coach needs to go too. None of our WRs can get separation and none of them have really developed into anything resembling a #1 (Diggs being the closest).

If the team really needs a #1 WR at this point but hasn't one, then isn't that on the people doing the drafting and signing? That's how it seems to me. And if that's the case, Stewart would have little to no control over those decisions.

I think this group of young WRs showed progress last season. Diggs gets nicked up now and then, but when healthy he usually looks good, including running clean routes and getting separation. Thielen and Patterson both took big steps forward. Too bad the Vikings didn't play Wright more often, which wasn't Stewart's call either. I think Wright could have contributed to the offense.

As I said before, I believe better OL blocking and more creative coordinating would have helped all the skill players.

HardcoreVikesFan wrote:Funny how it went from "too many cooks in the kitchen" to this. So much for all of that NFL coaching experience.

Well, we do still have 2 previous head coaches and our head coach on the team. Shurmur, Sporano, Zimmer. Still a lot of cooks.

I wonder this too.... Why are these guys former HC, because they were not good at it and couldn't get their players to win. Not sure why we have to have former head coaches ??
The game is evolving, and players too. Maybe there just is a disconnect ?
Not sure how a team can change so much ?, but, we need to have a scheme, a game plan, and we need the personnel for it. They seem to have that working on the defensive side of the ball.
I think that Bradford could have a longer reign in Minnesota than what AD has left, so that's where you start building around. Tough call for some, but it's got to happen.
Look at the type of receivers we have, not really deep over the top speed, but quick and fast intermediate guys. We should be running 10-20 yard routes all over the place.
WR coach should be fired too. How can our guys always run routes short of the first down? Who's teaching that ???
Also, game plan needs to have WR continue running routes even when not option #1 or 2. Bradford seems to see the field well and recognize defenses. If routes are designed to get across 1st down, then we shouldn't consistently be completing passes 2 yards short on 3rd down.

Many failed HCs turn out to be great Coordinators. Wade Phillips is one example. Josh McDaniels is another.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

True, but these guys weren't coordinators and they were looking for jobs, not getting swooped up immediately...
We loaded a coaching staff with has Beene and cast offs.

Btw, Vikings coaches were at Shrine bowl this week coaching...
Through one half, they've put up a whopping 3 points !!!
Here in lies the problem folks

Vikings officially confirm Shurmur's return, reveal new offensive staff

The Vikings officially confirmed Friday that Pat Shurmur, who took over as the offensive play-caller on an interim basis midway through the 2016 season, will be the team's full-time offensive coordinator in 2017.

The Vikings also revealed the reshuffled offensive coaching staff that will support Shurmur and will hopefully give the Vikings a potent offense for the first time in Mike Zimmer's tenure. They ranked in the bottom six in the league in total yards in each of his three years as head coach.

Kevin Stefanski will coach the quarterbacks.
Kennedy Polamalu will coach the running backs.
Clancy Barone will replace Shurmur as TE coach.

Tony Sparano will return as offensive line coach. But FOX Sports reported Saturday morning that his assistant, Hank Fraley, will be leaving Minnesota to join UCLA’s staff as their headoffensive line coach.

Meanwhile, Zimmer's entire defensive staff will remain intact for 2017.

Interesting about Shurmur.

He's basically a West Coast offense guy. We kind of give that offense a bad name as a dink-and-dunk offense, and in many cases that's true.

But as I sit here and watch this Atlanta Falcons juggernaut offense, it occurs to me ... they're a WCO team under Kyle Shanahan. They throw plenty of deep stuff, and particularly a lot of intermediate stuff. They're really fun to watch.

I guess the point is that the WCO doesn't have to be dink-and-dunk, barely average 20 points per game. Is Shurmur that kind of guy? No idea. Do the Vikings have Atlanta's offensive talent? Definitely not, especially along the offensive line. The Falcons are just an example of a WCO team that has taken it to a new level.

Don't flame. A guy can dream.

J. Kapp 11 wrote:Interesting about Shurmur.

He's basically a West Coast offense guy. We kind of give that offense a bad name as a dink-and-dunk offense, and in many cases that's true.

But as I sit here and watch this Atlanta Falcons juggernaut offense, it occurs to me ... they're a WCO team under Kyle Shanahan. They throw plenty of deep stuff, and particularly a lot of intermediate stuff. They're really fun to watch.

I guess the point is that the WCO doesn't have to be dink-and-dunk, barely average 20 points per game. Is Shurmur that kind of guy? No idea. Do the Vikings have Atlanta's offensive talent? Definitely not, especially along the offensive line. The Falcons are just an example of a WCO team that has taken it to a new level.

Don't flame. A guy can dream.

Atlanta didnt take anything to a 'New level', unless you mean for themselves, which I see now that you might.

You are in the same division as GB, you should realize a high powered WCO is not unheard of, or solely dink and dunk.

In fact, GB is far closer to a traditional San Fran style wco then Atlanta, and yet I would say they go vertical nearly as much, more during other seasons.

disappointed to hear they are bringing back Sparano. not impressed with anything he's done with the OL