Vikings rush defense struggling

[PacificNorseWest]

What's the deal with Gerald Hodges? He played well in a game earlier this year I thought, then got hurt and then filled in for Barr last week. Any updates on his chances of becoming a starter? I feel like he's a very promising football player, but I haven't paid enough attention to it.

[chicagopurple]

Early in the season I saw great hits and tackling with good wrap ups. Now I am seeing a resurgence in weak arm tackles. It's frustrating and Ivory might really take advantage of it!

[CbusVikesFan]

we've been needing better LB play for awhile now. This problem needs to be addressed this offseason. Our LBs are marginal at best

I've been grumbling about this for years now. One of these days the Vikings will reach for a player that is worthy of being reached for. Had a chance this past year, but we will see how it plays out.
Let me add again that CJ Mosely is 6th in the ENTIRE NFL in tackles with 105 total. Also has 10 pass defenses and 2 ints. The Vikings definitely have trouble stopping the run when your leading tackler is one of your safeties. Barr is almost in the top 50 at 54. Blanton is top tackler for those who have been grumbling about him.

[808vikingsfan]

Hasan's perspective on whether the DL or the LBs are the problem:

In my mind, the linebackers are almost entirely the problem, because the defensive line is consistently very good at containing the run, with the exception of Brian Robison—who for some reason was excellent at it for the Vikings in previous years, but isn't following up with it this year.

Consider the fact that the Vikings defensive line ranks second overall out of all 4-3 fronts in total run "stops" (running plays which constitute a "loss" for the offense, but are not necessarily tackles for loss), but dead last in off-ball linebacker stops.

It's also a mistake to say that the defensive line is universally good at stopping the run. Both Everson Griffen and Sharrif Floyd are among the league's best at stopping the run, and consistently produce TFLs and tackles in the run game, while redirecting runners or clogging lanes. Linval Joseph is very good against the run, though he's not doing as well for the Vikings in that capacity as he did for the Giants.

Brian Robison is struggling, but not a lot. The difference, as Robert alludes to, is when those two starters who are excellent are off the field. Corey Wootton (who sometimes replaces the struggling-but-not-terribly-so Robison or the on-fire Griffen) is one of the league's worst at it, while Tom Johnson and Shamar Stephen are about average at run stopping.

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[Demi]

Blanton is top tackler for those who have been grumbling about him.

Goes to show what that stat means. Especially for Greenway, being his only claim to fame. Blanton gets run over more than any other player I've ever seen. And even when he makes a tackle he usually gives up another yard in the process. He's a converted corner so I guess you can't expect all that much. At least it doesn't seem like you see him getting beat for easy completions or blowing his assignments like the last few guys that played the position.

As far as the rush defense, fat guy with a bullet in his leg was suppose to take on those double teams and lock #### down! To be fair you have guys learning a new defense, one they aren't used to that's completely the opposite of the one they played on last year, and I don't think anyone on that defensive line is really built to clog up lanes and stuff the runner. We don't have a Haloti Ngata in there, which is fine, if you've got linebackers behind them that can make up for it. Which we don't. Which is why Blanton is the teams leading tackler. At least we have a coaching staff in place that should help make up for some questionable scouting/signing/drafting over the last decade, especially on defense.

[CbusVikesFan]

Goes to show what that stat means. Especially for Greenway, being his only claim to fame. Blanton gets run over more than any other player I've ever seen. And even when he makes a tackle he usually gives up another yard in the process. He's a converted corner so I guess you can't expect all that much. At least it doesn't seem like you see him getting beat for easy completions or blowing his assignments like the last few guys that played the position.

As far as the rush defense, fat guy with a bullet in his leg was suppose to take on those double teams and lock #### down! To be fair you have guys learning a new defense, one they aren't used to that's completely the opposite of the one they played on last year, and I don't think anyone on that defensive line is really built to clog up lanes and stuff the runner. We don't have a Haloti Ngata in there, which is fine, if you've got linebackers behind them that can make up for it. Which we don't. Which is why Blanton is the teams leading tackler. At least we have a coaching staff in place that should help make up for some questionable scouting/signing/drafting over the last decade, especially on defense.

I was pointing out the fact that Blanton gets the worst of the talk around here. At least he is making tackles. I would be much happier if he didn't have that opportunity to make those unless he is in the box. That being said, it reinforces my point about drafting Mosley over Barr. Not saying anything negative about Barr, we will see how high is ceiling is but Mosley has had an immediate impact and made his team around him better.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I don't mind Blanton at all right now. I wasn't big on him in the beginning of the season but he has definitely came around.

I think our biggest issue right now is MLB. I like the future of Barr and Hodges as our SLB and WLB. Barr needs to improve his tackling but that will come with time. Hodges is a great athlete that has been a pretty sure tackler when he has been in the game. However, Brinkley can't be there next year. He's not athletic enough and gets washed out in the run way too often.

This is a big reason I want to draft Denzel Perryman from Miami or even get KJ Wright in FA. Perryman has been Miami's leading tackler the past 3 years, he's athletic, great nose for the ball, very hard hitter, etc. He's everything we need in a MLB.

[CbusVikesFan]

I don't mind Blanton at all right now. I wasn't big on him in the beginning of the season but he has definitely came around.

I think our biggest issue right now is MLB. I like the future of Barr and Hodges as our SLB and WLB. Barr needs to improve his tackling but that will come with time. Hodges is a great athlete that has been a pretty sure tackler when he has been in the game. However, Brinkley can't be there next year. He's not athletic enough and gets washed out in the run way too often.

This is a big reason I want to draft Denzel Perryman from Miami or even get KJ Wright in FA. Perryman has been Miami's leading tackler the past 3 years, he's athletic, great nose for the ball, very hard hitter, etc. He's everything we need in a MLB.

We could be doing a lot worse. Could we upgrade? Sure. Is it an absolute must? Not sure how far up the priority list this position is coming up.

[Purple bruise]

When the Vikes have the 4th ranked pass defense in the entire league and 10th overall I would imagine that they give up a lot of running plays in order to improve their pass defense by keeping their safeties back to help out more. Seems to me that you give up run defense to improve pass defense...just my guess but I sure love the overall improvement.

[CbusVikesFan]

When the Vikes have the 4th ranked pass defense in the entire league and 10th overall I would imagine that they give up a lot of running plays in order to improve their pass defense by keeping their safeties back to help out more. Seems to me that you give up run defense to improve pass defense...just my guess but I sure love the overall improvement.

Oh, I am all for that. Since the opposition has to run the ball instead of passing because that is the strength of the defense, so be it. Right?

[jackal]

Our defense has already improved and in IMO, is going the right way with Zimmer.

I will hold judgement, for at least another year. The players will only be better next year with his scheme.

IMO the offensive line is still our biggest concern. Receivers would be my second biggest concern. A great
MLB Defensive tackle to shore up an improving defense would be my third.

[chicagopurple]

Run D impressed me today against Ivory

[saint33]

I was pointing out the fact that Blanton gets the worst of the talk around here. At least he is making tackles. I would be much happier if he didn't have that opportunity to make those unless he is in the box. That being said, it reinforces my point about drafting Mosley over Barr. Not saying anything negative about Barr, we will see how high is ceiling is but Mosley has had an immediate impact and made his team around him better.

Are you saying the Barr hasn't made an impact? He's in the running with Mosley and Mack for rookie of the year. I don't see any reason to start complaining that we drafted Anthony Barr.....

[shannontw]

I think we need to replace Brian Robinson this offseason along with Greenway. I wouldnt mind us kicking the tires on Suh this offseason as well.

[shannontw]

Not taking nothing away from Mosley but yall do know Playing beside Courtney UpShaw and Terrell Suggs while Ngata is clogging up the middle sure can make a rookie job not so complicated.


Chad Greenway and Jasper brinkley isnt making nobody job easy.