Vikings should focus on defense next year?

[dead_poet]

I'm a little surprised to see you say that. He had a terrific RAC touchdown against Pittsburgh last year and even though it's a shorter play, I thought he showed the same kind of moves and open field running ability a few weeks ago when he scored against Carolina.

I don't know if he could take a pass 87 yards for the win like Wright did against the Jets but I still view him as a pretty effective runner after the catch.

I should probably revise my statement to read consistently. I like that he's had a couple of good YAC plays in the last couple of years but more often than not he goes down right away. Part of that may be not being fed an accurate enough ball to catch-and-run though.

[Mothman]

I should probably revise my statement to read consistently. I like that he's had a couple of good YAC plays in the last couple of years but more often than not he goes down right away. Part of that may be not being fed an accurate enough ball to catch-and-run though.

Good point.

I actually think Jennings has been under-used in the offense over the past two seasons. I feel like the Vikes have squandered his ability a bit.

[dead_poet]

I actually think Jennings has been under-used in the offense over the past two seasons. I feel like the Vikes have squandered his ability a bit.

I think so, too. Of course, part of that could be he's not quite as good at separating to warrant the targets. I'd be curious to see his target distribution since he signed here. I'm more interested in that than his reception totals. But when you've had a run-focused offense (at least leaning that way in recent years), sub-par pass defense and, frankly, disastrous QB issues, it's not exactly a recipe for a reception-fest. I'm curious as to how often he's been a primary read on routes, too. I guess I'm curious how much of his sub-par seasons are due to him or the offense (and scheme) around him.

[frosted]

I think so, too. Of course, part of that could be he's not quite as good at separating to warrant the targets. I'd be curious to see his target distribution since he signed here. I'm more interested in that than his reception totals. But when you've had a run-focused offense (at least leaning that way in recent years), sub-par pass defense and, frankly, disastrous QB issues, it's not exactly a recipe for a reception-fest. I'm curious as to how often he's been a primary read on routes, too. I guess I'm curious how much of his sub-par seasons are due to him or the offense (and scheme) around him.

He had 101 targets last season, which led the team, Simpson was second with 96.
So far this year, he has 80, which leads the team. The next closest this year is Patterson, with 56, followed shortly thereafter by Wright (54).

Of note, he has caught 66.7% of his targets this year, and he caught 67.3% of them last season. Those are pretty decent clips.

[jackal]

I think are top goal should be our OL .. to me this is the Vikings weakest link...

second wideouts unless Patterson can live up to his ability

third linebackers,

[Purple bruise]

I agree... I'm trying to think of other trios that might be comparable and I'm having trouble. The closest I can think of would be Harrison, Wayne and Stokely for the Colts.

After I typed the above, I did a search to try and confirm that Harrison, Wayne and Stokely were all actually on the Colts at once (just to make sure my memory wasn't playing tricks on me) and came across this, which some of you might enjoy:

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_24 ... ewrite-nfl
Also, if you scroll down past the end of the article, there's this:
He lists 9 trios so there are more at the link.

Any mention of Clark, Taylor and Rice for the 49er's?

[Mothman]

Any mention of Clark, Taylor and Rice for the 49er's?

Oddly, no and that's weird because he included other trios that featured a TE. To me, that trio belongs pretty high on any list.

[Purple bruise]

Oddly, no and that's weird because he included other trios that featured a TE. To me, that trio belongs pretty high on any list.

Exactly and for mine and lot's of other's money, Rice was the very best ever! Dwight Clark and John Taylor were both wide receivers and put up very impressive numbers.

[IIsweet]

Dolphins trio of Duper, Clayton, Moore
Chargers trio of Chandler, Jefferson, and Winslow

[Purple bruise]

I am also guilty but it is funny how this topic got off of track

[IIsweet]

So no mention of Berrien,Wade, Shiancoe ?
What about 2012 Jenkins, Aromashadu, Simpson ?
Those trios strike fear into opponents.

[Purple bruise]

So no mention of Berrien,Wade, Shiancoe ?
What about 2012 Jenkins, Aromashadu, Simpson ?
Those trios strike fear into opponents.

You should fit Troy Williamson in there somewhere

[VikeMike]

I don't think Rice, Taylor and Clark were actually a trio. Clark's final year was 1987, and he had 24 receptions. Taylor was a rookie that year, with 9 catches.

The 1999 Rams had Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Az-Zahir Hakim -- with Ricky Proehl as the fourth receiver. But, it was Marshall Faulk that was the big addition to Bruce and Holt. When you add Faulk into the mix, then the 1999 Rams unit gives Moss, Carter and Reed a run for their money.

Still, two HOF receivers (Moss will get in) is really formidable.

[S197]

Related: I'm a bit concerned that with all the injuries to the offensive line we haven't seen anything from Yankey. I'm not sure he's even been activated this season. I'm a little disappointed in that, but I suppose leaning on veteran replacements may not be a bad idea if the staff thinks they have a better chance at keeping Teddy alive. I just hope we get more out of Yankey than we did, say, DeGeare.

I don't think he's been active, which is disappointing. I talked him up quite a bit in the offseason before the draft but it's definitely concerning he can't even dress despite the injuries. I would think at the very least he would be a serviceable backup but we'll see I guess. On the plus side Ducasse and Berger haven't looked that bad.

Edit: Looks like he's active for today's game.

[IIsweet]

Me too S197. I thought Yankey would be able to jump right into LG.
Heard he wasn't strong enough. I was excited when we got him. Really hope he gets strong or whatever....