How to Improve the Offense

[fiestavike]

This big time......and perhaps giving Norv the boot. I know.... I just feel there is no valid excuse that we did not see Johnson and Patterson. Sure could have used those athletic/tall specimens when we were in Seahawks red zone.....agree?

Not really. Once we transitioned to a "power" running team, we went big most of the time. Most of the time there was only 1 or 2 WRs in the game. Patterson is big but he doesn't have ball skills so he's next to useless on fades etc.

I do think we need a guy like that though, a Mike Evans type player would be a huge asset for this team.

[losperros]

- Improve explosiveness
Before I started looking at the stats I fully expected the weight of this to fall squarely on Bridgewater's inaccuracy on deep passes, and while I still think that is an issue, it's clearly not the only issue. There is a real dearth of explosiveness from the WRs as well. Bridgewater's yards per attempt and total attempts, coupled with his completion percentage, paint a picture of a QB who is certainly putting the ball into play where his receivers should have chances to create explosive plays, but they're just not happening. And come to think of it, if your consensus best receiver after 16 games is a 5th round draft pick who wasn't even starting to begin the season, it makes sense that this is a major part of the problem. Wallace didn't pan out. Charles Johnson was AWOL. Cordarelle Patterson was consigned to kick return duties. The guys who were out there just didn't POP. This is a Spielman problem and, to a lesser degree, a Turner problem as well. Bridgewater, of course, needs to hit those deep opportunities when they present as well, so he doesn't get off the hook, but at least in this area, the problem is much more complex than simply that.

Well said. I very much agree with the above, Edward.

However, I feel both Wright and Diggs showed the ability to make their own yardage after a catch, so I don't want to generalize too much about the WRs.

[losperros]

This is priority 1, 2, 3, and 4 for me. WR and S are 5 and 6. RB is 7, CB is 8.

With no improvement at any position other than OL this team would have fielded a high scoring offense and probably had 14 wins.

Agreed, though I don't know about 14 wins. But the Vikings definitely would have had a higher scoring offense and more wins.

[mansquatch]

A big question to ask here before getting started:

OL
How much better is the OL if Sullivan and Loadholt return and other starters remain the same? IMO, this completely changes the protection dynamic.

LG issues: Can Fusco improve or does putting Harris there and moving Fusco back make more sense?

IMO, they need to add an athlete, preferably at Guard in the early rounds of the draft.

I think AP is coming back next year and they will not alter his contract. They went through that drama last year.

WR
Wallace is a prime candidate for a restructure. Not sure what happens

Would like to see Newman return on Defense if he does not retire.

Draft is interesting. For the first time in a long time we have a few needs, but outside of OL not really any gaping holes. Would like to see some S help to complete with Blanton / Sandejo. I think WR is set for the time being. Maybe take a run at Calvin Johnson if he becomes available?

I suspect they'll add more DL depth, especially at DT. Also a mid-round LB. Possibly a QB project guy as well.

More OL talent is biggest thing IMO.

[Crax]

How much better is the OL if Sullivan and Loadholt return and other starters remain the same? IMO, this completely changes the protection dynamic.

What do you guys think we do with Berger? He should be starting somewhere. Do you consider trading one of Sullivan/Berger? Try to move Berger back to G after he was rated as the top C(Career earning wise might not be good for Berger to do that)?

WR
Wallace is a prime candidate for a restructure. Not sure what happens

Evidently the coaches want him back, but it will be about the money. I'm not sure how much if any trade value he has now. I guess they could cut him, see what other teams offer, but that always seems to lead to bad feelings.

[rugbyrugger23]

Can Kalil play RT? If so, would this improve his effectiveness?

Assuming he can, start him at RT (on new RT, not worth were drafted, contract) and waive Loadholt (mainly due to cap dollars, age, and injury concerns). Clemmings becomes main RT backup and long term play at that position.

FA sign the most appropriate scheme fitting LT available. Kalil becomes LT backup.

Berger-Sullivan-Fusco-Harris enter season in 4 man enter 3 man get starting job, with ideal position placement kept in mind. Odd man out is backup for both guard spots and center.

Complete offensive line depth with young players and projects.

[CbusVikesFan]

To say replace Teddy might be one of the most far fetched things I've seen on here. I've been on him all year but to just replace him after his second year is just dumb. DUMB

I'm fine with that. We shall see if he can improve and if I were not in the corner of drafting him why would I want him any longer if I could replace him this year?
How long is your rope? I've seen all I need to, next.

[Demi]

Need at least one receiver, hopefully more. Bunch of average one dimensional players right now. Diggs is the only guy that looks like a legitimate starting WR out there.

Rework the OL. Maybe move Fusco back? Depending what happens at C definitely need to bring in one or two starter level players. Whether it's for depth or to compete for a starting job.

If there's a better option at OC available, don't hesitate to explore it. Maybe someone that could make better use of Teddy's skill set.

[IIsweet]

I think Teddy can be our QB long term but it appears to me that he throws when guys are open and still. Not throwing to an anticipated spot where the WR runs through the ball and adds a lot of YAC.
He doesn't have the repertoire with the WRs that they see something and know where to go.

Norv has to go ! Or...... He has to loosen the reins and be more creative with WR routes.
I also think that the WR coach has to go! Our WRs are getting worse with this guy. Year 1 has been everyone's best year.... Look at CP84, Wright, Johnson, Diggs....?

OL must be improved too. New OL coach with "0" ties to these guys will get them in the right spot, regardless of their name and salary.

[J. Kapp 11]

I'm fine with that. We shall see if he can improve and if I were not in the corner of drafting him why would I want him any longer if I could replace him this year?
How long is your rope? I've seen all I need to, next.

So you want to take a team that could be a Super Bowl contender next year and start over at quarterback?

Get a longer rope, dude.

[Jordysghost]

I'm fine with that. We shall see if he can improve and if I were not in the corner of drafting him why would I want him any longer if I could replace him this year?
How long is your rope? I've seen all I need to, next.

Who would you replace him with?

[IIsweet]

He's a year away, but the Clemson QB Watson would be a fun guy to watch every Sunday.
Definitely not a prototype QB, but a modern day version of Randall Cunningham.
He was so much fun to watch.
He could be drafted at the same time AD is off the books on this mega deal contract.
That means that Teddy will have to really show the goods and the development this next year.

Just an idea....

[Demi]

Teddy has shown he can win. I don't want to go back to rolling the dice and hoping whoever we bring in his better. Unless we stumble on an amazing talent while looking for a backup, there's no way I'd spend an early pick, or sign a guy, to try and replace Teddy at this point.

That said, hopefully Spielman puts more effort into the backup QB position this time around.

[DK Sweets]

Teddy has shown he can win. I don't want to go back to rolling the dice and hoping whoever we bring in his better. Unless we stumble on an amazing talent while looking for a backup, there's no way I'd spend an early pick, or sign a guy, to try and replace Teddy at this point.

That said, hopefully Spielman puts more effort into the backup QB position this time around.

Agreed. We need a more competent backup, and if he turns out good enough to compete, great. As of right now we shouldn't be looking for somebody to replace Teddy, though.

[losperros]

Agreed. We need a more competent backup, and if he turns out good enough to compete, great. As of right now we shouldn't be looking for somebody to replace Teddy, though.

And I also agree. Let's face it, quarterbacks do get injured in this full contact sport. Hopefully, Bridgewater will be fine but if he goes down, then the Vikings need more than just a warm body in there at quarterback. And as I stated before, it should be a QB that can actually push Teddy, which could help Bridgewater's game.