Vikings Defensive Scheme Change?

[fiestavike]

Time to consider this once again! After last years draft, there was a lot of speculation that the Vikings might be transitioning to a cover 3. Their FA moves and their draft selections potentially aligned with that theory.

https://www.dailynorseman.com/2020/4/16 ... he-vikings

It seemed like a change that might make sense with the young secondary. The Vikings even drafted a couple of the CBs who were scheme fits in a cover 3.

The top first-round worthy cornerbacks are that way because they have the measureables and are scheme diverse, meaning they can play zone or man. So, Jeffrey Okudah, C.J. Henderson, Kristian Fulton, and Jeff Gladney all work well in a Cover-3 scheme.

Beyond the top ranked CBs, Cameron Dantzler, Trevon Diggs, and Damon Arnette are both good in this scheme - Arnette, like Okudah, is from Ohio State which plays a lot of Cover-3.

Perhaps it was never the plan, or perhaps the lack of an offseason, the opting out of Michael Pierce and lack of appropriate depth and personnel on other parts of the team made that transition impossible? Could we see something like this put into place now?

In any case, Zimmer has added fuel to the potential for a scheme change with some of his comments this offseason.

It’s been a really good offseason. You know we’ve had some coaching staff changes, and that’s been going really well, and then scheme-wise we’ve been going through everything with a fine-tooth comb, trying to evaluate every little thing that we’re doing, things that we can improve, things we’re doing terminology-wise, all the different areas... we’ve had some of the best meetings we’ve had in eight years probably, dissecting everything that we do, going through it, like I said before, with a fine tooth comb. I’ve been really impressed with the coaches that are in there, but also the offenses have changed so much in the last four or five years, it’s time that we need to do some things differently, and change, and adapt... the number one thing we wanna be doing on defense is we wanna play fast, we wanna play physical, and we don’t wanna be thinking. The offenses have been getting us to think lately- an adjust here, an adjust there, do this and do that, and you know some of these things we’ve talked about, and it’s just too hard to implement during the season. Some of it is big change, some of it is minor tweaks.

While playing fast, physical, and without having to think too much are hallmarks of the cover 3 defense, this article is now speculating that the Vikings could be going to a base 4-2-5.

https://www.dailynorseman.com/2021/4/4/ ... gs-defense

It sounds like something might be afoot, and despite his reputation for aggressive defense, Zimmer's tenure has rather been marked more by a disciplined, reactive defense rather than an attacking defense which forces the issue. Maybe that changes this year?

I'd love to hear some thoughts on what this defense might look like in 2021, presuming we get an offseason this time around.

[CharVike]

IMO you need to be aggressive on defense. That means getting after the QB. It seems to happen every year. The best defenses get pressure on the QB. Last year the Bucs were the measuring stick and made the best QBs in the game look less than average through out the playoffs and Super Bowl. Zimmer has never put that type of D on the field. The year we had a chance his D folded like a cheap suite and were destroyed by a stiff backup QB in the champ game. He didn't get after that bum. It was there on a silver platter. Mahomes looked like another guy against the Bucs and have invested heavy into their OL to try and fix it. He's the best young mobile QB in the NFL. The Bucs got after him and he folded. They all do. Rodgers hasn't been himself in the last two champ games. It comes down to pressure. With that I don't care what the coverage is. It will work. Without pressure no coverage scheme will work. That's why we need another DE that brings the heat big time. Bottom line bring the pressure every QB struggles with that. We see it every year.

[J. Kapp 11]

IMO you need to be aggressive on defense. That means getting after the QB. It seems to happen every year. The best defenses get pressure on the QB. Last year the Bucs were the measuring stick and made the best QBs in the game look less than average through out the playoffs and Super Bowl. Zimmer has never put that type of D on the field. The year we had a chance his D folded like a cheap suite and were destroyed by a stiff backup QB in the champ game. He didn't get after that bum. It was there on a silver platter. Mahomes looked like another guy against the Bucs and have invested heavy into their OL to try and fix it. He's the best young mobile QB in the NFL. The Bucs got after him and he folded. They all do. Rodgers hasn't been himself in the last two champ games. It comes down to pressure. With that I don't care what the coverage is. It will work. Without pressure no coverage scheme will work. That's why we need another DE that brings the heat big time. Bottom line bring the pressure every QB struggles with that. We see it every year.

Dude, where do you get this stuff?

The Minnesota Vikings
2015 — 5th in the NFL in total defense, 8th in sacks
2016 — 6th in the NFL in total defense, 5th in in sacks
2017 — First in the NFL in total defense
2018 — 9th in the NFL in total defense, 3rd in sacks
2019 — 5th in the NFL in total defense, 6th in sacks

That's 5 straight years in the Top 10 in total defense, twice in the top 5. Yes, we got our butts handed to us in the 2017 NFC Championship Game. But that doesn't mean it was a bad defense. It meant they had a very, very bad day.

The Chiefs got hammered in the Super Bowl because a) Tampa Bay has a great front 4, and b) the Chiefs were trotting out one of the worst offensive lines in the history of the Super Bowl, largely due to injury. But don't tell me the Vikings haven't been able to pressure the QB under Zimmer. I was at the game in 2018 against the Lions when the Vikings sacked Matthew Stafford 10 times.

Just because our pass rush sucked last year doesn't mean it's always sucked. And if Hunter returns, I have a feeling it'll be pretty good again in 2021.

As for the original post ...

Nothing would surprise me this year when it comes to the Vikings' defense. It was SO BAD last year near the end of the season that Mike Zimmer had to be questioning EVERYTHING about his defense, including his own scheme. Honestly, I think that's a good thing. Maybe Zimmer had gotten complacent. Maybe he now understands that they need a new wrinkle or two. If the past is any indication, he's certainly capable of drawing up some new ideas.

Also, I think the addition of Patrick Peterson makes it pretty clear that Zimmer is going to play a lot of zone. If the Vikings blitz, my guess is that he leaves Dantzler to cover someone man-on-man, rather than Peterson. Some of that will be dictated on the opponents' personnel. If there's not a burner on the field, Peterson might shadow him.

[YikesVikes]

I think it will be hard press for most people to say what our coverage is. We transitioned from a Man cover scheme and saw Xavier dall off the face of the earth. I would wager we are already in a cover 3 scheme. We seem to go man when we blitz out of the double a but that is rare for this team. I believe we used cover 3 the 4th most of all teams.

[S197]

I feel like we hear this every off-season. Remember when Barr was practicing pass rush moves with the DEs and everyone was speculating on this major new role for him? Or how Iloka was going to be this totally innovative new role due to his unique size/attributes?

I'm sure they'll come up with a few new wrinkles but Zimmer has shown he's stubborn and old school. Did last year's performance finally shock him into trying to be innovative? Maybe, but if I'm a betting man, my money is on the old dog doesn't learn any new tricks.

[CharVike]

IMO you need to be aggressive on defense. That means getting after the QB. It seems to happen every year. The best defenses get pressure on the QB. Last year the Bucs were the measuring stick and made the best QBs in the game look less than average through out the playoffs and Super Bowl. Zimmer has never put that type of D on the field. The year we had a chance his D folded like a cheap suite and were destroyed by a stiff backup QB in the champ game. He didn't get after that bum. It was there on a silver platter. Mahomes looked like another guy against the Bucs and have invested heavy into their OL to try and fix it. He's the best young mobile QB in the NFL. The Bucs got after him and he folded. They all do. Rodgers hasn't been himself in the last two champ games. It comes down to pressure. With that I don't care what the coverage is. It will work. Without pressure no coverage scheme will work. That's why we need another DE that brings the heat big time. Bottom line bring the pressure every QB struggles with that. We see it every year.

Dude, where do you get this stuff?

The Minnesota Vikings
2015 — 5th in the NFL in total defense, 8th in sacks
2016 — 6th in the NFL in total defense, 5th in in sacks
2017 — First in the NFL in total defense
2018 — 9th in the NFL in total defense, 3rd in sacks
2019 — 5th in the NFL in total defense, 6th in sacks

That's 5 straight years in the Top 10 in total defense, twice in the top 5. Yes, we got our butts handed to us in the 2017 NFC Championship Game. But that doesn't mean it was a bad defense. It meant they had a very, very bad day.

The Chiefs got hammered in the Super Bowl because a) Tampa Bay has a great front 4, and b) the Chiefs were trotting out one of the worst offensive lines in the history of the Super Bowl, largely due to injury. But don't tell me the Vikings haven't been able to pressure the QB under Zimmer. I was at the game in 2018 against the Lions when the Vikings sacked Matthew Stafford 10 times.

Just because our pass rush sucked last year doesn't mean it's always sucked. And if Hunter returns, I have a feeling it'll be pretty good again in 2021.

As for the original post ...

Nothing would surprise me this year when it comes to the Vikings' defense. It was SO BAD last year near the end of the season that Mike Zimmer had to be questioning EVERYTHING about his defense, including his own scheme. Honestly, I think that's a good thing. Maybe Zimmer had gotten complacent. Maybe he now understands that they need a new wrinkle or two. If the past is any indication, he's certainly capable of drawing up some new ideas.

Also, I think the addition of Patrick Peterson makes it pretty clear that Zimmer is going to play a lot of zone. If the Vikings blitz, my guess is that he leaves Dantzler to cover someone man-on-man, rather than Peterson. Some of that will be dictated on the opponents' personnel. If there's not a burner on the field, Peterson might shadow him.

I compared us to the Bucs run through the Super Bowl. Zimm's D never played like that when it was a win or go home deal. It's there in black and white. 2017 our No 1 D shut out the Packers. No Rodgers helped with that and I've said before Zim actually done ok against Rodgers. The Buc D handle the top gun QBs on the road. That's playing D. Picking off Brees and shutting his team out in the 4th quarter was quality D. Our No 1 D in 2017 allowed the Saints to put up 17 points in the 4th quarter. You don't see the difference? 17 points is getting drilled. The Buc D shut them out in quarter 4 and sealed the deal. Then Zims No 1 D let Foles do whatever he wanted to. He's a bum. That's not playing top level D in a win or go home deal. That's a fold in my book. That really started the week before and didn't end. His D did the same against the 49ers in 2019. We hit the road and there O did what ever they wanted to do. It was a cake walk. You go out there and play D. Keep us in the game. Don't get rolled over. That's the difference in what we did versus the Bucs D. The 49ers and Rams did the same stuff. There D stepped up. If they didn't no Super Bowl. This year the D will depend on if Hunter plays again. Zim called it a tweak. Who knows what the deal is. If he's back I'll be shocked. Maybe there's a guy on the roster to take his place. Zim has proven he can develop or sign quality DL players. Coaches are a creature of habit. They will do what has worked for them in the past. Peterson is his current Newman. Dantzler that's still up in the air. I give the kid credit. He had some nice games. He also had some bad games. Depends on what he went up against. That's typical of a rookie CB. Alexander is what he is. A decent slot cover guy.

[J. Kapp 11]

Dude, where do you get this stuff?

The Minnesota Vikings
2015 — 5th in the NFL in total defense, 8th in sacks
2016 — 6th in the NFL in total defense, 5th in in sacks
2017 — First in the NFL in total defense
2018 — 9th in the NFL in total defense, 3rd in sacks
2019 — 5th in the NFL in total defense, 6th in sacks

That's 5 straight years in the Top 10 in total defense, twice in the top 5. Yes, we got our butts handed to us in the 2017 NFC Championship Game. But that doesn't mean it was a bad defense. It meant they had a very, very bad day.

The Chiefs got hammered in the Super Bowl because a) Tampa Bay has a great front 4, and b) the Chiefs were trotting out one of the worst offensive lines in the history of the Super Bowl, largely due to injury. But don't tell me the Vikings haven't been able to pressure the QB under Zimmer. I was at the game in 2018 against the Lions when the Vikings sacked Matthew Stafford 10 times.

Just because our pass rush sucked last year doesn't mean it's always sucked. And if Hunter returns, I have a feeling it'll be pretty good again in 2021.

As for the original post ...

Nothing would surprise me this year when it comes to the Vikings' defense. It was SO BAD last year near the end of the season that Mike Zimmer had to be questioning EVERYTHING about his defense, including his own scheme. Honestly, I think that's a good thing. Maybe Zimmer had gotten complacent. Maybe he now understands that they need a new wrinkle or two. If the past is any indication, he's certainly capable of drawing up some new ideas.

Also, I think the addition of Patrick Peterson makes it pretty clear that Zimmer is going to play a lot of zone. If the Vikings blitz, my guess is that he leaves Dantzler to cover someone man-on-man, rather than Peterson. Some of that will be dictated on the opponents' personnel. If there's not a burner on the field, Peterson might shadow him.

I compared us to the Bucs run through the Super Bowl. Zimm's D never played like that when it was a win or go home deal. It's there in black and white. 2017 our No 1 D shut out the Packers. No Rodgers helped with that and I've said before Zim actually done ok against Rodgers. The Buc D handle the top gun QBs on the road. That's playing D. Picking off Brees and shutting his team out in the 4th quarter was quality D. Our No 1 D in 2017 allowed the Saints to put up 17 points in the 4th quarter. You don't see the difference? 17 points is getting drilled. The Buc D shut them out in quarter 4 and sealed the deal. Then Zims No 1 D let Foles do whatever he wanted to. He's a bum. That's not playing top level D in a win or go home deal. That's a fold in my book. That really started the week before and didn't end. His D did the same against the 49ers in 2019. We hit the road and there O did what ever they wanted to do. It was a cake walk. You go out there and play D. Keep us in the game. Don't get rolled over. That's the difference in what we did versus the Bucs D. The 49ers and Rams did the same stuff. There D stepped up. If they didn't no Super Bowl. This year the D will depend on if Hunter plays again. Zim called it a tweak. Who knows what the deal is. If he's back I'll be shocked. Maybe there's a guy on the roster to take his place. Zim has proven he can develop or sign quality DL players. Coaches are a creature of habit. They will do what has worked for them in the past. Peterson is his current Newman. Dantzler that's still up in the air. I give the kid credit. He had some nice games. He also had some bad games. Depends on what he went up against. That's typical of a rookie CB. Alexander is what he is. A decent slot cover guy.

IT'S ONE GAME!

And the Bucs' defense didn't do that against the 2017 version of Drew Brees. They did it against the old man Drew Brees, who had nothing left in the tank and retired shortly thereafter. They did it against a team with Michael Thomas, the $100 million receiver, catching ZERO passes. Heck, even this year, we didn't get blown out by New Orleans because of Drew Brees. We got blown out because we couldn't stop Alvin Kamara. Drew Brees just wasn't very good in 2020. His team was.

Look, I'm not saying that Zimmer's defenses have been generational. I'm not claiming they didn't play their worst in big moments. But you are so extreme. The Bucs won the Super Bowl, so THAT is a great defense. If a guy isn't a Hall of Famer, he's a bum. I mean, come on man. There are shades of gray here.

You can't use last year as the measuring stick for defense under Mike Zimmer. You just can't. The Vikings lost Hunter, Pierce and Barr before the season was 4 weeks old. They lost Kendricks for the last 5, just when they had managed to climb back into the playoff picture. They lost all their starting corners from 2019 and sent rookies and journeymen out there. Anthony Harris played like a guy who'd just gotten a $14 million windfall. Yet they still finished 20th in DVOA, and the only reason they finished that low was because of the last three games, when they gave up almost 1,400 yards and 120 points. But you know, the middle of the season, they were decent. Not great, maybe not even that good, but decent. I consider that sort of an achievement, considering they used 8 different corners and 4 different safeties during the first half of the season, and started guys like Troy Dye, Hardy Nickerson, Todd Davis and Chris Jones near the end of the season. What did you expect? Dominance?

Sure, it was frustrating to watch. But it's not indicative of the defense Minnesota has fielded over the past 5-6 years. Go back to 2015 and 2016, when the offense was flat-out terrible, yet the team still hung in there and won a division title. That was because of the defense. Or 2017, when the defense flat-out dominated until the NFC Championship Game. You're remembering what you want to remember.

I don't know what 2021 will bring. No idea. Maybe Patrick Peterson is washed up. Or maybe he was used incorrectly in Arizona and will have a resurgence with the Vikings. Maybe Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce are too much alike. Or maybe they dominate the run game AND get pressure up the middle on the quarterback. Maybe Danielle Hunter never plays another down, or maybe he gets 15 sacks. Maybe Jeff Gladney ends up in prison. There's no way of knowing. But I do know this. When Mike Zimmer has had any kind of talent on defense, they've always played well. He should have some talent this year. And if the Vikings can shore up the offensive line, then they can put up points. That means they should challenge in every game they play.

The jury is out. Some experts think Zimmer and Spielman are going about this the wrong way, that the signings of Peterson and Tomlinson are going to be busts. Other experts think the Vikings can challenge for the division. Bottom line: It's a bit more nuanced than "they're bums because they're not Tampa Bay."

[CharVike]

I feel like we hear this every off-season. Remember when Barr was practicing pass rush moves with the DEs and everyone was speculating on this major new role for him? Or how Iloka was going to be this totally innovative new role due to his unique size/attributes?

I'm sure they'll come up with a few new wrinkles but Zimmer has shown he's stubborn and old school. Did last year's performance finally shock him into trying to be innovative? Maybe, but if I'm a betting man, my money is on the old dog doesn't learn any new tricks.

Zim will do what has worked for him in the past. All coaches do that. Peterson is his new Newman. Same #### different day. I'm not knocking him either. He's certainly not close to a Shula or a Gibbs. No coach in the game is today. Bill B is a dam good coach and can get to the show provided he has the GOAT at QB. He's no better than Zim at this point. He is the QB master and now is going with the mobile guy. He let the statue walk. That won't work. Now he's in scramble mode. Maybe he will get lucky again and find the next GOAT in round 7 or something. I highly doubt that. He has no choice but to give the 49ers the farm for Grap. But that depends on the 49ers pick. If he blows Grap stays with the 49ers. That's the most likely scenario. When I say luck with Brady that's all it was. If he knew he was the GOAT he would have picked him round one and then looked like a genius. This whole old school is nonsense. The entire NFL is old school. Now it's the running/mobile QB stuff. That's as old as it gets. Even Bill B is jumping on that old school bandwagon. He has no choice because he's not in a Landry mold who can create new schemes that every other team will copy.

[VikingLord]

What Zimmer needs for substantial defensive improvement is

- Better and more consistent defensive line play (both rushing the passer and defending the run)
- Better and more consistent defensive backfield play
- Healthy players

He gets those 3 things and I think he's got a top 10 defense this season, scheme changes notwithstanding.

[CharVike]

I compared us to the Bucs run through the Super Bowl. Zimm's D never played like that when it was a win or go home deal. It's there in black and white. 2017 our No 1 D shut out the Packers. No Rodgers helped with that and I've said before Zim actually done ok against Rodgers. The Buc D handle the top gun QBs on the road. That's playing D. Picking off Brees and shutting his team out in the 4th quarter was quality D. Our No 1 D in 2017 allowed the Saints to put up 17 points in the 4th quarter. You don't see the difference? 17 points is getting drilled. The Buc D shut them out in quarter 4 and sealed the deal. Then Zims No 1 D let Foles do whatever he wanted to. He's a bum. That's not playing top level D in a win or go home deal. That's a fold in my book. That really started the week before and didn't end. His D did the same against the 49ers in 2019. We hit the road and there O did what ever they wanted to do. It was a cake walk. You go out there and play D. Keep us in the game. Don't get rolled over. That's the difference in what we did versus the Bucs D. The 49ers and Rams did the same stuff. There D stepped up. If they didn't no Super Bowl. This year the D will depend on if Hunter plays again. Zim called it a tweak. Who knows what the deal is. If he's back I'll be shocked. Maybe there's a guy on the roster to take his place. Zim has proven he can develop or sign quality DL players. Coaches are a creature of habit. They will do what has worked for them in the past. Peterson is his current Newman. Dantzler that's still up in the air. I give the kid credit. He had some nice games. He also had some bad games. Depends on what he went up against. That's typical of a rookie CB. Alexander is what he is. A decent slot cover guy.

IT'S ONE GAME!

And the Bucs' defense didn't do that against the 2017 version of Drew Brees. They did it against the old man Drew Brees, who had nothing left in the tank and retired shortly thereafter. They did it against a team with Michael Thomas, the $100 million receiver, catching ZERO passes. Heck, even this year, we didn't get blown out by New Orleans because of Drew Brees. We got blown out because we couldn't stop Alvin Kamara. Drew Brees just wasn't very good in 2020. His team was.

Look, I'm not saying that Zimmer's defenses have been generational. I'm not claiming they didn't play their worst in big moments. But you are so extreme. The Bucs won the Super Bowl, so THAT is a great defense. If a guy isn't a Hall of Famer, he's a bum. I mean, come on man. There are shades of gray here.

You can't use last year as the measuring stick for defense under Mike Zimmer. You just can't. The Vikings lost Hunter, Pierce and Barr before the season was 4 weeks old. They lost Kendricks for the last 5, just when they had managed to climb back into the playoff picture. They lost all their starting corners from 2019 and sent rookies and journeymen out there. Anthony Harris played like a guy who'd just gotten a $14 million windfall. Yet they still finished 20th in DVOA, and the only reason they finished that low was because of the last three games, when they gave up almost 1,400 yards and 120 points. But you know, the middle of the season, they were decent. Not great, maybe not even that good, but decent. I consider that sort of an achievement, considering they used 8 different corners and 4 different safeties during the first half of the season, and started guys like Troy Dye, Hardy Nickerson, Todd Davis and Chris Jones near the end of the season. What did you expect? Dominance?

Sure, it was frustrating to watch. But it's not indicative of the defense Minnesota has fielded over the past 5-6 years. Go back to 2015 and 2016, when the offense was flat-out terrible, yet the team still hung in there and won a division title. That was because of the defense. Or 2017, when the defense flat-out dominated until the NFC Championship Game. You're remembering what you want to remember.

I don't know what 2021 will bring. No idea. Maybe Patrick Peterson is washed up. Or maybe he was used incorrectly in Arizona and will have a resurgence with the Vikings. Maybe Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce are too much alike. Or maybe they dominate the run game AND get pressure up the middle on the quarterback. Maybe Danielle Hunter never plays another down, or maybe he gets 15 sacks. Maybe Jeff Gladney ends up in prison. There's no way of knowing. But I do know this. When Mike Zimmer has had any kind of talent on defense, they've always played well. He should have some talent this year. And if the Vikings can shore up the offensive line, then they can put up points. That means they should challenge in every game they play.

The jury is out. Some experts think Zimmer and Spielman are going about this the wrong way, that the signings of Peterson and Tomlinson are going to be busts. Other experts think the Vikings can challenge for the division. Bottom line: It's a bit more nuanced than "they're bums because they're not Tampa Bay."

I said Foles was a bum that's only my opinion. He gets his shot again with the Bears. They can have him. Cousins is no HOFer and I have said he is the best since Fran. I still stand by that. Others think he isn't that good. It's only an opinion. You are correct that Zim has put some good defenses together. They have struggled in the playoffs. If not we would have been in the show. That's all. Anytime a team signs a FA it can work both ways. Joseph from the Giants was a great signing. Hutchinson long ago was also great. Time will tell with this years group. What the Bucs accomplished was impressive. Beating Rodgers and Mahomes is a tremendous accomplishment. Throw Brees in there also. That's no gimme. You can't have a let down. What they did to Mahomes was a shut down. He's the best young guy in the game. Dominate. They got hot at the right time. They were a wild card. Something wasn't working at some point for that to happen. Foles the bum did the same thing. Zim has given Rodgers trouble. That's not easy.

[VikingTom]

Interesting discussion. With the exception of last year the Vikings have fielded some good defenses. While at the same time having some frustrating moments on defense. Much of which I attribute to in game coaching decisions as opposed to lack of execution by the players.

Fast forward to this year. The Vikings have mostly restocked their defense.

Gladney assaulting his GF will mean a suspension for him, just a matter of how long. Betting he will miss 8 games minimum. That is assuming the Vikings do not simply release him. That also means CB will be on the shopping list this draft. I do believe the Vikings would like to use a 4-2-5 defense as their base. Having plugged the middle of the D line in a big way sets them up for being able to stop the run while keeping an extra DB on the field. If a top CB falls Viking will take them in the 1st round. Beyond that there should be some good value CBs available in the 3rd round. If the top OTs are off the board, in a Viking draft with the stars properly aligned they would be able to trade down, get their rush DE plus a 2nd round pick. Getting a rush DE and a CB in the 1st three rounds should nicely set up the defense for a return to prominence.

Vikings will hopefully have the draft align in a manner that allows them to secure a 2nd round pick. 4 picks in three rounds should allow them to also find a quality OL. Still leaving the potential to find quality in the 4th round also. (Guessing that to secure an extra 2nd round pick Vikings will trade back in the 1st, and need to give up one of their 4th round picks)

Being a bit optimistic, but given the acquisitions in FA I feel the Vikings are in a good position to plug the remaining holes and add quality depth in the draft.

[CharVike]

Interesting discussion. With the exception of last year the Vikings have fielded some good defenses. While at the same time having some frustrating moments on defense. Much of which I attribute to in game coaching decisions as opposed to lack of execution by the players.

Fast forward to this year. The Vikings have mostly restocked their defense.

Gladney assaulting his GF will mean a suspension for him, just a matter of how long. Betting he will miss 8 games minimum. That is assuming the Vikings do not simply release him. That also means CB will be on the shopping list this draft. I do believe the Vikings would like to use a 4-2-5 defense as their base. Having plugged the middle of the D line in a big way sets them up for being able to stop the run while keeping an extra DB on the field. If a top CB falls Viking will take them in the 1st round. Beyond that there should be some good value CBs available in the 3rd round. If the top OTs are off the board, in a Viking draft with the stars properly aligned they would be able to trade down, get their rush DE plus a 2nd round pick. Getting a rush DE and a CB in the 1st three rounds should nicely set up the defense for a return to prominence.

Vikings will hopefully have the draft align in a manner that allows them to secure a 2nd round pick. 4 picks in three rounds should allow them to also find a quality OL. Still leaving the potential to find quality in the 4th round also. (Guessing that to secure an extra 2nd round pick Vikings will trade back in the 1st, and need to give up one of their 4th round picks)

Being a bit optimistic, but given the acquisitions in FA I feel the Vikings are in a good position to plug the remaining holes and add quality depth in the draft.

We have a good base team. A good QB, great RB, talented young WR and even our young TE showed some stuff. He can move. Not every rookie comes in and performs well. I give Dantzler a ton of credit. It's not like he was a can't miss guy either. He's skinny as a rail and took his share of nagging injuries. But the kid hung in there. He didn't fold. That says something about his mental toughness. In my years I haven't seen too many rookie CBs perform well. But I agree if top flight CB falls he should be the pick. Basically we are in a spot to take BPA. A dam good player will be in that spot. A day one starter. We face the usual for the last 30 years + beat out a HOF QB for the title deal. So you're looking at 13 wins to have a chance. That's a hard road. They can do that but like all teams injuries will be key. There isn't a team anymore that is loaded. They all have holes. The HOF QB is the separator. Every team in our division needs OL help and that's just the start. Personally I'd rather trade all these 4th rounds and get back into low round 2 so we can get a possible starter for the OL. The chance of that happening from a 4th rounder is much lower. Not impossible but highly unlikely. I'd rather have quality over quantity.

[Maelstrom88]

I don't see Hunter playing well in space and our 4th lineman (although not good) is way better than our 4th linebacker.

[Maelstrom88]

If they were to draft Parsons or JOK out of Notre Dame I'd like to see a Bucs type front and scheme. They pretty much play a 3-3 with Suh Vea and JPP always rushing while Shaq, White, and David blitz sometimes but can also drop. I'd have Pierce, Tomlinson and Hunter as my always rush guys with Barr at 50/50 and Kendricks/ the rookie dropping more often than not.

[IIsweet]

If they were to draft Parsons or JOK out of Notre Dame I'd like to see a Bucs type front and scheme. They pretty much play a 3-3 with Suh Vea and JPP always rushing while Shaq, White, and David blitz sometimes but can also drop. I'd have Pierce, Tomlinson and Hunter as my always rush guys with Barr at 50/50 and Kendricks/ the rookie dropping more often than not.

I really like this idea !!!