Patriots @ Vikings post game

[J. Kapp 11]

I think this defense can be a lot better if they would blitz a little more. Anytime they did (maybe a couple times at most), Mac crapped his pants. It feels like we’re staying in a prevent type defense all game.

Granted many want to blame corner play but I didn’t think Shelley was awful. Wasn’t good but held up okay. I think our biggest problem is nobody on the interior that can rush the passer and I think our LBs are killing us. Kendricks has been extremely quiet. Hicks can’t cover. I would really like to see Asamoah in there more. We need some speed at LB. Interior DL we are screwed. Dalvin can get some push so that helps but outside of that the cupboard is bare.

If you want to rely on rushing 4, like zimmer did a lot late in his tenure and just rely on your two DEs to get to the QB, that’s not a good strategy. Granted, Smith and Hunter lead the league in pressures as a duo but if teams can figure that out you’re in trouble. They have to blitz more. Hell, even dummy a blitz. We don’t even do that. It’s the same setup 98% of the time. You have to keep offenses on their toes and we don’t, we just show the same bland look every time.

IMO, is this defense loaded with talent? No I wouldn’t say loaded but they have enough talent to be middle of the pack but Donatell and his scheme is not helping them get to middle of the pack

Agree about the blitzing and switching things up.

But IDK about the talent. We’ve got some names, but name recognition only gets you so far. Kendricks looks terrible. He’s not only missing tackles in the open field, he’s not even getting a hand on guys. Hicks is just plain slow. Hitman has lost enough that he’s very average. Bynum can be opportunistic, but he’s bottom half. There’s depth on the D-line, but beyond Hunter and Z, there isn’t star power. Injuries have hurt for sure. Like you, I’d like to see Asamoah out there, but it appears he’s going to have to wait his turn.

I’ll offer an alternate view of Donatell. Maybe he plays shell coverage and rushes four because he knows blitzing leaves somebody on an island on the back end, and the Vikings don’t have anybody who can hold up. Dallas exploited us mainly with their running backs. Since Donatell rarely put more than 7 in the box, Dallas exploited that with their running game and short passes. But New England didn’t have the running game to do that — yet they still threw for nearly 400 yards. If you’re dropping 7 into coverage and still give up 380+ yards passing, your talent is suspect.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I think Donatell is covering for our lack of talent, particularly speed. You want to see a fast defense? Watch Dallas. We’re so far from that it’s not funny.

But y’know what? We’re 9-2 and finding ways to win. I’ll take it.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I think this defense can be a lot better if they would blitz a little more. Anytime they did (maybe a couple times at most), Mac crapped his pants. It feels like we’re staying in a prevent type defense all game.

Granted many want to blame corner play but I didn’t think Shelley was awful. Wasn’t good but held up okay. I think our biggest problem is nobody on the interior that can rush the passer and I think our LBs are killing us. Kendricks has been extremely quiet. Hicks can’t cover. I would really like to see Asamoah in there more. We need some speed at LB. Interior DL we are screwed. Dalvin can get some push so that helps but outside of that the cupboard is bare.

If you want to rely on rushing 4, like zimmer did a lot late in his tenure and just rely on your two DEs to get to the QB, that’s not a good strategy. Granted, Smith and Hunter lead the league in pressures as a duo but if teams can figure that out you’re in trouble. They have to blitz more. Hell, even dummy a blitz. We don’t even do that. It’s the same setup 98% of the time. You have to keep offenses on their toes and we don’t, we just show the same bland look every time.

IMO, is this defense loaded with talent? No I wouldn’t say loaded but they have enough talent to be middle of the pack but Donatell and his scheme is not helping them get to middle of the pack

Agree about the blitzing and switching things up.

But IDK about the talent. We’ve got some names, but name recognition only gets you so far. Kendricks looks terrible. He’s not only missing tackles in the open field, he’s not even getting a hand on guys. Hicks is just plain slow. Hitman has lost enough that he’s very average. Bynum can be opportunistic, but he’s bottom half. There’s depth on the D-line, but beyond Hunter and Z, there isn’t star power. Injuries have hurt for sure. Like you, I’d like to see Asamoah out there, but it appears he’s going to have to wait his turn.

I’ll offer an alternate view of Donatell. Maybe he plays shell coverage and rushes four because he knows blitzing leaves somebody on an island on the back end, and the Vikings don’t have anybody who can hold up. Dallas exploited us mainly with their running backs. Since Donatell rarely put more than 7 in the box, Dallas exploited that with their running game and short passes. But New England didn’t have the running game to do that — yet they still threw for nearly 400 yards. If you’re dropping 7 into coverage and still give up 380+ yards passing, your talent is suspect.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I think Donatell is covering for our lack of talent, particularly speed. You want to see a fast defense? Watch Dallas. We’re so far from that it’s not funny.

But y’know what? We’re 9-2 and finding ways to win. I’ll take it.

What really surprises me is Kendrick’s graded out at the #1 defensive player for us in the NE game. Me personally I didn’t really see it but still shocking because PFF has been tough on him as they should

[J. Kapp 11]

Agree about the blitzing and switching things up.

But IDK about the talent. We’ve got some names, but name recognition only gets you so far. Kendricks looks terrible. He’s not only missing tackles in the open field, he’s not even getting a hand on guys. Hicks is just plain slow. Hitman has lost enough that he’s very average. Bynum can be opportunistic, but he’s bottom half. There’s depth on the D-line, but beyond Hunter and Z, there isn’t star power. Injuries have hurt for sure. Like you, I’d like to see Asamoah out there, but it appears he’s going to have to wait his turn.

I’ll offer an alternate view of Donatell. Maybe he plays shell coverage and rushes four because he knows blitzing leaves somebody on an island on the back end, and the Vikings don’t have anybody who can hold up. Dallas exploited us mainly with their running backs. Since Donatell rarely put more than 7 in the box, Dallas exploited that with their running game and short passes. But New England didn’t have the running game to do that — yet they still threw for nearly 400 yards. If you’re dropping 7 into coverage and still give up 380+ yards passing, your talent is suspect.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I think Donatell is covering for our lack of talent, particularly speed. You want to see a fast defense? Watch Dallas. We’re so far from that it’s not funny.

But y’know what? We’re 9-2 and finding ways to win. I’ll take it.

What really surprises me is Kendrick’s graded out at the #1 defensive player for us in the NE game. Me personally I didn’t really see it but still shocking because PFF has been tough on him as they should

I suppose PFF liked Kendricks because he had a couple of sexy plays. But I’m seeing him miss guys badly in the open field. He and Hicks are pretty good at filling gaps, but their sideline to sideline coverage in both the run and pass game is horrible.

Sure wish we could see a bit of Brian Asamoah. Now that guy can run.

[J. Kapp 11]

More on Kendricks and PFF.

Kendricks and Hicks combined to allow catches on 11 of 12 targets and more than 120 yards after the catch.

Both graded 80+ on PFF.

The one target that didn’t result in a completion was a PD by Kendricks, so I guess that negates all the wide-open receivers and missed tackles?

I think PFF may be better at grading than when they started, but there’s no justifying grades like that.

[CharVike]

More on Kendricks and PFF.

Kendricks and Hicks combined to allow catches on 11 of 12 targets and more than 120 yards after the catch.

Both graded 80+ on PFF.

The one target that didn’t result in a completion was a PD by Kendricks, so I guess that negates all the wide-open receivers and missed tackles?

I think PFF may be better at grading than when they started, but there’s no justifying grades like that.

No wonder PP said PFF is worthless. Bottom line teams are going to attack those two guys. 11 of 12 is easy pickings. These aren't 3 yard dump offs either.

[Texas Vike]

Worth a watch, if you haven't seen it:

[J. Kapp 11]

Worth a watch, if you haven't seen it:

You beat me to it!

We are getting some amazing film this year, between the mic’d up and field access segments.

It’s almost impossible to watch this video and dislike Kevin O’Connell. We hit the jackpot with this guy.

[Texas Vike]

You beat me to it!

We are getting some amazing film this year, between the mic’d up and field access segments.

It’s almost impossible to watch this video and dislike Kevin O’Connell. We hit the jackpot with this guy.

He's a fantastic communicator and it's clear he knows how to get buy-in from his guys. Some highlights from this video, IMO, include his words to CB Shelly ("no one wants you to do well as much as me" paraphrasing), to Kirk ("get these guys fired up on this drive, we need them") and even to the enemy, Belichick. He's fantastic. Couldn't be happier with our choice of a HC.

[VikingLord]

More on Kendricks and PFF.

Kendricks and Hicks combined to allow catches on 11 of 12 targets and more than 120 yards after the catch.

Both graded 80+ on PFF.

The one target that didn’t result in a completion was a PD by Kendricks, so I guess that negates all the wide-open receivers and missed tackles?

I think PFF may be better at grading than when they started, but there’s no justifying grades like that.

No wonder PP said PFF is worthless. Bottom line teams are going to attack those two guys. 11 of 12 is easy pickings. These aren't 3 yard dump offs either.

I do wonder if the scheme change is disproportionately impacting the LBs. I believe both Kendricks and Hicks played in standard 4-3 alignments for most of their careers. The 3-4 changes their responsibilities since the "outside LBs" in the 3-4 are more pass rushers than classic outside linebackers. In a 4-3, Kendricks was the middle backer. In the 3-4, he's responsible for a wider area of the field and plays what amounts to more zone coverage than he did as the MLB in the 4-3. That could explain why he's less instinctive, why he cedes more ground in front of him and to his side of the field, and why both of those areas seem more susceptible to attack by both opposing runners and receivers. Something similar could very well be true for Hicks.

KOC mentioned in one of the early play review videos he does with Pete Bercich on Vikings.com that it takes some time for the offense to become proficient in adjusting to game-time situations. I suspect something like that is probably true for the front 7 in the Vikings defensive schemes as well, and probably not just for Kendricks and Hicks, either. The 3-4 alignment asks different things of the front 7 defenders, and for players who never played in that alignment before, it probably does take time to unlearn certain things and, conversely, to then rapidly process and do other things that weren't required before.

Kendricks and Hicks are both good athletes and have had good careers up to this point. I am struggling to believe that both have fallen off or have slowed down all that dramatically. It seems more reasonable, to me anyway, to believe that if both are a bit slower on the field, that slowness comes from their new responsibilities and learning to play fast within those responsibilities more than some physical deficiencies associated with aging or wearing down. I mean, this has been the case all season so far for both. One would think that if it were wear-and-tear related to the grind of the season, at least they would have been more effective in the earlier part of the season.

Here's hoping we start seeing signs that both are getting more familiar with their roles and instinctively playing faster soon. Honestly, with the patterns that have been set, any improvement by either of them may result in several big defensive plays as OC's will likely continue to try to do what has produced success against the Vikings defense this season.

[VikingsFan84]

Worth a watch, if you haven't seen it:

You beat me to it!

We are getting some amazing film this year, between the mic’d up and field access segments.

It’s almost impossible to watch this video and dislike Kevin O’Connell. We hit the jackpot with this guy.

We said that about Zimmer and he ended up sucking, how about waiting a few years and see if Vikings hit the jackpot with O'Connell?

[TheCoolerOne]

You beat me to it!

We are getting some amazing film this year, between the mic’d up and field access segments.

It’s almost impossible to watch this video and dislike Kevin O’Connell. We hit the jackpot with this guy.

We said that about Zimmer and he ended up sucking, how about waiting a few years and see if Vikings hit the jackpot with O'Connell?

You crown every Sooner we pick up as the next big thing, what's the difference?

[VikingsFan84]

We said that about Zimmer and he ended up sucking, how about waiting a few years and see if Vikings hit the jackpot with O'Connell?

You crown every Sooner we pick up as the next big thing, what's the difference?

I never said anything about Sooners that Vikings picked up as the next big thing

[CharVike]

No wonder PP said PFF is worthless. Bottom line teams are going to attack those two guys. 11 of 12 is easy pickings. These aren't 3 yard dump offs either.

I do wonder if the scheme change is disproportionately impacting the LBs. I believe both Kendricks and Hicks played in standard 4-3 alignments for most of their careers. The 3-4 changes their responsibilities since the "outside LBs" in the 3-4 are more pass rushers than classic outside linebackers. In a 4-3, Kendricks was the middle backer. In the 3-4, he's responsible for a wider area of the field and plays what amounts to more zone coverage than he did as the MLB in the 4-3. That could explain why he's less instinctive, why he cedes more ground in front of him and to his side of the field, and why both of those areas seem more susceptible to attack by both opposing runners and receivers. Something similar could very well be true for Hicks.

KOC mentioned in one of the early play review videos he does with Pete Bercich on Vikings.com that it takes some time for the offense to become proficient in adjusting to game-time situations. I suspect something like that is probably true for the front 7 in the Vikings defensive schemes as well, and probably not just for Kendricks and Hicks, either. The 3-4 alignment asks different things of the front 7 defenders, and for players who never played in that alignment before, it probably does take time to unlearn certain things and, conversely, to then rapidly process and do other things that weren't required before.

Kendricks and Hicks are both good athletes and have had good careers up to this point. I am struggling to believe that both have fallen off or have slowed down all that dramatically. It seems more reasonable, to me anyway, to believe that if both are a bit slower on the field, that slowness comes from their new responsibilities and learning to play fast within those responsibilities more than some physical deficiencies associated with aging or wearing down. I mean, this has been the case all season so far for both. One would think that if it were wear-and-tear related to the grind of the season, at least they would have been more effective in the earlier part of the season.

Here's hoping we start seeing signs that both are getting more familiar with their roles and instinctively playing faster soon. Honestly, with the patterns that have been set, any improvement by either of them may result in several big defensive plays as OC's will likely continue to try to do what has produced success against the Vikings defense this season.

I perfer a 4-3 especially when our best D player was Hunter at defensive end. When people started #### a poster pointed out that we were 9th in points allowed which is great because points is the only thing that matters. That's no longer the case and we are falling quickly. So nothing is sticking. Sure playing a 4th string practice squad CB didn't help and our 3rd stringer sucked worse which certainly was no benefit. Getting behind is a #### because we become pass heavy and our OL is not the best pass blockers. This week is a make or break deal. We are playing against a so so offense that has a backup QB starting in our house. It don't get much easier than that. If they start putting points up the table will turn and the crowd will be quite. Then we will be in a dog fight scramble. Then a bad break, bad call, missed kick, long sack, turnover ect.... could spell doom.

[J. Kapp 11]

You beat me to it!

We are getting some amazing film this year, between the mic’d up and field access segments.

It’s almost impossible to watch this video and dislike Kevin O’Connell. We hit the jackpot with this guy.

We said that about Zimmer and he ended up sucking, how about waiting a few years and see if Vikings hit the jackpot with O'Connell?

You do you. I’ll do me. Sound good?

[TheCoolerOne]

You crown every Sooner we pick up as the next big thing, what's the difference?

I never said anything about Sooners that Vikings picked up as the next big thing

Eh, I'd beg to differ, you've sung the praises of Gabe Brkic, Dede Westbrook, Brian Asamoah, etc. Mind you, some of this was under a couple of your different usernames, but all the same.

Let people be excited about what they want.