14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by dead_poet »

Relevant read.

Vikings' Offensive Line Not Doing Any Favors for Bridgewater, McKinnon

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2232 ... r-mckinnon
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by BGM »

Very interesting and insightful read. Some good tape breakdown, and even some evidence that the receivers ARE getting open.
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by Demi »

Six games into this season, and we're ranked 28th in points, and 27th in yards.
That's the worst combined rating in the history of the franchise. :flamed:

Let's hope they get it figured out, this is painful to watch!
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by Mothman »

Demi wrote:Six games into this season, and we're ranked 28th in points, and 27th in yards.
That's the worst combined rating in the history of the franchise. :flamed:
... and that includes a 41 point, 558 yard performance against the Falcons, which was one of the best offensive performances in the team's history. :(
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by losperros »

It defies belief. How can it be this bad? Yet, it is.

I realize the new offense is complicated. But can the blocking assignments be so complex that the entire OL can't figure them out?

Or are the OL players truly that bad?
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by frosted »

losperros wrote:It defies belief. How can it be this bad? Yet, it is.

I realize the new offense is complicated. But can the blocking assignments be so complex that the entire OL can't figure them out?

Or are the OL players truly that bad?
Watching the coaches film, it's apparent that the offensive line is in position to do their job, but they are losing their individual battles. I know Loadholt gets credit for his run blocking, but even there, he is struggling mighty. You see so many whiffs in run blocking, and just plain failure in pass blocking. And that goes for all five of them, Sullivan included. Some are worse than others, but they all have a hand in it right now.
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by fiestavike »

frosted21 wrote: Watching the coaches film, it's apparent that the offensive line is in position to do their job, but they are losing their individual battles. I know Loadholt gets credit for his run blocking, but even there, he is struggling mighty. You see so many whiffs in run blocking, and just plain failure in pass blocking. And that goes for all five of them, Sullivan included. Some are worse than others, but they all have a hand in it right now.
I agree…Its just a matter of getting physically whipped.
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by Mothman »

fiestavike wrote:I agree…Its just a matter of getting physically whipped.
... the easiest thing to correct. :(

I wonder how much of it (if anything) is a question of technique.
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by Purple Reign »

Mothman wrote: ... the easiest thing to correct. :(

I wonder how much of it (if anything) is a question of technique.
Not sure I agree with you here Jim. If your opponent is just physically overpowering you, how is that easy to correct?
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by fiestavike »

Mothman wrote: ... the easiest thing to correct. :(

I wonder how much of it (if anything) is a question of technique.
I remember discussing the transition to Norv's offense with you sometime earlier this year, and you voiced concern about the line's ability to adapt. I think that's part of the issue, because I don't think our line is physical enough to win one on one at the line of scrimmage and that makes a power running scheme difficult to implement.

Short term we can look at the situation and say "Norv needs to adapt his system to give us the best chance to win the game" but in the long term I'm not sure how much it will help. Ultimately we need an upgrade of physicality along the line.
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

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fiestavike wrote:I remember discussing the transition to Norv's offense with you sometime earlier this year, and you voiced concern about the line's ability to adapt. I think that's part of the issue, because I don't think our line is physical enough to win one on one at the line of scrimmage and that makes a power running scheme difficult to implement.
That makes sense, especially because Fusco was probably the most physical player on that line. Hopefully, if they're having trouble adapting to the scheme, we'll at least see some improvement as they get more accustomed to it.
Short term we can look at the situation and say "Norv needs to adapt his system to give us the best chance to win the game" but in the long term I'm not sure how much it will help. Ultimately we need an upgrade of physicality along the line.
It's time get those scouts looking for some o-lineman with a mean streak.:)
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by PurpleKoolaid »

So far, Norv is not making the adjustments. Not even close. So, is he incompetent (which is really hard to tell for the Vikings after only 6 games, but Norv has been in the business for years and years) or stubborn. Teams deal with injuries all the time. Its time one of our coaches did something. Davidson, Norv, someone. I think Zimmer is doing ok as a HC and the D is better then last year. But last year really wasn't that good.
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by Mothman »

Purple Reign wrote:Not sure I agree with you here Jim. If your opponent is just physically overpowering you, how is that easy to correct?
It's not. I was being sarcastic.

Sorry, it doesn't always come across clearly online....
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by frosted »

Mothman wrote: ... the easiest thing to correct. :(

I wonder how much of it (if anything) is a question of technique.
IMO, technique in executing their blocks has played a significant role.
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Re: 14 sacks given up and 13 points scored last 2 games

Post by Mothman »

frosted21 wrote: IMO, technique in executing their blocks has played a significant role.
Thanks, I don't know enough about o-line blocking techniques to make much of an assessment in that area, although it looks to my untrained eye like Kalil and Loadholt both have some footwork problems.

A lot of times, the Vikes line just doesn't look tenacious enough to me. At this point, I wonder how much of a role confidence is beginning to play in their performance. Apparently, they've been avoiding the media, which doesn't seem like a great sign to me but if it somehow helps them re-focus and play better, I'm all for it.

I'm still think that challenging them to be physical and get the running game going might help them. I've heard that Zimmer wants Asiata to get more involved than he was in a reduced role last week and I can't help wondering if that's at least in part because he's such a physical runner.

I'm cringing a bit thinking about what the line play will look like on Sunday. Even last preseason, when the Vikes played the Bills, their starting OL was dominated. :(
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