Thoughts Week 1

[Mothman]

Because they can play on Third, because the defense cant be near 100% certain when they are on the field they are getting it, because mckinnon is more elusive than AP at this stage of his career, more money to spend on other players.

Again, the tail doesn't wag the dog. The predictability isn't Peterson's fault. That's a coaching issue. Why do so many fans continue to treat it as if it's on the player?

[slapnut19]

I really hope Bradford starts this week.

I would really like to see us throwing more on 1st down, having 2nd and 9 every drive really sucks. They kept running it right at Jhurrell Casey with zero effect. I was screaming at the TV AUDIBLE!!!! If I can see it on TV how can Hill not see that their are 10 people in the box? It seems to me like a simple audible and send Diggs on a slant would be a easy throw/catch for a huge gain.

we actually passed more on first down plays. we had 22 total plays on first and passed on 12 of them.

[VikingLord]

Here's the way I see it:

- The Vikings are going to struggle to run the ball this year and it won't be because of their running backs. It will be because Spielman went out and got himself offensive lineman that can pass block, and he did that because he believed Bridgewater was ready to rise, because AD is likely going to decline soon if he hasn't already started to, and because of the above two factors the Vikings needed to start the transition from an offense focused on getting big running plays to one more balanced at a minimum and ideally one that will produce more big scoring plays via the air.
- With that in mind, AD is now like a Ferrari racing on a gravel road. I watched this team all preseason and they couldn't run to save their lives. The pass blocking was outstanding, however, but that same offensive line talent just isn't going to be opening gaping holes or even serviceable ones.
- As a result, I just don't see any Viking RB having a big year this year *unless* the passing game kicks up a notch. If AD, or any Vikings back, is going to face 8-9 guys keying on him with this offensive line's run blocking prowess, or lack thereof, it's going to be a LONG day for that back.

Moral of the story for me is the die has been cast as far as where this team is going and there is no going back. AD is likely still more than capable of stepping it up and producing at a high level (and he should have seen at least some action in the preseason to be honest), but for him to do that with the way the offense is now constructed is going to require a much more balanced and consistent mid and deep passing attack that forces defenses to in turn become more balanced. And as well as Hill played, and he honestly didn't play poorly, what we saw yesterday is simply not going to achieve that. No defense is going to fear the Vikings hurting them down the field consistently with Shaun Hill at QB. Heck, they might not have even feared it with Bridgewater back there this year, either, and until I see Bradford doing it consistently, even he might not be able to pull it off.

But if they DO pull it off, AD is going to finally get to face reasonable odds more consistently and I think he's still good enough to take advantage of those odds, and if for whatever reason he isn't good enough to do it the Vikings are fortunate enough to appear to have guys behind him ready to step up.

Suffice it to say, they are going to need a heck of a lot more from the passing game than they got against the Titans. If I'm Zimmer I find a way to get Bradford on the field against the Packers. Give the guy 20-30 plays, make sure he knows how to run them, and get him out there. Make half of those plays 15+ yard first reads. See what happens.

[Jordysghost]

Shhh, that doesn't fit the narratives around here...which are completely clueless and disconnected from reality.

Its like scrooge discovered the meaning of Christmas.

[Mothman]

Here's the way I see it:

- The Vikings are going to struggle to run the ball this year and it won't be because of their running backs. It will be because Spielman went out and got himself offensive lineman that can pass block, and he did that because he believed Bridgewater was ready to rise, because AD is likely going to decline soon if he hasn't already started to, and because of the above two factors the Vikings needed to start the transition from an offense focused on getting big running plays to one more balanced at a minimum and ideally one that will produce more big scoring plays via the air.

Weren't Boone and Smith both known as mauling run blockers with more weaknesses in their pass protection game than in the running game? Smith also signed a one year deal so it's hard to see him as a transition player. He seems more like a stopgap they're hoping will stick.

[CbusVikesFan]

If the same coaching staff came up with better offensive game plans in the first place, maybe there would be less need for adjustments.

That would ONLY make sense. Are you sure you want to go down that road?
My thoughts. Vikings won a road game without an offensive touchdown. I'll take it and run. You are going to have these games and it's better to end up with a win. The defense scored twice, the first time since 2007. Whoop whoop!

[dead_poet]

Shaun Hill's average pass traveled 10.4 yards vs. TEN, 6th deepest in Week 1.

[chicagopurple]

I was surprised to see that the Vikes were still running a lot of plays out of the shotgun. I know AP hates it and performs less i n that design. But with Bridgewater (who required the shotgun) out I assumed we would get out of that this year. ANy one have a good explanation for why we continue to use it so much?

[Mothman]

Vikings coach Zimmer explains running game struggles vs. Tennessee

It wasn’t just Adrian Peterson who had trouble gaining yards on the ground against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the entire Minnesota Vikings team gained just 65 yards on 28 carries. After having a chance to look at the film, head coach Mike Zimmer explained why the Vikings were slowed in the running game.

“There was a couple times we had them blocked really good on the front side, and the four-technique came all the way from the other side and made the tackle, which typically doesn’t happen,” Zimmer said. “There was a couple times we missed the hole. There was a couple time we got beat in one-on-one blocks – different guys, not always one guy. So, it was a combination of things, like it always is really.”

There's a bit more at the link. I think his description is pretty accurate (which, after all, is what you'd expect from the head coach). There were several times when the back side pursuit shut down the play. Pete Bercich mentioned that during the radio broadcast too. There were also some pretty ugly plays where players were beaten or just missed one-on-one block leaving the back with nowhere to go. Cutback lanes were getting cut off. There were breakdowns everywhere. They have work to do. hopefully, it's rust and an o-line getting accustomed to a few new pieces and a new coach.

[VikingLord]

Weren't Boone and Smith both known as mauling run blockers with more weaknesses in their pass protection game than in the running game? Smith also signed a one year deal so it's hard to see him as a transition player. He seems more like a stopgap they're hoping will stick.

Based on what I've seen so far they both look like better pass protectors than run blockers.

Valid point on Smith, but he might have been the one who preferred the one year deal rather than Spielman, or if he signed before Loadholt hung it up perhaps Spielman held out hope that he'd only need Smith for a year.

[Mothman]

Based on what I've seen so far they both look like better pass protectors than run blockers.

Maybe but I don't think that was their reputation so I don't know that we can necessarily attribute the current situation to a shift in philosophy by Spielman.

Valid point on Smith, but he might have been the one who preferred the one year deal rather than Spielman, or if he signed before Loadholt hung it up perhaps Spielman held out hope that he'd only need Smith for a year.

He was signed before Loadholt retired.

[dead_poet]

Based on what I've seen so far they both look like better pass protectors than run blockers.

Valid point on Smith, but he might have been the one who preferred the one year deal rather than Spielman, or if he signed before Loadholt hung it up perhaps Spielman held out hope that he'd only need Smith for a year.

Probably banking on Clemmimgs taking over in 2017. And/Or re-signing Smith to a short extension if he plays decently this year. I wouldn't mind a guy like Schraeder in FA.

[PurpleMustReign]

I will say that Boone is looking like a really good signing so far. It seems like the OL plays with more of a chip on their shoulder now... I'm sure that is part Sparano and part Boone.

[PurpleMustReign]

My thoughts. Vikings won a road game without an offensive touchdown. I'll take it and run.

I wonder when the last time the Vikings did that was. Maybe against the Giants in 2005 when Mewelde Moore and Koren Robinson returned kicks for TDs?

[S197]

Seems like they really are pulling back on Greenway. Still a decent amount, but not like it used to be. I do wonder about Floyd. I know he's had some injuries, but I'm not real sure about his fit

With Greenway being taken out of the nickel snaps, it really limits his snaps as he's typically in only during base formations. He seemed to hold his own so it's probably a good amount of work for him at this point in his career. They may have been trying to work Floyd back slowly since he had the knee injury. They have the luxury of Stephen as a solid run stuffer and Johnson as a solid pass rusher to take some of the burden.