AD Injury thread

[dead_poet]

He let Diggs ride the bench.

Which may have proved to be the right tactic all along. We don't know how Diggs would've performed out of the gate. It could've been spectacular, yes. But it may not have been. Maybe it was a motivational tactic. He seems to have chosen correctly by deferring to Newman over Waynes last season.

However, I would like to see what Patterson and Treadwell can do now that the Vikings don't have their biggest offensive threat.

Me too. They may need to get creative. I will say that in re-watching the last game that CJ was getting open. Bradford just didn't target him for whatever reason (perhaps because Diggs is a stud and throwing to your stud is generally a good option). I can also see the argument for not wanting Patterson out there now. With a new QB and a WR that has an alleged difficulty in running consistent routes at the proper depth, I can see that as a recipe for disaster. Of course, my faith in this season has been on a downward spiral for awhile now. Hope is alive, but it's on life support (despite an 0-2 start).

[PurpleMustReign]

I guess I don't get it. People say Zimmer is a good/smart head coach. He's so smart that he allows better players to ride the bench?

Can you really have it both ways?

To me the fact that Kalil was starting over Clemmings says a lot about their confidence in Clemmings' ability. McKinnon/Asiata are better than Peterson? I don't buy it for a second.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong but, and I'll say it again, Clemmings was a train wreck at RT last year (and he was getting significant help). He played RT in college, two training camps, offseasons, etc. He's had limited exposure in one offseason/season at LT.

This could get ugly. Fast.

Wright + 5th for Joe Thomas?

Boy, that "we have tons of depth now at offensive line" feels like 15 years ago. I didn't think there'd be any way we'd be worse than last season. Just goes to show you how the Vikings can continually surprise you.

Is Joe Thomas available?
What did Clemmings play in college?

[Nunin]

I'm not buying that Clemmings is better than anyone, but an injured Kalil is useless. Clemmings should at least be more mobile and useful as a run blocker than Kalil was last week. Pass protection is going to be a different matter, but honestly, Bradford is a much more refined QB than TB. He makes the throws and puts them on the money. He clearly shocked Rudolph a few times. Bradford's ability to make reads and quickly get the ball out before he gets killed is the crux issue...eh?
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I wouldn't say that McKinnon/Asiata is better than AD... I don't think it's a matter of 'better' but they do offer a bit more diversity, which could help the o-line significantly. They just need to keep the D honest...and McKinnon can do that. You can't sleep on that kid, he has serious wheels.
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I haven't seen much from this coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball to suggest that they understand a whole lot about who is actually a better fit for the system they run. Nor have they been proficient in terms of the depth on the o-line.
Bridgwater was definitely a big reach in terms of fit. Diggs did not get on the field last year because he won the job. He got on the field because of an injury. It stands to reason that he may have been the best man for the job the moment he got to camp. But we may have never known that unless Johnson hadn't got injured. I think it's great that Thielen has found a role now. I hope Treadwell finds the field before long, at least in some capacity.
Mike Wallace has done more in 2 games as a Raven than he did all of last season as a Viking...yet Wallace was never benched for someone (CP?) with a more diverse skillset, a natural ability to make plays. Although Bradford to Wallace might have been awesome with AD in the backfield..eh?
The way this is offense has been managed reminds me a lot of what Brad Childress fielded before BF got here and made it work. Stubborn and sluggish.
It sucks that it has been injuries that are forcing the changes, especially to AD n TB, but Bradford is the guy that can make this offense go. He completely picked apart he packers after two weeks in the system.
I'm excited. Max protect to help Clemmings. Open up the playbook and turn McKinnon loose ala Tomlinson. Get CP more involved. All that speed at WR and finally a QB that can deliver into tight windows with some zip.
What have they got to lose?

[halfgiz]

Is Joe Thomas available?
What did Clemmings play in college?

Defensive tackle for 3 years...Sr year he switched to offensive tackle.

I guess we're going to see what Clemmings will do. Just to bad we wouldn't be playing a lesser team.

Joe Thomas for Wright and a 5th Now that teams smell blood they will want that for a practice squad player.

[beerfan]

The asking price for Thomas last year was rumored to be a first or second round pick. Maybe they have lowered those demands because he's got less years left on his contract and they are a train wreck as a team right now. I'd offer Wright and a 3rd but still doubt that gets it done. Plus we'd probably have to guarantee more of his contract, which wouldn't be an issue with Kalil coming off the books and Peterson hopefully restructuring this offseason.

[dead_poet]

Is Joe Thomas available?

Like Bradford, I'm sure he could be had for the right price. I know my idea of Wright + 5th wouldn't get it done but man...he'd be pretty awesome in Purple for as long as he can play. Imagine not worrying about our staring LT. That'd be a nice change of pace.

I'm sure neither I nor Rick could stomach the price it'd probably take to pry him away from Cleveland. Though one wonders after seeing Clemmings for a game or two, how palatable that becomes (assuming Bradford stays healthy by then to have it matter at all what happens to Hill).

[Nunin]

The Browns just lost a WR to a broken hand in practice. So maybe Wright would have more value to them. Doubtful, as they will not contend anytime soon. It would totally suck to get traded to Cleveland...but I hope Spielman is at least kicking some tires.

[halfgiz]

Something needs to be done to address OT depth, so hopefully a move picking up somebody will be made in the next day or so.
If Clemmings would get knocked out of a game you would have who?? Nobody

[IrishViking]

I guess I don't get it. People say Zimmer is a good/smart head coach. He's so smart that he allows better players to ride the bench?

Can you really have it both ways?

To me the fact that Kalil was starting over Clemmings says a lot about their confidence in Clemmings' ability. McKinnon/Asiata are better than Peterson? I don't buy it for a second.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong but, and I'll say it again, Clemmings was a train wreck at RT last year (and he was getting significant help). He played RT in college, two training camps, offseasons, etc. He's had limited exposure in one offseason/season at LT.

This could get ugly. Fast.

Wright + 5th for Joe Thomas?

Boy, that "we have tons of depth now at offensive line" feels like 15 years ago. I didn't think there'd be any way we'd be worse than last season. Just goes to show you how the Vikings can continually surprise you.

Well two things; I think Zimmer and Norv don't play, players until they are ready. I don't understand why peoples first reaction when a player comes in and does well is always "THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN WEEKS AGO" when its far more likely that the professional coaches who's livelihood is tied directly to winning games kept them out until they felt they were ready to be an asset, every time we start a newer player and they play well or snatch victory from the jaws of defeat (see Waynes) I grow in confidence, I fully expect Treadwell will come in and contribute and it will be because Norv and Zim waited, not in spite of it. Second thing, I also think Zimmer is the sort of coach that lets his sub coaches do their jobs until they show they cant then he fires them. Sparano probably has a lot of control over who is where on the Oline charts. We will see how Clemmings does, I don't expect him to wow us. But Kalil was always hit or miss and apparently playing with a serious hip issue (say what you will about him but a season ending surgery on a hip a few days after playing a game where it was listed as an issue probably had a big impact on performance) so I dont think its unreasonable to think that Clemmings will perform better in the immediate and mid term, if maybe even his peak performance doesn't match kalil at his best.

[Mothman]

I guess I don't get it. People say Zimmer is a good/smart head coach. He's so smart that he allows better players to ride the bench?

Can you really have it both ways?

That's an interesting question and honestly, i think the answer is "yes", for a couple reasons.

1.) Coaches are human and humans are fallible. Zimmer's no exception. He won't make the right decision every time.

2.) Sometimes, players can be surprising. They play better than they practice. They step up when the stakes are real and the game counts. They wouldn't be on an NFL roster in the first place if the coaches didn't see some potential in them but that potential doesn't always fully reveal itself in practice.

Having said that...

To me the fact that Kalil was starting over Clemmings says a lot about their confidence in Clemmings' ability. McKinnon/Asiata are better than Peterson? I don't buy it for a second.

I agree with you on both of these points. As you said, Clemmings was a train wreck at RT last year. He says he's learned and he did play okay when starting for Kalil in the preseason so maybe he'll be better but realistically, he's almost certainly a downgrade from healthy Matt Kalil and perhaps even from Hip Injury Matt Kalil (available now in stores, next to Matt Kalil with Kung Fu Grip). This really could get ugly fast and i'd expect Carolina to try to exploit the change at tackle this weekend.

[J. Kapp 11]

... and traded a first round pick for Sam Bradford?
I think it depends heavily on their ability to keep Bradford healthy and seriously improve the OL's performance, especially their run blocking. The Vikes were able to win in weeks 1 and 2 and their defense is good enough to keep them competitive most of the time but if they can't start generating a running game, this season is likely to unravel.

It'll be interesting to see whether the line regresses after losing Kalil ... or actually improves. It's not out of line to think that Clemmings might be an upgrade over an injured/disinterested/psychologically damaged Kalil. The Vikings have shown they can get serviceable play out of McKinnon and Asiata (1,100+ yards in '14), and we've seen that Bradford can play extremely well. Despite the loss of Teddy, AP and Kalil, the success of 2016 rides squarely on the shoulders of the O-line.

[IrishViking]

Ill say it now. This would be how the Vikings win the superbowl

Future QB damaged.
Journeyman QB starting.
AD injured.
Hodgepodge oline.

[losperros]

It'll be interesting to see whether the line regresses after losing Kalil ... or actually improves. It's not out of line to think that Clemmings might be an upgrade over an injured/disinterested/psychologically damaged Kalil. The Vikings have shown they can get serviceable play out of McKinnon and Asiata (1,100+ yards in '14), and we've seen that Bradford can play extremely well. Despite the loss of Teddy, AP and Kalil, the success of 2016 rides squarely on the shoulders of the O-line.

A problem could arise if Clemmings being an upgrade over Kalil doesn't mean that much. From watching the first two games, I think there are leaks all over the offensive line and most of them will more than likely remain for the season. Sure, if the OL plays together throughout the season, they might start to gel better but we've seen run and pass blocking issues from the Vikings for a while now.

As some others have said, it's likely the entire offensive line needs to be replaced. I just don't think there is enough overall talent and athleticism in the present unit.

I have confidence in Bradford, McKinnon and Asiata, but not in the OL blocking well for them. That's especially troubling for Bradford.

[germannorseman]

Lets face it offensively our season has not looked good. Bradford is injury prone and with our line he could easily be out at some point of the season. We had AD for two games and he was aweful (certainly not all his fault) we had AD and Bradford and we still only scored 17 points. Our season now firmly rests on this Oline and I haven't seen any reason to be optimistic than they can open a hole or protect our QB.

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[IrishViking]

Lets face it offensively our season has not looked good. Bradford is injury prone and with our line he could easily be out at some point of the season. We had AD for two games and he was aweful (certainly not all his fault) we had AD and Bradford and we still only scored 17 points. Our season now firmly rests on this Oline and I haven't seen any reason to be optimistic than they can open a hole or protect our QB.

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And despite all that we are probably still more likely than not to go 6-0 in our division or 5-1 if green bay figures it out.

Our defense is healthy as ever and I think our passing attack will be better than last year regardless of what happens in our running game.

I think if we literally passed on 100% of plays from now on we would still do better offensively than last year.

My guess is all year we are going to see Lots of TE help on the blind side with Asiata in to help, once Bradford gets more comfortable with his reads the ball will get out even quicker and faster passes can mitigate oass rushes.

Even losing Bridgewater, Peterson, and "losing" Kalil, I think our superbowl odds still are probably about as good as they were in preseason.