Thoughts Week 1

[Jordysghost]

I just don't know what to say to the massive breadth of benefit of doubt AP gets. Even his past talent doesnt seem to warrant this. The man is 31 on a rebuilt knee. He doesnt produce even at his backups level and yes their are other reasons besides just him at play there but the bottom line is the bottom line.

To me, AP showed this week that he needs an offense completely built around his play style to produce game winning performsnces. The more we move towards a balanced offense the more extreme his dropoff.

I disagree, the Titans loaded the box for AD everytime he hit the field, as most teams will until you prove to have a reliable passing game.

If other teams didn't have the luxury of loading the box with no downfield passing game to dissuade them, AD would do a whole lot better.

[IrishViking]

I disagree, the Titans loaded the box for AD everytime he hit the field, as most teams will until you prove to have a reliable passing game.

If other teams didn't have the luxury of loading the box with no downfield passing game to dissuade them, AD would do a whole lot better.

Asiata made it work in garbage time when they knew he was running. No triple cuts or stop starts. Just pounding the holes for 3-5 yards per. It's what we need.

[Norv Zimmer]

But, that is also garbage time. I don't think they were stacking the box when asiata was in.

In my eyes our defense was amazing. If it werent for Griffins stupid #### penalty we only give up 10 points.

Barr was invisible though which concerns me.

Also, did the Captain play? I dont recall seeing him once.

[Crax]

Some tweets about snap counts

Chris Tomasson ‏@christomasson 5m5 minutes ago

For #Vikings at WR, Stefon Diggs 56 of 63 possible snaps, Charles Johnson 49, Adam Thielen 35, Cordarrelle Patterson 5, Treadwell DNP

I know someone mentioned Johnson may have an injury, but if he does, he shouldn't be getting 49 snaps. Give those to Patterson and a few to treadwell. His 1 catch for 5 yards wasn't worth much.

The #Vikings snaps for RB and FB: Peterson 38, FB Line 16, McKinnon 16, Asiata 9

Seems about as expected.

DBs: Smith, Waynes, Sendejo played all 67 snaps, Newman 65 and Munnerlyn 38. Alexander got 2 in first NFL game.

Alexander probably wouldn't have gotten those if Rhodes played, but at least the rookie got in.

So defensive starters for the #Vikings who didn't even play half the snaps were LB Greenway (29 of 67) and DT Floyd (25)

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

[Jordysghost]

Asiata made it work in garbage time when they knew he was running. No triple cuts or stop starts. Just pounding the holes for 3-5 yards per. It's what we need.

Even if that is true, aside from the problem with it having been garbage time (Where the titans were likely worn out and lacksadasical at that point) it is a very small sample size, you really think Asiata can outrush AD on a consistent basis? I doubt it personally.

Again, AD would be invaluable as long as teams can't just load the box and forget about the pass.

[Norv Zimmer]

This is why I would like to see Bradford. If the packers try to stack the box against AP (I think they are weak up the middle, unlike Tennessee) I think a strong arm Bradford could torch them on slants.

[IrishViking]

But, that is also garbage time. I don't think they were stacking the box when asiata was in.

Only AP faces a stacked box

There were no holes

He is always rusty to start the year

He doesn't play preseason (See directly above issue)

He needs his touches

Feast or famine

I love AP he is and was great on the field. But I think its time we just list him as #3 for a game and see if the sky falls. I am in the camp that we may be shocked at how well the offense flows without him.

[Jordysghost]

Only AP faces a stacked box

There were no holes

He is always rusty to start the year

He doesn't play preseason (See directly above issue)

He needs his touches

Feast or famine

I love AP he is and was great on the field. But I think its time we just list him as #3 for a game and see if the sky falls. I am in the camp that we may be shocked at how well the offense flows without him.

AP faces stacked boxes because you cant PASS, clearly a good passing game would adequately make use of the defensive looks AD commands, and if they stop stacking the box in an attempt to give help against the pass, AD will have only 6 guys in the box to run against.

You even admit there are no holes and that AD commands stacked boxes so idk why you want to replace him. Just get a passing game.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Active but did not play.

Meanwhile Will Fuller, had 100 yards and a TD

And Houston has zero WR depth so that doesn't mean much if you ask me

[Pondering Her Percy]

But, that is also garbage time. I don't think they were stacking the box when asiata was in.

In my eyes our defense was amazing. If it werent for Griffins stupid #### penalty we only give up 10 points.

Barr was invisible though which concerns me.

Also, did the Captain play? I dont recall seeing him once.

Exactly what I was about to say regarding Asiata. Do you think Tennessee really gives a damn about Matt Asiata? I really have to question your football knowledge if you were impressed with how Asiata ran yesterday. They don't stack the box against him nor give 2 craps about him, so yeah, I'd hope he could get 4-5 yards a carry. You cannot compare that to how Peterson ran all day.

[Jordysghost]

And Houston has zero WR depth so that doesn't mean much if you ask me

They are every bit as deep at WR as the Vikings, probably more so with Hopkins.

That said, im not sure that means what you think it means, sure being the only good WR on your team might make the QB look to you more often, but it also means the D has plenty of free DBs and no one to worry about or take the attention off of you.

[Mothman]

AP faces stacked boxes because you cant PASS, clearly a good passing game would adequately make use of the defensive looks AD commands, and if they stop stacking the box in an attempt to give help against the pass, AD will have only 6 guys in the box to run against.

You even admit there are no holes and that AD commands stacked boxes so idk why you want to replace him. Just get a passing game.

Yep. It's Football 101. When the defense overcommits to stopping the run, punish them with the pass and force them out of that strategy. In turn, that opens up the run.

[Pondering Her Percy]

They are every bit as deep at WR as the Vikings, probably more so with Hopkins.

That said, im not sure that means what you think it means, sure being the only good WR on your team might make the QB look to you more often, but it also means the D has plenty of free DBs and no one to worry about or take the attention off of you.

They have Hopkins and who outside of that??? Strong or Braxton Miller? One guy with horrible hands and one guy that's an athlete playing WR. So no, I can tell you right now, they have no depth at WR

[Jordysghost]

They have Hopkins and who outside of that??? Strong or Braxton Miller? One guy with horrible hands and one guy that's an athlete playing WR. So no, I can tell you right now, they have no depth at WR

And who do you guys have? At all?

Again, I don't think having no depth at WR around him would improve his statistical production anyway, on the contrary, I think it would hurt it, but really, who do the Vikes have at WR?

[Norv Zimmer]

I don't think our WR are our problem. Our QB is the problem, he doesnt have the arm strength to make opposing teams respect our passing game. That is why I want Bradford to play, I hope he gets all the reps this week.