Check Out The Vikings' Power Play Of The Week

by Christopher Gates on Oct 19, 2011 6:00 PM CDT in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season

You know, I liked that play that I mentioned by Jared Allen so much, let's make it the Vikings' Power Play of the Week for this week, too.

Keep an eye on #69 on this one.

Most of Jared Allen's critics. . .who still look really dumb since he's still leading the NFL in sacks, by the way. . .have this weird insistence that Allen only has one move, and when that move doesn't work, he basically gets shut down.

Well, from taking a look at this play, we can see that that's clearly not true. Allen starts by attempting to take Webb to the inside, but to Webb's credit, he gets a pretty good initial block in. However, the relentless nature of Allen shows through in this one, as he just continues to fight the Bears' left tackle and eventually gets his way around him.

Because, as Cris Collinsworth points out, Jay Cutler was holding the ball so far away from his body, the ball became a prime target for Allen on this one. He knocks the ball out of Cutler's hand and, before Cutler is really aware of what's happening, Allen is on top of the ball for a Minnesota turnover.

Allen showed some significant power on this play. . .one of the few occasions on the night where anybody wearing a white jersey did so. . .as so he gets the nod for the Power Play of the Week on this one.

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I like this.

We should do this every week.

Putting Ponder in isn't the question, it's the answer.
SKOL!!!

by DM_Purp on Oct 19, 2011 6:28 PM CDT reply actions

I second this.

Sincerely, your friendly neighborhood Vikings, Red Sox, Heat, and Bruins fan: the oddest amalgamation of sports fanship you've ever heard.

by bleedpurple426 on Oct 19, 2011 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions

We will be!

It might be tough finding a play some weeks, but we certainly will be. (-:

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by Christopher Gates on Oct 19, 2011 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I like it

Putting Ponder in isn't the question, it's the answer.
SKOL!!!

by DM_Purp on Oct 19, 2011 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't believe Jared Allen's critics have a problem with him leading the league in sacks.

It is usually expected to have high sack numbers when playing against teams such as the Bears, Packers, and Lions because their offensive lines are always a weakness on the team and Jared Allen should be feasting on them.
Especially considering the comeback losses the Vikings have had, the pass rush should have been dialed up and Allen should have been getting to the quarterback more and disrupting more plays because opponents would be forced to throw.
His lack of size allows him to be taken out of running plays easily as well. If he over-commits trying to get up-field or he just get overpowered he is not the greatest run defender and the lack of the Williams Wall has helped expose this weakness of his.
He is still an amazing player. He is, as you said, leading the NFL in sacks. But there are always going to be critics when a team is 1-5 unfortunately. They’ll try and kick you while you’re down. Just roll with the punches and eventually you’ll have the last laugh when Allen proves them wrong.

Man's only as good as the strength of his/her convictions

by TheGr8Henry on Oct 19, 2011 6:58 PM CDT reply actions

Since when is 270 undersized? That’s about average for a 4-3 defensive end.

by Cobra312004 on Oct 19, 2011 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions

let me re-phrase

he isn’t a very good run stopper. I guess blaming that on lack of size is wrong. I will assign the blame to either poor scheme and/or lack of ability.

Man's only as good as the strength of his/her convictions

by TheGr8Henry on Oct 19, 2011 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions

He looked great this past weekend

I think he got bad wrap because they were running plays just inside of him and letting him run up field. It has a lot to do with his best move being a speed rush up the field. He’s actually played the run really well when he doesn’t have a planned speed-rush. Some of that could be a pre-snap read on his part or a specific defensive call that isn’t his fault at all.

Putting Ponder in isn't the question, it's the answer.
SKOL!!!

by DM_Purp on Oct 20, 2011 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the insight.

It is always silly nit-picking everything about every single player since they play in the context of a scheme with players that are not equal across the board with other teams and they get different play-calls.
Like you said, it might be Allen’s responsibility to run up field and if the offense calls a play that counters that and works then the offense just called the right play.

Man's only as good as the strength of his/her convictions

by TheGr8Henry on Oct 21, 2011 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions