More Numerical Proof of Jim Kleinsasser's Awesomeness

by Christopher Gates on Jun 16, 2011 8:10 PM CDT in Minnesota Vikings

Pro Football Focus has moved on to tight ends in their pass blocking numbers, and when you think of blocking tight ends, the name that should immediately come to mind is that of Jim Kleinsasser, the longest-tenured Minnesota Viking and a guy that has been at the top of his game for years.

According to PFF, Kleinsasser was asked to stay in and pass block on 113 snaps in 2010 (and I'm not sure if those count the times that he lined up in the backfield or strictly the times he lined up at tight end), and allowed just two quarterback pressures all season long.

He's not just a one-year wonder, as we all know, but PFF quantifies this by declaring that Kleinsasser is the best pass-blocking tight end of the last three years. In 327 pass blocking snaps over the course of the last three seasons, Kleinsasser has allowed just eight pressures that entire time. To illustrate how good that is, PFF lists seven tight ends that allowed eight or more pressures in 2010 alone.

At the other end of the spectrum, Chicago Bears (alleged) blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna gave up a whopping twenty-four pressures in 2010 alone, yet was inexplicably left in to block for the second-highest number of snaps for any tight end in the NFL last season. It probably has to do with the fact that everybody knows that Greg Olsen, Chicago's other tight end, damn sure can't block either. . .Manumaleuna and Olsen rank first and fourth, respectively, as the most inefficient blocking tight ends of the last three years according to PFF.

With the drafting of Kyle Rudolph in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, it really makes me hope that Kleinsasser doesn't get squeezed out or lost in the shuffle. Even at his advanced age, he's sure as hell a better player than Jeff Dugan. Could the answer be to stop wasting money to pay Naufahu Tahi and move Kleinsasser back to fullback? He's enough of a team guy where I'm sure he'd do it if he were asked, but I'm not sure that it's the best answer.

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I have nothing but love for Jimmy Kleinsausage.

by Jepp The Viking on Jun 16, 2011 9:33 PM CDT reply actions

I have a horrible phone

And the link doesn’t work for my phone. What rank is he among tight ends?

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on - Winston Churchill

by Alittlemore_cowbell on Jun 16, 2011 9:35 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I don't think it means Jimmy Kleinsasser

I think drafting kyle Rudolph means the end for Dugan

by mattnmics on Jun 17, 2011 12:12 AM CDT reply actions

either that

or they are planning to move Kleinsasser back to fullback.

by mattnmics on Jun 17, 2011 12:13 AM CDT reply actions

I will say this I've always had respect for the guy

but to see he’s still at the top of his game and hell position at certain things is amazing. Plus honestly watching him pull the ball into his mits on a 5 yard pattern and then falling down ranks up there with AD bashing down DB’s.

Childress gone, TJack gone, new stadium on the way: it's like that Christmas when Santa brought prostitutes!

by Grime on Jun 17, 2011 7:20 AM CDT reply actions

K-Sauce Fans Knew This :)

Seriously, some of us keep an eye out for JimmyK and rarely does the big man disappoint. It’s incredible though that he’s been that awesome for the past 3 years at pass-blocking. Hopefully the Vikings will read that and make a strong effort try to keep him on for another year or two. Dugan and Tahi together can’t make up for Kleinsasser.

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!

by DCPurple on Jun 17, 2011 8:03 AM CDT reply actions