Minnesota Vikings Mid-season grades: Coaches pt. 2

Jerry Gray- Defensive Backs

Grade: A-

Jerry Gray has done an admirable job developing the secondary. Xavier Rhodes has become an elite corner and Harrison Smith is arguably the best safety in the league. Trae Waynes struggled early this season, but has played very well as of late. A player flying under the radar is second year corner Mackensie Alexander. He has been tasked with full time slot duty, and has played well, though he is still rotating with veteran Terence Newman. The Vikings secondary is currently allowing the 4th fewest passing yards per play af 6.4.

Darrell Hazell- Wide Receivers

Grade: A-

Darrell Hazell deserves a lot of credit for further developing Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. They are currently one of the best wide reciever tandems in the league, and are two halves of an improved passing attack. Hazell however hasn't fully developed former first round pick Laquon Treadwell. The Vikings will need a third target to take pressure away from Diggs and Thielen.

Clancy Barone- Tight Ends

Grade: C+

The Vikings have not seen much production from its Tight Ends this year. With running back Dalvin Cook out for the season, the market share value for the Tight end group should have risen. Kyle Rudolph needs to become a bigger part of the offense, or at the very least, the redzone.

Andre Patterson- Defensive Line

Grade: A+

If one assistant coach deserve a high grade it should be Andre Patterson. He has successfully developed Everson Griffen into a top end edge rusher. Danielle Hunter has wreaked havoc on the opposite side, but the real diamond in the rough is Linval Joseph. He is commanding a double team every play, but is still collapsing the pocket. It would not be surprising if Patterson receives a few calls for a coordinator position soon.

Kennedy Polamalu- Running Backs

Grade: A-

Kennedy Polamalu loses his star pupil in Dalvin Cook, and has still managed to coach a competent running game. The key has been increasing the work load of Jerick Mckinnon, who has been a versatile piece in the Vikings offense. Next year could be special with Cook and Mckinnon in the same backfield.

Kevin Stefanski-Quarterbacks

Grade: Incomplete

Stefanski is the only coach it was hard to grade. He has had poor luck with losing his starting quarterback, and having to play third string Case Keenum. There will be better insight to his coaching once Teddy Bridgewater takes over the starting job.

Tony Sparano- Offensive Line

Grade: A

After last year, fans and media alike were calling for Sparanos head after an abysmal offensive line performance. It has become very clear, there simply was not enough talent on the roster. Matt Kalil's replacement and upgrade Riley Reiff has improved the offensive line greatly. Mike remmers faced critcism going in to the season, but has been a pleasant, and necessary surprise. Give credit to Sparano with developing rookie center Pat Elflein, who looks like he will be the Vikings center for the next decade.

Adam Zimmer- Linebackers

Grade: A-

Anthony Barr has resurged into a dominant forced and Adam Zimmer deserves credit. He is getting a lot of instinctual and disruptive play out of both Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks. Ben Gedeon has been a helpful rotational player, and could be the weak side linebacker of the future.

Mark Uyeyama

Grade: A+

NO TORN PECS!!