FanPost

Are the Vikings For Real?

Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins proves he's worth $84 ... USAToday, 2018.

Been awhile since I posted anything here on the Norseman. But as the delusional ever optimistic Vikings fan; I once again have high hopes. (More fun to be fan expecting to win than my cynical side naming off every possible and predictable worse case scenario, then watching it happen). But for now when teams are 0-0, there is hope. Free agency and the draft saw the team reload and refocus, but the number one contributing factor of just how far this team goes rests firmly on the shoulders of the quarterback position. I won't go into too much depth of the polarizing conversation of the pros and cons of Kirk Cousins. Cousins, like most QB's trajectory is projected to be influenced significantly by his supporting cast.

The consensus number priority positional group needing the most improvement was the offensive line, and I absolutely agree. As much of a sieve as it was, there were other problems that needed attention. And while half the fan base wanted to see 2 starting caliber OL signed with a draft something like round 1: OL, RD 2: OL, RD 3: OL, Rd 4: OL, etc., and maybe I wouldn't have had that much of an issue with that, but then other issues would have undoubtedly reared their ugly heads. Some positional coaching changes were needed, especially for the offensive line and offensive coordinator. More continuity among and between position groups were needed, more consistency (accuracy), was needed from our kicker, depth at several positions needed upgraded. In my amateur opinion, Vikings management did pretty good addressing these concerns.

The last three year drafts Spielman went OL 3rd round in Elflien, 2nd with O'Neil, and Bradbury in the first, and all three should start this year. Better linemen makes the other linemen's jobs easier. I thought Reiff was better than average in '18, and will be even better with improved play from the left guard. Elflien is a good player, and should be healthy, and will not only upgrade LG(moved from center, but plays all interior offensive line positions at about the same level), but also help Reiff, and the rookie at center. he may be the most help of anyone to Bradbury. And with a coach in Zimmer who has been reluctant to start rookies, naming Bradbury the starter especially so quickly reveals the urgency to improve the offensive line. Brian O'Neill surprised everyone last year, and gaining about 10 lbs with a year of experience under his belt; last year's best offensive lineman should be just as consistent and slightly better in '19. That leaves the right guard position, whom free agent acquisition former Titan Josh Kline is slotted to start. I don't think he has the job locked down, but also don't think he is as bad as most people down here in Tennessee think either. I think he's a solid depth guy that can start if needed with average play as his ceiling, similar to Brett Jones. Either way, between those two and 4th round selection Dru Samia; I think the RG position will take care of itself. I, personally have Samia as my dark horse favorite to surprise, and not only win the starting job, but do fairly well. I am hoping Samia can be what I was hoping Isadora could have been, but Izzy will get one more look this training camp. Aviante Collins has surprised, I do prefer Rashod Hill, though has likely reached his ceiling as a back up.

6th round pick mammoth Oli Uduh is interesting just from his size. May just be practice squad material, but worth keeping an eye on for down the road, as he should take one of the back up positions at tackle next year. That gives the team Reiff, Elflien, Bradbury, and O'Neill as the starters, with Kline, Jones, and Samia (Unless Izzy completely turns it around),competing to start at RG. Hill and Collins should round off the OL on the 53 man roster. Norton and Edison(did look good last preseason), should be moving on.

Bringing in Kubiak to work with with Stefanski was an excellent move for a few reasons. First, he is good coach. Second, he can help Stefanski game plan while being delegated responsibilities managing the offense, without stepping on Stefanski's toes. Three; he brings with him Rick Dennison to stabilize the offensive line. and fourth; Kubiak brings an offensive influence that Cousins is most comfortable in. Fifth: Kubiak is a back up coaching option. Now, many see this as a back up option to Stefanski if he falters, but Stefanski is likely going to excel. And while Kubiak is an option if Stefanski doesn't, he is the option if Stefanski is lured away by another team like Pat Shurmur was, but Kubiak is the primary replacement if Mike Zimmer falters. Stefanski's offense should incorporate the nuances west coast offenses of Darren Bevelle, Pat Shurmur, that utilizes philosophies of a run heavy Gary Kubiak system. Stefanski is in a very favorable position to succeed for the aforementioned reasons with a solid arsenal of players he has worked with for years.

Mike Priefer was a good coach, but with the changing landscape of the team;and maybe it was time to move on. Though, I don't like Maaloff more. Nate Kaeding was brought in to help the kicking game that has had the same problem through several years and kickers. Coaching wasn't the problem, finding a good kicker was, and Priefer had to have banged the table for Walsh and Carlson, and that bought his ticket out of Minnesota. Dan Bailey was pretty good until he was injured. I think he was still healing last year, and should get back into form. If I'm correct, the Vikings shouldn't have to worry about kickers again for some time.

Dalvin Cook will start the year healthy and with the best offensive blocking he's had; I expect him to have his best year as a pro. Back up Mattison should be a solid battering ram'ish back, but am interested to see if he could be some kind of a moderate X factor, as he is a wildcard on what to expect. Boone and Roc Thomas are exciting back ups. I'm interested to see Irv Smith Jr added to a tight end group that saw Kyle Rudolph extended, along with David Morgan, and Tyler Conklin; both of whom should take another step; Morgan providing better protection, and Conklin becoming a better receiving threat. The lack of options beyond Theilen and Diggs, and more options in other position groups like TE could prompt Minnesota to go with 5 instead of 6 WRs. Of the next 3 spots, I am intrigued most of Chad Beebe, Dillon Mitchell, and Jordan Taylor as veteran to hopefully bring some semblance of consistency at one of the WR back up positions. They have to cut their losses with Treadwell, he will just take snaps away from other receivers the team seriously needs to develop. Parting ways is the best thing for both sides. Zylstra and Olabisi Johnson are practice squad candidates. That leaves Jeff Badet to make a push for 6 WRs if he succeeds as a returner.

Harrison Smith will be accompanied by Anthony Harris to make up arguably the best safety duo in the league to go along with arguably the best corner back group in the league. Minnesota may have lucked out in drafting Marcus Epps, as he has the potential to crack the 53 as a back up behinds Jayron Kearse, who Zimmer will likely continue to use him in more hybris role between the safety, LB and nickle corner positions. Rhodes, Waynes, and Alexander are the starting corners, with dynamic understudies in Mike Hughes and Holton Hill. This could be best secondary in Vikings history we are witnessing. Expect Rhodes to bounce back strong. Waynes should be a little better too, as he has been each year of his career. And so should Mack, who took a significant step last year. All eyes are on Mike Hughes, as he is not that far off from challenging Xavier Rhodes as the most talented corner on the team, and Hughes can return kicks as well.

Minnesota's secondary will put their defensive line in a very favorable positions this year. With the loss Sheldon Richardson(who quietly had one of his most impressive years as a pro thanks to an advantageous situation in Mike Zimmer's defense), and the re-acquaintance Shamar Stephon is a little less than push, but the depth can see this group still improve in spite of Richardson's loss. The team should rotate Stephen Weatherly and Everson Griffin more, as Weathery looks legit. Danelle Hunter looks poised to have his best year as a pass rusher, and 20+ sacks has got to be what everyone is thinking. Beyond Weathery is a question mark. We'll see what Odenigbo will do this year, as he may be the primary depth beyond those three, as defensive end depth as front end loaded as it is, may be thinner on solid depth than the WR and LB positions. In a Mike Zimmer defense, especially with the help from the D tackles, if someone goes down for a game or two, it can be masked fairly well. Minnesota surprised even themselves resigning Anthony Barr to continue to play along side Eric Kendricks, keeping very good duo. And while adding a decent depth LB in Cameron Smith, who should develop into an average to good player that excels on special teams; Eric Wilson will still likely be the 3rd best LB on the team. And that's not even mentioning the competition in Devonte Downs, Ben Gedeon, and Kentrell Brothers.

At defensive tackle Linval Joseph is coming off his worst year as a Viking, and fans are hoping to see him bounce back almost in a taken for granted type of mentality, as Vikings fans are used to seeing 1 techs play well years older than he is now. And they may just be right, as Joseph was dinged up most of last year with nagging injuries, and he is also returning healthier this season. A late round pick in Armon Watts at DT is another intriguing player that will add even more competition on an already crowed DL, and that competition is going to be interesting to watch. Sharmar as mentioned is back, as is third year player Jaleel Johnson as well as Jalyn Holmes, who Andre Patterson has been talking up. The only question is why didn't we see more from him, or the Jaleel Johnson last year? And to round off one of the deepest position groups is Hecules Mata'afa, an undersized athletic DT that is bouncing back from a torn ACL, but gained 20-25 lbs of muscle in situation where that's exactly what was said that he needed to do to succeed. Hercules may the most anticipated underdog to make the roster.

The team has the players and personnel to play complementary football. Kirk Cousins should be more comfortable entering his second year with the team, and should calm some of those nerves having better protection, while playing in a more favorable scheme to him and the other offensive players' strengths.The team should be able also play more fundamentally sound football with fewer missed tackles, penalties, turnovers and other costly mistakes. The kicking be better. Zimmer should have an embarrassment of riches again on the defensive side of the ball, even without using any higher draft picks on defense to throw some interesting wrinkles into the defense. The Vikings made a couple key mistakes last year like signing the wrong guy as their offensive coordinator, and they were lucky to have not lost Kevin Stefanski. They neglected the offensive line again. They also had some bad luck with injuries, and some players were brought back too early (Cook and Elflien namely). They are in better shape this year with several guys coming back a lot healthier. The offensive line and coaching staff both look much improved from last year, and by doing so have put Kirk Cousins in maybe to best situation he's seen. The Vikings also have the luxury of getting to fly under the radar a little bit this year. The team was loaded last year, had a lot of mistakes ans bad luck, though still finished above .500. Now they are a still loaded team this that's not only better; they're hungry and have something to prove. The team had a good draft that will see 3 or 4 players to get significant playing time, especially their first two picks. Second and third year players that will be improved will bolster the roster as well in guys like Brian O'Neil, Holton Hill, Chad Beebe, Jalyn Holmes, Tyler Conklin, and Mike Boone. Players returning healthy include Linval Joseph, Everson Griffin, Pat Elflien, and Dalvin Cook should all be playing better, and Hercules Mata'afa and Mike Hughes will be back too. This is arguably a Superbowl caliber team that should win most, or all of their home games, and half of their road games putting them at about a 12-4 team. They've been improving over the past couple years on the road and in prime time, and now they should be poised to take the next step.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.