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Ron Rubin's avatar

Great meaty article on the 2nd most valuable position on the offense

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Rzuppelli's avatar

So, we know that replacing the left tackle play from last year will be difficult, especially without the turnstile next to you drawing attention.

Would it be reasonable to hope for slightly below average play? Somewhere between Clemmings and Khalil?

P.S. Clemmings and Khalil sounds like a police procedural where they always let the perps escape, perhaps through wide open doors with little to no resistance.

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Matthew Coller's avatar

I think what you're looking for is average with a high end that flashes. So... shut down some of these great DEs, show some serious athletic ability in the run game and don't make too many Kalil/Clemmings like mistakes. Average would be good. It would get the job done. Those guys were pretty far below average

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Doop's avatar

2012 Adrian Peterson in 16 games logged nearly 350 rushes for 2k yards along with 40 catches for barely over 200 yards... polish up that Dalvin Cook hype train!!

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OldDrummer55's avatar

An excellent write-up! Thank you for the in-depth explanation of defensive schemes... the trench is way more complex than most of us understand. Stopping Werewolf War Daddies takes a lot of study, understanding and patience...

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Rzuppelli's avatar

And the Werewolf War Daddies are my favorite metal band.

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segagenesisgenius's avatar

Have the Vikings confirmed or indicated in any way that O'Neill is staying on the right side? Darrisaw being on the left (as soon as he can surpass Hill) along with O'Neill on the right is what I presume to be the plan, but the Vikings have surprised/horrified me more than once by making an unexpected shift in positions on the line...

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Matthew Coller's avatar

There might have been a comment mixed in about this allowing ONeill to stay on the right side... like you, I never underestimate their ability to change positions of guys but this would be pretty extreme if they moved him now haha

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Doop's avatar

"There’s very little that the Vikings’ coaching staff can do to protect Darrisaw."

All the more reason to operate the 2021 Vikings offense with no fear. Playing timid and depending on the vaunted Zimmer defense has been the MO long enough, go on the attack, aim for scoring 30+ points a game instead of holding the opponent under 20.

Cousins is about those "good looking" stats, so the idea of asking him to loosen up is a tall order. But with RB Cook, reliable hands in JJ, Thielen, and hopefully Irv Jr., utilizing your established weapons seems like the best way to protect the O-line and help a rookie come along.

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