Great article! If I had to point to the biggest problem with the team it would be loyalty. It seems like performance doesn’t matter because Dennison is loyal to his guy Dozier. Kubiak is loyal to his guy Dennison. And Zimmer is loyal to his guy Kubiak. Would Belichick (or any other top NFL coach) allow the O-Line coach to sabotage his team by playing favorites? Zimmer is terrified of losing Kubiak and it keeps him from doing the right thing (playing Jones) imo.
Thanks Colin, I think you make a good point. I think it all stems from the commitment to the run. They believe Dozier is better in that area (though PFF grades do not bare that out). But I also agree that at times they have stuck with things that weren't working, especially on the OL and it hasn't made a ton of sense over the years
I have quite a bit to unload about the team, some of which agree with you and some a different perspective. I don't expect you to respond to my points, I just need to make them. You know that I've considered this year 2021's preseason rather than a true Vikings season. As a result I've been able to deal more effectively with the outcomes but, while I'm please with the improvement of new players, I'm gradually more disappointed in the game time coaching including playcalling, and the coaching philosophy.
Game time coaching including playcalling - the usage of Dalvin Cook to the extreme is detrimental to the team. The avoidance of the passing game except as a support to the run game hamstrings us in all kinds of ways. We're not taking advantage of Theilen, Jefferson, and Smith even when they are open. It is true the O-line still struggles but Cousins still struggles with pressure as well. The combination of which suggests we need to move on from Cousins, bolster our O Line, and find both a co-ordinator that wants a "balanced" game at least. Cousins is Cousins and I don't expect anything more from Cousins that he's demonstrated through the year. Can we win with him? I suppose but can we win a Superbowl with the combination of issues I listed above with Cousins? Highly unlikely. Which I find discouraging. In the highlights, you embedded a person can see the problems with both the O-line and Kirk missing receivers in the flat and in crossing routes that he could have hit before he took a few of those sacks.
Coaching Philosophy - Run first and always is a ridiculous philosophy no matter how good your Running Back is. We should at least be looking at a balanced offense when we have the receivers we do. I realize Zimmer tends to move away from using anyone who struggles no matter the cause. Part of me sees his point. Where I don't agree is the length of time he punishes or fails to reengage when re-engaging or replacing rather than adjusting the entire approach is an obvious need. After all those interceptions I can understand not relying on Cousins until he showed he'd regrownded. After he demonstrated he had regrounded at least to his normal unpredictable self, we need to reengage a balanced game with the additional expectation that Cousins would need to carry us in some instances. Instead... we're still burn down the running back until it is so unreasonable we think we might pass. Its an abuse of Cook, Theilen, and Jefferson at first glance, Cook being over played and the receivers underplayed. For the first time I'm willing to concede Zimmer needs to go unless he can move to a balanced offense. I understand he's a defensive guru but that is not going to work with Cousins as the QB not allowed to pass and a near run only offense when we're behind.
If this philosophy is sustained in 2021, bolstered getting more of the defensive players back, I expect nearly the same outcome. More wins but no chance at the Superbowl because we'll end up drafting Defense with Zimmer wanting it to be the focus, won't draft to improve the O-line or add another bonified WR. We'll pass on drafting a back up QB to hand the reigns to in 2022. We'll just limp along perpetually having to accept that Kirk Cousins cannot win critical games in an ultra-conservative approach and when Jefferson reaches his prime we will lose him to a team that is at least balanced in their attack... skol vikes (small voice)
You're right Curt, it would be tough to respond to everything you brought up here haha but 2 things:
1) I really appreciate that you took the time to write this. I know I don't get a chance to respond to every comment on the site but I love reading them. Everyone is so thoughtful in the comment section, it's really refreshing and enjoyable to get your guys' perspectives. I hope someday we can create some open threads and such for Purple Insider readers to discuss the team. I'll work on that!
2) Your overarching point here is that it's tough to trust the direction as a whole with the pieces they have vs. the philosophy that they've deployed this season on offense...and since offense generally is what drives you to the Super Bowl, it's worth questioning whether they're going to fail to maximize some truly terrific talents on the offensive side. I think you're absolutely justified in that concern after watching them fall behind to bad teams and repeatedly put Kirk in bad spots vs. TB
Great article! If I had to point to the biggest problem with the team it would be loyalty. It seems like performance doesn’t matter because Dennison is loyal to his guy Dozier. Kubiak is loyal to his guy Dennison. And Zimmer is loyal to his guy Kubiak. Would Belichick (or any other top NFL coach) allow the O-Line coach to sabotage his team by playing favorites? Zimmer is terrified of losing Kubiak and it keeps him from doing the right thing (playing Jones) imo.
Thanks Colin, I think you make a good point. I think it all stems from the commitment to the run. They believe Dozier is better in that area (though PFF grades do not bare that out). But I also agree that at times they have stuck with things that weren't working, especially on the OL and it hasn't made a ton of sense over the years
I have quite a bit to unload about the team, some of which agree with you and some a different perspective. I don't expect you to respond to my points, I just need to make them. You know that I've considered this year 2021's preseason rather than a true Vikings season. As a result I've been able to deal more effectively with the outcomes but, while I'm please with the improvement of new players, I'm gradually more disappointed in the game time coaching including playcalling, and the coaching philosophy.
Game time coaching including playcalling - the usage of Dalvin Cook to the extreme is detrimental to the team. The avoidance of the passing game except as a support to the run game hamstrings us in all kinds of ways. We're not taking advantage of Theilen, Jefferson, and Smith even when they are open. It is true the O-line still struggles but Cousins still struggles with pressure as well. The combination of which suggests we need to move on from Cousins, bolster our O Line, and find both a co-ordinator that wants a "balanced" game at least. Cousins is Cousins and I don't expect anything more from Cousins that he's demonstrated through the year. Can we win with him? I suppose but can we win a Superbowl with the combination of issues I listed above with Cousins? Highly unlikely. Which I find discouraging. In the highlights, you embedded a person can see the problems with both the O-line and Kirk missing receivers in the flat and in crossing routes that he could have hit before he took a few of those sacks.
Coaching Philosophy - Run first and always is a ridiculous philosophy no matter how good your Running Back is. We should at least be looking at a balanced offense when we have the receivers we do. I realize Zimmer tends to move away from using anyone who struggles no matter the cause. Part of me sees his point. Where I don't agree is the length of time he punishes or fails to reengage when re-engaging or replacing rather than adjusting the entire approach is an obvious need. After all those interceptions I can understand not relying on Cousins until he showed he'd regrownded. After he demonstrated he had regrounded at least to his normal unpredictable self, we need to reengage a balanced game with the additional expectation that Cousins would need to carry us in some instances. Instead... we're still burn down the running back until it is so unreasonable we think we might pass. Its an abuse of Cook, Theilen, and Jefferson at first glance, Cook being over played and the receivers underplayed. For the first time I'm willing to concede Zimmer needs to go unless he can move to a balanced offense. I understand he's a defensive guru but that is not going to work with Cousins as the QB not allowed to pass and a near run only offense when we're behind.
If this philosophy is sustained in 2021, bolstered getting more of the defensive players back, I expect nearly the same outcome. More wins but no chance at the Superbowl because we'll end up drafting Defense with Zimmer wanting it to be the focus, won't draft to improve the O-line or add another bonified WR. We'll pass on drafting a back up QB to hand the reigns to in 2022. We'll just limp along perpetually having to accept that Kirk Cousins cannot win critical games in an ultra-conservative approach and when Jefferson reaches his prime we will lose him to a team that is at least balanced in their attack... skol vikes (small voice)
You're right Curt, it would be tough to respond to everything you brought up here haha but 2 things:
1) I really appreciate that you took the time to write this. I know I don't get a chance to respond to every comment on the site but I love reading them. Everyone is so thoughtful in the comment section, it's really refreshing and enjoyable to get your guys' perspectives. I hope someday we can create some open threads and such for Purple Insider readers to discuss the team. I'll work on that!
2) Your overarching point here is that it's tough to trust the direction as a whole with the pieces they have vs. the philosophy that they've deployed this season on offense...and since offense generally is what drives you to the Super Bowl, it's worth questioning whether they're going to fail to maximize some truly terrific talents on the offensive side. I think you're absolutely justified in that concern after watching them fall behind to bad teams and repeatedly put Kirk in bad spots vs. TB
appreciate it sir