One of the frustrating things about the Zimmer regime is their penchant for sticking with known commodities (Tom Compton, Pat Elflein) while not giving rookies any real opportunities. The OL is a great example of this. Based on his career to date and what we have seen of him as a Viking, Dakota Dozier is obviously not a starting quality OL. Decent backup? Yes. Starter? No.
Probably the most egregious example of this was Compton. He was physically overmatched AND didn't seem to know what he was doing -- all the time, on every play. This was obvious after 1-2 games, yet he kept starting -- over and over.
This year we have Dozier supposedly in the mix with Collins and Cleveland at LG. Why aren't the Vikings just taking their lumps now and starting either Collins, Cleveland or Samia to find out what they can do? We know what the answer will be with Dozier: he isn't good enough. How much worse could the younger players be?
The problem on the OL is that this also hinders development of Bradbury. When one or both of his OGs are getting beat every passing play, it has to make it hard for him to learn how to be a good C.
Anyway, what do you think has really happened with MIA Samia? Given the lack of proven interior OL talent on our roster, the fact that Samia is buried on the depth chart makes me wonder if he is a bust...
On defense, the interesting thing will be that Zimmer will have to snap out of this mode with the CBs. He has no choice but to play rookies/young players with little experience. I am optimistic it will go better than he is expecting, but this will definitely require the best coaching job in his career for Zim.
I get what you're saying about sticking with those OL but it's not like they have had many better choices. Compton was the backup that year and I don't recall any young player behind him even being NFL-caliber. I think this issue lands more on the side of the front office failing to hit on guys they've taken as projects like Danny Isidora/TJ Clemmings/Willie Beavers/Colby Gossett etc.
Samia is with the 2nd team, so he's the backup right guard. In my mind that means if the Elflein experiment at RG fails, we'll see Samia get a chance
Coller - I was listening to a Rotoworld fantasy podcast this morning (taped yesterday) and they are still pushing the notion that Dalvin is getting extremely limited reps due to the contract negotiations. Is that accurate? I thought Dalvin was back to getting the majority of the first team reps?
He isn't taking every rep by any means but I would not put it under "extremely limited" ..he's taking part with the 1st team on pretty much every situational part of practice just not every snap. I know people are talking about the "hold in" but I haven't felt like that's what this is
After seeing his career rushing stats, I can see why 200 yards is very unlikely. With him wanting to put more emphasis on his legs, I wondered if he's going to stay around the same level, or slightly above.
I think there will be a handful of times where he makes a conscious effort to identify the situation and coverage and runs... it's hard to see it being anything more than that. But 5-10 extra first downs makes a difference if he can do ti
The one obvious guy to sign to a contract extension that you missed is Ant Harris. I would really like to be surprised and hear that he's signed a new deal sometime soon.
Yea I'm not sure on that one. The fact that they tried to trade him makes me a little skeptical that they'll sign him to a big extension but he's deserving
I don't know if I'd make that assumption yet... it's not the first negotiation that has gone back and forth with the Vikings. We'll see how it plays out
One of the frustrating things about the Zimmer regime is their penchant for sticking with known commodities (Tom Compton, Pat Elflein) while not giving rookies any real opportunities. The OL is a great example of this. Based on his career to date and what we have seen of him as a Viking, Dakota Dozier is obviously not a starting quality OL. Decent backup? Yes. Starter? No.
Probably the most egregious example of this was Compton. He was physically overmatched AND didn't seem to know what he was doing -- all the time, on every play. This was obvious after 1-2 games, yet he kept starting -- over and over.
This year we have Dozier supposedly in the mix with Collins and Cleveland at LG. Why aren't the Vikings just taking their lumps now and starting either Collins, Cleveland or Samia to find out what they can do? We know what the answer will be with Dozier: he isn't good enough. How much worse could the younger players be?
The problem on the OL is that this also hinders development of Bradbury. When one or both of his OGs are getting beat every passing play, it has to make it hard for him to learn how to be a good C.
Anyway, what do you think has really happened with MIA Samia? Given the lack of proven interior OL talent on our roster, the fact that Samia is buried on the depth chart makes me wonder if he is a bust...
On defense, the interesting thing will be that Zimmer will have to snap out of this mode with the CBs. He has no choice but to play rookies/young players with little experience. I am optimistic it will go better than he is expecting, but this will definitely require the best coaching job in his career for Zim.
I get what you're saying about sticking with those OL but it's not like they have had many better choices. Compton was the backup that year and I don't recall any young player behind him even being NFL-caliber. I think this issue lands more on the side of the front office failing to hit on guys they've taken as projects like Danny Isidora/TJ Clemmings/Willie Beavers/Colby Gossett etc.
Samia is with the 2nd team, so he's the backup right guard. In my mind that means if the Elflein experiment at RG fails, we'll see Samia get a chance
Coller - I was listening to a Rotoworld fantasy podcast this morning (taped yesterday) and they are still pushing the notion that Dalvin is getting extremely limited reps due to the contract negotiations. Is that accurate? I thought Dalvin was back to getting the majority of the first team reps?
He isn't taking every rep by any means but I would not put it under "extremely limited" ..he's taking part with the 1st team on pretty much every situational part of practice just not every snap. I know people are talking about the "hold in" but I haven't felt like that's what this is
After seeing his career rushing stats, I can see why 200 yards is very unlikely. With him wanting to put more emphasis on his legs, I wondered if he's going to stay around the same level, or slightly above.
I think there will be a handful of times where he makes a conscious effort to identify the situation and coverage and runs... it's hard to see it being anything more than that. But 5-10 extra first downs makes a difference if he can do ti
The one obvious guy to sign to a contract extension that you missed is Ant Harris. I would really like to be surprised and hear that he's signed a new deal sometime soon.
Yea I'm not sure on that one. The fact that they tried to trade him makes me a little skeptical that they'll sign him to a big extension but he's deserving
I wonder if Cook’s relatively young agent is trying to use Dalvin’s negotiations to build his reputation and grow his business.
I don't know if I'd make that assumption yet... it's not the first negotiation that has gone back and forth with the Vikings. We'll see how it plays out