One thing that I haven't seen mentioned out there is this. They had a chance to win and they went for it. The line blocked well and they got one of the best FullBacks in the world on a one on one with Seattle's third (fourth?) best linebacker. I believe Ham makes that block 9/10 times. Mattison made the right call by following the lead blocker. If you can backup in hindsight, I'd run the play the same way again, and I bet they get the line to gain.
I think you just have to give props for the run stopping depth linebacker (Ben Gedeon?) making a key play.
Can we build steam on a "Kirk would be smart to take a pay cut" narrative? He performs dramatically better when he has good protection, so why not say "hey Rick, take $5-10M from my base and upgrade our pass blocking?" Then (maybe) this team could make a run in 21/22 as young pieces develop, & he can enjoy some sustained success, stick around for the next 5+ years, or maybe turn strong 21/22 seasons in to a big deal elsewhere.
His alternatives feel like bigger gambles: betting that our OL will play better next year without a big FA addition... that the Vikings will be content with his performance and willing to work around his contract in 22... that he'll be able to find another big deal elsewhere if the Vikings decide it's better to cut bait after 21 and take the cap hit while they re-build (even though the league is moving more and more towards mobile passers)... that if he does sign with another team, they'll be able to provide good enough protection/weapons for that deal to be more than a one-&-done... none of that sounds too appealing, though maybe we'll see a "Jimmy G is out, time for a Kirk & Kyle to re-marry" plot line develop.
Or maybe if we run a few more QB keepers, Kirk will discover that he has Forrest Gump legs!
Anyways, would be cool to see you explore the long term QB options further.
The only problem is that Rick, Kubiak and Zimmer only seem to value run blocking in their o-linemen. Otherwise, they'd have a center who is good at something other than run blocking and Jones (who is actually good at pass blocking) would be playing instead of Samia.
Not defending Kirk, but when people talk about him not leading 4th quarter comebacks, remember that if the running game gets one yard or if the defense can prevent a 95 yard 2-minute drive, this is a 4th quarter comeback.
Yeah, but it'd be sort of like the reliever blowing the save and getting the win. Kirk, with his fumble and terrible interception, made a huge contribution to the Seahawks' lead.
Absolutely hit the nail on the head like Bud Grant used to say if you can make a yard in that situation you don't deserve to win the game he did exactly the same thing many times.
I have no problem with Zim going for it. They were really running the ball well and when you are going as well as they were with a running game you give your guys a chance to put the game away with a half yard. I had a college coach say to my team, "if you can't make a half yard, you don't deserve to win the game." I also like that making that call shows your players you trust them and believe in them.
And all of this is said without mention of the Vikings' terrible history of kicks against the Seahawks.
Besides, playing well enough to win but at the same time putting yourself in better position to draft a first round QB is exactly what I want out of this team this year.
Yes! it’s time to bench samia. if rick dennison disagrees, fire him. if kubiak disagrees, fire him too. the vikings would be 3-2 with a serviceable RG. enough trying to pretend he’s not a major problem. admitting mistakes is a sign of strength.
Yes Jones is an upgrade, but being pretty much out of the hunt this year & knowing what Jones already is, I’d rather see if Collins has anything to show.
Or see if RT Oli Udoh can slip inside and play RG. I'm sure he'd make a number of mistakes until he gets reps under his belt, but can't be worse than Samia. And, at 6'6" and 324 lbs, he isn't likely to get bull rushed 8 yards into the backfield on every passing play.
One thing that I haven't seen mentioned out there is this. They had a chance to win and they went for it. The line blocked well and they got one of the best FullBacks in the world on a one on one with Seattle's third (fourth?) best linebacker. I believe Ham makes that block 9/10 times. Mattison made the right call by following the lead blocker. If you can backup in hindsight, I'd run the play the same way again, and I bet they get the line to gain.
I think you just have to give props for the run stopping depth linebacker (Ben Gedeon?) making a key play.
Can we build steam on a "Kirk would be smart to take a pay cut" narrative? He performs dramatically better when he has good protection, so why not say "hey Rick, take $5-10M from my base and upgrade our pass blocking?" Then (maybe) this team could make a run in 21/22 as young pieces develop, & he can enjoy some sustained success, stick around for the next 5+ years, or maybe turn strong 21/22 seasons in to a big deal elsewhere.
His alternatives feel like bigger gambles: betting that our OL will play better next year without a big FA addition... that the Vikings will be content with his performance and willing to work around his contract in 22... that he'll be able to find another big deal elsewhere if the Vikings decide it's better to cut bait after 21 and take the cap hit while they re-build (even though the league is moving more and more towards mobile passers)... that if he does sign with another team, they'll be able to provide good enough protection/weapons for that deal to be more than a one-&-done... none of that sounds too appealing, though maybe we'll see a "Jimmy G is out, time for a Kirk & Kyle to re-marry" plot line develop.
Or maybe if we run a few more QB keepers, Kirk will discover that he has Forrest Gump legs!
Anyways, would be cool to see you explore the long term QB options further.
The only problem is that Rick, Kubiak and Zimmer only seem to value run blocking in their o-linemen. Otherwise, they'd have a center who is good at something other than run blocking and Jones (who is actually good at pass blocking) would be playing instead of Samia.
Not defending Kirk, but when people talk about him not leading 4th quarter comebacks, remember that if the running game gets one yard or if the defense can prevent a 95 yard 2-minute drive, this is a 4th quarter comeback.
Yeah, but it'd be sort of like the reliever blowing the save and getting the win. Kirk, with his fumble and terrible interception, made a huge contribution to the Seahawks' lead.
Absolutely hit the nail on the head like Bud Grant used to say if you can make a yard in that situation you don't deserve to win the game he did exactly the same thing many times.
1000% correct decision to go for it. Play call was even correct, execution just wasn’t there.
I have no problem with Zim going for it. They were really running the ball well and when you are going as well as they were with a running game you give your guys a chance to put the game away with a half yard. I had a college coach say to my team, "if you can't make a half yard, you don't deserve to win the game." I also like that making that call shows your players you trust them and believe in them.
And all of this is said without mention of the Vikings' terrible history of kicks against the Seahawks.
Besides, playing well enough to win but at the same time putting yourself in better position to draft a first round QB is exactly what I want out of this team this year.
Just how is dru samia still playing. There is no possible way he is better than Brett Jones.
Yes! it’s time to bench samia. if rick dennison disagrees, fire him. if kubiak disagrees, fire him too. the vikings would be 3-2 with a serviceable RG. enough trying to pretend he’s not a major problem. admitting mistakes is a sign of strength.
Yes Jones is an upgrade, but being pretty much out of the hunt this year & knowing what Jones already is, I’d rather see if Collins has anything to show.
Or see if RT Oli Udoh can slip inside and play RG. I'm sure he'd make a number of mistakes until he gets reps under his belt, but can't be worse than Samia. And, at 6'6" and 324 lbs, he isn't likely to get bull rushed 8 yards into the backfield on every passing play.