By Matthew Coller
On Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings continued preparation for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. We heard from coordinators and the starting QB. Let’s dive into what they had to say…
Flores on Harry’s return
Nobody in the building should be happier about Harrison Smith’s return than Brian Flores. Not only have Smith and Flores been able to create a dynamic defense together over the last three years together but the safety position was also the one with the biggest question marks on the defensive side of the ball heading into the season.
“He’s everything that embodies a Viking,” Flores said. “His leadership, his acumen and just his presence in the locker room, in the meeting rooms. I was very excited, as was the entire team and the entire organization and fan base. So just getting him back, working him into some of the different groupings, and we’ll see how that goes on Sunday.”
The question is how the Vikings are going to work the rotation in the early part of the season as Smith ramps up. Will they continue to have Josh Metellus in a deeper safety role or move him back up to the line of scrimmage? They used Jay Ward in the big nickel spot throughout camp with seemingly good results so it would be surprising if they majorly overhauled things with Smith returning.
Flores on adding Van Noy and Ward
Depth at the defensive tackle spot was a major concern throughout the summer but the Vikings added two outside linebackers in the days leading up to the season in Kyle Van Noy and Jihad Ward.
Flores talked about when they could get on the field.
“Not having been in training camp, I’m not saying it means they can’t play but just getting them back into shape but there is a mental and a physical aspect to it,” Flores said. “Learning the verbiage and terminology communicating with their teammates while also working the fundamentals and the techniques that we want them to to have. Thankfully both guys kind of know what we’re looking for, whether it’s setting edges or playing a double team or dropping coverage or whatever we’re asking the guys to do, they have experience in it.”
Both players are on the practice squad so it will be interesting to see whether they get elevated this weekend against the Packers. From Flores’ comments, it seems like that might take a few weeks.
Flores has a role for Caleb Banks (and other rookies)
One thing we’ll be watching for when the Vikings face the Packers is how often first-round pick Caleb Banks is on the field. Based on his preseason performance, the rookie didn’t quite look like he was ready to take on a high snap count right away. But the Vikings’ D-line is also in experienced so they will need to rotate.
Flores was asked about whether he has plans to carve out a role for Banks on Sunday.
“Yeah, I do,” he said. “I think he’s had a good training camp. I think he’s continually gotten better day by day, meeting by meeting. walk-through by walk-through, practice by practice. I think he’s doing a nice job, and I think we’ll have a role in some capacity for him and several of the rookies and try to get their feet wet a little bit.”
Flores offering up that the other rookies could get in the game is interesting. The player with the best chance to see the field in a situational role is Domonique Orange. While the Vikings are going to use Levi Drake Rodriguez as the starter on the inside, Orange should mix and match depending on the down/disstance etc. The only other NT on the roster is veteran Naquan Jones, who is on the practice squad.
Linebacker Jake Golday worked inside and outside during training camp, giving him a chance to potentially see the field. Rookies Jakobe Thomas and Charles Demmings are less likely to see significant action but they could be special teams role players who are available if needed.
“I tell them all the time, we’re going to play the hot player… if any one of them goes in there and makes a play, they’re going to stay in there, as they should,” Flores said. “I’m excited to see them all kind of get out there in their first regular season game. I try to tell them…you’re never going to experience something like this. The game is faster. It’s more physical. It’s violent. All the things we love about the game.”
Jordan Love vs. the blitz
Last year Jordan Love graded second by PFF vs. the blitz in the NFL, completing 62.5% of passes for 8.1 yards per attempt, 12 touchdowns to just three interceptions and a 105.1 rating. PFF only had him with five Turnover-Worthy plays last season on 162 attempts when blitzed.
Flores has been very impressed with what he’s seen from Love.
“He’s just grown and grown,” Flores said. “His command of the offense, whether it’s cadence, whether it’s on the ball, no huddle, he’s got total command and understanding of what they’re trying to do. He’s got a great coach, and they work extremely well together, great rapport with his receivers. He’s always been super talented, just a naturally gifted thrower of the ball, accurate thrower of the ball and it’s actually been fun to watch him grow. So big, big challenge for us.”
Flores explained the ways specifically that he’s seen Love deal with blitzes.
“He’s able to go through his reads, go through his progression, and get the ball where it needs to be,” he said. “He knows what protection he’s in. You can pressure him from this way and he may move the protection….It really makes you play somewhat honest defensively. I think that’s part of the reason why he’s grown so much, and he’s done a great job from that standpoint.”
Does Love’s capability to deal with extra rushers change Flores’ approach? That’s not likely. When the two faced off in Week 17 2024, Flores blitzed him on 74.3% of drop-backs, according to PFF.