First and foremost, shoutout to you Coller for awesome coverage all year. There’s no one who does this better!
For me, it’s an easy decision, pending ONE critical piece and that’s JJ’s health. If he’s ready to go, I’m turning it over to him. It’s time for us to get the ball rolling on the rookie qb contract. This also allows for us to build up an interior oline, add pieces in the secondary, and potentially add a piece or two on the dline. This is what gives me optimism going forward. We haven’t been in a spot like this in a long time, where it feels like they can continue to build a strong roster and sustain success. They aren’t winning 14 games again, but I do think they can be quite competitive in year 1 with JJ. SKOL!
Well said. I wrote my comment focusing on Sam, but I'm with you on being high on where this team can go in the next few years--basically follow the path you thought you were on already before this team blew up to 14 wins, use the large cap you finally have to strengthen the roster, and unless McCarthy had some kind of Sharrif Floyd type operation, go to town with a QB everyone said was making massive strides until he got hurt.
I'll say my appreciation of Darnold grew as the season went on. I didn't think he would be bad like many, but I also didn't think he'd perform as well as he did (through the first 16 games). His ups far outnumbered his downs for most of the season. So again, I appreciate what he did. But I also recognize he failed terribly when it mattered the most. He had a good grade going throughout the semester then absolutely bombed the finals. Yes, KOC can do more with his playcalling and the O-line can be better, but ultimately both these games were undone by the QB. I don't know how they can buy into another year of Sam after these last two games. I don't.
1. Again.. Why not a bunch of quick slant plays? That would then set up the bombs
2. No offense against Darnold (he got hit infinite times and had scrambled brains) but he seems a different flavor of Kirk. Good to very good qb but not elite and will need to get paid (though less than we had assumed after the last 2 games)... Seems to me the obvious move is tag and trade - get some draft capital (hey, we need it!). We have lots of holes. Money can fill those holes.
3. KOC stays but might want to consider how to adjust better. That was fugly... Very Fugly.
Can not really blame the defense. After the first drive they generally turned things around....
The Manningcast was calling out KoC for the long drop backs and lack of quick outlets. They were asking where the 3 step drops were and the quick easy passes. Darnold has to hit the quick easy when they are there, but it is very concerning that having them called earlier in the game is an issue. Quick easy passes with 3 step drops don't really seem to be a thing in KoC's offense, but were the obvious answer to use early in the game after the Lions showed how to beat us. The quick passing game, screen design and not sticking to the running game when it does work is what's holding KOC back from being one of the top 5 play callers.
I was at the game, and I would put 75% of the loss on KOC. It seemed as though nothing was learned from the Lions game, and it was clear from the beginning that the oline could not block the Rams dline. I'd need to watch the tape, but it seemed to me that Darnold was hitting the turf about the time when JJ was busting open on KOC's marathon-length routes. The Rams put on a masterclass of short, quick passing that was absolutely missing from the Vikings playbook. The only quick hitters the Vikings wanted to throw was the outside stuff that kept getting blown up. Where were the slants and quick stuff over the middle? A growing concern I have with KOC is his seeming inability to change things up during the game and adapt. KOC should have started the game with quick passes to get Darnold in a rhythm and rebuilt his confidence. Instead, it was like a Lions repeat. I like KOC and think he's a great playcaller and head coach, but maybe he can't do both at the same time and is spread too thin during the game to make adjustments. Something needs to change with that. He's too good of a motivator to just be an OC, so I think he needs to find a playcaller he trusts to be the OC.
Also, why in the heck didn't Flores shift to man more and quicker when Stafford made it clear he was going to pick the zone apart?
Finally, great coverage all year Coller, as always. I still don't understand what ESPN was thinking letting you go.
My question for you on mail bag Friday was what would your priorities be if you were GM in the offseason. If I was the GM I would be concerned about the play of the offensive line and I do realize they are missing a big piece. Yes Sam Darnold needs to get the ball out of his hands quicker. I didn’t watch the entire game last night, it wasn’t enjoyable. The quarterback was running for his life and I didn’t see a lot of blitzing, the playoffs require teams to find an extra gear and the Vikings were running a worn out CVT transmission. I had a ton of fun watching them this year, if this team expects anything more than a one and done they are going to have to improve their line play, just my opinion, not an expert.
With you on the interior O-line, even though for much of the year they were a good deal better than previous years. For all the talent this offense has in the skill positions the line does seem like it holds them back from being a top 5 offense in the league. I mean, I believe that Aaron Jones and Cam Akers could get you first downs in short yardage situations, the RBs weren't the problem. The other 2 units are the secondary and running backs because a) nearly all the starters are free agents, and b) getting a CB or two capable of playing man coverage would unlock a lot for Flores. Murphy was very good and Griffen and Gilmore were perfectly average, but they had to play a predictable zone scheme almost all the time. Last, in the tradition of Keith Millard, John Randle, Kevin Williams and to a lesser extent Tom Johnson and Sheldon Richardson, having a DT that can really disrupt the passing game would be a wonderful thing. Can't have it all, but that's my take (I know you were asking Matthew, but that's my take.)
I could not help to observe how fast Staffoed got rid of the ball when pressured. Borrows also does the same and Mahomes and that magician from the Ravens are unreal escape artists. That, in my opinion, is the elite class of QB's. Darnold is a notch or two below elite, but he is good.
First and foremost, shoutout to you Coller for awesome coverage all year. There’s no one who does this better!
For me, it’s an easy decision, pending ONE critical piece and that’s JJ’s health. If he’s ready to go, I’m turning it over to him. It’s time for us to get the ball rolling on the rookie qb contract. This also allows for us to build up an interior oline, add pieces in the secondary, and potentially add a piece or two on the dline. This is what gives me optimism going forward. We haven’t been in a spot like this in a long time, where it feels like they can continue to build a strong roster and sustain success. They aren’t winning 14 games again, but I do think they can be quite competitive in year 1 with JJ. SKOL!
Well said. I wrote my comment focusing on Sam, but I'm with you on being high on where this team can go in the next few years--basically follow the path you thought you were on already before this team blew up to 14 wins, use the large cap you finally have to strengthen the roster, and unless McCarthy had some kind of Sharrif Floyd type operation, go to town with a QB everyone said was making massive strides until he got hurt.
I'll say my appreciation of Darnold grew as the season went on. I didn't think he would be bad like many, but I also didn't think he'd perform as well as he did (through the first 16 games). His ups far outnumbered his downs for most of the season. So again, I appreciate what he did. But I also recognize he failed terribly when it mattered the most. He had a good grade going throughout the semester then absolutely bombed the finals. Yes, KOC can do more with his playcalling and the O-line can be better, but ultimately both these games were undone by the QB. I don't know how they can buy into another year of Sam after these last two games. I don't.
1. Again.. Why not a bunch of quick slant plays? That would then set up the bombs
2. No offense against Darnold (he got hit infinite times and had scrambled brains) but he seems a different flavor of Kirk. Good to very good qb but not elite and will need to get paid (though less than we had assumed after the last 2 games)... Seems to me the obvious move is tag and trade - get some draft capital (hey, we need it!). We have lots of holes. Money can fill those holes.
3. KOC stays but might want to consider how to adjust better. That was fugly... Very Fugly.
Can not really blame the defense. After the first drive they generally turned things around....
The Manningcast was calling out KoC for the long drop backs and lack of quick outlets. They were asking where the 3 step drops were and the quick easy passes. Darnold has to hit the quick easy when they are there, but it is very concerning that having them called earlier in the game is an issue. Quick easy passes with 3 step drops don't really seem to be a thing in KoC's offense, but were the obvious answer to use early in the game after the Lions showed how to beat us. The quick passing game, screen design and not sticking to the running game when it does work is what's holding KOC back from being one of the top 5 play callers.
Not going to argue with you... KOC looked as shell shocked as Darnold.
I was at the game, and I would put 75% of the loss on KOC. It seemed as though nothing was learned from the Lions game, and it was clear from the beginning that the oline could not block the Rams dline. I'd need to watch the tape, but it seemed to me that Darnold was hitting the turf about the time when JJ was busting open on KOC's marathon-length routes. The Rams put on a masterclass of short, quick passing that was absolutely missing from the Vikings playbook. The only quick hitters the Vikings wanted to throw was the outside stuff that kept getting blown up. Where were the slants and quick stuff over the middle? A growing concern I have with KOC is his seeming inability to change things up during the game and adapt. KOC should have started the game with quick passes to get Darnold in a rhythm and rebuilt his confidence. Instead, it was like a Lions repeat. I like KOC and think he's a great playcaller and head coach, but maybe he can't do both at the same time and is spread too thin during the game to make adjustments. Something needs to change with that. He's too good of a motivator to just be an OC, so I think he needs to find a playcaller he trusts to be the OC.
Also, why in the heck didn't Flores shift to man more and quicker when Stafford made it clear he was going to pick the zone apart?
Finally, great coverage all year Coller, as always. I still don't understand what ESPN was thinking letting you go.
My question for you on mail bag Friday was what would your priorities be if you were GM in the offseason. If I was the GM I would be concerned about the play of the offensive line and I do realize they are missing a big piece. Yes Sam Darnold needs to get the ball out of his hands quicker. I didn’t watch the entire game last night, it wasn’t enjoyable. The quarterback was running for his life and I didn’t see a lot of blitzing, the playoffs require teams to find an extra gear and the Vikings were running a worn out CVT transmission. I had a ton of fun watching them this year, if this team expects anything more than a one and done they are going to have to improve their line play, just my opinion, not an expert.
With you on the interior O-line, even though for much of the year they were a good deal better than previous years. For all the talent this offense has in the skill positions the line does seem like it holds them back from being a top 5 offense in the league. I mean, I believe that Aaron Jones and Cam Akers could get you first downs in short yardage situations, the RBs weren't the problem. The other 2 units are the secondary and running backs because a) nearly all the starters are free agents, and b) getting a CB or two capable of playing man coverage would unlock a lot for Flores. Murphy was very good and Griffen and Gilmore were perfectly average, but they had to play a predictable zone scheme almost all the time. Last, in the tradition of Keith Millard, John Randle, Kevin Williams and to a lesser extent Tom Johnson and Sheldon Richardson, having a DT that can really disrupt the passing game would be a wonderful thing. Can't have it all, but that's my take (I know you were asking Matthew, but that's my take.)
I could not help to observe how fast Staffoed got rid of the ball when pressured. Borrows also does the same and Mahomes and that magician from the Ravens are unreal escape artists. That, in my opinion, is the elite class of QB's. Darnold is a notch or two below elite, but he is good.
Thank you for your coverage all year. I have really enjoyed it. Onward to the next year. 50+ years of saying that is really getting old lol.