A closer look at some of Irv Smith's plays

[El_Padre]

So, like everyone else I've been wondering about Irv Smith.  Is he not getting open? Is Kirk missing him? Etc...  Obviously the below is just a random sampling from the Texan's game, but this has been the case for most of the games so far.

TLDR - Kirk getting through his reads quick, which is mostly due to line play IMO, cuts some big plays short.  That isn't a bash on Kirk, just what ya gonna do if you know you have to get rid of the ball quick?  Yes, this game was better as far as line play goes. Add that with the "trust factor" not being there and I think you have the problem.  Through what I've seen you can't really fault Irv.

Irv goes in motion here.  I'm not really sure why he stuttered to play tag with the linebacker, but this could have been a big play. 



Bottom of the GIF.  This is a missed hold, but he still manages to get open.  Extra frustrating as this play got flagged for illegal hands to the face on O'Neill.


Motion again, and works to the center of the field. Good coverage here.


Top of the GIF, single coverage, no safety over top. Conklin also had a nice route here. 

[Guest]

It's encouraging that he's getting open and appears to be doing the right things. The OL giving Cousins more time feels like a hard ask, but you'd hope that Cousins would start trusting him, especially when Thielen and Jefferson will continue to demand attention from the opposing defense. For better or worse, Cousins seems to zone in on one or two primary targets and doesn't spread the ball around like Bridgewater or even Culpepper did.

[Guest]

Love this stuff, Padre!

[Guest]

So watching those, with the exception of the time he is held, he doesn't look very open.  Not sure as these gifs are the extent of my Viking viewership this year, but he doesn't seem to be running crisp routes here.  The first one was a bizarre play design, why is the WR in that area?  And looking to pick the DB?  Irv wasn't open when Cousins was looking his way.
But I don't see him being open on any of the others.