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The first word on Brian Flores' new Vikings defense: 'Intense'
Since being introduced in February, Flores has consistently preached an aggressive approach to describe the direction he is moving last year's 31st-ranked defense.
Running back Alexander Mattison chose a different word after two organized team activity sessions in Eagan this past week.
"It's intense," he said. "Mentally from the backfield looking at that defensive front, those [line]backers and how they're moving around. The way they're lining up out of the gate is very intense. … I mean, I love to see it. For other teams, it's going to be a problem."
Flores and defensive coaches are currently laying the groundwork for reprogramming a Vikings defense often criticized last year for being too passive under former coordinator Ed Donatell.
Changes range from small details — how players take their first steps and where they place their hands and eyes after the snap — to major schematics and an overall attitude adjustment.
"[We] are installing an aggressive style," Flores said. "Building an identity is a big part of playing defense in this league. It's early, but that's a part of it, too. … That happens over time. Every time you step on the practice field, what is our identity? What are people going to say about us? Not that we're worried about that, but what do we want it to look like?"
"They understand my nature of wanting to be aggressive, but not reckless," he added.
Defensive changes were apparent during the first OTA session open to reporters Tuesday. Gone were last year's off coverages and indiscernible movement. During practice, linebackers and defensive backs roamed to different spots depending on the play call. Personnel groupings included three-corner and three-safety sets. Receiver K.J. Osborn called the coverages "exotic."
While young players are being taught multiple spots, Vikings coaches internally discuss how to structure reps to build confidence, according to Flores.
"Let's learn this one thing," Flores said. "Let's get good at this, let's get comfortable. Let's get confident in this one spot. … You can cloud their minds pretty quickly."
Growth can also happen quickly as Flores learns more about a Vikings depth chart in which nearly half of defenders — 21 of 45 — are first- or second-year players.
"[Rookies] don't know what 494 is, or 35W," Flores said. "They're trying to get acclimated and figure things out. There's a lot of development there and they can develop quickly because they don't know as much. .. [We're] finding out the things they do well, what buttons to push, what buttons not to push."
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-vikings-brian-flores-defense-overhaul/600278303/
The week 3 Lions game was on yesterday. There were soooo many times the D just looked lost. Peterson basically threw his arms up one time. The other thing that really stood out was just how over matched Harrison Phillips was. He was constantly getting pushed 3-4 yards back.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
The first word on Brian Flores' new Vikings defense: 'Intense'
Since being introduced in February, Flores has consistently preached an aggressive approach to describe the direction he is moving last year's 31st-ranked defense.
Running back Alexander Mattison chose a different word after two organized team activity sessions in Eagan this past week.
"It's intense," he said. "Mentally from the backfield looking at that defensive front, those [line]backers and how they're moving around. The way they're lining up out of the gate is very intense. … I mean, I love to see it. For other teams, it's going to be a problem."
Flores and defensive coaches are currently laying the groundwork for reprogramming a Vikings defense often criticized last year for being too passive under former coordinator Ed Donatell.
Changes range from small details — how players take their first steps and where they place their hands and eyes after the snap — to major schematics and an overall attitude adjustment.
"[We] are installing an aggressive style," Flores said. "Building an identity is a big part of playing defense in this league. It's early, but that's a part of it, too. … That happens over time. Every time you step on the practice field, what is our identity? What are people going to say about us? Not that we're worried about that, but what do we want it to look like?"
"They understand my nature of wanting to be aggressive, but not reckless," he added.
Defensive changes were apparent during the first OTA session open to reporters Tuesday. Gone were last year's off coverages and indiscernible movement. During practice, linebackers and defensive backs roamed to different spots depending on the play call. Personnel groupings included three-corner and three-safety sets. Receiver K.J. Osborn called the coverages "exotic."
While young players are being taught multiple spots, Vikings coaches internally discuss how to structure reps to build confidence, according to Flores.
"Let's learn this one thing," Flores said. "Let's get good at this, let's get comfortable. Let's get confident in this one spot. … You can cloud their minds pretty quickly."
Growth can also happen quickly as Flores learns more about a Vikings depth chart in which nearly half of defenders — 21 of 45 — are first- or second-year players.
"[Rookies] don't know what 494 is, or 35W," Flores said. "They're trying to get acclimated and figure things out. There's a lot of development there and they can develop quickly because they don't know as much. .. [We're] finding out the things they do well, what buttons to push, what buttons not to push."
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-vikings-brian-flores-defense-overhaul/600278303/
Before it dawned on me, I sat wondering what defensive play or stunt would be called 494 or 35W.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores claims he’s still in the early stages of the installation process. He’s teaching some of the basic principles and laying the groundwork for a defense that is to be respected leaguewide.
That’s a big reason the Vikings hired Flores this offseason. The 42-year-old former Miami Dolphins head coach brings an aggressive style that has the potential to transform the defense into a powerhouse. His presence is already being felt a week into organized team activities at TCO Performance Center.
“There’s a lot of movement from the front,” Osborn said. “We would need a full-week game plan to do all the stuff that they’re doing.”
As much as the different looks from the defense will challenge the offense on a daily basis, that’s simply a byproduct of the ultimate goal, which is to make life miserable on opposing teams.
That might explain why the defense has been so aggressive going up against the offense. They are in the process of building an identity. That’s something that can’t be done at half speed.
“If we want to be a championship team, we have to practice like a championship team,” second-year safety Lewis Cine said. “To make it work, it takes buy in. We’ve got to pour everything we have into it. The fact that we’re starting early being aggressive will make it way easier.”
Though many of the conversations being had right now start and stop with Flores, he went out of his way earlier this week to mention other members of the coaching staff.
As far as Flores is concerned, everyone, including defensive line coach Chris Rumph, inside linebackers coach Mike Siravo, outside linebackers coach Mike Smith and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, among a handful of others, have a voice in helping establish what things are going to look like moving forward.
“It’s been collaborative in a lot of ways,” Flores said. “I think they understand my nature as far as wanting to be aggressive but not reckless.”
That will come into focus throughout the preseason. In the meantime, Flores wants to keep stringing days together, learning more and more about his players, while trying to figure out what they do best.
“It’s hard to do that in this setting because so much of the game is physical,” Flores said. “We’re kind of forecasting based on what we’ve seen. That’s part of it too. We have to forecast. The final decisions of what we’re going to be are going to be made down the road.
” https://www.twincities.com/2023/05/27/under-new-coordinator-brian-flores-what-will-vikings-defense-look-like/
Quote: @RS Express said:
Yeah, I think this defense will improve this year. Hard not to. It will likely be filled with big plays both good and bad as a really young defense comes to terms with Flo's defense. So I think it will be '24 before we actually see what Flores intends.
Question is, do we still have him in '24? That's my concern. If he improve our defense from bottom tier to middle tier, he's probably going to get some HC attention.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ RS Express said:
Yeah, I think this defense will improve this year. Hard not to. It will likely be filled with big plays both good and bad as a really young defense comes to terms with Flo's defense. So I think it will be '24 before we actually see what Flores intends.
Question is, do we still have him in '24? That's my concern. If he improve our defense from bottom tier to middle tier, he's probably going to get some HC attention.
didnt he have that this year already?
HC has to be his ultimate goal, I wonder if the teams with vacancies this year had no interest in him or there was a mutual no interest on his part in them too.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ RS Express said:
Yeah, I think this defense will improve this year. Hard not to. It will likely be filled with big plays both good and bad as a really young defense comes to terms with Flo's defense. So I think it will be '24 before we actually see what Flores intends.
Question is, do we still have him in '24? That's my concern. If he improve our defense from bottom tier to middle tier, he's probably going to get some HC attention.
didnt he have that this year already?
HC has to be his ultimate goal, I wonder if the teams with vacancies this year had no interest in him or there was a mutual no interest on his part in them too.
He interviewed with the Broncos and Browns for their DC position, and then had two interviews with the Cardinals for their HC job. If I remember right it was while that 2nd interview was pending he chose to join the Vikings.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ purplefaithful said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ RS Express said:
Yeah, I think this defense will improve this year. Hard not to. It will likely be filled with big plays both good and bad as a really young defense comes to terms with Flo's defense. So I think it will be '24 before we actually see what Flores intends.
Question is, do we still have him in '24? That's my concern. If he improve our defense from bottom tier to middle tier, he's probably going to get some HC attention.
didnt he have that this year already?
HC has to be his ultimate goal, I wonder if the teams with vacancies this year had no interest in him or there was a mutual no interest on his part in them too.
He interviewed with the Broncos and Browns for their DC position, and then had two interviews with the Cardinals for their HC job. If I remember right it was while that 2nd interview was pending he chose to join the Vikings.
Yup, I think you're right...
ITs the Kyler Murray effect.
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