Massive Star Tribune Season Preview

[JustinTime18™]

http://www.startribune.com/vikings-seaso...491832031/

[Guest]

"The Vikings placed $84 million worth of pressure on No. 8 Kirk Cousins, and the success or failure of 2018 will be entirely tied to him."

It will? Sigh. Yes, lots of $$$$ invested into the position. Unique opportunity for Minnesota to hopefully upgrade the position without giving up trade compensation. And QB is the most important position in the NFL, no doubt. The team needs him to play well. But the success or failure is 'entirely' tied to him?? Its still a team game in many aspects. 

The bar is raised high in the Twin Cities, as well it should be for the Vikings. But you still need a few good bounces along the way to get to the NFCC game and it all can't be nailed to Cousins' cross. The media certainly loves to build you up with the full intent to later tear you down. Anyway, looking forward to what should be a fun and entertaining season.

[Guest]

I've been cringing since KC was traded the way the local press colors this pressure on him...Yah there is pressure on him in reality, but we all know it's a team game too.

That said, I really do believe KC is the best QB we've had here since Favre. Not that the bar is too high since then. 

The pressure from me a long time fan? Win 1 SB over the next 3-4 seasons. 

[Guest]

Vikings secondary, linebackers have one option — adjust or fall prey again to run-pass option threat

By Andrew Krammer Star TribuneSeptember 1, 2018 — 11:41pm

The NFC Championship Game was tied 7-7 when Eagles quarterback Nick Foles pulled the ball from Jay Ajayi and threw to tight end Zach Ertz, converting a critical third-and-1 play. LeGarrette Blount rumbled in for an 11-yard touchdown on the next play and the rout of the Vikings was on in Philadelphia.
The Vikings’ loaded secondary — and their linebackers — spent this offseason studying run-pass option plays after the Eagles used the concept to perfection en route to a Lombardi Trophy. On that play, the Eagles used their biggest receiver, 6-foot-4 Mack Hollins, to run interference on Vikings safety Harrison Smith, who had been assigned man-to-man coverage on Ertz.
Foles made the right read while Ertz slipped under Hollins’ faux block and ran free for the easy first down.
The Vikings expect to see more run-pass option plays during the 2018 season — so much so they made it a point of emphasis this offseason to study how to defend those plays with the help of offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, who served as Eagles quarterbacks coach last season.
“I think it’s past anticipation,” Smith said. “I think everyone, or a lot of teams, are doing it in the preseason. So, it’s kind of the trend right now. It’s how football goes.”
With DeFilippo at the offense’s controls, the Vikings defense practiced its adjustments during specific run-pass option periods in training camp. Linebacker Anthony Barr said he’s got “a pretty good idea now, having studied it all offseason” of when they’re coming. Defending RPOs is about identifying the offense’s targeted defender — it was Smith in the aforementioned play against the Eagles — and adjusting to provide help.
“It could be anyone on a given play,” Barr said. “It’s all really about formations, understanding formations and where kind of the hole in the defense is when they start attacking you with RPOs and trying to help one another out. That’s a big thing.”

[Guest]

RPO defense, NFC North wins, Health, Winning a couple key road games...So many keys to winning the SB in a very tough league and conference.