12-19-2019, 05:07 PM
Aside from serious struggles in Week 4 and a hiccup against the Chiefs on the road, the O-line has largely been what the Vikings hoped for when they made significant changes in drafting center Garrett Bradbury with their first-round pick, moving their center Pat Elflein to guard and signing a veteran in Josh Kline.
“The most important thing is gaining familiarity with not only the scheme but one another up front, I think that’s where it starts,” said Brandon Thorn of the Trench Warfare podcast. “With a new system in place and a couple new starters, typically those things take some time and it did for this unit. It was fair to expect some sort of improvement as the year went on. I also think the schedule has gotten a little bit lighter as the year has gone on.”
The quality of competition has certainly been a difference maker because few teams sport the talent up front of the Packers. Za’Darius Smith and Kenny Clark each rank No. 2 at their respective positions in QB pressures. Preston Smith isn’t far behind ranking 21st among edge rushers.
The only other top-20 interior rushers they have faced were Fletcher Cox, who the Vikings largely slowed down and Kansas City’s Chris Jones, who wrecked their gameplan from the outset.
Of the top 20 in pressures among edge rushers, Khalil Mack sacked Cousins twice and pressured him seven total times, Von Miller had a sack, Joey Bosa had three pressures, Philly’s Brandon Graham had three pressures and a sack.
“Green Bay coming to Minnesota, that’s going to be the best interior defensive linemen in Kenny Clark that they have seen since the Kansas City game and the best defensive line as a whole as well,” Thorn said.
How much better has the O-line been since the dreadful day at Lambeau? Have a look at PFF’s pass blocking grades and pressures allowed…
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019...rs-d-line/
“The most important thing is gaining familiarity with not only the scheme but one another up front, I think that’s where it starts,” said Brandon Thorn of the Trench Warfare podcast. “With a new system in place and a couple new starters, typically those things take some time and it did for this unit. It was fair to expect some sort of improvement as the year went on. I also think the schedule has gotten a little bit lighter as the year has gone on.”
The quality of competition has certainly been a difference maker because few teams sport the talent up front of the Packers. Za’Darius Smith and Kenny Clark each rank No. 2 at their respective positions in QB pressures. Preston Smith isn’t far behind ranking 21st among edge rushers.
The only other top-20 interior rushers they have faced were Fletcher Cox, who the Vikings largely slowed down and Kansas City’s Chris Jones, who wrecked their gameplan from the outset.
Of the top 20 in pressures among edge rushers, Khalil Mack sacked Cousins twice and pressured him seven total times, Von Miller had a sack, Joey Bosa had three pressures, Philly’s Brandon Graham had three pressures and a sack.
“Green Bay coming to Minnesota, that’s going to be the best interior defensive linemen in Kenny Clark that they have seen since the Kansas City game and the best defensive line as a whole as well,” Thorn said.
How much better has the O-line been since the dreadful day at Lambeau? Have a look at PFF’s pass blocking grades and pressures allowed…
https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019...rs-d-line/
