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Stephens it is...
#1


Shamar Stephen is called the “Big Fundamental” by his Vikings position coach, co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson, which is a nod to former San Antonio Spurs superstar Tim Duncan and Stephen’s quiet proficiency at defensive tackle.
So, there is little surprise about how the Vikings’ plans have unfolded to replace nose tackle Michael Pierce, the prized free-agent signing who opted out of the season because of COVID-19 concerns. Stephen has been moved to nose tackle, and Jaleel Johnson is expected to replace him at defensive tackle.
Stephen, a 2014 seventh-round pick, moves back to where he started his NFL career, and where holding up multiple 300-pound offensive linemen can be a thankless job.
“If my job is to hold up a block or choke off a block, that’s what I’m gonna do,” Stephen said. “You see the snapper doesn’t get any credit, but he’s the most important thing for the ball to get kicked, right?”
To keep the field clear in front of All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks, head coach Mike Zimmer chose the line’s most experienced player in Stephen, who is tied with defensive end Danielle Hunter for most years in the system.
Stephen was re-signed in 2019 to play defensive tackle next to Linval Joseph, but replacing Joseph is a better fit, according to Zimmer. The Vikings originally drafted Stephen to compete as Joseph’s backup.
“Shamar has basically been a nose tackle most of his career,” Zimmer said. “That will be a better position for him, anyway.”
Replacing Joseph, a two-time Pro Bowl player who left for the Chargers in free agency, is easier said than done. Nose tackle is high on the priority list for Zimmer, who made Joseph the Vikings’ first big addition upon being named head coach in 2014 and, to replace Joseph, signed Pierce to a big deal.
Stephen may not be in the spotlight often, but he’s a figurative and literal center of the defense.
“We’re at the start of the ball. So, if anything happens to the nose, it’s down the middle of the field to the end zone,” Stephen said. “We all play a piece in the puzzle, and if we all do our job, we’ll be able to have a great defense this year.”
Stephen, in his seventh season, is also the elder statesman of Vikings defensive tackles. The rest have a combined five NFL starts, including four from presumptive starter Johnson. One of Johnson’s starts — a Nov. 10 victory at Dallas — gives coaches confidence after a Joseph-less defense surrendered just 2.4 yards per carry on Ezekiel Elliott’s 20 runs.
“We played that game with Shamar Stephen and Armon Watts and Jaleel Johnson,” Patterson said. “They played great that night. We have great competition in that room at that position, and I think we’re going to be just fine.”
While other NFL defensive systems may turn loose defensive tackles to blow up plays in the backfield, the Vikings ask both defensive tackles — especially the nose — to clog the line and prevent offensive linemen from blocking linebackers. Not coincidentally, Stephen’s most frequent penalty is defensive holding.

But Stephen won’t necessarily be noticed if he is doing his job properly this season.
“Their number one job in their life is to not let anybody touch Eric,” Patterson said. “People write stuff about Shamar Stephen, and I get it because everybody just looks at stats. But if you watch film and you ask Eric Kendricks if he had to pick anybody to go to the game with that he’d make sure that guy was there, I guarantee he’d tell you it’s 93.”
https://www.startribune.com/stephen-beco...572133622/

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#2
This is a good example of why it's more important to pay attention to what the coaches say about guys than what media members conjure up with their own "analysis".
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#3
Yet this was a guy the Vikings let walk and he went to Seattle.....where he was cut and came back. Color me not impressed. Pierce's absence isn't going to be replaced with Stephen. 
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#4
Quote: @StickyBun said:
Yet this was a guy the Vikings let walk and he went to Seattle.....where he was cut and came back. Color me not impressed. Pierce's absence isn't going to be replaced with Stephen. 
unless he used his covid time to add a lot of strength and lower his pads,  IIRC he is a good quick step penetrator,  with a little technique to his game,  but he isnt an anchor and is easily unrooted in run stufffing.
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#5
Well, he might be small but he's slow. Seriously, if we don't have to worry about him playing 3T (and not getting penetration), then this could be a good thing. 
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#6
Move Elflein to DT as he obviously knows how to beat Guards at the line of scrimmage. I kid, I kid
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#7
Quote: @StickyBun said:
Yet this was a guy the Vikings let walk and he went to Seattle.....where he was cut and came back. Color me not impressed. Pierce's absence isn't going to be replaced with Stephen. 
He actually signed a 1-year deal with the Seahawks and then came back to the Vikings.
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#8
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
Well, he might be small but he's slow. Seriously, if we don't have to worry about him playing 3T (and not getting penetration), then this could be a good thing. 
He was miscast as a 3T, he's a nose tackle with a little pass rush ability.  That's how we used him when Linval was here (backup NT), he was forced into playing a different position when none of the young guys could step up after Sheldon left.
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#9
Quote: @Wetlander said:
@MaroonBells said:
Well, he might be small but he's slow. Seriously, if we don't have to worry about him playing 3T (and not getting penetration), then this could be a good thing. 
He was miscast as a 3T, he's a nose tackle with a little pass rush ability.  That's how we used him when Linval was here (backup NT), he was forced into playing a different position when none of the young guys could step up after Sheldon left.
I actually think Stephens has always fit best at NT, and also wasn't convinced Pierce would be a return to "Linvalle in his prime". Let's worry about 3T, a gap since Kevin Williams was in his prime.
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#10
Have the coaches commented on the DL much so far? I know they've really discussed the young secondary and then why Danielle isn't practicing much. Just curious as I may have missed reading things
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