03-16-2018, 05:49 PM
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/0...n-mathieu/
Whenever general manager Rick Spielman talks about his team’s roster
construction, he’s sure to mention that the Minnesota Vikings have been
built with head coach Mike Zimmer’s vision for each position in mind.
For example, Zimmer wanted a three-technique defensive tackle who was
undersized and quick to be a situational pass rusher. The front office
went out and found Tom Johnson, a former CFL player who had spent some
time with the Saints. The Vikings wanted a more mobile offensive line to
run outside zone scheme for Dalvin Cook, so they let Alex Boone go and
started Nick Easton instead.
There are examples all over the field and the specifications come
down to the letter. What type of size, what type of skill set etc.
Former Arizona Cardinals star Tyrann Mathieu, who was released for cap-related reasons, might fit that look. (There has been one hint of potential interest).
When Zimmer arrived in Minnesota, the Vikings signed Captain
Munnerlyn, a competitive, 5-foot-9 slot corner with strong tackling
ability. In 2016, they drafted 5-foot-10 Mackensie Alexander – another
player known for his toughness and competitiveness – out of Clemson in
the second round, likely with an eye on replacing Munnerlyn in that
spot. Last offseason, Zimmer gave Alexander a shot to win the job, but
eventually turned the spot to Terence Newman.
Mathieu, who has technically played free safety but spent a great
deal of time in the slot corner position, is also 5-foot-9 and would
immediately be one of the better tacklers at his position if he played
slot corner full time.
In 2015, Mathieu lined up in the slot for 367 snaps, according to Pro
Football Focus data. He allowed the fourth lowest passer rating against
in the NFL among nickel corners. Opposing quarterbacks went 42-for-69
with 389 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions on throws in his
direction, good for a 70.4 rating against.
Last year his numbers weren’t as good – though a single touchdown
allowed skews the rating against heavily. He gave up 455 yards on
47-for-64 passing with one TD and one interception.
It should be noted that QB rating against is a statistic that fluctuates for most corners.
A Pro Football Focus analysis
of Mathieu found that he’s been effective on blitzes, citing this stat:
“Mathieu has four sacks, eight QB hits and 36 hurries on only 175
rushes during his five-year career.”
If the Vikings were to sign Mathieu, they wouldn’t be getting a pure
nickel corner, they would gain a player with a versatile skill set.
PFF author Steve Papazzolo adds:
“Mathieu played most of his snaps in the slot (696 out of 1,052), but
he also spent 108 snaps close to the line of scrimmage at the
linebacker level and another 175 snaps playing in a deep free safety
role.”
That sounds like the nickel corner version of Harrison Smith.
The decision at nickel corner isn’t one that should be taken lightly –
in fact, a recent PFF study looked into the impact of the position.
Analyst Eric Eager wrote:
space following the signing of Kirk Cousins, it might make sense to
invest on a dynamic player with slot experience like Mathieu.
The reverse effect could be that quality slot corners are criminally
underpaid and players like Robert McClain, an unrestricted free agent
slot corner who allowed only a 78.4 rating against or RFA Bryce Callahan
(who the Strib reported some interest from the Vikings) who allowed the
sixth lowest rating against last year. But those players are usually
limited to one spot rather than giving a defense multiple looks as
Mathieu could.
Whenever general manager Rick Spielman talks about his team’s roster
construction, he’s sure to mention that the Minnesota Vikings have been
built with head coach Mike Zimmer’s vision for each position in mind.
For example, Zimmer wanted a three-technique defensive tackle who was
undersized and quick to be a situational pass rusher. The front office
went out and found Tom Johnson, a former CFL player who had spent some
time with the Saints. The Vikings wanted a more mobile offensive line to
run outside zone scheme for Dalvin Cook, so they let Alex Boone go and
started Nick Easton instead.
There are examples all over the field and the specifications come
down to the letter. What type of size, what type of skill set etc.
Former Arizona Cardinals star Tyrann Mathieu, who was released for cap-related reasons, might fit that look. (There has been one hint of potential interest).
When Zimmer arrived in Minnesota, the Vikings signed Captain
Munnerlyn, a competitive, 5-foot-9 slot corner with strong tackling
ability. In 2016, they drafted 5-foot-10 Mackensie Alexander – another
player known for his toughness and competitiveness – out of Clemson in
the second round, likely with an eye on replacing Munnerlyn in that
spot. Last offseason, Zimmer gave Alexander a shot to win the job, but
eventually turned the spot to Terence Newman.
Mathieu, who has technically played free safety but spent a great
deal of time in the slot corner position, is also 5-foot-9 and would
immediately be one of the better tacklers at his position if he played
slot corner full time.
In 2015, Mathieu lined up in the slot for 367 snaps, according to Pro
Football Focus data. He allowed the fourth lowest passer rating against
in the NFL among nickel corners. Opposing quarterbacks went 42-for-69
with 389 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions on throws in his
direction, good for a 70.4 rating against.
Last year his numbers weren’t as good – though a single touchdown
allowed skews the rating against heavily. He gave up 455 yards on
47-for-64 passing with one TD and one interception.
It should be noted that QB rating against is a statistic that fluctuates for most corners.
A Pro Football Focus analysis
of Mathieu found that he’s been effective on blitzes, citing this stat:
“Mathieu has four sacks, eight QB hits and 36 hurries on only 175
rushes during his five-year career.”
If the Vikings were to sign Mathieu, they wouldn’t be getting a pure
nickel corner, they would gain a player with a versatile skill set.
PFF author Steve Papazzolo adds:
“Mathieu played most of his snaps in the slot (696 out of 1,052), but
he also spent 108 snaps close to the line of scrimmage at the
linebacker level and another 175 snaps playing in a deep free safety
role.”
That sounds like the nickel corner version of Harrison Smith.
The decision at nickel corner isn’t one that should be taken lightly –
in fact, a recent PFF study looked into the impact of the position.
Analyst Eric Eager wrote:
Quote:“This long-term trend of efficiency and safetySo as the Vikings pick and choose different areas to invest their cap
throwing to slot receivers has manifested itself in which receivers end
up becoming stars in the NFL, with five of our top 10 highest-graded
receivers (Michael Thomas, Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Thielen)
going about much of their work from the inside in 2017. While Robinson
and Fuller were top-13 players at their position a season ago, they were
the only inside guys cracking that list, demonstrating the pace at
which defenses have caught up.”
space following the signing of Kirk Cousins, it might make sense to
invest on a dynamic player with slot experience like Mathieu.
The reverse effect could be that quality slot corners are criminally
underpaid and players like Robert McClain, an unrestricted free agent
slot corner who allowed only a 78.4 rating against or RFA Bryce Callahan
(who the Strib reported some interest from the Vikings) who allowed the
sixth lowest rating against last year. But those players are usually
limited to one spot rather than giving a defense multiple looks as
Mathieu could.