Quote: @MaroonBells said:
This is a much bigger spend at 3T than I thought the Vikings would be willing to make. Like most, I guessed they wanted more of a pass rushing specialist at 3T, but when you think about it, the last two 3Ts we've signed were strong run stoppers (Richardson, Stephen). Think Zimmer wants to stop the run? Tomlinson and Pierce should be one powerful duo.
Tomlinson offers a lot more in terms of pass rush than Stephen ever did. He actually graded higher against the pass than the run last year. And he's a young, developing player with well-documented high character. Good culture fit for Vikings.
In my mock off-season I figured they would spend more at 3T. The draft is just so thin and there are few day-1 starters. Although I think they wanted to pay a DE before dipping into the DT market, this is a fine alternative. Tomlinson is also going to have the advantage in MN of Pierce consuming double-teams, like he had this past season playing next to Dexter Lawrence. That should make his pass rushing threat a bit more sustainable than it would elsewhere. Overall I initially was surprised they went with Tomlinson but when you think about how he'll be used its actually a pretty shrewd move given the cost.
Quote: @prairieghost said:
So what about Geno then? Assuming they signed Tomlinson as a 3T, that is...
A younger, healthier, cheaper version?
Dunno, the last DT we stole from the Giants worked out pretty well. Build that front line and the rest will follow. just wish we had the same philosophy on offense.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
Somewhat reminiscent of Williams Wall...
Even more reminiscent of Hicks and Schwartz in Chicago.
Either way an upgrade over Covid season
Great analogy. Disruptors on the inside. Collapse the pocket, the DEs will feast.
Hell yeah great signing---helps push the middle back and allow De's and lb's to pin their ears back and get after the qb.
This, much like LJ was some years back, is a team changing signing IMO. that much beef, and hustle in the middle will make everybody's job on D that much easier, which then trickles over to the offensives side where they wont have to score on every possession to keep up with opposing offenses.
Huge Fuckin Win Here!!!
These are the kinds of signings that get me excited for this team again. Now go find me a couple road grader for OGs, nasty fuckers that know how to finish blocks with enough lead in their asses to hold that front of the pocket so our tackles can direct those ends around the pocket and Kirk has something to step up into. ( i am still not convinced he will climb the pocket, but with better IOL play there will be no more excueses.
Get it done and lets go!
Quote: @"Geoff Nichols" said:
@ MaroonBells said:
This is a much bigger spend at 3T than I thought the Vikings would be willing to make. Like most, I guessed they wanted more of a pass rushing specialist at 3T, but when you think about it, the last two 3Ts we've signed were strong run stoppers (Richardson, Stephen). Think Zimmer wants to stop the run? Tomlinson and Pierce should be one powerful duo.
Tomlinson offers a lot more in terms of pass rush than Stephen ever did. He actually graded higher against the pass than the run last year. And he's a young, developing player with well-documented high character. Good culture fit for Vikings.
In my mock off-season I figured they would spend more at 3T. The draft is just so thin and there are few day-1 starters. Although I think they wanted to pay a DE before dipping into the DT market, this is a fine alternative. Tomlinson is also going to have the advantage in MN of Pierce consuming double-teams, like he had this past season playing next to Dexter Lawrence. That should make his pass rushing threat a bit more sustainable than it would elsewhere. Overall I initially was surprised they went with Tomlinson but when you think about how he'll be used its actually a pretty shrewd move given the cost.
I agree that Tomlinson likely was not their top target, but with the DE market getting expensive and Harris staying in Denver, then he is a good fallback plan and a definite upgrade over Stephen or Johnson. Also, at this point it may make sense to put some of the FA money towards making Hunter happy and upgrading DE through the draft, though they haven't spent a 1st rounder on a DE since Erasmus James, so I am curious if that will change this year or if they'll stick with another 3rd or 4th round DE?
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
This, much like LJ was some years back, is a team changing signing IMO. that much beef, and hustle in the middle will make everybody's job on D that much easier, which then trickles over to the offensives side where they wont have to score on every possession to keep up with opposing offenses.
Huge Fuckin Win Here!!!
These are the kinds of signings that get me excited for this team again. Now go find me a couple road grader for OGs, nasty fuckers that know how to finish blocks with enough lead in their asses to hold that front of the pocket so our tackles can direct those ends around the pocket and Kirk has something to step up into. ( i am still not convinced he will climb the pocket, but with better IOL play there will be no more excueses.
Get it done and lets go!
It was just highlights of course, but he looked to have strong hands as he pulled down RBs with just one paw. Moved pretty well down the line, making tackles outside the hash marks. Seemed to have a bit of nasty to him when he made the tackles. It isn't a glamorous signing, but it builds the DL which was a huge weakness.
Assuming Hunter gets squared away or he realizes he has zero leverage, we should see a return to a top 10 D.
Quote: @"BarrNone55" said:
Assuming Hunter gets squared away or he realizes he has zero leverage, we should see a return to a top 10 D.
Hunter is really the key to our off-season... If he's back and healthy, we should see immediate improvement in our defense. If we trade him, it'll be tough to expect much improvement if we don't get lucky with Wonnum and an early round rookie DE.
Quote: @Wetlander said:
@"BarrNone55" said:
Assuming Hunter gets squared away or he realizes he has zero leverage, we should see a return to a top 10 D.
Hunter is really the key to our off-season... If he's back and healthy, we should see immediate improvement in our defense. If we trade him, it'll be tough to expect much improvement if we don't get lucky with Wonnum and an early round rookie DE.
I don't think Wonnum can create on his own, but would fare well with a 3T pushing the pocket consistently. 4th IIRC in rookie pressures. Another year with Dre, maybe FSU will come back. 
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