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Vikings streak of drafting offensive linemen early could be finished
INDIANAPOLIS — A new Vikings leadership brought a change in tone around the perennial lighting rod that is the offensive line.
The NFL scouting combine is typically where Vikings coaches and scouts dig deeper into the annual priority of finding better blockers. But General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell kept the focus inward this week, preaching optimism about the linemen they've inherited, specifically tackles Brian O'Neill and Christian Darrisaw and guard Ezra Cleveland.
O'Connell sees "a lot to build off."
"The offensive line jumped out at me," O'Connell said. "The skillsets of both of our guys on the edge, the tackle position is very strong. I think the guard position, there's a lot of depth there. There's a lot to like. And then, in my mind, obviously, Garrett Bradbury in the middle is what you look for from a core center from a standpoint of communicating. We do a lot of things — we ask our center to do a lot of things. I know Mason Cole did a great job last year as well."
For five consecutive years, the Vikings drafted an offensive lineman within the first three rounds among Darrisaw, Cleveland, O'Neill, Bradbury, and former center Pat Elflein. Even with more changes possible in the interior line, where the right guard spot is up in the air and Bradbury's inconsistent play could warrant competition this summer, the streak of drafting offensive linemen early might come to an end.
"Thankful that you have two really good tackles," Adofo-Mensah said. "As for the interior, we love Ezra. We think he's going to take a next step in our scheme. We like what we've seen out of him, and we think he's going to take that next jump this year."
O'Connell said his new system will be built around the linemen, too. But NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah pointed to the last five Super Bowl winners as evidence that the most successful offensive systems, like the Rams, aren't necessarily propped up by the O-line.
"Only three of those 25 offensive linemen were homegrown first-round picks," Jeremiah said. "It goes together because that [Rams] offense, you don't have to have the most talented offensive line in the league to be successful, because all that stretch — you're moving the pocket, there's the boot[leg] stuff off of that, there's getting the ball out of your hands quick. You're not getting yourself in too many unfavorable situations down-and-distance wise, because you're throwing on early downs."
"They'll take [the offense] to the next level. It's not going to be as offensive line dependent as maybe some other teams."
That doesn't mean a new starter won't arrive soon, whether in free agency this month or the draft in April. The Vikings have all but two offensive linemen — center/guard Mason Cole and backup tackle Rashod Hill — under contract through next season. Adofo-Mensah noted the trio of O'Neill, Darrisaw and Cleveland, who are all under contract through at least 2023, as a strong foundation. He thinks the new coaching staff can get more out of the rest.
"It's really easy to always look elsewhere," Adofo-Mensah said. "You might have great players in your building. I've been in Cleveland with Bill Callahan ... if there's many better assistant coaches, I don't know them. And what he's great at is identifying that lowest-hanging fruit thing and getting the most out of players. [O-line coach Chris] Kuper will be the same way."
Bradbury, the highest-drafted center in franchise history at 18th overall in 2019, is entering the final season of his rookie contract. The Vikings have a May 2 deadline on his fifth-year option, although that may be too costly for the inconsistent first-round pick.
O'Connell said Bradbury can improve with the "right system."
"I see a guy with really, really good movement skills," O'Connell said. "A guy that was drafted really high for a reason. I can remember evaluating him through the [pre-draft] process. He did a lot of really good things in college, and it's just been a matter of finding the right fit for him and the right system. And what are you asking him to do snap in and snap out that gives him the best possible chance for success?"
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-offensive-line-oneill-cleveland-darrisaw-oconnell-adofo-mensah/600152510/
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
"The offensive line jumped out at me," O'Connell said....
....
O'Connell said Bradbury can improve with the "right system."
"I see a guy with really, really good movement skills," O'Connell said. "A guy that was drafted really high for a reason. I can remember evaluating him through the [pre-draft] process. He did a lot of really good things in college, and it's just been a matter of finding the right fit for him and the right system. And what are you asking him to do snap in and snap out that gives him the best possible chance for success?"
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-offensive-line-oneill-cleveland-darrisaw-oconnell-adofo-mensah/600152510/
As I've said before, I think the OL was probably one of the reasons Minnesota appealed to him. It's been completely rebuilt with high draft picks across the board. Just needs experience, continuity, maybe a tweak at either center or guard. But not a lot to do there.
About the Bradbury quote, it begs the question: is that system in Minnesota or elsewhere? I'm convinced Bradbury is a 10-year starter in this league because he does some things incredibly well. But he's got to be in the right system. Just not sure if that's ours.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ purplefaithful said:
"The offensive line jumped out at me," O'Connell said....
....
O'Connell said Bradbury can improve with the "right system."
"I see a guy with really, really good movement skills," O'Connell said. "A guy that was drafted really high for a reason. I can remember evaluating him through the [pre-draft] process. He did a lot of really good things in college, and i t's just been a matter of finding the right fit for him and the right system. And what are you asking him to do snap in and snap out that gives him the best possible chance for success?"
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-offensive-line-oneill-cleveland-darrisaw-oconnell-adofo-mensah/600152510/
As I've said before, I think the OL was probably one of the reasons Minnesota appealed to him. It's been completely rebuilt with high draft picks across the board. Just needs experience, continuity, maybe a tweak at either center or guard. But not a lot to do there.
About the Bradbury quote, it begs the question: is that system in Minnesota or elsewhere? I'm convinced Bradbury is a 10-year starter in this league because he does some things incredibly well. But he's got to be in the right system. Just not sure if that's ours.
Thought the same...
On top of the cap, there's so many moving pieces, so much unknown on ideal players for the systems going into place etc.
As a fan, I am preparing myself for a significant amount of change. Change like when The Sheriff and Zimmer took over their teams.
Going to be fascinating...
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ purplefaithful said:
"The offensive line jumped out at me," O'Connell said....
....
O'Connell said Bradbury can improve with the "right system."
"I see a guy with really, really good movement skills," O'Connell said. "A guy that was drafted really high for a reason. I can remember evaluating him through the [pre-draft] process. He did a lot of really good things in college, and it's just been a matter of finding the right fit for him and the right system. And what are you asking him to do snap in and snap out that gives him the best possible chance for success?"
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-offensive-line-oneill-cleveland-darrisaw-oconnell-adofo-mensah/600152510/
As I've said before, I think the OL was probably one of the reasons Minnesota appealed to him. It's been completely rebuilt with high draft picks across the board. Just needs experience, continuity, maybe a tweak at either center or guard. But not a lot to do there.
About the Bradbury quote, it begs the question: is that system in Minnesota or elsewhere? I'm convinced Bradbury is a 10-year starter in this league because he does some things incredibly well. But he's got to be in the right system. Just not sure if that's ours.
Our previous one or our future one?
How weird/retro is it to say the o-line is a strength?
Quote: @greediron said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ purplefaithful said:
"The offensive line jumped out at me," O'Connell said....
....
O'Connell said Bradbury can improve with the "right system."
"I see a guy with really, really good movement skills," O'Connell said. "A guy that was drafted really high for a reason. I can remember evaluating him through the [pre-draft] process. He did a lot of really good things in college, and it's just been a matter of finding the right fit for him and the right system. And what are you asking him to do snap in and snap out that gives him the best possible chance for success?"
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-offensive-line-oneill-cleveland-darrisaw-oconnell-adofo-mensah/600152510/
As I've said before, I think the OL was probably one of the reasons Minnesota appealed to him. It's been completely rebuilt with high draft picks across the board. Just needs experience, continuity, maybe a tweak at either center or guard. But not a lot to do there.
About the Bradbury quote, it begs the question: is that system in Minnesota or elsewhere? I'm convinced Bradbury is a 10-year starter in this league because he does some things incredibly well. But he's got to be in the right system. Just not sure if that's ours.
Our previous one or our future one?
How weird/retro is it to say the o-line is a strength?
Either. He was good in our wide zone run game, but struggled holding ground for an immobile pocket passer who throws deep a lot. The passer isn't likely to change in '22 but if KOC implements more of a quick-hitting offense it could mitigate some of Bradbury's issues. The wide zone is already there.
This is interesting:
But NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah pointed to the last five Super Bowl winners as evidence that the most successful offensive systems, like the Rams, aren't necessarily propped up by the O-line.
"Only three of those 25 offensive linemen were homegrown first-round picks," Jeremiah said. "It goes together because that [Rams] offense, you don't have to have the most talented offensive line in the league to be successful, because all that stretch — you're moving the pocket, there's the boot[leg] stuff off of that, there's getting the ball out of your hands quick. You're not getting yourself in too many unfavorable situations down-and-distance wise, because you're throwing on early downs."
"They'll take [the offense] to the next level. It's not going to be as offensive line dependent as maybe some other teams."
I think all KOC is saying is that a large part of the OL improvement may come from scheme...And playcalling is a big part of that.
How predictable were the Vikings on 1st down? Or we're just going to line-up and try to maul you on 3rd and short?
That said, I do think the Rams had more pedigree across the line than the Vikings. The inexperience for the purple was really a problem. You just cant teach experience...Its like trying to teach a 16 year old experience during driving lessons.
I think we would have been better served picking up a really good OG/C vet sometime over the last 3 years, since bringing KC into the fold vs going the draft route.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
I think all KOC is saying is that a large part of the OL improvement may come from scheme...And playcalling is a big part of that.
How predictable were the Vikings on 1st down? Or we're just going to line-up and try to maul you on 3rd and short?
That said, I do think the Rams had more pedigree across the line than the Vikings. The inexperience for the purple was really a problem. You just cant teach experience...Its like trying to teach a 16 year old experience during driving lessons.
I think we would have been better served picking up a really good OG/C vet sometime over the last 3 years, since bringing KC into the fold vs going the draft route.
Agree about the vet idea and the experience, not necessarily about pedigree. There might two or three teams in the NFL with better pedigrees on their line. Assuming Davis starts, from left to right it goes: 1st, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 2nd. That's not common. But they were the youngest OL in the NFL last year. Probably will be again this year.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ purplefaithful said:
I think all KOC is saying is that a large part of the OL improvement may come from scheme...And playcalling is a big part of that.
How predictable were the Vikings on 1st down? Or we're just going to line-up and try to maul you on 3rd and short?
That said, I do think the Rams had more pedigree across the line than the Vikings. The inexperience for the purple was really a problem. You just cant teach experience...Its like trying to teach a 16 year old experience during driving lessons.
I think we would have been better served picking up a really good OG/C vet sometime over the last 3 years, since bringing KC into the fold vs going the draft route.
Agree about the vet idea and the experience, not necessarily about pedigree. There might two or three teams in the NFL with better pedigrees on their line. Assuming Davis starts, from left to right it goes: 1st, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 2nd. That's not common. But they were the youngest OL in the NFL last year. Probably will be again this year.
Yah, I dont see us making a splash FA play for a vet OG/C....
Then it will be up to improved D and play calling to help the OL out in 22. Youth is what it is.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ purplefaithful said:
"The offensive line jumped out at me," O'Connell said....
....
O'Connell said Bradbury can improve with the "right system."
"I see a guy with really, really good movement skills," O'Connell said. "A guy that was drafted really high for a reason. I can remember evaluating him through the [pre-draft] process. He did a lot of really good things in college, and it's just been a matter of finding the right fit for him and the right system. And what are you asking him to do snap in and snap out that gives him the best possible chance for success?"
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-offensive-line-oneill-cleveland-darrisaw-oconnell-adofo-mensah/600152510/
As I've said before, I think the OL was probably one of the reasons Minnesota appealed to him. It's been completely rebuilt with high draft picks across the board. Just needs experience, continuity, maybe a tweak at either center or guard. But not a lot to do there.
About the Bradbury quote, it begs the question: is that system in Minnesota or elsewhere? I'm convinced Bradbury is a 10-year starter in this league because he does some things incredibly well. But he's got to be in the right system. Just not sure if that's ours.
Obviously the right system for Bradbury is one where the ball gets out extremely fast lol
Quote: @Bullazin said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ purplefaithful said:
"The offensive line jumped out at me," O'Connell said....
....
O'Connell said Bradbury can improve with the "right system."
"I see a guy with really, really good movement skills," O'Connell said. "A guy that was drafted really high for a reason. I can remember evaluating him through the [pre-draft] process. He did a lot of really good things in college, and it's just been a matter of finding the right fit for him and the right system. And what are you asking him to do snap in and snap out that gives him the best possible chance for success?"
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-offensive-line-oneill-cleveland-darrisaw-oconnell-adofo-mensah/600152510/
As I've said before, I think the OL was probably one of the reasons Minnesota appealed to him. It's been completely rebuilt with high draft picks across the board. Just needs experience, continuity, maybe a tweak at either center or guard. But not a lot to do there.
About the Bradbury quote, it begs the question: is that system in Minnesota or elsewhere? I'm convinced Bradbury is a 10-year starter in this league because he does some things incredibly well. But he's got to be in the right system. Just not sure if that's ours.
Obviously the right system for Bradbury is one where the ball gets out extremely fast lol
Or an offense that stays out of too many second and long / third and long.
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