Great read on our great LT...

[purplefaithful]

The process and personality behind Christian Darrisaw's success

EAGAN — Many years ago, we would have had a feeling that Christian Darrisaw was very good last season simply by watching him each Sunday but these days we can pinpoint just how exceptionally he played in 2022. 
Pro Football Focus graded him as the second best tackle in football, only behind NFL legend Trent Williams. He allowed just 20 pressures (12th best) and ranked as the third best run blocker in the game.
Darrsaw’s big leap in Year 2 gave the Vikings the franchise tackle they had been seeking for years during the previous regime. Now they enter 2023 feeling confident that the most important position on the offensive line is locked in.
Why did Darrisaw take that leap forward? How does he prepare? What about his personality makes him the player he has become?
On Wednesday afternoon, we sat down with Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper at TCO Performance Center to talk about how Darrisaw ascended to his elite status and the things we don’t see behind the scenes that will keep him there…
https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/vikings/the-process-and-personality-behind-christian-darrisaws-success

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So great having an elite LT. Back up the Brinks truck, he's definitely earning it. 

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When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 

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@StickyBun said:
When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 

Well said...

Edge Rushers are going to feel it the next day after playing vs Darrisaw. 

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@StickyBun said:
When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 

I wish we had 3 more of him.

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@kmillard said:

@StickyBun said:
When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 

I wish we had 3 more of him.

Me too. I don't understand how Oakland took Leatherwood ahead of him......its mind blowing. The 'knock' on Darrisaw coming out was he wasn't physical enough, lmao.....which is absolutely hilarious now. 

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@StickyBun said:
When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 

Talent meets dedication and it is spectacular.

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Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 

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@supafreak84 said:
Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 

Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

• Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  
• Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  
• Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  
• Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  
• Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  
• Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  
• Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  
• Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  
• Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  
• Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  
• Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE