The Key to Flores Defense

[MaroonBells]

Earlier this year I mentioned that I didn't think it was our blitz rate that made the defense so much better. We rushed just 3 and dropped 8 a LOT, and it seemed to be just as effective, if not moreso, than the heavy blitz packages. And maybe the reason it worked so well was because we mixed up the extremes--that Flores had no interest in "mid" blitzing. This article seems to support that, and says it much better than I did... 
Minnesota's defense leads the league in blitz rate (54.4%). They are the only team that blitzes on more than 50% of opponent dropbacks. But they also rank second in the league in percentage of snaps rushing just three or fewer players. It’s not so much the consistent aggression that causes problems for opposing offenses, but the extreme variance of Minnesota’s pass rush.
When the Vikings blitz, they tend to overload. The Vikings actually rank dead last in the NFL in the percentage of blitzes that feature five rushers — i.e., sending just one extra rusher — but they lead the league in the percentage of their blitzes that feature six rushers and have the second-highest percentage of seven or more rushers.
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-brian-flore...s-playoffs

[Guest]

They also play a lot of zone behind their attacking D which seems unique…

[Guest]

From 0 (blitz) to 6 dbs in less than a second.

[Guest]

@Kentis said:
They also play a lot of zone behind their attacking D which seems unique…

True...and I think that's a bit of a surprise too. I think a lot of us expected more man. And maybe that's part of why it's been so successful. Will he rush 7 or 3? Will he drop 4 or 8? And will they play man or zone? And what they show pre-snap isn't necessarily what they stay in. Man, that's gotta keep OCs and QBs guessing.

Can't argue with the results: Vikings haven't allowed a TD in about a month. 

[Guest]

This article has some insights into the origin and development of the scheme Flores is using and how he came to decide to use it this year:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/3900...rs-defense

[Guest]

I have to imagine it's got to suck being a QB and you're looking at all those guys up against the line.  There's a high probability that they're going to send the house at you so you have to get it out fast, but then they don't and your brains in a hurry trying to find the hole in the defense, but there's 8 guys in coverage and there aren't really holes.  You combine that with Flores's unique looking blitzes, where nothing looks like what you're comfortable with.

[Guest]

Next year if Flores leaves, this guy will most likely be the D coordinator:

[Guest]

God I really hope Flores doesn't leave for a HC gig next year.

[Guest]

@medaille said:
I have to imagine it's got to suck being a QB and you're looking at all those guys up against the line.  There's a high probability that they're going to send the house at you so you have to get it out fast, but then they don't and your brains in a hurry trying to find the hole in the defense, but there's 8 guys in coverage and there aren't really holes.  You combine that with Flores's unique looking blitzes, where nothing looks like what you're comfortable with.

Yeah, that look of despair on the QB's face when he sees 8 in coverage is pretty awesome. It sorta makes me question the wisdom of ever mid-blitzing. 5th pass rushers are picked up all the time. You're not pressuring the QB and you're a man short in the secondary. What's the point?

This firehose-like, all or nothing approach is kinda genius. Makes me wonder why it hasn't been used more often. 

[Guest]

What Flores has done with the Vikings defense in just one season puts him front and center around the league...