Smith earns PFF's Defensive Player of the Year

[willbjammin]

Vikings versatile safety Smith earns PFF's Defensive Player of the Yearhttps://t.co/cKHlIY6yep pic.twitter.com/ZF7vSHwCej

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) February 10, 2018

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[Guest]

To be honest, when Jenkins made the pro-bowl over Smith, I thought it was a travesty.  But after having watched him in the playoffs... he's actually pretty good.  Better than Smith?  Maybe not... but certainly not a "bum".

[Guest]

Our poor secondary play in the playoff games coincided with our Pass Rush falling off the map once Griffin
injured his foot. It was non-existent and we looked like a very average defense down the stretch. When New Orleans found the blueprint to beat us in the second half by spreading out our defense(they ran over 20 consecutive plays on offense with an empty back set and put Kamara out as a receiver), and Pederson crafted a Foles led passing attack with slants and double moves, we had no way to stop it. The Vikings are not a good blitzing team. If we can't get pressure with our front four, we struggle and both the Saints and Eagles abandoned the run on us because they found it much easier to attack us in the air. That's why finding a penetrating 3T who also has pass rushing skills is as much or more important than improving our offensive line. 

[Guest]

too bad his worst game of the year was the biggest game of the year, but then he wasn't the only one.

[Guest]

@TBro said:
Our poor secondary play in the playoff games coincided with our Pass Rush falling off the map once Griffin
injured his foot. It was non-existent and we looked like a very average defense down the stretch. When New Orleans found the blueprint to beat us in the second half by spreading out our defense(they ran over 20 consecutive plays on offense with an empty back set and put Kamara out as a receiver), and Pederson crafted a Foles led passing attack with slants and double moves, we had no way to stop it. The Vikings are not a good blitzing team. If we can't get pressure with our front four, we struggle and both the Saints and Eagles abandoned the run on us because they found it much easier to attack us in the air. That's why finding a penetrating 3T who also has pass rushing skills is as much or more important than improving our offensive line. 

Even Jon Randall didn't disrupt the QB on every snap.

You want a Defense that won't give up 30 to legit Offenses in the Playoffs you're going to need that 3T, another DE to rotate with Griffin & Hunter, a true Free Safety that can cover TEs and probably two more Nickel CBs.

Or you could look for some more balance and improve the QB and Line play so you aren't so reliant on the Defense.

For example, Cousins and McGlinchey would certainly provide an instant upgrade on the Offense. More than say adding Sheldon Richardson would on the Defense.

Despite last offseason the Defense remains far more heavily invested in than the Offense. Time to continue to balance the scales.

[Guest]

@FSUVike said:

@TBro said:
Our poor secondary play in the playoff games coincided with our Pass Rush falling off the map once Griffin
injured his foot. It was non-existent and we looked like a very average defense down the stretch. When New Orleans found the blueprint to beat us in the second half by spreading out our defense(they ran over 20 consecutive plays on offense with an empty back set and put Kamara out as a receiver), and Pederson crafted a Foles led passing attack with slants and double moves, we had no way to stop it. The Vikings are not a good blitzing team. If we can't get pressure with our front four, we struggle and both the Saints and Eagles abandoned the run on us because they found it much easier to attack us in the air. That's why finding a penetrating 3T who also has pass rushing skills is as much or more important than improving our offensive line. 

Even Jon Randall didn't disrupt the QB on every snap.

You want a Defense that won't give up 30 to legit Offenses in the Playoffs you're going to need that 3T, another DE to rotate with Griffin & Hunter, a true Free Safety that can cover TEs and probably two more Nickel CBs.

Or you could look for some more balance and improve the QB and Line play so you aren't so reliant on the Defense.

For example, Cousins and McGlinchey would certainly provide an instant upgrade on the Offense. More than say adding Sheldon Richardson would on the Defense.

Despite last offseason the Defense remains far more heavily invested in than the Offense. Time to continue to balance the scales.

I agree with you that we need balance and an influx of talent for both lines. Unfortunately, the quality of DT's in this draft that would be a good fit are not that great. FA interior lineman are plentiful this year so I'm hoping we can add some experience to the Oline through FA which should give us some flexibility in the draft instead of reaching for need to fill the 3T position. 

If what I'm hearing on local radio is true, and Keenum is headed elsewhere, Cousins would look good in Purple.