07-23-2018, 12:29 PM
With his unexpected passing on Sunday, Tony Sparano will be remembered by the NFL at large for being the only coach to take a 1-15 team to the playoffs the following year.Around the league, they will think of the 2008 season, “The Wildcat” and the Miami Dolphins’ blowout win over the New England Patriots, who never saw it coming. In Minnesota, though, Sparano was in charge of an unassuming set of offensive linemen who keyed the team’s 13-3 season and trip to the NFC Championship.
Following a 2016 season that saw injuries shred the Vikings’ chances to reach the playoffs, the team signed Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers and drafted center Pat Elflein. By the end of camp, Nick Easton had been moved from center to left guard after the team released Alex Boone. That went along with Joe Berger’s move from center to right guard, forming a group that not only hadn’t ever played together in the preseason, but also had to learn a zone blocking scheme to highlight the skills of rookie running back Dalvin Cook.
The line’s improvement was massive. On opening night, Cook ran for 127 yards, highlighted by a 33-yard run late in the fourth quarter to put the finishing touches on the game. Sam Bradford was sacked just once and threw for 346 yards, mostly from clean pockets.
When Bradford got hurt, they line adapted to Case Keenum and an uptick in screen passes. When Cook went down, they adjusted on the fly to more power running scheme to enhance Latavius Murray’s skills. When Remmers and Easton suffered injuries, Jeremiah Sirles, Danny Isidora and Rashod Hill filled in admirably, helping lead the Vikings’ offense to the 10th best scoring output in the NFL.
“You saw from a year ago to now, the difference in what they’re doing,” head coach Mike Zimmer said in October. “The offensive line is playing good. They have a good group. The communication level has been good. It is important. It really is important.”
Elflein, just a rookie, stood out despite facing some of the best interior linemen in the NFL. He credited Sparano.
“He’s awesome, I love being in the room with him,” Elflein said of Sparano early in the season. “He’s a great teacher. Some good guys in the room right now. So, just trying to learn everything I can from him.”
Along the way, Sparano’s students also formed a bond.
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/0...forgotten/
Following a 2016 season that saw injuries shred the Vikings’ chances to reach the playoffs, the team signed Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers and drafted center Pat Elflein. By the end of camp, Nick Easton had been moved from center to left guard after the team released Alex Boone. That went along with Joe Berger’s move from center to right guard, forming a group that not only hadn’t ever played together in the preseason, but also had to learn a zone blocking scheme to highlight the skills of rookie running back Dalvin Cook.
The line’s improvement was massive. On opening night, Cook ran for 127 yards, highlighted by a 33-yard run late in the fourth quarter to put the finishing touches on the game. Sam Bradford was sacked just once and threw for 346 yards, mostly from clean pockets.
When Bradford got hurt, they line adapted to Case Keenum and an uptick in screen passes. When Cook went down, they adjusted on the fly to more power running scheme to enhance Latavius Murray’s skills. When Remmers and Easton suffered injuries, Jeremiah Sirles, Danny Isidora and Rashod Hill filled in admirably, helping lead the Vikings’ offense to the 10th best scoring output in the NFL.
“You saw from a year ago to now, the difference in what they’re doing,” head coach Mike Zimmer said in October. “The offensive line is playing good. They have a good group. The communication level has been good. It is important. It really is important.”
Elflein, just a rookie, stood out despite facing some of the best interior linemen in the NFL. He credited Sparano.
“He’s awesome, I love being in the room with him,” Elflein said of Sparano early in the season. “He’s a great teacher. Some good guys in the room right now. So, just trying to learn everything I can from him.”
Along the way, Sparano’s students also formed a bond.
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/0...forgotten/
