09-10-2019, 12:11 PM
A five-man front is the Vikings’ latest defensive evolution. And being unable to counter that unusual look forced Atlanta’s tailspin in the first quarter of Sunday’s 28-12 win.
Mike Zimmer teased some “out-of-the-box” defensive adjustments during the 2019 offseason. Zimmer lost pass-rushing stalwart Sheldon Richardson in free agency, but Vikings coaches gained a new scheme with which to unleash edge rushers.
They include linebacker Anthony Barr, who spurned the Jets’ pass-rusher money in March and signed the five-year, $67.5 million contract to stay in Minnesota.
A five-man front — deployed on first, second and third downs alike — is the Vikings’ latest defensive evolution. And from those looks, the defense forced Atlanta’s tailspin in the first quarter of Sunday’s 28-12 win.
“We did a good job getting pressure on the quarterback,” Zimmer said Monday. “They made it one-dimensional halfway through the second quarter, which is just a lot easier to lay your ears back and try to get after the quarterback.”
Defensive end Danielle Hunter led the feast, which included 10 quarterback pressures on Matt Ryan to lead all NFL edge defenders on Sunday, according to Pro Football Focus.
Two defining plays began the blowout; both featured a look the Falcons could not have expected based on how the Vikings defense has played in the past.
http://www.startribune.com/film-review-t...559921522/
Mike Zimmer teased some “out-of-the-box” defensive adjustments during the 2019 offseason. Zimmer lost pass-rushing stalwart Sheldon Richardson in free agency, but Vikings coaches gained a new scheme with which to unleash edge rushers.
They include linebacker Anthony Barr, who spurned the Jets’ pass-rusher money in March and signed the five-year, $67.5 million contract to stay in Minnesota.
A five-man front — deployed on first, second and third downs alike — is the Vikings’ latest defensive evolution. And from those looks, the defense forced Atlanta’s tailspin in the first quarter of Sunday’s 28-12 win.
“We did a good job getting pressure on the quarterback,” Zimmer said Monday. “They made it one-dimensional halfway through the second quarter, which is just a lot easier to lay your ears back and try to get after the quarterback.”
Defensive end Danielle Hunter led the feast, which included 10 quarterback pressures on Matt Ryan to lead all NFL edge defenders on Sunday, according to Pro Football Focus.
Two defining plays began the blowout; both featured a look the Falcons could not have expected based on how the Vikings defense has played in the past.
http://www.startribune.com/film-review-t...559921522/