Vikings v Lions

[purplefaithful]

One big difference on Sunday will be Cashman, who was the Vikings' leading tackler when he went down with turf toe just before the Week 7 loss to Detroit.

This time, Cashman is playing and playing well. He led the Vikings with 11 tackles against the Packers, including 1.5 sacks and an impact that went beyond the box score.

“Natural leadership,” Flores said of Cashman. “A way of bringing people together. He’s very smart. He knows how to communicate with the various people ... whether it’s D-line, whether it’s an edge guy, whether it’s a safety, whether it’s a corner. 

So, his position is one that he’s involved with coverage, involved with the run game, he’s involved with some of the pass rush. ... He’s been a key member of the defense and will continue to be that.”

Cashman is also a leading mind for a shapeshifting defense that prides itself on confusing quarterbacks and offensive line protection plans. The Lions offense also likes to trick opponents from time to time.

But the Vikings linebacker said this time of year isn’t about subterfuge.

“That’s the thing with the season,” Cashman said. “All the film is out there for the most part. But what it comes down to late in the year is play style [physicality] and execution. Because everything is in. Every team, their identity is formed. It all comes down to play style and execution.”

Meaning: Just stop Jahmyr Gibbs.


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[StickierBuns]

Vikings are very healthy compared to most teams in the NFL right now, I hope it makes a difference. It'll be loud in Detroit, the fans will be super hyped.

[MAD GAINZ]

Not having Cashman was a huge loss against Detroit. Pace was getting eaten alive in pass coverage in the middle of the field. He's much better as a downhill run stuffer and blitzing LB.

Grugier-Hill is good in coverage, but not as strong at defending the run. Having Cashman who can play the run AND drop into coverage... It'll make a huge difference this Sunday. Aaaaaaand the Lions don't have Monty to soften up the middle and keep the Lions in favorable down and distances. We just need to contain Gibbs and bang him around cuz Reynolds and Jefferson aren't going to hurt us as secondary RBs.

[purplefaithful]

I think Cashman and Redmond are probably the most under-rated Viking defenders...Gink and Greenard were great signings, Cashman is right up there with any of em.

[purplefaithful]

[StickierBuns]

I bet they hold Patrick Jones out and keep him 100% for the playoffs.

[MaroonBells]

Best free agent class in our history just keeps delivering. Best part? We signed Greenard, Van Ginkel and Cashman to multi-year contracts.

[FLVike]

Best free agent class in our history just keeps delivering. Best part? We signed Greenard, Van Ginkel and Cashman to multi-year contracts.

No McFly ever amounted to anything in the history of Hill Valley!

[purplefaithful]

Best free agent class in our history just keeps delivering. Best part? We signed Greenard, Van Ginkel and Cashman to multi-year contracts.

it just might be...

But I have to pause and compare it to Winfield and Pat Williams FA haul. I was on this board when that went down!

[Canthony]

I think we can credit alot of the FA class on Flores. He picked players, not by name, but by how they would fit what he was trying to do. Perfect scheme fit.