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Here are the things I am currently pondering:
- Brandon Fusco: I am guessing that got your attention for its irrelevance to the current team. However, I am thinking about Fusco because when he switched sides (from left to right) I recall a lot of discussion on how hard it was to change side. Perhaps that was just an excuse for his poor play (though recovering from injury was also an excuse) but it seems now that the current set of Vikings are asked to change sides frequently, play both tackle and guard (and in some instances center) without missing a beat. Collins goes from tackle to guard, we/they talk about switching Isadora from right to left guard without any worries about how hard it si to switch sides, etc. Also, now we regularly talk about a "swing tackle" -- one who can come in on either side as needed. So, is the difficulty of switching side a slippery rock problem?
- Tocho: So Tocho was the highest rated Viking in the Denver game which (finally) make me question that whole site. Yes, he had an interception and a deflection that turned into an interception but I thought he looked terrible (especially on the TD passes). He is the one player I thought bought a ticket out of camp.
- Special Teams: If I was a non-all american college player with pro aspirations, I would play special teams in college and look to play on a college team with a good special teams coach. A lot of positions on this team is going to be decided based upon special team ability. Just remember Everson Griffen played special teams. I think it will be the fatal flaw of K. Wright. There is just too much depth on the current team so decisions will be made based on special team play.
- Cornelius Edison: He is a living example of the adage, "when opportunity knocks, answer the door."
- O'Neill and Collins: I watched them a lot during the Denver game and came away impressed anc confident that the Vikes have build some depth at the tackle position. But, wow, the drop off after them was staggering and sobering.
- Other players who impressed me: Eric Wilson -- seemed to be everywhere. Sherels -- he just played well from what I can see. Bower: preseason is Bower time. Sloter -- it seems to me the coaching staff now understands why Sloter was cut by Denver -- I have read that he is unimpressive during practice but he just has it when it is game time. Makes for a tough evaluation. I hope he gets to play with the 2s for a better measurement stick.
- Zimmer: It is funny thinking about how many times he was passed over for a head coaching position.
I'm trying to remember a coach who's been snake-bit as much as Zimmer. I can't think of one off hand.
Will be interesting to see if Edison continues to play @ such a high level. May not matter with Elf coming back.
Yup, Eric Wilson is definitely flashing. I'm not a fan of Gedeon, am hoping Wilson continues to ascend.
I can't even think about OL depth till I know who our best starting 5 are. I'm assuming that depth isnt deep like most NFL teams.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
I'm trying to remember a coach who's been snake-bit as much as Zimmer. I can't think of one off hand.
Will be interesting to see if Edison continues to play @ such a high level. May not matter with Elf coming back.
Yup, Eric Wilson is definitely flashing. I'm not a fan of Gedeon, am hoping Wilson continues to ascend.
I can't even think about OL depth till I know who our best starting 5 are. I'm assuming that depth isnt deep like most NFL teams.
I have the feeling that its going to be much tougher sledding against Jacksonville tomorrow.
Quote: @StickyBun said:
@ purplefaithful said:
I'm trying to remember a coach who's been snake-bit as much as Zimmer. I can't think of one off hand.
Will be interesting to see if Edison continues to play @ such a high level. May not matter with Elf coming back.
Yup, Eric Wilson is definitely flashing. I'm not a fan of Gedeon, am hoping Wilson continues to ascend.
I can't even think about OL depth till I know who our best starting 5 are. I'm assuming that depth isnt deep like most NFL teams.
I have the feeling that its going to be much tougher sledding against Jacksonville tomorrow.
I hope so, this team needs to be challenged along the way. We've a) been there and seen our team get complacent in seasons where they are the best team on the field and don't get challenged enough along the way...sure we can say but they weren't Zimmer coached teams.... but Bud was a no nonsense guy himself amd it still happened. I hope these guys can find a way to stay focused like we've never seen.
Quote: @VikingOracle said:
Here are the things I am currently pondering:
- Brandon Fusco: I am guessing that got your attention for its irrelevance to the current team. However, I am thinking about Fusco because when he switched sides (from left to right) I recall a lot of discussion on how hard it was to change side. Perhaps that was just an excuse for his poor play (though recovering from injury was also an excuse) but it seems now that the current set of Vikings are asked to change sides frequently, play both tackle and guard (and in some instances center) without missing a beat. Collins goes from tackle to guard, we/they talk about switching Isadora from right to left guard without any worries about how hard it si to switch sides, etc. Also, now we regularly talk about a "swing tackle" -- one who can come in on either side as needed. So, is the difficulty of switching side a slippery rock problem?
I think all the switching around helps the team with its depth, which is probably more valuable to them than any damage it it might do. I think Fusco and Clemmings failed more because of lack of talent than switching positions. It's rare to find an offensive lineman who actually doesn't play multiple positions early in his career.
I agree on Tocho. I assume you're referring to PFF? It makes you wonder if they factor in the CONSEQUENCE of a bad play. For example, let's say Tocho played well on 8 out of 10 targets. He might grade out very highly. But if the two times he failed, he failed miserably resulting in touchdowns, that paints a different picture.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ VikingOracle said:
Here are the things I am currently pondering:
- Brandon Fusco: I am guessing that got your attention for its irrelevance to the current team. However, I am thinking about Fusco because when he switched sides (from left to right) I recall a lot of discussion on how hard it was to change side. Perhaps that was just an excuse for his poor play (though recovering from injury was also an excuse) but it seems now that the current set of Vikings are asked to change sides frequently, play both tackle and guard (and in some instances center) without missing a beat. Collins goes from tackle to guard, we/they talk about switching Isadora from right to left guard without any worries about how hard it si to switch sides, etc. Also, now we regularly talk about a "swing tackle" -- one who can come in on either side as needed. So, is the difficulty of switching side a slippery rock problem?
I think all the switching around helps the team with its depth, which is probably more valuable to them than any damage it it might do. I think Fusco and Clemmings failed more because of lack of talent than switching positions. It's rare to find an offensive lineman who actually doesn't play multiple positions early in his career.
I agree on Tocho. I assume you're referring to PFF? It makes you wonder if they factor in the CONSEQUENCE of a bad play. For example, let's say Tocho played well on 8 out of 10 targets. He might grade out very highly. But if the two times he failed, he failed miserably resulting in touchdowns, that paints a different picture.
I think it's pretty evident that they grade on stats not plays....if there was a stat for WTF moments we would see more defenders graded lower.
Kinda like peters....some just see his highlights anD say he's better than Waynes, but those that watched them both know that we ended up with the better defender.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ VikingOracle said:
Here are the things I am currently pondering:
- Brandon Fusco: I am guessing that got your attention for its irrelevance to the current team. However, I am thinking about Fusco because when he switched sides (from left to right) I recall a lot of discussion on how hard it was to change side. Perhaps that was just an excuse for his poor play (though recovering from injury was also an excuse) but it seems now that the current set of Vikings are asked to change sides frequently, play both tackle and guard (and in some instances center) without missing a beat. Collins goes from tackle to guard, we/they talk about switching Isadora from right to left guard without any worries about how hard it si to switch sides, etc. Also, now we regularly talk about a "swing tackle" -- one who can come in on either side as needed. So, is the difficulty of switching side a slippery rock problem?
I think all the switching around helps the team with its depth, which is probably more valuable to them than any damage it it might do. I think Fusco and Clemmings failed more because of lack of talent than switching positions. It's rare to find an offensive lineman who actually doesn't play multiple positions early in his career.
I agree on Tocho. I assume you're referring to PFF? It makes you wonder if they factor in the CONSEQUENCE of a bad play. For example, let's say Tocho played well on 8 out of 10 targets. He might grade out very highly. But if the two times he failed, he failed miserably resulting in touchdowns, that paints a different picture.
I think it's pretty evident that they grade on stats not plays....if there was a stat for WTF moments we would see more defenders graded lower.
Kinda like peters....some just see his highlights anD say he's better than Waynes, but those that watched them both know that we ended up with the better defender.
That's quite a leap there, Jimmy. I'm happy with Waynes and he might eventually be better than Peters. But you're talking about a 1st team All Pro here. Maybe they just don't see the things you see. Peters was traded due to character issues not performance. Let's hope for our sake they continue in LA.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ VikingOracle said:
Here are the things I am currently pondering:
- Brandon Fusco: I am guessing that got your attention for its irrelevance to the current team. However, I am thinking about Fusco because when he switched sides (from left to right) I recall a lot of discussion on how hard it was to change side. Perhaps that was just an excuse for his poor play (though recovering from injury was also an excuse) but it seems now that the current set of Vikings are asked to change sides frequently, play both tackle and guard (and in some instances center) without missing a beat. Collins goes from tackle to guard, we/they talk about switching Isadora from right to left guard without any worries about how hard it si to switch sides, etc. Also, now we regularly talk about a "swing tackle" -- one who can come in on either side as needed. So, is the difficulty of switching side a slippery rock problem?
I think all the switching around helps the team with its depth, which is probably more valuable to them than any damage it it might do. I think Fusco and Clemmings failed more because of lack of talent than switching positions. It's rare to find an offensive lineman who actually doesn't play multiple positions early in his career.
I agree on Tocho. I assume you're referring to PFF? It makes you wonder if they factor in the CONSEQUENCE of a bad play. For example, let's say Tocho played well on 8 out of 10 targets. He might grade out very highly. But if the two times he failed, he failed miserably resulting in touchdowns, that paints a different picture.
I think it's pretty evident that they grade on stats not plays....if there was a stat for WTF moments we would see more defenders graded lower.
Kinda like peters....some just see his highlights anD say he's better than Waynes, but those that watched them both know that we ended up with the better defender.
That's quite a leap there, Jimmy. I'm happy with Waynes and he might eventually be better than Peters. But you're talking about a 1st team All Pro here. Maybe they just don't see the things you see. Peters was traded due to character issues not performance. Let's hope for our sake they continue in LA.
Peters is a ball hawk no doubt, but he isnt a solid defender. Far to often he jumps routes and guesses wrong and leaves his safety in a bad place. He just isnt as well rounded as Waynes and I am plenty happy to have a team defender (who has proven to be damn good cover guy himself) over a guy that is out there for himself and says to hell with scheme integrity and sound practices. and as far as character... well thats part of the player and if his coaches and teammates dont like him that is going to affect how the entire team plays around him... again, Im happy with Waynes. For the record, prior to the draft... I was banging the table for Peters, I though Zim could get him straightened out, but I dont know if anybody could fix that kid now.
When it comes to Peters, I think even Coach Zimmer was thinking ain't nobody got time for that. Zimmer is the ultimate model for resiliency but he didn't need that. The dude can play no doubt but he is very much about himself. I know Zimmer likes to teach and fix where he can but maybe he wanted to give himself a break. I am looking forward to watching Edison, Collins and O'Neill.
Quote: @VikingOracle said:
Here are the things I am currently pondering:
- Brandon Fusco: I am guessing that got your attention for its irrelevance to the current team. However, I am thinking about Fusco because when he switched sides (from left to right) I recall a lot of discussion on how hard it was to change side. Perhaps that was just an excuse for his poor play (though recovering from injury was also an excuse) but it seems now that the current set of Vikings are asked to change sides frequently, play both tackle and guard (and in some instances center) without missing a beat. Collins goes from tackle to guard, we/they talk about switching Isadora from right to left guard without any worries about how hard it si to switch sides, etc. Also, now we regularly talk about a "swing tackle" -- one who can come in on either side as needed. So, is the difficulty of switching side a slippery rock problem?
- Zimmer: It is funny thinking about how many times he was passed over for a head coaching position.
I don't think it is isolate to just Fusco. It isn't an easy thing to change all your training, habits and tendencies. If a player has played his career on one side and then switches, there are many things he had to relearn, or reteach himself. Switch the mouse on your computer and tell me how easy it is. Just switch the buttons and still use your dominant hand and how long does it take to adjust.
That said, I think it was more about his decline. He was a good effort player and got rewarded. But something happened. Injury, money or scheme change, he just wasn't the same anymore.
As to Zimmer, I am so thankful he was passed over by so many. My favorite coach by far and I think a generally good guy as well.
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