Is Ezra Cleveland the offensive MVP?
I am saying this a bit tongue in cheek with the phenominal year Cook and Jefferson are having. But seriously this offense has really turned around in all facets after Ezra got in there and stabilized the right guard position. the line is playing better than I have seen in years.
@"bigbone62" said:@"mblack" said:@"bigbone62" said:@"HappyViking" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"HappyViking" said: Ezra held his own against Hicks (no pun). He didn't dominate Hicks, but didn't get blown up either and did great in pass protection. The improvement with Cleveland at RG is exactly what the Vikings needed.
I wouldn't say he held his own, Cook got nothing between the tackles last night until Hicks went out. He literally threw Cleveland aside to make multiple tackles on run plays.
Compared to other RGs the Vikes have thrown out there he more than held his own, IMO. Cook did rush for 96, and Hicks didn't crush Cousins this game (zero sacks).
I don't think too many NFL RGs dominate Hick; maybe none.
If a player is "holding his own" should you really have to quantify it by pointing out it is holding his own in comparison to the terrible players before him?Hicks in game: Cook had 31 yards on 15 carries for 2.06 YPC
Hicks out of Game: Cook had 65 yards on 15 carries for 4.33 YPC.
For argument sake....
Or maybe Hicks got hurt because he was over worked by EC and tried to do too much.
I bet you a coach would prefer a player that stays on the field not on the sideline injured.
Also, we don't know if Hicks and the Bears D would have played at the same level all game. Don't they say you keep wearing down the D and then the runs come late in the game?
He hurt himself chasing a scrambling Cousins, Cleveland wasn't within 10 yards of Hicks when he got hurt. He was irrelevant to the injury. Over worked? I guess that's possible if you mean he was over worked from pushing Cleveland around and preventing any worthwhile inside run game.
You missed my key point in bold :-). Sorry for not being clearer
The Vikes beat a team that has tortured us in thier home stadium for nearly twenty years. Our offensive gameplan beat a really good defense and the offensive line which has been putrid at guard played well no sacks and got push in the running game. I am going to acknowledge that and give that oline some credit.
@"PSBLAKE" said: The Vikes beat a team that has tortured us in thier home stadium for nearly twenty years. Our offensive gameplan beat a really good defense and the offensive line which has been putrid at guard played well no sacks and got push in the running game. I am going to acknowledge that and give that oline some credit.
You mean Zimmer won by playing Zimmer ball?
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