Team Identity...
Lacking an identity, Vikings and Zimmer should pick offense over defenseThe side of the ball that has delivered when it matters most through six games is the offense, no matter what the overall metrics tell us.A football team is a delicate three-part harmony requiring efficiency from offense, defense and special teams. Being truly awful in just one phase of a three-part game can wreck the whole thing.
The 2021 Vikings are wildly inconsistent and have had maddening sequences in all those phases through six games. But for all the ups and downs, the Vikings seem at least functional in all three of those areas.
That supports Patrick Reusse's assertion that the Vikings are good enough to be a playoff team and should be one at season's end — something we discussed on Monday's Daily Delivery podcast in the aftermath of Sunday's 34-28 overtime win over Carolina.
What has yet to emerge, however, is a clear identity — a nebulous term that nonetheless might explain why their 3-3 record feels unsatisfying and why every game seems to come down to a final play.
No, this isn't a question of culture over skill. Rather, it's a question of trust.
Pro Football Focus suggests that the Vikings should trust their defense. PFF has the Vikings as the No. 4-graded defense and No. 17-graded offense through six weeks.
And Mike Zimmer is still a coach that would prefer to win with his defense making a stop than his offense getting a score.
So the Vikings are clearly doing it right if they want defense to be their identity, correct?
Well, no.
Evidence to the contrary – with the Vikings this season and leaguewide for the last several years – suggests the game has tilted toward the offense. The Vikings have a premium offense when they allow it to run.
The defense the last two weeks has been great until the final five minutes of the game, which is kind of like saying your car dependably starts except when it gets really cold out.
The Vikings defense overall has given up a game-tying or go-ahead score in the fourth quarter or overtime in four of their six games this season.
Kirk Cousins has led six late drives (two against the Bengals, one against the Cardinals, one against the Lions and two against the Panthers) that have tied, won or could have won games.
It's great to have balance and to be able to win a variety of ways, but it also lets you lose a variety of ways.
Can you trust it when you need it the most? That's all that matters. And in the moments of trust, I choose the Vikings offense over the Vikings defense.
Coming out of the bye week, Zimmer should too.
https://www.startribune.com/lacking-an-identity-vikings-and-zimmer-should-pick-offense-over-defense/600107698/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
The argument could be made that the offense lets the D down in the middle parts of these games by failing to put up points early enough to put teams away in regulation...of course is that the players or the play calling and then is it the OC or the HC? The O doesn't need to take their foot off the gas every time they go up by 2 scores.
A defensive team just isn't possible in the current NFL. The Vikes have looked bad but are a top 10 D this year.
Who really cares? All that matters is that they have the identify of a winning football team, who is mostly responsible for that is not really relevant.
@"JimmyinSD" said: The argument could be made that the offense lets the D down in the middle parts of these games by failing to put up points early enough to put teams away in regulation...of course is that the players or the play calling and then is it the OC or the HC? The O doesn't need to take their foot off the gas every time they go up by 2 scores.
It all comes down to playing complimentary football. If the defense gets a turnover or is giving the offense good field position, the offense needs to respond by getting points. If the offense goes three and out deep in their territory, special teams needs to flip field position. If the offense goes down and scores, the special teams can't give up a big return, the defense can't give up a TD drive, etc.
Every team has dry spells on offense and gives up scoring drives on defense. What kills teams is one part of the team getting a big play or score and then one of the other units gives momentum right back to the other team. The Vikings have been consistently inconsistent in that regard. We haven't had a game yet where all 3 phases were clicking and we dominated a team. Seattle might be the closest, but that's 1 out of 6.
I don't know why it's important to choose one or the other. Who cares what their "identity" is.
IMO, it's not about offense or defense. To me the problem is about being too conservative. On both sides of the ball.
Playing prevent defense--playing not to lose--is conservative defense, and it has cost us. Playing ball control offense--playing to protect a lead--is conservative offense, and it has cost us. Even our special teams play conservatively.
That whole attitude infects the team. Clearly, we have the kind of QB and weapons who have no problem stacking together big plays to pull out games at the end. But, hey, maybe play that way all game you don't have to worry about it at the end.
We've got to find a way to snap out of that, especially in a league that gets more and more bold and aggressive each year.
Their identity is that they play like the most scared team in football and get the results you'd expect from that philosophy, Mike Zimmer.
@"MaroonBells" said: I don't know why it's important to choose one or the other. Who cares what their "identity" is.IMO, it's not about offense or defense. To me the problem is about being too conservative. On both sides of the ball.
Playing prevent defense--playing not to lose--is conservative defense, and it has cost us. Playing ball control offense--playing to protect a lead--is conservative offense, and it has cost us. Even our special teams play conservatively.
That whole attitude infects the team. Clearly, we have the kind of QB and weapons who have no problem stacking together big plays to pull out games at the end. But, hey, maybe play that way all game you don't have to worry about it at the end.
We've got to find a way to snap out of that, especially in a league that gets more and more bold and aggressive each year.
This. And it does affect the team, especially the younger offensive players. NFL defenses aren't meant to hold leads where the game is close at the end. Play to win for 60 minutes or pay the consequences.
General Patton, what do you think about "holding your position?" 4:18 to 4:50
This is a stupid rebranding of idea that Zimmers too
conservative. There’s no need to put
extra window dressing on this idea. The
author should just say that directly without trying to fluff it up with numbers
that don’t mean anything. Does being aggressive
on offense even lead to a higher PFF grade for the offense? Is the author trying to suggest that the defense
has anything to do with the offenses ranking?
Like the defensive coaches should ignore the defense for a week and see
if they can get the offense back on track?
Like we’d be better as a team if we were worse on defense?
@"greediron" said: A defensive team just isn't possible in the current NFL. The Vikes have looked bad but are a top 10 D this year.
I think you hit it head on here. Offenses are too good...quarterbacks are too accurate...and young receivers are dominating the league far earlier now. Cardinals rank third in defensive points per game, Bengals fifth, and Panthers sixth. In those games the Vikes scored 24, 33, and 34...I think our offense is the identity and then can the defense get to top 10 in points against (currently 14th)? Tough four games coming up, just try to split
@"Hawkvike25" said:@"greediron" said: A defensive team just isn't possible in the current NFL. The Vikes have looked bad but are a top 10 D this year.
I think you hit it head on here. Offenses are too good...quarterbacks are too accurate...and young receivers are dominating the league far earlier now. Cardinals rank third in defensive points per game, Bengals fifth, and Panthers sixth. In those games the Vikes scored 24, 33, and 34...I think our offense is the identity and then can the defense get to top 10 in points against (currently 14th)? Tough four games coming up, just try to split
Well part of it is because the rules keep changing to help the offense, so it is geared towards the D doing their best to limit the damage.
@"greediron" said: A defensive team just isn't possible in the current NFL. The Vikes have looked bad but are a top 10 D this year.
Agreed. And knowing this, does it make sense to have a defensive-minded head coach? Looking around at the best teams in the league, it seems the answer is a loud “no”.
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