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Ed, Edward, Eddie, It's Donatell

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With Ed Donatell hired as the Vikings' new DC, Minnesota will almost certainly be running a 3-4 defense for the first time in a long time. It's going to be very interesting to see what that means for their roster construction this offseason.
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#1 · Feb 10, 11:39 AM
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Under Ed Donatell, who will be the #Vikings new defensive coordinator, the Denver Broncos last season were third in the NFL in scoring defense and eighth in total defense.
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#2 · Feb 10, 11:41 AM
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Source says the #Vikings will name Ed Donatell as their new defensive coordinator next week under new coach Kevin O'Connell. Donatell, 65, was Denver's defensive coordinator the past three seasons.

I reached out to Ed's third grade English teacher. Mrs Huffenstein commented that Ed's penmanship needed to improve.

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#3 · Feb 10, 11:45 AM
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The Vikings are hiring longtime NFL defensive backs coach and DC Ed Donatell as their new defensive coordinator, per
@BenGoessling. Donatell has 31 years of NFL coaching experience, 11 of them as a DC. He spent the last decade working with Vic Fangio.
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#4 · Feb 10, 11:49 AM
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We like this, right? Tons of experience and Denver defense has been solid lately. All due respect to Jared Goff but if this guy is used to gameplanning for Mahomes and Herbert, I think he’ll he quite happy to join the NFC North. 

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#5 · Feb 10, 11:56 AM
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Vikings expected to hire former Broncos Pro Bowl offensive lineman, assistant line coach Chris Kuper as offensive line coach under new coach Kevin O'Connell, according to an NFL source
@PFN365 Kuper has also coached for the Miami Dolphins since retiring in 2014.
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#6 · Feb 10, 12:02 PM
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#7 · Feb 10, 12:04 PM
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i like it.  Next best thing to Fangio himself, which is who I wanted. Brings a huge experience element and Head coaching experience to the round table.

Its interesting to me that we have zeroed in on 3-4 despite our current personnel. Methinks Kwesi ‘s analytics in full play already.  

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#8 · Feb 10, 12:06 PM
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https://matchquarters.substack.com/p/the-fangio-philosophy-pt-1

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#9 · Feb 10, 12:07 PM
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@"JustinTime18™" said:
Vikings expected to hire former Broncos Pro Bowl offensive lineman, assistant line coach Chris Kuper as offensive line coach under new coach Kevin O'Connell, according to an NFL source
@PFN365 Kuper has also coached for the Miami Dolphins since retiring in 2014.

So he was Munchak’s assistant the last 3 yrs…

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#10 · Feb 10, 12:08 PM
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With the Vikings reportedly hiring 3 Broncos coaches (Ed Donatell/Curtis Modkins/Chris Kuper), some of Denver's notable

UFAs:

- CB Kyle Fuller
- CB Bryce Callahan
- S Kareem Jackson
- RB Melvin Gordon
- LB Alexander Johnson
- LB Josey Jewell
- RT Bobby Massie
- CB Nate Hairston

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#11 · Feb 10, 12:24 PM
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@"JustinTime18™" said: https://matchquarters.substack.com/p/the-fangio-philosophy-pt-1

Interesting article, but it does kind of confirm gurus comments the other day about Kendricks not being a great scheme fit and the interior linebacker positions not being as important in this scheme and you can get by with average players. Money is spent on the back end and the edges. You might as well try to move him for draft picks and save the 9 million on his salary. 

Also wondering if changing to a 3-4 brings the possibility of Anthony Barr staying as he seems like a perfect fit. If the choice is between retaining Barr or Kendricks then it's Anthony Barr every time in a 3-4 defense 

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#12 · Feb 10, 12:38 PM
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I think Barr’s chronic knee will be elsewhere… someone will overpay him!

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#13 · Feb 10, 12:44 PM
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https://www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/gm-report/ed-donatell-brings-experience-in-quarters-man-coverage-and-turnovers-to-seahawks

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#14 · Feb 10, 12:48 PM
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Sorry, Seahawks...

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#15 · Feb 10, 12:49 PM
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https://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/news/vikings-hire-chris-kuper-offensive-line-coach

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#16 · Feb 10, 12:57 PM
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So Ed what kind of defense will you run w/ the Vikings? … Dona ask, Donatell!  ;) 

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#17 · Feb 10, 1:08 PM
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@"Kentis" said: So Ed what kind of defense will you run w/ the Vikings? … Dona ask, Donatell!  ;) 
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#18 · Feb 10, 1:32 PM
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@"JustinTime18™" said:
Source says the #Vikings will name Ed Donatell as their new defensive coordinator next week under new coach Kevin O'Connell. Donatell, 65, was Denver's defensive coordinator the past three seasons.

I reached out to Ed's third grade English teacher. Mrs Huffenstein commented that Ed's penmanship needed to improve.



sadly I wasn't sure if that last line was actually part of Tomasson's tweet or just made up.

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#19 · Feb 10, 1:34 PM
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Level 1:
The only major Vikings assistant coaches from last season who still have a chance to stick around under Kevin O'Connell are WRs coach Keenan McCardell and TEs coach Brian Pariani. Everyone else has taken a job elsewhere or (reportedly) had their role filled by someone else.
5
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26
Level 2:
Pariani is a Gary Kubiak/Rick Dennison guy, so I'm not anticipating he'll be retained. McCardell is the one I could see because he's been here for just a year and the receivers love him, but even that might be a surprise.
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#20 · Feb 10, 1:41 PM
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I know Kendricks didn't have a great year this past year, but I would be bummed if we traded him. He's so dang tough in coverage. Then again, do what you gotta do to be competitive on both sides of the ball

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#21 · Feb 10, 2:37 PM
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