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Great read on our great LT...

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The process and personality behind Christian Darrisaw's success

EAGAN — Many years ago, we would have had a feeling that Christian Darrisaw was very good last season simply by watching him each Sunday but these days we can pinpoint just how exceptionally he played in 2022. 
Pro Football Focus graded him as the second best tackle in football, only behind NFL legend Trent Williams. He allowed just 20 pressures (12th best) and ranked as the third best run blocker in the game.
Darrsaw’s big leap in Year 2 gave the Vikings the franchise tackle they had been seeking for years during the previous regime. Now they enter 2023 feeling confident that the most important position on the offensive line is locked in.
Why did Darrisaw take that leap forward? How does he prepare? What about his personality makes him the player he has become?
On Wednesday afternoon, we sat down with Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper at TCO Performance Center to talk about how Darrisaw ascended to his elite status and the things we don’t see behind the scenes that will keep him there…
https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/vikings/the-process-and-personality-behind-christian-darrisaws-success

Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger! 

#1 · Aug 4, 10:27 AM
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#2 · Aug 4, 11:19 AM
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So great having an elite LT. Back up the Brinks truck, he's definitely earning it. 

#3 · Aug 4, 11:53 AM
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When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 

#4 · Aug 4, 2:21 PM
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@"StickyBun" said: When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 
Well said...

Edge Rushers are going to feel it the next day after playing vs Darrisaw. 

#5 · Aug 4, 3:18 PM
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@"StickyBun" said: When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 
I wish we had 3 more of him.
#6 · Aug 4, 11:18 PM
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@"kmillard" said:
@"StickyBun" said: When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 
I wish we had 3 more of him.
Me too. I don't understand how Oakland took Leatherwood ahead of him......its mind blowing. The 'knock' on Darrisaw coming out was he wasn't physical enough, lmao.....which is absolutely hilarious now. 
#7 · Aug 5, 4:25 AM
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@"StickyBun" said: When a great athlete decides to pay attention to his growth, then you get this possibility. Darrisaw is a force, whatever you have, he's got an answer. I love how he slaps down those reaches by the DEs. Forceful. He's long and powerful. He'll square up and kick ass. He's so smooth, it looks routine and effortless. But the amount of power in which he does things is so deceiving. Defenders feel him when he gets his hands on someone. 
Talent meets dedication and it is spectacular.
#8 · Aug 7, 11:46 AM
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Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 

#9 · Aug 7, 12:10 PM
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@"supafreak84" said: Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 


Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

  • Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  • Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  • Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  • Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  • Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  • Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  • Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE
#10 · Aug 7, 1:35 PM
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@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said: Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 


Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

  • Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  • Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  • Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  • Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  • Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  • Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  • Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE
that third round stings... 4 shots at guys that should be contributing on this team and relatively little to show for it thus far.
#11 · Aug 7, 1:52 PM
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@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said: Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 


Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

  • Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  • Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  • Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  • Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  • Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  • Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  • Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE
so 11 picks and 4 with the team into 23...And we'll see in 3 weeks how many of them are still with us. 

I'm not sure if that's good vs avg year drafting or not?

#12 · Aug 7, 4:01 PM
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@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said: Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 


Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

  • Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  • Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  • Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  • Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  • Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  • Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  • Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE
To me if you land an all pro left tackle drafting in the 20's, it doesn't matter what the rest of the draft looks like...that's a win. We also landed a starter in Bynum and upper echelon return guy in Nwagwu. That's a great draft in my book 
#13 · Aug 7, 5:03 PM
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@"supafreak84" said:
@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said: Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 


Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

  • Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  • Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  • Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  • Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  • Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  • Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  • Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE
To me if you land an all pro left tackle drafting in the 20's, it doesn't matter what the rest of the draft looks like...that's a win. We also landed a starter in Bynum and upper echelon return guy in Nwagwu. That's a great draft in my book 
Is this one of Rick's better drafts (2016)?
  • Round 1 (23): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
  • Round 2 (54): Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
  • Round 4 (121): Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan
  • Round 5 (160): Kentrell Brothers, OLB, Missouri
  • Round 6 (180): Mortiz Boehringer, WR, Germany
  • Round 6 (188): David Morgan, TE, Texas-San Antonio
  • Round 7 (227): Stephen Weatherly, OLB, Vanderbilt
#14 · Aug 7, 6:57 PM
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@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said:
@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said: Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 


Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

  • Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  • Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  • Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  • Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  • Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  • Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  • Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE
To me if you land an all pro left tackle drafting in the 20's, it doesn't matter what the rest of the draft looks like...that's a win. We also landed a starter in Bynum and upper echelon return guy in Nwagwu. That's a great draft in my book 
Is this one of Rick's better drafts (2016)?
  • Round 1 (23): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
  • Round 2 (54): Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
  • Round 4 (121): Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan
  • Round 5 (160): Kentrell Brothers, OLB, Missouri
  • Round 6 (180): Mortiz Boehringer, WR, Germany
  • Round 6 (188): David Morgan, TE, Texas-San Antonio
  • Round 7 (227): Stephen Weatherly, OLB, Vanderbilt
Nope. But you can cherry pick any draft and find good ones and bad ones. I still contend drafting in the latter portions of every round is more difficult. If he was constantly blowing top 10 picks it would be more concerning. But the two building blocks for this franchise (JJ and Darrisaw) were drafted by Rick in the 20's. That is extraordinary 
#15 · Aug 7, 7:10 PM
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@"supafreak84" said:
@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said:
@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said: Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 


Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

  • Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  • Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  • Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  • Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  • Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  • Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  • Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE
To me if you land an all pro left tackle drafting in the 20's, it doesn't matter what the rest of the draft looks like...that's a win. We also landed a starter in Bynum and upper echelon return guy in Nwagwu. That's a great draft in my book 
Is this one of Rick's better drafts (2016)?
  • Round 1 (23): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
  • Round 2 (54): Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
  • Round 4 (121): Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan
  • Round 5 (160): Kentrell Brothers, OLB, Missouri
  • Round 6 (180): Mortiz Boehringer, WR, Germany
  • Round 6 (188): David Morgan, TE, Texas-San Antonio
  • Round 7 (227): Stephen Weatherly, OLB, Vanderbilt
Nope. But you can cherry pick any draft and find good ones and bad ones. I still contend drafting in the latter portions of every round is more difficult. If he was constantly blowing top 10 picks it would be more concerning. But the two building blocks for this franchise (JJ and Darrisaw) were drafted by Rick in the 20's. That is extraordinary 
I totally agree with you.  Rick did have some great picks and in the later rounds also...Diggs and Hunter come to mind.  Rick was a good GM and had been for around 15 yrs?  Kwesi is on his second.  All I saying is to give the man a chance before condemning him.  Both men have and had a hard job to do and both are and were trying to help the team as best they can.

#16 · Aug 8, 3:25 AM
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@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said:
@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said:
@"ArizonaViking" said:
@"supafreak84" said: Another great Spielman pick, and he traded down to get him

All-pro for years to come 


Here's the rest of that draft class of 2021... Darrisaw, Jones, Nwangwu and Bynum are still with the team.

  • Round 1: No. 23 (from Jets) - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
  • Round 3: No. 66 - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M GONE
  • Round 3: No. 78 - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina GONE
  • Round 3: No. 86 - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State GONE
  • Round 3: No. 90 (from Ravens) - Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
  • Round 4: No. 119 - Kene Nwangwu, RB, Iowa State
  • Round 4: No. 125 (from Bears) - Camryn Bynum, CB, California
  • Round 4: No. 134 (from Bills) - Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State GONE
  • Round 5: No. 157 - Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa GONE
  • Round 5: No. 168 (from Steelers) - Zach Davidson, TE, Central Missouri GONE
  • Round 6: No. 199 - Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh GONE
To me if you land an all pro left tackle drafting in the 20's, it doesn't matter what the rest of the draft looks like...that's a win. We also landed a starter in Bynum and upper echelon return guy in Nwagwu. That's a great draft in my book 
Is this one of Rick's better drafts (2016)?
  • Round 1 (23): Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
  • Round 2 (54): Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
  • Round 4 (121): Willie Beavers, OT, Western Michigan
  • Round 5 (160): Kentrell Brothers, OLB, Missouri
  • Round 6 (180): Mortiz Boehringer, WR, Germany
  • Round 6 (188): David Morgan, TE, Texas-San Antonio
  • Round 7 (227): Stephen Weatherly, OLB, Vanderbilt
Nope. But you can cherry pick any draft and find good ones and bad ones. I still contend drafting in the latter portions of every round is more difficult. If he was constantly blowing top 10 picks it would be more concerning. But the two building blocks for this franchise (JJ and Darrisaw) were drafted by Rick in the 20's. That is extraordinary 
I totally agree with you.  Rick did have some great picks and in the later rounds also...Diggs and Hunter come to mind.  Rick was a good GM and had been for around 15 yrs?  Kwesi is on his second.  All I saying is to give the man a chance before condemning him.  Both men have and had a hard job to do and both are and were trying to help the team as best they can.



Yeah, I don't get the rush to judgement on the KAMster. I also give credit to Rick on some really outstanding picks but he also selected some real garbage as well....welcome to the world of a NFL GM. The new regime is trying to navigate the cap as well for what they inherited and what direction they want to go. Takes time and some wiggle room.

#17 · Aug 8, 3:31 AM
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Rick was fine but not great.  The last couple years he was here are kind of representative of that draft listed above.  An occasional good to great player but not enough competent players to fill out a roster, so you got weak spots all over.

#18 · Aug 8, 7:21 AM
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@"medaille" said: Rick was fine but not great.  The last couple years he was here are kind of representative of that draft listed above.  An occasional good to great player but not enough competent players to fill out a roster, so you got weak spots all over.
The OLine and not finding a QB are what kept Rick from keeping a job.  His unwillingness to try for a QB when his supposed QBOTF was inhouse really bit him in the ass.
#19 · Aug 8, 10:39 AM
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@"greediron" said:
@"medaille" said: Rick was fine but not great.  The last couple years he was here are kind of representative of that draft listed above.  An occasional good to great player but not enough competent players to fill out a roster, so you got weak spots all over.
The OLine and not finding a QB are what kept Rick from keeping a job.  His unwillingness to try for a QB when his supposed QBOTF was inhouse really bit him in the ass.
I think thats certainly part of it... Teddy was supposed to be that guy, but so was Ponder  They threw draft capital at the OL, but damn if too many of those picks didnt pan out.  They really should have tossed some FA capital at tried and proven OG when they had the chances. 

The other (big) part of why RS isnt here is what happened to the org internally and with his HC. That was nothing short of bad - and it may be a reason he's still on the sidelines this year. 

#20 · Aug 8, 11:33 AM
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@"purplefaithful" said:
@"greediron" said:
@"medaille" said: Rick was fine but not great.  The last couple years he was here are kind of representative of that draft listed above.  An occasional good to great player but not enough competent players to fill out a roster, so you got weak spots all over.
The OLine and not finding a QB are what kept Rick from keeping a job.  His unwillingness to try for a QB when his supposed QBOTF was inhouse really bit him in the ass.
I think thats certainly part of it... Teddy was supposed to be that guy, but so was Ponder  They threw draft capital at the OL, but damn if too many of those picks didnt pan out.  They really should have tossed some FA capital at tried and proven OG when they had the chances. 

The other (big) part of why RS isnt here is what happened to the org internally and with his HC. That was nothing short of bad - and it may be a reason he's still on the sidelines this year. 



Teddy showed some potential before the injury.  But either way, you keep trying until you have one.  Then you keep filling that position.  Instead we had to pay Cousins (a result of drafting a second guy at that position) and that was the turning point with Zim and Rick IMO.

#21 · Aug 8, 11:48 AM
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