IPJ
Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. started to turn heads as soon as he stepped foot onto the practice field at TCO Performance Center in the spring. Never mind that he was an undrafted rookie out of the University of Cincinnati at the time. The 22-year-old was hellbent on proving he belonged with the Vikings.After impressing enough people to make the team out of training camp, Pace continued to stack days on top of each other, eventually carving out a role for himself on defense. Meanwhile, head coach Kevin O’Connell remembers waiting for Pace to hit that rookie wall
“You’re just kind of waiting for, ‘When’s that drop-off going to be? When are those times where he’s going to look like a rookie?’ ” O’Connell said. “It just never really happened.”
That’s good news for the Vikings considering Pace has stepped into an important role on defense in the absence of injured veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Now every time Pace trots onto the field, he does so as the only player with a direct line of communication to defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
“It’s not really hard,” Pace said. “It’s just about staying confident.”
That’s a big thing for Pace as he has to take control of a huddle that features some very respected players, including veteran safety Harrison Smith and star pass rusher Danielle Hunter, among a handful of others. He slowly has started to grow into his voice over the past few months.
“I started out as a shy person on the team who really didn’t talk that much,” Pace said. “Just knowing I was going to take on the green-dot role, I had to open up a little bit, get used to my teammates and be loud.”
It’s been a pretty seamless transition for Pace, who has played 100 percent of the snaps on defense since Hicks went on injured reserve.
“This will go a long way for him and his future in this league,” Flores said. “I think his confidence is growing each time he goes out there with the green dot. He understands that responsibility and what goes with that. He’s starting to elevate his play in large part because of that.”
Though it seems as if Hicks might be able to return sooner rather than later — and more than likely would reclaim the green dot in the process — the experience has been invaluable for Pace as he continues to prove himself as player who could be a key piece of the Vikings’ defense in the future.
” I’m excited about him,” O’Connell said. “He just keeps getting better and better and more comfortable. Now he’s the green dot and communicating throughout the whole defense. You can’t put an amount on that as far as the importance in his development and where he’s going to get to.”
https://www.twincities.com/2023/12/08/vikings-linebacker-ivan-pace-jr-sure-doesnt-play-like-an-undrafted-rookie/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
@"bigbone62" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mblack" said:Nope. We only focus on the bad signings. Otherwise, it goes unmentioned on the board.@"MaroonBells" said: Pace played a ridiculous game. What a massive pick this was. So is this a good KAM pick/signing? B)Pace is playing well and getting better. A sack, 13 tackles and a game-saving INT?
It wasnt a good signing nor a bad signing....it was a lucky signing. Happy to have him, but we along with the rest of the league did not consider him worthy to spend a draft pick on.Must be wonderful to live in a world where you are absolutely never wrong and can work the mental gymnastics to explain away everything that doesn't fit your narrative. If you aren't already you've got all the markings of a modern day politician. Hell you used a play out of the political 101 handbook dropping some "what aboutsims" on us trying to distract from the Pace signing by bringing up Asamoah. Lol, if Kwesi didn't sign Pace but Detroit did I am sure you would by no means be crowing about Kwesi shitting the bed and the wonderful work of the Detroit GM.
The Asamoah comment was said in jest as there was a poster in this thread touting him as a superstar all offseason, who's now shifted to "what a great pick" Pace was. I just found kind of funny, but guess you had to be there. Anyway, if you all want to doslocate your shoulders patting Kwesi on the back over lucking into landing Pace as an UDFA....have at it. I'm happy to have him on the team and certainly not going to begrudge this franchise any time luck plays in our favor because it's rare
Raise your hands...
Who here thought Blackmon was going to shine like he has in a rook season?
Not me....
@"purplefaithful" said: Raise your hands...Who here thought Blackmon was going to shine like he has in a rook season?
Not me....
Same, he's been good. Now if you want to give Kwesi credit, give him credit for Blackmon who they identified and drafted.
The secondary this year has been just a scrappy unit from our safety play to our corners. Flores has been masterful
@"purplefaithful" said: Raise your hands...Who here thought Blackmon was going to shine like he has in a rook season?
Not me....
That must have been be lucky too.
@"Vikergirl" said:@"purplefaithful" said: Raise your hands...Who here thought Blackmon was going to shine like he has in a rook season?
Not me....
That must have been be lucky too.
I'll let you count the years and wait until we sign another UDFA who becomes a day 1 starter on a non special teams unit. I couldn't even tell you the last time that happened for this franchise prior to Pace or what the statistical percentage is in that happening...but its miniscule. So to say luck didn't play a huge factor in Pace landing in Minnesota is disingenuous
@"supafreak84" said:@"bigbone62" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mblack" said:Nope. We only focus on the bad signings. Otherwise, it goes unmentioned on the board.@"MaroonBells" said: Pace played a ridiculous game. What a massive pick this was. So is this a good KAM pick/signing? B)Pace is playing well and getting better. A sack, 13 tackles and a game-saving INT?
It wasnt a good signing nor a bad signing....it was a lucky signing. Happy to have him, but we along with the rest of the league did not consider him worthy to spend a draft pick on.Must be wonderful to live in a world where you are absolutely never wrong and can work the mental gymnastics to explain away everything that doesn't fit your narrative. If you aren't already you've got all the markings of a modern day politician. Hell you used a play out of the political 101 handbook dropping some "what aboutsims" on us trying to distract from the Pace signing by bringing up Asamoah. Lol, if Kwesi didn't sign Pace but Detroit did I am sure you would by no means be crowing about Kwesi shitting the bed and the wonderful work of the Detroit GM.
The Asamoah comment was said in jest as there was a poster in this thread touting him as a superstar all offseason, who's now shifted to "what a great pick" Pace was. I just found kind of funny, but guess you had to be there. Anyway, if you all want to doslocate your shoulders patting Kwesi on the back over lucking into landing Pace as an UDFA....have at it. I'm happy to have him on the team and certainly not going to begrudge this franchise any time luck plays in our favor because it's rare
I'm the poster and did not say superstar. I said I thought he'd be a starter this year and could even be a star given what he showed last year. He looked good in Donatell's defense.The idea that Dye played over him on Sunday is not a good sign for him, but I suspect he may not be a fit in Flores's defense. Either way, he sure as hell was not going to get playing time with Hicks, Pace and Metellus playing the way they were, and the Vikings using the big nickel (1 LB) as their base defense. Some players just take longer than others. Next year will be the proof in his pudding...somewhere, because I think he may be traded if the Vikings bring Flores back. But his career is far from over.
And speaking of Pace, there was no "shift." You seem to think he came out of nowhere, when I've been telling everyone who would listen about his instincts for about a year now, putting him in every mock draft I did, including the one I posted HERE.
How's your dreamboat Jameson Williams doing by the way? Still holding on to that one? You know who has twice as many receptions and 1/4 the drop percentage? Brandon Freaking Powell. Good call on that one, Soup. Shall we go back and read what you wrote about him? Might first need a black light to clean off all the body fluids you discharged in your posts about that guy.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"bigbone62" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mblack" said:Nope. We only focus on the bad signings. Otherwise, it goes unmentioned on the board.@"MaroonBells" said: Pace played a ridiculous game. What a massive pick this was. So is this a good KAM pick/signing? B)Pace is playing well and getting better. A sack, 13 tackles and a game-saving INT?
It wasnt a good signing nor a bad signing....it was a lucky signing. Happy to have him, but we along with the rest of the league did not consider him worthy to spend a draft pick on.Must be wonderful to live in a world where you are absolutely never wrong and can work the mental gymnastics to explain away everything that doesn't fit your narrative. If you aren't already you've got all the markings of a modern day politician. Hell you used a play out of the political 101 handbook dropping some "what aboutsims" on us trying to distract from the Pace signing by bringing up Asamoah. Lol, if Kwesi didn't sign Pace but Detroit did I am sure you would by no means be crowing about Kwesi shitting the bed and the wonderful work of the Detroit GM.
The Asamoah comment was said in jest as there was a poster in this thread touting him as a superstar all offseason, who's now shifted to "what a great pick" Pace was. I just found kind of funny, but guess you had to be there. Anyway, if you all want to doslocate your shoulders patting Kwesi on the back over lucking into landing Pace as an UDFA....have at it. I'm happy to have him on the team and certainly not going to begrudge this franchise any time luck plays in our favor because it's rare
I'm the poster and did not say superstar. I said I thought he'd be a starter this year and could even be a star given what he showed last year. He looked good in Donatell's defense.The idea that Dye played over him on Sunday is not a good sign for him, but I suspect he may not be a fit in Flores's defense. Either way, he sure as hell was not going to get playing time with Hicks, Pace and Metellus playing the way they were, and the Vikings using the big nickel (1 LB) as their base defense. Some players just take longer than others. Next year will be the proof in his pudding...somewhere, because I think he may be traded if the Vikings bring Flores back. But his career is far from over.
And speaking of Pace, there was no "shift." You seem to think he came out of nowhere, when I've been telling everyone who would listen about his instincts for about a year now, putting him in every mock draft I did, including the one I posted HERE.
How's your dreamboat Jameson Williams doing by the way? Still holding on to that one? You know who has twice as many receptions and 1/4 the drop percentage? Brandon Freaking Powell. Good call on that one, Soup. Shall we go back and read what you wrote about him? Might first need a black light to clean off all the body fluids you discharged in your posts about that guy.
Lol it's a good day when you can get Maroon to rant. You told everybody how great Asamoah was going to be all offseason and I even clarified with you in a thread that you thought he was going to be a superstar because that's the word you used. Same as Lewis Cine, who you insisted was a great fit in this Flores defense and was going to make an impact. Good thing Pace has become the player you told us all Asamoah was going to be. But I was just busting your balls about it because you were so adamant he was going to be great.Not sure what Brandon Powell has to do with anything, but regardless, Jameson Williams is only 22 and still has more TD's this season than Lewis Cine has games active lol. Keep reaching for the stars buddy
So boys, what’s the status of the “steak wager”…? ;) B)
@"supafreak84" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"bigbone62" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mblack" said:Nope. We only focus on the bad signings. Otherwise, it goes unmentioned on the board.@"MaroonBells" said: Pace played a ridiculous game. What a massive pick this was. So is this a good KAM pick/signing? B)Pace is playing well and getting better. A sack, 13 tackles and a game-saving INT?
It wasnt a good signing nor a bad signing....it was a lucky signing. Happy to have him, but we along with the rest of the league did not consider him worthy to spend a draft pick on.Must be wonderful to live in a world where you are absolutely never wrong and can work the mental gymnastics to explain away everything that doesn't fit your narrative. If you aren't already you've got all the markings of a modern day politician. Hell you used a play out of the political 101 handbook dropping some "what aboutsims" on us trying to distract from the Pace signing by bringing up Asamoah. Lol, if Kwesi didn't sign Pace but Detroit did I am sure you would by no means be crowing about Kwesi shitting the bed and the wonderful work of the Detroit GM.
The Asamoah comment was said in jest as there was a poster in this thread touting him as a superstar all offseason, who's now shifted to "what a great pick" Pace was. I just found kind of funny, but guess you had to be there. Anyway, if you all want to doslocate your shoulders patting Kwesi on the back over lucking into landing Pace as an UDFA....have at it. I'm happy to have him on the team and certainly not going to begrudge this franchise any time luck plays in our favor because it's rare
I'm the poster and did not say superstar. I said I thought he'd be a starter this year and could even be a star given what he showed last year. He looked good in Donatell's defense.The idea that Dye played over him on Sunday is not a good sign for him, but I suspect he may not be a fit in Flores's defense. Either way, he sure as hell was not going to get playing time with Hicks, Pace and Metellus playing the way they were, and the Vikings using the big nickel (1 LB) as their base defense. Some players just take longer than others. Next year will be the proof in his pudding...somewhere, because I think he may be traded if the Vikings bring Flores back. But his career is far from over.
And speaking of Pace, there was no "shift." You seem to think he came out of nowhere, when I've been telling everyone who would listen about his instincts for about a year now, putting him in every mock draft I did, including the one I posted HERE.
How's your dreamboat Jameson Williams doing by the way? Still holding on to that one? You know who has twice as many receptions and 1/4 the drop percentage? Brandon Freaking Powell. Good call on that one, Soup. Shall we go back and read what you wrote about him? Might first need a black light to clean off all the body fluids you discharged in your posts about that guy.
Lol it's a good day when you can get Maroon to rant. You told everybody how great Asamoah was going to be all offseason and I even clarified with you in a thread that you thought he was going to be a superstar because that's the word you used. Same as Lewis Cine, who you insisted was a great fit in this Flores defense and was going to make an impact. Good thing Pace has become the player you told us all Asamoah was going to be. But I was just busting your balls about it because you were so adamant he was going to be great.Not sure what Brandon Powell has to do with anything, but regardless, Jameson Williams is only 22 and still has more TD's this season than Lewis Cine has games active lol. Keep reaching for the stars buddy
Oh, I see, busting my balls, got it. Brandon Powell is relevant because he was undrafted, getting vet min, is our WR4 and still has TWICE the receptions and one-quarter the drops as the brick-fingered fuck you said we'd regret passing on for decades.Yes, Williams is in only his 2nd season, as is Asamoah. And while there's still hope for young Brian (taken 66th) and Lewis (taken 32nd), due to injuries and the near-ridiculous performance of the players above them on the depth chart (Pace and Bynum), such is not the case for young J-Dub, who, fully healthy now, has been given every opportunity to seize the WR2 role, but hasn't been able to. Taken 12th overall, this tease weasel is a flat out bust. Spin y'self silly, but there's no two ways around that.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"MaroonBells" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"bigbone62" said:@"supafreak84" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mblack" said:Nope. We only focus on the bad signings. Otherwise, it goes unmentioned on the board.@"MaroonBells" said: Pace played a ridiculous game. What a massive pick this was. So is this a good KAM pick/signing? B)Pace is playing well and getting better. A sack, 13 tackles and a game-saving INT?
It wasnt a good signing nor a bad signing....it was a lucky signing. Happy to have him, but we along with the rest of the league did not consider him worthy to spend a draft pick on.Must be wonderful to live in a world where you are absolutely never wrong and can work the mental gymnastics to explain away everything that doesn't fit your narrative. If you aren't already you've got all the markings of a modern day politician. Hell you used a play out of the political 101 handbook dropping some "what aboutsims" on us trying to distract from the Pace signing by bringing up Asamoah. Lol, if Kwesi didn't sign Pace but Detroit did I am sure you would by no means be crowing about Kwesi shitting the bed and the wonderful work of the Detroit GM.
The Asamoah comment was said in jest as there was a poster in this thread touting him as a superstar all offseason, who's now shifted to "what a great pick" Pace was. I just found kind of funny, but guess you had to be there. Anyway, if you all want to doslocate your shoulders patting Kwesi on the back over lucking into landing Pace as an UDFA....have at it. I'm happy to have him on the team and certainly not going to begrudge this franchise any time luck plays in our favor because it's rare
I'm the poster and did not say superstar. I said I thought he'd be a starter this year and could even be a star given what he showed last year. He looked good in Donatell's defense.The idea that Dye played over him on Sunday is not a good sign for him, but I suspect he may not be a fit in Flores's defense. Either way, he sure as hell was not going to get playing time with Hicks, Pace and Metellus playing the way they were, and the Vikings using the big nickel (1 LB) as their base defense. Some players just take longer than others. Next year will be the proof in his pudding...somewhere, because I think he may be traded if the Vikings bring Flores back. But his career is far from over.
And speaking of Pace, there was no "shift." You seem to think he came out of nowhere, when I've been telling everyone who would listen about his instincts for about a year now, putting him in every mock draft I did, including the one I posted HERE.
How's your dreamboat Jameson Williams doing by the way? Still holding on to that one? You know who has twice as many receptions and 1/4 the drop percentage? Brandon Freaking Powell. Good call on that one, Soup. Shall we go back and read what you wrote about him? Might first need a black light to clean off all the body fluids you discharged in your posts about that guy.
Lol it's a good day when you can get Maroon to rant. You told everybody how great Asamoah was going to be all offseason and I even clarified with you in a thread that you thought he was going to be a superstar because that's the word you used. Same as Lewis Cine, who you insisted was a great fit in this Flores defense and was going to make an impact. Good thing Pace has become the player you told us all Asamoah was going to be. But I was just busting your balls about it because you were so adamant he was going to be great.Not sure what Brandon Powell has to do with anything, but regardless, Jameson Williams is only 22 and still has more TD's this season than Lewis Cine has games active lol. Keep reaching for the stars buddy
Oh, I see, busting my balls, got it. Brandon Powell is relevant because he was undrafted, getting vet min, is our WR4 and still has TWICE the receptions and one-quarter the drops as the brick-fingered fuck you said we'd regret passing on for decades.Yes, Williams is in only his 2nd season, as is Asamoah. And while there's still hope for young Brian (taken 66th) and Lewis (taken 32nd), due to injuries and the near-ridiculous performance of the players above them on the depth chart (Pace and Bynum), such is not the case for young J-Dub, who, fully healthy now, has been given every opportunity to seize the WR2 role, but hasn't been able to. Taken 12th overall, this tease weasel is a flat out bust. Spin y'self silly, but there's no two ways around that.
Lmao, I said "we'd regret passing on him for decades!?" Wow. Never said anything close to it. I said we had an opportunity to take some of the top ranked players at positions of need (Williams, Hamilton or Davis) and thought we shit the bed by not taking any of them and trading down for a much lower ranked player who has been the epitome of a bust. Guy hasn't done shit, can't get on the field, and has added nothing to the roster. Same as Asamoah.
@"Kentis" said: So boys, what’s the status of the “steak wager”…? ;) B)It's a good thing he didn't because he would have lost badly
@"Kentis" said: So boys, what’s the status of the “steak wager”…? ;) B)There was a steak wager?! Wow. No, I don't board bet because I'm not 12 years old. But it we had bet on something, it would obviously still be pending. I mean the case looks pretty closed on Williams, but certainly not Asamoah.
We sure were 'lucky' to get this guy.
Respecting his game. @ivan_pacejr has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.https://t.co/D32tDGAi1W pic.twitter.com/1NkWFkMl43
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 13, 2023
@"dadevike" said: Makes you wonder what GMs are doing. 240+ drafted players and nobody would spend even a measly 7th round pick on this guy because he's too short? But as soon as he steps onto an NFL field people start talking about how good he is.Goes to show you that girls should guys who are too short a chance to perform.
@"ThunderGod" said:I feel bad for short dudes. Girls have never been more critical of shorter guys than they are today. Its stupid, really, but you like what you like I suppose.@"dadevike" said: Makes you wonder what GMs are doing. 240+ drafted players and nobody would spend even a measly 7th round pick on this guy because he's too short? But as soon as he steps onto an NFL field people start talking about how good he is. Goes to show you that girls should guys who are too short a chance to perform.
@"purplefaithful" said: Wonder what his ceiling is???The sky? Since day one, Pace has been playing out of his mind for an undrafted rookie...really for ANY rookie. But certain parts of his game were less awesome than others. Now he's ironing those things out and improving every week, and doing it all with the green dot, which is insane.
@"StickyBun" said: We sure were 'lucky' to get this guy.Respecting his game. @ivan_pacejr has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.https://t.co/D32tDGAi1W pic.twitter.com/1NkWFkMl43
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 13, 2023
Better to be lucky than good sometimes...
@"Kentis" said: Thought this was a craft beer thread… ;) B)India Pale Juice
Boys, boys, boys...for a group that is all supposedly pulling the same direction, for the same team, there seems to be an increasing amount of testiness from such minor issues. I am all about having different points of view, but jeebus...some of you take it to an extreme.
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