Forum The Longship Vikings high on DT Jaleel Johnson

Vikings high on DT Jaleel Johnson

StickierBuns
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According to Darren Wolfson, Vikings 'love him internally'....not getting much of a shot because of Tom Johnson's excellent play. 

Expect his coming out party in 2018. 6'3", 320 lbs. 

STRENGTHS Has good foot quickness and a plus motor. Early bird into the neutral zone off the snap. Accelerates into blockers with forceful punch at point of attack. Maximizes his length. Uses one-arm jab and long-arm push to disengage from blockers and generate a bull rush. Loose hips and flexible upper body are play-making tools. Plays with good energy and gives you what he's got. Won't catch him leaning on blocks for a rest. Hands and feet are in constant concert to improve positioning and defeat run or pass blocks. Rushes with both effort and skill. Always working to the edge of a blocker with quick feet and violent hands. Change-of-direction talent creates difficulties for plodding guards. Had one of his finest games in upset over third-ranked Michigan.

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#1 · Dec 28, 8:29 AM
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And yet, he has the same number of snaps as I do...weird...

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#2 · Dec 28, 8:53 AM
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I would think if they were that high on him that he would be active this week and give the old man an extra week of rest before the playoffs.

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#3 · Dec 28, 8:55 AM
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I'm pretty sure he'll get his opportunity in 2018.  With the status of Johnson, Floyd and Stephens up in the air, Jaleel will be way up there on the depth chart.

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#4 · Dec 28, 8:58 AM
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@"JimmyinSD" said: I would think if they were that high on him that he would be active this week and give the old man an extra week of rest before the playoffs.
Zimmer and the team have put, IMO, too much emphasis on this game against Chicago. Thielen called it a 'playoff game'. Its important, they want that bye week, but Z said winning against the Bears would be like 'winning two games in one'. The quotes from the team on this kind of surprised me a bit. 

If they lose, then what? What's the mood of the team then after placing such importance on this then? They seem strangely desperate for this win against Chicago, I hope that strategy doesn't backfire. 

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#5 · Dec 28, 9:01 AM
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@"StickyBun" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said: I would think if they were that high on him that he would be active this week and give the old man an extra week of rest before the playoffs.
Zimmer and the team have put, IMO, too much emphasis on this game against Chicago. Thielen called it a 'playoff game'. Its important, they want that bye week, but Z said winning against the Bears would be like 'winning two games in one'. The quotes from the team on this kind of surprised me a bit. 

If they lose, then what? What's the mood of the team then after placing such importance on this then? They seem strangely desperate for this win against Chicago, I hope that strategy doesn't backfire. 



I think they just don't want to over look it in terms of finishing the year on a high note so they don't have 2 weeks to think about a loss.  Personally I don't know if the bye week is a blessing or a curse for a team that is playinG hot.  We have a few players that need some rest,  but some don't always come back focused as they should be 

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#6 · Dec 28, 9:06 AM
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The bye is huge and I'm less concerned about it opening @ home. USB will be rocking and I can't frigging wait. That said, they can't overlook the Bears at all. I am supportive of the emphasis being placed on it by the players and coaches. 

IF they get a nice lead, then starting sitting the "blue chippers"

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#7 · Dec 28, 9:10 AM
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Would love to see him develop. He showed nice ability in college and with this team’s ability in the third round, wouldnt be surprised if he ends up being a force. Would love him to learn under both Linval and . . .

what it would cost to get Geno Atkins on this team?  3rd rounder and a conditional in 2019.  Geno loves Zim, and he deserves a shot to finalize his prime career on a winner.  

The only thing this team is lacking is a dominant inside pass rusher (what we saw in Floyd in glimpses). 

You would think Joseph and Atkins, with Stephen and Johnson backing up would be a dominant set of DTs.  Griff, Hunter, 2nd Round, Bower, Weatherly as the DE group. 

Outside of a DT via trade I wouldn’t add anyone else. If Newman does retire, I would like kick the tires on Jonathan Joseph (former Zim disciple). 

Resign our main guys (Case and Teddy for a total of NFL Starter money) and add a OL and DE in the first two rounds of the draft. The RG from OSU, Billy Price could be a great late first round pick, then a Robison replacement in Round 2 (Armstrong from Kansas, Thomas from Miami, or Ejiofor from Wake). 

With $57 million available

Resigns:
Case, Teddy, Sherels, Lamur, Floyd, Kai, McKinnon, Stephen, Harris, Easton, Sirles,
*Everyone is a modest contract except for the Case/Teddy combo platter

Extend:
Barr, Hunter

Retires:
Berger, Newman, Johnson

FA:
Jonathan Joseph (2 year vet deal, 2018 Newman Replacement)

Draft:
Starting RG (2018 Berger Replacement)
Rotational Edge Rusher (2019 Robison Replacement)
Geno Atkins ($10.5 million per)

Would be a great 3 round haul and adding to the foundation of a dominant team for years to come

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#8 · Dec 28, 9:10 AM
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He needs to pan out. Rick passed on a lot of Offensive Line talent to pick this kid, as he did with Gedeon.

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#9 · Dec 28, 9:11 AM
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@"FSUVike" said: He needs to pan out. Rick passed on a lot of Offensive Line talent to pick this kid, as he did with Gedeon.
Hey, some are still holding out hope for Treadwell, so we can still be patient with Johnson. 
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#10 · Dec 28, 9:27 AM
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He sure looked good in the preseason. Speaking of which, remember how god-awful this team was in the preseason? Funny to think about now.

Anyway, I've been thinking that the one real need on this team going into the offseason was 3T, but if JJ is that guy, and it sounds like the Vikings might be suggesting he is, then that changes things quite a bit. I like the idea of drafting a big right tackle and moving Remmers inside. I know some want a left tackle, but I can almost guarantee the Vikings won't do that (again) to Reiff.

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#11 · Dec 28, 10:12 AM
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^^^This

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#12 · Dec 28, 10:17 AM
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@"JimmyinSD" said: I would think if they were that high on him that he would be active this week and give the old man an extra week of rest before the playoffs.
Agree.  He showed some nice potential in preseason and I really thought he was going to get some snaps throughout the season.  Tom Johnson has played very well but still what about the young blood.  TJ is a free agent next year along with Stephen so we do have some decisions to make along the DL.
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#13 · Dec 28, 10:42 AM
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@"StickyBun" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said: I would think if they were that high on him that he would be active this week and give the old man an extra week of rest before the playoffs.
Zimmer and the team have put, IMO, too much emphasis on this game against Chicago. Thielen called it a 'playoff game'. Its important, they want that bye week, but Z said winning against the Bears would be like 'winning two games in one'. The quotes from the team on this kind of surprised me a bit. 

If they lose, then what? What's the mood of the team then after placing such importance on this then? They seem strangely desperate for this win against Chicago, I hope that strategy doesn't backfire. 



No coach wants his team looking ahead & laying an egg, let alone against a horrible team and in front of a fired up home crowd that is celebrating an amazing team and season
Zim is keeping them focused at the task at hand, which is maintaining a culture of winning every week

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#14 · Dec 28, 11:36 AM
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@"JimmyinSD" said:
@"StickyBun" said:
@"JimmyinSD" said: I would think if they were that high on him that he would be active this week and give the old man an extra week of rest before the playoffs.
Zimmer and the team have put, IMO, too much emphasis on this game against Chicago. Thielen called it a 'playoff game'. Its important, they want that bye week, but Z said winning against the Bears would be like 'winning two games in one'. The quotes from the team on this kind of surprised me a bit. 

If they lose, then what? What's the mood of the team then after placing such importance on this then? They seem strangely desperate for this win against Chicago, I hope that strategy doesn't backfire. 



I think they just don't want to over look it in terms of finishing the year on a high note so they don't have 2 weeks to think about a loss.  Personally I don't know if the bye week is a blessing or a curse for a team that is playinG hot.  We have a few players that need some rest,  but some don't always come back focused as they should be 


Yep, Zim just keeping them focused on one game at a time.  I think rest for the injured is in line.  Not as worried about focus with this team as I have been in the past

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#15 · Dec 28, 12:15 PM
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@"MaroonBells" said: He sure looked good in the preseason. Speaking of which, remember how god-awful this team was in the preseason? Funny to think about now.

Anyway, I've been thinking that the one real need on this team going into the offseason was 3T, but if JJ is that guy, and it sounds like the Vikings might be suggesting he is, then that changes things quite a bit. I like the idea of drafting a big right tackle and moving Remmers inside. I know some want a left tackle, but I can almost guarantee the Vikings won't do that (again) to Reiff.


Yes the handwringing was out in full force after the Seattle game.  Zimmer wasn't ready to be a coach, our defense was awful...

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#16 · Dec 28, 12:18 PM
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I like a couple things you suggested, Skodin. The OSU kid to me looks similar to Elfl. And they played together! Should have good communication and instantly strengthens the interior, where I feel that Berger and Easton are average and holding Buddy back some.

And yes on a Veteran Corner. It seems like unless Mike is forced to like in Cincinnati a time or two he prefers for Rookie CBs to sit and learn. A Draft pick has little impact on next year's squad. But a solid veteran can learn faster and earn trust faster and play sooner. Especially if he's been in Zimmer's system before.

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#17 · Dec 28, 12:19 PM
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@"FSUVike" said: I like a couple things you suggested, Skodin. The OSU kid to me looks similar to Elfl. And they played together! Should have good communication and instantly strengthens the interior, where I feel that Berger and Easton are average and holding Buddy back some.

And yes on a Veteran Corner. It seems like unless Mike is forced to like in Cincinnati a time or two he prefers for Rookie CBs to sit and learn. A Draft pick has little impact on next year's squad. But a solid veteran can learn faster and earn trust faster and play sooner. Especially if he's been in Zimmer's system before.


This is exactly why I dig J Joseph as a quality pick up. Strong ability to play outside as our 3rd CB, while Mac Man plays the slot. Joseph has more juice than Newman when he came here, so he will cost a little more but would be a great replacement.  If anything he is consistent and still a playmaker

Another name of interest, one that Zim was high on bringing in here, Morris Claiborne. He ended up going to the Jets to be a starter, havent heard much about him there but I’m sure Zim could salvage his physical abilities on this team, high value production at a cheap cost.  He played very well in Dallas last year, surprisingly they let him move on. 

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#18 · Dec 28, 12:44 PM
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