New safety George Iloka is the piece the Vikings’ defense needed

Iloka is highly unlikely to start over Andrew Sendejo, who is coming off a solid 2017 season, but his presence give the Vikings an opportunity to offer looks they have not given opponents during the Zimmer era.
One of those options is to move All-Pro Harrison Smith into a linebacker spot during certain situations and use Iloka and Sendejo as the two safeties. With a reliable over-the-top safety, Smith could be used to thwart opponents usage of fullbacks or extra tight ends rather than sticking with a traditional 4-3 package.
Smith has proven to be exceptionally good at shifting spots when called upon. Per PFF, he played 577 snaps as a safety, 277 snaps at linebacker, 153 at slot corner, 112 off the edge and 34 as an outside corner.
“I think it will help some of the other packages we have,” Zimmer said.
Iloka said he understands the reality of his situation, but wanted to land in a spot that would give him an opportunity to contribute.

Part of being a great defense is constantly adapting and giving teams new looks to contend with. In Zimmer's first three years, we've seen double A gap blitzes, overload blitzes, and even lining up Robison at LB over the A-gap. The Vikings have also been linked to hybrid S/LBers in the past, though that's never worked out.

A lot of teams are running big nickel packages at the moment as it's a good way to counter teams who pair spreading the field with power running. Hard to say if Iloka is used in that role or if someone like Sendejo or Kearse gets those snaps. We also may not even go down that road, but I expect Zimmer to unveil some sort of new defensive wrinkle this year.

Edit: I haven't been able to read up on training camp as much this year, but I haven't seen any obvious wrinkles during the preseason. Are there any new looks or twists on concepts that they seem to be showing so far?

Pretty obvious to see how a 6'4" safety will help in redzone defense. 

There was weaknesses even on our defense.  We had trouble covering backs and TE's in the middle of the fields. I would scream at the screen when a team would pick up on this and start exploiting it. Having good centerfielders that we can move and interchange will make this defense even better.

@"suncoastvike" said: There was weaknesses even on our defense.  We had trouble covering backs and TE's in the middle of the fields. I would scream at the screen when a team would pick up on this and start exploiting it. Having good centerfielders that we can move and interchange will make this defense even better.

If we can get great pressure with front 4 most of the time? More than last year?  That's a brutally difficult D to win against. 

Again, I go back to Sheldon Richardson...If that man comes to play ball? Look out. 

Jimmy Graham, meet George Iloka

i know Rodgers is great and all, but if you think that Adams will get the best of Rhodes, that Cobb is better Waynes or can beat Hughes often, the Packers beat up OL can stop some of the baddest DL on the planet and somehow Harry and Barr won’t show up you are INSANE.

Throw in their brand new defensive scheme, rookie CB’s covering the best route running pair in the NFL and the return of a dangerous running back, yikes

We are going into LamBLOW week 2, taking all their emotion, all their feeligns, and bullshit and walking out with a victory!  

reinforcing that this is our division and outside of a complete health massace of 16, we own this division, period

@"Skodin" said: Jimmy Graham, meet George Iloka

i know Rodgers is great and all, but if you think that Adams will get the best of Rhodes, that Cobb is better Waynes or can beat Hughes often, the Packers beat up OL can stop some of the baddest DL on the planet and somehow Harry and Barr won’t show up you are INSANE.

Throw in their brand new defensive scheme, rookie CB’s covering the best route running pair in the NFL and the return of a dangerous running back, yikes

We are going into LamBLOW week 2, taking all their emotion, all their feeligns, and bullshit and walking out with a victory!  

reinforcing that this is our division and outside of a complete health massace of 16, we own this division, period

They'll just be coming off of (likely) a home opener win vs Bears.  Vikings game will be Rogers return game against what has become a nemesis for him - a Zimmer team. One that ended his season. 

I just want us coming off a home win vs 49'ers first. Unfortunately history says we typically split with the Pack. But every year is a new one too. 

@"Skodin" said: Jimmy Graham, meet George Iloka

i know Rodgers is great and all, but if you think that Adams will get the best of Rhodes, that Cobb is better Waynes or can beat Hughes often, the Packers beat up OL can stop some of the baddest DL on the planet and somehow Harry and Barr won’t show up you are INSANE.

Throw in their brand new defensive scheme, rookie CB’s covering the best route running pair in the NFL and the return of a dangerous running back, yikes

We are going into LamBLOW week 2, taking all their emotion, all their feeligns, and bullshit and walking out with a victory!  

reinforcing that this is our division and outside of a complete health massace of 16, we own this division, period

Iioka just made the rich richer for sure. Not sure teams will be able to pass on us at all. I know we had some issues with TEs last year but I don't see that happening this year.
The Packers get Jimmy and we get Iioka. = Check Mate

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"Skodin" said: Jimmy Graham, meet George Iloka

i know Rodgers is great and all, but if you think that Adams will get the best of Rhodes, that Cobb is better Waynes or can beat Hughes often, the Packers beat up OL can stop some of the baddest DL on the planet and somehow Harry and Barr won’t show up you are INSANE.

Throw in their brand new defensive scheme, rookie CB’s covering the best route running pair in the NFL and the return of a dangerous running back, yikes

We are going into LamBLOW week 2, taking all their emotion, all their feeligns, and bullshit and walking out with a victory!  

reinforcing that this is our division and outside of a complete health massace of 16, we own this division, period

I would love a statement game Game 2 at Lamblow...Pound em. 

Rogers return game against what has become a nemesis for him - a Zimmer team. One that ended his season. 

I just want us coming off a home win vs 49'ers first. Unfortunately history says we typically split with the Pack. But every year is a new one too. 

@"purplefaithful" said: Iloka is highly unlikely to start over Andrew Sendejo, who is coming off a solid 2017 season, but his presence give the Vikings an opportunity to offer looks they have not given opponents during the Zimmer era. One of those options is to move All-Pro Harrison Smith into a linebacker spot during certain situations and use Iloka and Sendejo as the two safeties. With a reliable over-the-top safety, Smith could be used to thwart opponents usage of fullbacks or extra tight ends rather than sticking with a traditional 4-3 package. Smith has proven to be exceptionally good at shifting spots when called upon. Per PFF, he played 577 snaps as a safety, 277 snaps at linebacker, 153 at slot corner, 112 off the edge and 34 as an outside corner. “I think it will help some of the other packages we have,” Zimmer said. Iloka said he understands the reality of his situation, but wanted to land in a spot that would give him an opportunity to contribute.

Iloka will be starting next to Smith in week 1, and Sendejo will be on another team or the bench.

@"Jor-El" said:

@"purplefaithful" said: Iloka is highly unlikely to start over Andrew Sendejo, who is coming off a solid 2017 season, but his presence give the Vikings an opportunity to offer looks they have not given opponents during the Zimmer era. One of those options is to move All-Pro Harrison Smith into a linebacker spot during certain situations and use Iloka and Sendejo as the two safeties. With a reliable over-the-top safety, Smith could be used to thwart opponents usage of fullbacks or extra tight ends rather than sticking with a traditional 4-3 package. Smith has proven to be exceptionally good at shifting spots when called upon. Per PFF, he played 577 snaps as a safety, 277 snaps at linebacker, 153 at slot corner, 112 off the edge and 34 as an outside corner. “I think it will help some of the other packages we have,” Zimmer said. Iloka said he understands the reality of his situation, but wanted to land in a spot that would give him an opportunity to contribute.

"Highly unlikely"??? Who is writing this - Mrs. Sendejo?? Sure, the coaches and team management and even Iloka himself are all being good sports and saying "team first" things, but Sendejo and Gedeon were the weakest parts of our defense. Two years ago, Zimmer wanted Iloka badly and settled for Sendejo when it became clear the Bengals would retain Iloka. 

Iloka will be starting next to Smith in week 1, and Sendejo will be on another team or the bench.

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"Jor-El" said:

@"purplefaithful" said: Iloka is highly unlikely to start over Andrew Sendejo, who is coming off a solid 2017 season, but his presence give the Vikings an opportunity to offer looks they have not given opponents during the Zimmer era. One of those options is to move All-Pro Harrison Smith into a linebacker spot during certain situations and use Iloka and Sendejo as the two safeties. With a reliable over-the-top safety, Smith could be used to thwart opponents usage of fullbacks or extra tight ends rather than sticking with a traditional 4-3 package. Smith has proven to be exceptionally good at shifting spots when called upon. Per PFF, he played 577 snaps as a safety, 277 snaps at linebacker, 153 at slot corner, 112 off the edge and 34 as an outside corner. “I think it will help some of the other packages we have,” Zimmer said. Iloka said he understands the reality of his situation, but wanted to land in a spot that would give him an opportunity to contribute.

"Highly unlikely"??? Who is writing this - Mrs. Sendejo?? Sure, the coaches and team management and even Iloka himself are all being good sports and saying "team first" things, but Sendejo and Gedeon were the weakest parts of our defense. Two years ago, Zimmer wanted Iloka badly and settled for Sendejo when it became clear the Bengals would retain Iloka. 

Iloka will be starting next to Smith in week 1, and Sendejo will be on another team or the bench.

Agreed...That first line was a "hard stop" for me too. 

Zim is saying and doing all the right things regarding Sendejo now. But I think most would argue Dejo will be bench strength, situational or traded. 

@"StickyBun" said: Pretty obvious to see how a 6'4" safety will help in redzone defense. 

I think folks are overrating George Iloka a little bit. Good, still young player with experience in Zim's defense. He's going to help us a LOT. But it sounds like many think he's some kind of All Pro. He's not. A few in Cincy were convinced even if he stayed he could lose his starting job to Jessie Bates. Right now I'd say we have the best backup safety in the NFL. And whether that translates to scheme flexibility or transaction flexibility remains to be seen. 

@"MaroonBells" said: I think folks are overrating George Iloka a little bit. Good, still young player with experience in Zim's defense. He's going to help us a LOT. But it sounds like many think he's some kind of All Pro. He's not. A few in Cincy were convinced even if he stayed he could lose his starting job to Jessie Bates. Right now I'd say we have the best backup safety in the NFL. And whether that translates to scheme flexibility or transaction flexibility remains to be seen. 

“He’s a big, imposing, physical safety who has got great coverage skills,” Newman said of the 6-foot-4 Iloka. “Smart guy, tough, hard-nosed, hard worker … he’s going to be a great addition.”

I bet most people here haven't watched much of Iloka, including me to truly know if he is an upgrade.  My impression of him from what I have seen is good so I am definitely excited to see how he plays with our D.  If he is a better coverage safety than Sendejo, I'm all for him starting.  Sendejo was absolutely terrible until last year.  Although I thought he played much better last year, he was still a weak spot in coverage for the most part, although I love his physical play.  Getting him for the vet minimum... brilliant. 

@"NorthwestNorseman" said: I bet most people here haven't watched much of Iloka, including me to truly know if he is an upgrade.  My impression of him from what I have seen is good so I am definitely excited to see how he plays with our D.  If he is a better coverage safety than Sendejo, I'm all for him starting.  Sendejo was absolutely terrible until last year.  Although I thought he played much better last year, he was still a weak spot in coverage for the most part, although I love his physical play.  Getting him for the vet minimum... brilliant. 

@"MaroonBells" said: I think folks are overrating George Iloka a little bit. Good, still young player with experience in Zim's defense. He's going to help us a LOT. But it sounds like many think he's some kind of All Pro. He's not. A few in Cincy were convinced even if he stayed he could lose his starting job to Jessie Bates. Right now I'd say we have the best backup safety in the NFL. And whether that translates to scheme flexibility or transaction flexibility remains to be seen. 

@"Jor-El" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: I think folks are overrating George Iloka a little bit. Good, still young player with experience in Zim's defense. He's going to help us a LOT. But it sounds like many think he's some kind of All Pro. He's not. A few in Cincy were convinced even if he stayed he could lose his starting job to Jessie Bates. Right now I'd say we have the best backup safety in the NFL. And whether that translates to scheme flexibility or transaction flexibility remains to be seen. 

The best? Well, I think you are overrating Sendejo a bit! But Andrew will be the highest-paid backup safety...

@"MaroonBells" said: I think folks are overrating George Iloka a little bit. Good, still young player with experience in Zim's defense. He's going to help us a LOT. But it sounds like many think he's some kind of All Pro. He's not. A few in Cincy were convinced even if he stayed he could lose his starting job to Jessie Bates. Right now I'd say we have the best backup safety in the NFL. And whether that translates to scheme flexibility or transaction flexibility remains to be seen.