Couple plays by Barr last night....

I used to think that he was expendable. After last nights performance, I'd have to change my mind. He looked like our best defender out there.

Isn’t that the problem though....  He flashes and then disappears?  He needed to produce to get top dollar but once he signs.... he goes back to watching Kendricks make all the plays.   

@"Bezerker88" said: Isn’t that the problem though....  He flashes and then disappears?  He needed to produce to get top dollar but once he signs.... he goes back to watching Kendricks make all the plays.   

He already has more production at his age than any LB Mike Zimmer has ever coached and he can flat out cover for his size. Not very many guys like him in the whole League.

When you're out there shutting down passes to RBs in the flat it's hard to make splash plays.

There are multiple reasons why Zimmer wanted him in the draft and it still holds up. He has the size and quickness. He also is a very smart guy. But like any player, there have been injuries and the natural ebb and flow of the learning curve. Zimmer doesn't want to let go of a guy that he has worked with, watched develop and sees further growth from. And why should he? He fits this defense and adds to it. If I had to choose and this has come up before, between Waynes and Barr, I am choosing Barr. Nothing against Waynes, I really like him. I am just saying between the two, that's who I'd go with.  

@"pumpf" said: I used to think that he was expendable. After last nights performance, I'd have to change my mind. He looked like our best defender out there.

I am in the same boat as you! I was real luke warm on him for a while and you know what? We had good reason to have those opinions. He was on the side of a milk carton for a while but I think that he was also adjusting and he seems to have it figured out. 

He could still be re-signed and I have been fostering the idea it could still be announced before week 1. We'll see.
There is also the possibility that letting him play out his contract is an intentional motivation - that the coaches know it brings out the best in him, and that a monster season by Barr could make this defense dominant.

@"FSUVike" said:

@"Bezerker88" said: Isn’t that the problem though....  He flashes and then disappears?  He needed to produce to get top dollar but once he signs.... he goes back to watching Kendricks make all the plays.   

He already has more production at his age than any LB Mike Zimmer has ever coached and he can flat out cover for his size. Not very many guys like him in the whole League.

When you're out there shutting down passes to RBs in the flat it's hard to make splash plays.

@"Bezerker88" said: Isn’t that the problem though....  He flashes and then disappears?  He needed to produce to get top dollar but once he signs.... he goes back to watching Kendricks make all the plays.   

which one of our defenders hasnt done that early in their careers?  even later in their careers?   its part of being a good/great player,  teams scheme to take you away from their game plan but in doing so they open up opportunities for your teammates.   I think a lot of what Barr does isnt seen as a Barr stat,  but its often because of what he is doing.  kinda like coverage sacks credit still goes to a Dlineman the finally gets home even though its the guys on the backend that make it happen.

@"FSUVike" said:

@"Bezerker88" said: Isn’t that the problem though....  He flashes and then disappears?  He needed to produce to get top dollar but once he signs.... he goes back to watching Kendricks make all the plays.   

He already has more production at his age than any LB Mike Zimmer has ever coached and he can flat out cover for his size. Not very many guys like him in the whole League.

When you're out there shutting down passes to RBs in the flat it's hard to make splash plays.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"FSUVike" said:

@"Bezerker88" said: Isn’t that the problem though....  He flashes and then disappears?  He needed to produce to get top dollar but once he signs.... he goes back to watching Kendricks make all the plays.   

He already has more production at his age than any LB Mike Zimmer has ever coached and he can flat out cover for his size. Not very many guys like him in the whole League.

When you're out there shutting down passes to RBs in the flat it's hard to make splash plays.

Yet he's not a priority signing by the Vikings. If he was, he'd be signed right now. So the organization likes him as well they should, but not sure they love him. 

@"purplefaithful" said: Reminded me why he's a priority to re-sign...

Barr was halfway to the sideline from a single team block on Seattles first TD run right in his gap.  Brob was the only other hope but would have taken a great play for him to figure in.  He is just not that good in the run game and his reps at RE did not flash.  Barr was a solid pick in this passing league although Donald was sitting there.   Barr is a good defender in this D but i still dont understand why he makes the pro bowl.  He’s no Butkus but he’s no Bryant Mckinnie either

What would this Defense look like with only 1 LB that can cover?

I'm sorry folks, but if you don't understand how important his skill set is to allowing Zimmer to scheme the way he does that's on you.

Barr isn't signed because he knows how important he is and that his role is crucial, but not stat or splash play driven. And GMs know it too.

Anthony also  knows in a 3-4 he'd be a household name already. His Agent is rightly telling him to hold out for a huge deal. Rick won't be able to get it. Barr will get inked by someone like the Pats or Rams and shine. Zimmer will complain....and Rick will bypass an O-Lineman with the 32nd pick to take an Uber athletic LB who can cover...that will not make enough splash plays for most of the folks on this board.

@"FSUVike" said: What would this Defense look like with only 1 LB that can cover?

I'm sorry folks, but if you don't understand how important his skill set is to allowing Zimmer to scheme the way he does that's on you.

Barr isn't signed because he knows how important he is and that his role is crucial, but not stat or splash play driven. And GMs know it too.

Anthony also  knows in a 3-4 he'd be a household name already. His Agent is rightly telling him to hold out for a huge deal. Rick won't be able to get it. Barr will get inked by someone like the Pats or Rams and shine. Zimmer will complain....and Rick will bypass an O-Lineman with the 32nd pick to take an Uber athletic LB who can cover...that will not make enough splash plays for most of the folks on this board.

I agree with everything you said,  except the stud in a 3-4.  I have seen him struggle to avoid / get off of blocks on so many occassion that I wonder how good he would actually be  he has all the tools,  but I dont know if he ever learned how to beat guys with his hands or if he just always just got away with being quicker.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"FSUVike" said: What would this Defense look like with only 1 LB that can cover?

I'm sorry folks, but if you don't understand how important his skill set is to allowing Zimmer to scheme the way he does that's on you.

Barr isn't signed because he knows how important he is and that his role is crucial, but not stat or splash play driven. And GMs know it too.

Anthony also  knows in a 3-4 he'd be a household name already. His Agent is rightly telling him to hold out for a huge deal. Rick won't be able to get it. Barr will get inked by someone like the Pats or Rams and shine. Zimmer will complain....and Rick will bypass an O-Lineman with the 32nd pick to take an Uber athletic LB who can cover...that will not make enough splash plays for most of the folks on this board.

I agree with everything you said,  except the stud in a 3-4.  I have seen him struggle to avoid / get off of blocks on so many occassion that I wonder how good he would actually be  he has all the tools,  but I dont know if he ever learned how to beat guys with his hands or if he just always just got away with being quicker.

@"FSUVike" said: What would this Defense look like with only 1 LB that can cover?

I'm sorry folks, but if you don't understand how important his skill set is to allowing Zimmer to scheme the way he does that's on you.

Barr isn't signed because he knows how important he is and that his role is crucial, but not stat or splash play driven. And GMs know it too.

Anthony also  knows in a 3-4 he'd be a household name already. His Agent is rightly telling him to hold out for a huge deal. Rick won't be able to get it. Barr will get inked by someone like the Pats or Rams and shine. Zimmer will complain....and Rick will bypass an O-Lineman with the 32nd pick to take an Uber athletic LB who can cover...that will not make enough splash plays for most of the folks on this board.

Ive seen enough to know he’ll never be an aaron donald type player who was clearly the best player in that draft.    and at 32, i would be totally fine with his production.  9th overall should not be blocked out of his gap by TE’s. He’s not good in the run game

@"greediron" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"FSUVike" said: What would this Defense look like with only 1 LB that can cover?

I'm sorry folks, but if you don't understand how important his skill set is to allowing Zimmer to scheme the way he does that's on you.

Barr isn't signed because he knows how important he is and that his role is crucial, but not stat or splash play driven. And GMs know it too.

Anthony also  knows in a 3-4 he'd be a household name already. His Agent is rightly telling him to hold out for a huge deal. Rick won't be able to get it. Barr will get inked by someone like the Pats or Rams and shine. Zimmer will complain....and Rick will bypass an O-Lineman with the 32nd pick to take an Uber athletic LB who can cover...that will not make enough splash plays for most of the folks on this board.

I agree with everything you said,  except the stud in a 3-4.  I have seen him struggle to avoid / get off of blocks on so many occassion that I wonder how good he would actually be  he has all the tools,  but I dont know if he ever learned how to beat guys with his hands or if he just always just got away with being quicker.

beating a blocker while attacking the pocket is different that trying to defend a zone and facing a blocker coming at him. 

I think he would do just fine if he was rushing the passer repeatedly. 

@"FSUVike" said: What would this Defense look like with only 1 LB that can cover?

I'm sorry folks, but if you don't understand how important his skill set is to allowing Zimmer to scheme the way he does that's on you.

Barr isn't signed because he knows how important he is and that his role is crucial, but not stat or splash play driven. And GMs know it too.

Anthony also  knows in a 3-4 he'd be a household name already. His Agent is rightly telling him to hold out for a huge deal. Rick won't be able to get it. Barr will get inked by someone like the Pats or Rams and shine. Zimmer will complain....and Rick will bypass an O-Lineman with the 32nd pick to take an Uber athletic LB who can cover...that will not make enough splash plays for most of the folks on this board.

As long as we're picking 32nd in the first round next spring, I'll be happy with whatever gets us there this year.