Stefanski news
Shooter reporting for tomorrow's Pioneer Press that Stefanski leaving, and that Mularkey atop wish list.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) January 6, 2019
You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it. — Robin Williams
@"TBro" said:The offensive needs (OL, more playmakers) are big but have been here for several years, so IMO the biggest question is whether our defense is in full decline or 2018 (including last year's playoff games) was just a poor year. Griffen and Joseph disappointed and they will both be 31. Richardson and Barr both might leave. What does Tom Johnson have left? Does Stephen Weatherly's 3 sacks mean he is an emerging superstar or just a good backup/rotation lineman? Weatherly, Jalyn Holmes, and Jaleel Johnson might be huge keys to keeping this defense strong. Offense is probably never going to be a strength, we just hope for competence. But we're done if defense struggles again in 2019.@"StickyBun" said: Anyone else have this feeling that Minnesota takes another step back in 2019? I have no doubt. Not that they won't try to make one last run, but I think they have way too many holes to overcome in one offseason makeover.
A few sustained drives on offense will do wonders for the defense. Starting the game with four, three and outs, makes it tough on those guys.
@"MaroonBells" said:So the jilted lover syndrome must be just a bunch of gossip.Kevin Stefanski, a finalist for the Browns' head-coaching job, is returning to Minnesota as the Vikings offensive coordinator, per source.9:07 AM - 9 Jan 2019
@"Jor-El" said:@"TBro" said:The offensive needs (OL, more playmakers) are big but have been here for several years, so IMO the biggest question is whether our defense is in full decline or 2018 (including last year's playoff games) was just a poor year. Griffen and Joseph disappointed and they will both be 31. Richardson and Barr both might leave. What does Tom Johnson have left? Does Stephen Weatherly's 3 sacks mean he is an emerging superstar or just a good backup/rotation lineman? Weatherly, Jalyn Holmes, and Jaleel Johnson might be huge keys to keeping this defense strong. Offense is probably never going to be a strength, we just hope for competence. But we're done if defense struggles again in 2019.@"StickyBun" said: Anyone else have this feeling that Minnesota takes another step back in 2019? I have no doubt. Not that they won't try to make one last run, but I think they have way too many holes to overcome in one offseason makeover.
full decline?
How did our defense rate this year? Rule changes prevented the type of D that we were accustomed to. So Zimmer adapted and we went with the keep it in front of you type, making offenses work methodically down the field. Much like the great defense in Chicago did. Our D held some pretty good offenses in check, Saints, Packers, NE, Seattle. All of those were losses (except the Packers) because the offense turned the ball over, didn't score and in the case of Seattle was also hosed by the blocked FG penalty being waived off.
And last years playoffs, our D was playing excellent until Case crapped out his horseshoe and threw back breaking INTs that switched momentum and gave the opposition new life. Recall that our D had held Brees in check until the INT on a stupid throw gave them a short field. Then he found a rhythm and clawed back into the game. A missed FG on our part also helped. Then in Philly, their first drive was a 3 and out and we were up 7-0 when Case threw the Pick 6. Then fumbled away another drive shortly after.So I don't see the "full decline".
@"greediron" said:I don't think anyone actually believed that.@"MaroonBells" said:Kevin Stefanski, a finalist for the Browns' head-coaching job, is returning to Minnesota as the Vikings offensive coordinator, per source.So the jilted lover syndrome must be just a bunch of gossip.9:07 AM - 9 Jan 2019
Good to hear about Stefanski, I'm a big fan of continuity. I also believe good players make good coaches. Upgrade that O-line and watch Stefanski flourish.
@"MaroonBells" said:There have been plenty of posts saying exactly that or worse.@"greediron" said:I don't think anyone actually believed that.@"MaroonBells" said:Kevin Stefanski, a finalist for the Browns' head-coaching job, is returning to Minnesota as the Vikings offensive coordinator, per source.So the jilted lover syndrome must be just a bunch of gossip.9:07 AM - 9 Jan 2019
@"JimmyinSD" said:Yep. But now it is worse than that, obviously we are screwed. If Stef is stupid enough to work for Zimmer/Spielman, it is obvious he incapable of rational thought and our offense is screwed.@"MaroonBells" said:There have been plenty of posts saying exactly that or worse.@"greediron" said:I don't think anyone actually believed that.@"MaroonBells" said:Kevin Stefanski, a finalist for the Browns' head-coaching job, is returning to Minnesota as the Vikings offensive coordinator, per source.So the jilted lover syndrome must be just a bunch of gossip.9:07 AM - 9 Jan 2019
@"JimmyinSD" said:Those of us, including me, that were saying those things were basing it off of NFL Beat writer tweets and articles that he was moving on. With the strange way Zimmer was handling it, the narrative seemed very likely to be true.@"MaroonBells" said:There have been plenty of posts saying exactly that or worse.@"greediron" said:I don't think anyone actually believed that.@"MaroonBells" said:Kevin Stefanski, a finalist for the Browns' head-coaching job, is returning to Minnesota as the Vikings offensive coordinator, per source.So the jilted lover syndrome must be just a bunch of gossip.9:07 AM - 9 Jan 2019I guess we will never know the real story since both of them seem to keep things very private. I'm just glad he is coming back vs. the other retreads that were connected to us. Assuming they can hire a capable OLine coach who can develop what we have, and our scouting department can find replacements for the dead weight in the middle, maybe there is hope after all. We will see.
The Browns were divided on hiring Stef, the football guys wanted Kitchens, the analytical baseball guy (DePodesta) wanted Stefanski... football wins again. The Vikings offered Stef a new contract last week, which he accepted upon not getting the Browns job.
No disrespect TBro, but opinions formed from tweets and click whore writers are exactly why I used the word gossip.
Glad he didn't move on so we didn't have to hear that line of thought all offseason. Hopefully the continuity (and some new guards) will help cousins and our offense. One thing for certain, Cook should be a prime candidate for a big breakout.
@"Kentis" said: The Browns were divided on hiring Stef, the football guys wanted Kitchens, the analytical baseball guy (DePodesta) wanted Stefanski... football wins again. The Vikings offered Stef a new contract last week, which he accepted upon not getting the Browns job.So, it's official; the Vikes have their new OC? We fans are just waiting for Zim or RS to announce it?
@"TBro" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:Those of us, including me, that were saying those things were basing it off of NFL Beat writer tweets and articles that he was moving on. With the strange way Zimmer was handling it, the narrative seemed very likely to be true.@"MaroonBells" said:There have been plenty of posts saying exactly that or worse.@"greediron" said:I don't think anyone actually believed that.@"MaroonBells" said:Kevin Stefanski, a finalist for the Browns' head-coaching job, is returning to Minnesota as the Vikings offensive coordinator, per source.So the jilted lover syndrome must be just a bunch of gossip.9:07 AM - 9 Jan 2019
You mean letting Stefanski explore HC opportunities while the Vikings lined up contingencies like Mularkey and Koetter? I don't see anything strange about that.
@"greediron" said:No disrespect TBro, but opinions formed from tweets and click whore writers are exactly why I used the word gossip.Glad he didn't move on so we didn't have to hear that line of thought all offseason. Hopefully the continuity (and some new guards) will help cousins and our offense. One thing for certain, Cook should be a prime candidate for a big breakout.
Exactly, to think that anything of substance should be taken from isolated tweets and anonymous sources anymore is just looking to be wrong in the end. Half of these so called beat writers for online "media" have no clue what's really happening and are basically just online versions of charlie walters....spitballers
@"greediron" said:@"Jor-El" said:@"TBro" said:The offensive needs (OL, more playmakers) are big but have been here for several years, so IMO the biggest question is whether our defense is in full decline or 2018 (including last year's playoff games) was just a poor year. Griffen and Joseph disappointed and they will both be 31. Richardson and Barr both might leave. What does Tom Johnson have left? Does Stephen Weatherly's 3 sacks mean he is an emerging superstar or just a good backup/rotation lineman? Weatherly, Jalyn Holmes, and Jaleel Johnson might be huge keys to keeping this defense strong. Offense is probably never going to be a strength, we just hope for competence. But we're done if defense struggles again in 2019.@"StickyBun" said: Anyone else have this feeling that Minnesota takes another step back in 2019? I have no doubt. Not that they won't try to make one last run, but I think they have way too many holes to overcome in one offseason makeover.
full decline?
How did our defense rate this year? Rule changes prevented the type of D that we were accustomed to. So Zimmer adapted and we went with the keep it in front of you type, making offenses work methodically down the field. Much like the great defense in Chicago did. Our D held some pretty good offenses in check, Saints, Packers, NE, Seattle. All of those were losses (except the Packers) because the offense turned the ball over, didn't score and in the case of Seattle was also hosed by the blocked FG penalty being waived off.
And last years playoffs, our D was playing excellent until Case crapped out his horseshoe and threw back breaking INTs that switched momentum and gave the opposition new life. Recall that our D had held Brees in check until the INT on a stupid throw gave them a short field. Then he found a rhythm and clawed back into the game. A missed FG on our part also helped. Then in Philly, their first drive was a 3 and out and we were up 7-0 when Case threw the Pick 6. Then fumbled away another drive shortly after.So I don't see the "full decline".
It's a QUESTION of whether last year was the beginning of "full decline". In 2017 we were #1 in yardage allowed and #1 in points allowed; in 2018 we were #4 in yardage and #9 in points. We didn't collapse but we slipped - and some have argued that we had an even greater issue in "big" games.
My point is that IF we need to rebuild our defense already this year, with simultaneous significant needs on offense, we're likely to be worse next year.
It's officiallly announced now. Go gettem' coach Stef - SKOL
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings
have appointed Kevin Stefanski as offensive coordinator, after his
interim stint over the last three games of the season.
The
36-year-old Stefanski was promoted Dec. 11 to replace John DeFilippo,
who was fired in his first season on the job with the Vikings struggling
badly to move the ball. Stefanski's contract expired Tuesday.
The
Vikings announced his hiring Wednesday. He's the fourth offensive
coordinator under coach Mike Zimmer, who just finished his fifth year.
Stefanski
was a head coach candidate for the Cleveland Browns, who instead picked
their interim offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens .
Stefanski,
who joined the Vikings in 2006 as an assistant to coach Brad Childress,
is the longest-tenured member of Minnesota's coaching staff . He has
coached tight ends, running backs and quarterbacks for the Vikings.
@"StickyBun" said: Good to hear about Stefanski, I'm a big fan of continuity. I also believe good players make good coaches. Upgrade that O-line and watch Stefanski flourish.I do think continuity is helpful, and was concerned that a total shift (like power blocking) by another OC would take another year of adjustment. The biggest downside to Stefanski is that Zimmer seems to meddle and question his offensive coordinator UNLESS he's a former HC himself, and then Zimmer has trust. If Stefanski has some bumpy games, Zimmer will grumble, or worse.
EAGAN, Minn. - Kevin Stefanski will return to the Vikings as offensive coordinator, the team announced Wednesday afternoon.
Stefanski
finished the season as interim offensive coordinator and his contract
expired Tuesday. He was one of two finalists for the Cleveland head
coaching position but the Browns on Wednesday selected offensive
coordinator Freddie Kitchens.
“Kevin is a
smart young coach with a bright future,” said Vikings head coach Mike
Zimmer. “I’m happy to have him take over the offensive coordinator job.
His work ethic and teaching ability have been obvious to me behind the
scenes since I came here five years ago. He’s well respected by coaches
and players both and I know he’s up to the task.”
Stefanski has been with the Vikings since 2006 and is their longest-tenured assistant coach.
Stefanski
began 2018 as quarterbacks coach before being promoted to offensive
coordinator on an interim basis when John DeFilippo was fired Dec. 11.
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