Vikings moving Kearse to Linebacker?

Agreed, sounds like a pretty good idea actually! I like it!

Evolve or die into today's NFL...Patriots proved D still matters. 

Will be fun watching the mad genius unfold his new wrinkles this year.  Last year started off rough and Zim had to dial it back to get back to a fundamentally sound D.  But knowing Zim, he will have learned from that and will have some new ideas this year. 

But I doubt they will stop using Barr in pass coverage.  he is so instrumental in taking away the RB and the short areas of the field.  He has great burst and can cover so much ground in short order (just ask Rodgers.)  Coverage to hitting the QB in a few steps for him.
I can see them sending him off the edge more often, but he will likely still be a key component in coverage.

Not sure if this was their plan before the draft or not, but since we didn't come away with a coverage LB that we desperately need on the Weak Side, I'm all for it. 

@"MaroonBells" said: Zimmer says we're going to be doing something different on defense this year. There was news recently that the Vikings are considering moving Kearse to weakside linebacker. I don't know if that just means more Big Nickel or a permanent move to LB to potentially replace Gedeon on the weakside, ala Deone Bucannon. Does it mean we see Kearse and Kendricks in coverage while Barr rushes the passer more? Maybe even have Barr on the ball which has been talked about for years....Curious to see what unfolds at OTAs. 

That was my thought as well when I posted this a couple days ago in a different thread.

https://vikefans.com/vfforums/discussion/comment/69686/#Comment_69686

It might allow Barr to rush from the edge and kick Griffen inside on obvious passing downs.  That would also let Barr have more opportunities to rush the passer and meet the sack incentives in his new contract.

I think mobile QBs like Trubisky and others explain the move of Kearse to LB, and will result in more speed/less size on passing downs.

@"Zanary" said: I think mobile QBs like Trubisky and others explain the move of Kearse to LB, and will result in more speed/less size on passing downs.

I think the play that may have prompted this was the one where Barr was beaten down the seam by Woods. Maybe Kearse prevents this? 

Edit: How do I post youtube vids? Did I forget how or is it not working? 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"Zanary" said: I think mobile QBs like Trubisky and others explain the move of Kearse to LB, and will result in more speed/less size on passing downs.

I think the play that may have prompted this was the one where Barr was beaten down the seam by Woods. Maybe Kearse prevents this? 

Edit: How do I post youtube vids? Did I forget how or is it not working? 

Kearse is our ONLY veteran backup at Safety, yet they are talking about moving him to a different position? To me, that suggests the coaches aren't particularly happy with him as a DB, even after 3 seasons here...and this is a guy with plenty of natural talent. Feels like, "last chance to make to make it, try a different position".

@"Jor-El" said: Kearse is our ONLY veteran backup at Safety, yet they are talking about moving him to a different position? To me, that suggests the coaches aren't particularly happy with him as a DB, even after 3 seasons here...and this is a guy with plenty of natural talent. Feels like, "last chance to make to make it, try a different position".

By most accounts, Kearse played well last year in the big nickel role. The impression I've gotten from everything I've read is that it's an attempt to get him on the field MORE, not some sort of last chance to make the roster. 

If the team thought Kearse was prospectively a great LB why wasn't he already moved there? I'm with Jor a bit - it feels like a way of saying "we like you dude but it isn't going to happen at safety"

It also kinda doesn't feel very good that my gut goes, "heck yea we need a linebacker!"

@"BlackMagic7" said: If the team thought Kearse was prospectively a great LB why wasn't he already moved there? I'm with Jor a bit - it feels like a way of saying "we like you dude but it isn't going to happen at safety"

It also kinda doesn't feel very good that my gut goes, "heck yea we need a linebacker!"

Sounds like the Vikings were surprised at what they got from Kearse in the big nickel. Particularly against the run. Zimmer is probably thinking Kearse can be a taller Deone Bucannon playing the money backer role. It plays to his strength (closer to the ball) and mitigates his weakness (coverage). 

https://climbingthepocket.com/2018/11/04/big-nickel-my-nickel/

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"BlackMagic7" said: If the team thought Kearse was prospectively a great LB why wasn't he already moved there? I'm with Jor a bit - it feels like a way of saying "we like you dude but it isn't going to happen at safety"

It also kinda doesn't feel very good that my gut goes, "heck yea we need a linebacker!"

Sounds like the Vikings were surprised at what they got from Kearse in the big nickel. Particularly against the run. Zimmer is probably thinking Kearse can be a taller Deone Bucannon playing the money backer role. It plays to his strength (closer to the ball) and mitigates his weakness (coverage). 

https://climbingthepocket.com/2018/11/04/big-nickel-my-nickel/

Why did it wait until we drafted another safety though?

I'm excited to see what he can do at the position. Its not like safety to linebacker has never been done. I like what Zimmer is saying - the timing is suspect. Zimmer could be simply explaining why we didnt release him outright - because he performed solid in the Big Nickle and another look at him at LB is free.

His comments should keep Kearse motivated...

We'll see what his role is.