Misc. Thoughts: Giants

@"VikingOracle" said:

• Rhodes or Waynes:  If you had to keep only one of these CBs going forward, who would you keep.  Rhodes seems to need to have a challenge and be truly engaged to play well; but when he is challenged, he still brings it.  But when he is not challenged, he seems a step slow.  Waynes is decent in coverage for most plays but seems to lose focus for a couple of plays a game.  On the other hand, I think an argument can be made that he is the best tackling CB in the game.
• Linval Joseph:  Another player on the decline in that he seems to get pushed back more often than not.
• Josh Kline:  To me, he might be the most pleasant surprise of the year.  It shows how much fit to scheme matters.
• Rookie Quarterbacks:  Up until Friday, the Vikings have had a 5-3 record against rookie quarterbacks.  Some will think that is fine.  Compare: Belichick has amassed a 17-5 record in games against rookie quarterbacks, Patricia is 10-2 against rookie quarterbacks when he was a coordinator; since Romeo Crennel came to Houston with Bill O'Brien in 2014, the Texans are 9-1 against rookie quarterbacks (basic internet search to find this info).  It seems to me that Zimmer decided not to sit back and allow Jones to get comfortable -- sending Smith on a blitz on the first play.  If I had to live with Zimmer's soft play calling against the Bears to his aggressive play calling against the Giants, I will choose aggressive every time.
• Rudolph:  I am confused about why the Vikings extended Rudolph only to use him as a blocking tight end (and what happens when the true blocking tight end, Morgan, comes back).  I am also confused why the Vikings would call a screen for Rudolph, who's dexterity is only slightly better than Kleinsasser's.  What Rudolph has is a catch radius -- which makes him a checkdown and red zone candidate -- not a person to run through the traffic of a screen pass.  I can legitimately see the Vikings trading Rudolph this year if they can't find a way to make him legitimately fit in this offense.
• Cook:  I honestly can't remember a back other than Robert Smith who could get to the corner and turn it better.  How many times did it seem that the corner was not available yet Cook found it and jetted up the sideline?

Some backs are just a joy to watch run.  I always loved watching Smith with those long strides.  Just amazing as he would "glide" down the field.  He is one of my all time favorite Viking backs to watch.
I did like watching Peterson and knew we had something special but I think I might like watching Cook a little more.  His ability is just amazing
 https://youtu.be/7_fKO3RopzQ

Any combination of  Rudy, Smith, Morgan is gonna create a mismatch.

Add Conklin and Ham and I think the Vikings are gonna show some weird sets this season