[Preview 2021] Minnesota Vikings: Mike Zimmer’s Last Chance?

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Known for his defensive rigor, Mike Zimmer had one of the worst seasons of his head coaching career in 2020. Not helped by the accumulation of injuries from his senior players and a difficult transition, his defense collapsed.

In response, the Vikings decided to invest heavily on this side of the field during the free agency, abandoning an offensive line that has been among the worst in the country for too long. Rick Spielman favored the draft to fill this need. Enough to become again a contender for a title that has always been denied to the franchise?

Last season: 7 wins – 9 losses, 3rd in the NFC North, no playoffs

Offseason movement

Initiated last season, the Vikings continued work on their defensive squad. Veteran Patrick Peterson is the big name of the offseason for the Purples. His experience could prove invaluable in the development of young talents in the post like Cam Dantzler or Kris Boyd. However, he will not be able to do anything for Jeff Gladney. Pursued by a court case, the old first round of the 2020 draft has been cut. Peterson will be supported by Bashaud Breeland, who arrives in Minnesota after two seasons with Kansas City.

Still in defense, the Vikings seem to want to put pressure on the opposing attacks. After having made the deadlock in 2020 because of COVID, Michael Pierce will know his first season with the purples. He will form a promising duo with Dalvin Tomlinson, from New York. In the rotation, Sheldon Richardson returns after spending two years on the Cleveland side. The departures of Anthony Harris and Eric Wilson were digitally offset by Xavier Woods and Nick Vigil.

In attack, become a historic member of the franchise, the tight end Kyle Rudolph has packed his bags, in the direction of the big apple. For his third season in Minnesota, Irv Smith Jr will have to prove that he has the shoulders of a number 1.

The draft also replaced players who recently left the ship. Christian Darrisaw reinforces an offensive line which has just lost Riley Reiff. Deprived of the second round, Rick Spielman once again stacked draft picks to bring greater depth to the workforce. Selected in the third round, Wyatt Davis has the means to quickly find a starting place, given the weakness of the team as a guard.

Notable arrivals: Patrick Peterson (CB), Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), Sheldon Richardson (DT), Bashaud Breeland (CB), Xavier Woods (S), Nick Vigil, (LB), Mackensie Alexander (CB), Stephen Weatherly (DE), Dede Westbrook (WR)

Re-signatures : Anthony Barr (LB), Rashod Hill (OT), Ameer Abdullah (RB), Dakota Dozier (OG)

Draft : Christian Darrisaw (OT), Kellen Mond (QB), Chazz Surratt (LB), Wyatt Davis (OG), Patrick Jones II (DE), Kene Nwangwu (RB), Camryn Bynum (CB), Janarius Robinson (DE), Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Zach Davidson (TE), Jaylen Twyman (DT)

Notable losses: Kyle Rudolph (TE), Anthony Harris (FS), Eric Wilson (LB) Riley Reiff (OT), Shamar Stephen (DT), Jeff Gladney (CB), Mike Hugues (CB), Dan Bailey (K)

Le(s) point(s) fort(s)

Dalvin Cook continues to prove that he is the main attraction of this team. Extended at the start of last season, the running back has justified his contract. While he still hasn’t signed a full season, he still had the best year of his career. In 14 games, he traveled 1,557 yards on the ground and scored 16 touchdowns. At only 26 years old and with 4 more years of contract, Cook will still be able to make the eyes of Minnesota fans shine for a while.

In addition to its XXL runner, the Vikings can also count on one of the best pairs of receivers in the league. Justin Jefferson made Stefon Diggs forget his rookie year and Adam Thielen left on a very good basis, after a 2019 season truncated by injuries. Between them, they have 2325 yards in the air and 21 touchdowns. Enough to make Kirk Cousins ​​shine, if his line and immune defenses allow him to stay on the ground.

If they have not yet played a minute in the Vikings jersey, the association Michael Pierce – Dalvin Tomlinson has something to make salivate. Replacing Jaleel Johnson and Shamar Stephen, the change is likely to be brutal. Notably ridiculed by Alvin Kamara and the Saints at Christmas, the Minnesota defensive line has offered some nice gifts this year and opposing runners better have their teeth strong.

The weak spots)

This has been a recurring problem on the Minnesota side for a few years now. Protecting the quarterback doesn’t seem to be the priority. More access to the opening of the breach for his running back, the offensive line of the Vikings also tends to leave some when it is necessary to protect Kirk Cousins.

The selection in the first round of Christian Darrisaw should do good to this line, but the latter is currently injured and will therefore have a truncated preparation. Not ideal for a rookie. At the moment, Wyatt Davis is behind Oli Udoh and Dakota Dozier for the right guard post. Hopefully, the Vikings will prove convincing enough to get past players who have already proven their inability to protect their quarterbacks.

The Vikings are dragging themselves a sort of curse with their kicker since the famous kick missed by Gary Anderson in 1999. After a catastrophic 2020 season for Dan Bailey, the purple have decided to trust Greg Joseph. The latter has not kicked since 2018, when he was in Cleveland. That year, he had succeeded 85% of his kicks. More worrying, it is the entire squad of special teams that is not dreaming. Britton Colquitt is one of the least efficient punters in the league, while Ameer Abdullah, appointed to pick up the kickoffs and punts, only too rarely does the crowds lift.

With Eric Kendrick and Anthony Barr, the position of linebacker should not be a problem. Yet if the first city has always held its place, the second has difficulty staying on the ground. Absent all last season with a torn pectoral muscle, Barr does not appear to be done with the injuries. According to the latest rumors, the linebacker is now limited by his adductors. Behind, the 2020 season showed a lack of depth at the post.

X factor (s)

While the inside of the defensive line makes you optimistic, the outsides raise a lot of questions. Predicted to be the indisputable holder on the left, Daniel Hunter is a formidable quarterback hunter. But after a white season following an injury, will he regain his level? On the right, Stephen Weatherly has only managed 6 sacks in 58 games. He will be in competition with DJ Wonnum, who could quickly pass him if he confirms after a decent rookie season, given the context.

The Vikings have once again given their aerial cover a facelift. For the second year in a row, the incumbents in cornerback positions are in their first year with Minnesota. But this time, they are confirmed veterans, maybe even a little too much. At 31, can Patrick Peterson still be the number 1 cornerback of a franchise that aims to go far in the playoffs? Unlike last year, the Vikings seem in any case better armed in depth on the post. Cameron Dantzler, who is expected to be in the rotation, proved solid late last season for his rookie year. The return of Mackensie Alexander is also going to be good.

At the beginning of August, only 64.5% of the workforce was vaccinated. A situation which could lead the franchise to deprive itself of many incumbents during the coming season. Recently, the contamination of Kellen Mond caused the unavailability of Kirk Cousins, quarterback number 1 and Nate Stanley number 2. Because unvaccinated contact cases are placed in isolation. If this situation recurs during the season, it could have catastrophic consequences for the Violet campaign.

Player to watch: Danielle Hunter (DE)

To say that his presence was lacking last year is an understatement. Injured all season, Danielle Hunter watched helplessly as the Vikings’ defensive line wasted in 2020. With just 23 sacks, the Minnesota franchise has had, by far, its lowest total under the Zimmer era. In comparison, Danielle Hunter remains for two consecutive seasons at 14.5 sacks.

If his return to Minnesota was questioned for a time, the defensive end finally agreed to restructure his contract in order to continue the adventure. If it returns to its 2019 level, there is no doubt that the defensive line of the violets will make you forget a catastrophic last vintage.

Calendar

@Bengals, @Cardinals, Seahawks, Browns, Lions, @Panthers, BYE, Cowboys, @Ravens, @Chargers, Packers, @49ers, @Lions, Steelers, @Bears, Rams, @Packers, Bears

The audio preview of the Podcast

In summary

In view of the investments during the free agency, the Vikings should regain a solid defense in 2021. If the attack, which has not experienced major transformations, keeps a level of performance similar to last year, the purples have good chances of returning to the playoffs.

However, in crossing swords with the NFC West and the AFC North, Minnesota will have to contend with a complicated schedule. The return of Aaron Rodgers makes the Packers big favorites in the division and the Vikings are set to once again fight with the Bears for a second place finish in NFC North, which should qualify for the January festivities.

The prognosis: 9 wins – 8 losses

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