quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

Athletic G's that can pull and block in space are vital to a zone blocking scheme.

According to Reiff's bio he is athletic and can get to the second level but has little to no exp playing the G position.

Not saying he couldn't make the switch. But could also well be Round peg meet Square hole.

There has been nothing in Reiff's play here that indicates that his athleticism is anything special. In fact he regularly gets eaten alive by players who are athletic.

Actually in 2017 he was really good but as injuries pile up he is having trouble staying healthy and 2018 wasn't near as good.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JT2

quote:

ORIGINAL: thebigo

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

quote:

ORIGINAL: Viking Rich

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

Moving Reiff inside might be even stupider than moving Remmers inside.

I hope they are not seriously thinking about this

Guards all over the league will soon be looking at and reading the tombstones of Remmers and Reiff:

THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS:

"Where Tackles Go To Die As Guards"

Well played.

Kind of a play on the old adage "Where Chicago WRs go to continue to suck, but at higher pay"

At least we stopped picking them up.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

Athletic G's that can pull and block in space are vital to a zone blocking scheme.

According to Reiff's bio he is athletic and can get to the second level but has little to no exp playing the G position.

Not saying he couldn't make the switch. But could also well be Round peg meet Square hole.

There has been nothing in Reiff's play here that indicates that his athleticism is anything special. In fact he regularly gets eaten alive by players who are athletic.

Actually in 2017 he was really good but as injuries pile up he is having trouble staying healthy and 2018 wasn't near as good.

The point is that he does not fit the description of athletic. Even before injuries, he wan't real mobile and still has a lot of trouble with speed rushers because of it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

quote:

ORIGINAL: The Happy Norseman

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

FA olineman are not only scarce but extremely expensive.

We should have been drafting oline early and often for the last 5 years.

Amen! That's why this is the year to attack the problem in the draft. We are set up on defense. Go get one FA guard, sign Easton to a vet minimum then draft:

1st - Greg Little - T
2nd- Chris Lindstrom - G
3rd - TJ Hockenson - TE

Then address DT and LB.

Then win the f'n Superbowl!

Sign me up. I posted FA Guard list right after our embarrassing lost to the Bears (the second one). If Saffold resigns with the Rams, he wants to and the team has indicated they want him back - caveat with their salary cap situation they might not be able to, then FA G options aren't very good (pending any veteran cuts).

Best options to me, sign an upgrade at center. That FA seemed much younger, better, and cheaper (the last item is debatable https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/positional/ there appears to me very little difference between guard and center. There are two guards worth trading for. The RFA of the NE Pats, who has been excellent filling in for injury (name starts with a K). And Sitton, where the Dolphins appear to be in tanking mode to get the best QB of 2020 or 2021. I would kick the tires on either to see if they would accept a 2020 pick (hopefully in the 5th-2nd range - I'd be willing to give a higher pick if MIA would pick up some/half/most of Sitton's salary).

In a vacuum. I'd sign a center, trade for a guard - one of the two options listed above, draft a guard in one of the first two rounds. If it's within range of value at 18 or 50 - so bet it, if it can happen with a trade back even better. I'd jettison Compton/Jones/Remmers. I'd see what Easton is willing to accept, I wouldn't pay him more than a 2M prove it contract. If a developmental tackle is available in the draft round 3 or so, I might take him. I personally think A Collins, should be groomed as a swing tackle with the goal of him taking over the RT spot. Let OTAs and Training camp decide our interior lineup.

I don't know how feasible any component of this is. If they sign/or let go either of Barr/Richardson and don't think they have the inhouse horses, then that alters plans a lot of this. If players I expect to restructure like Griffen, aren't willing to, it has a huge impact.

But that's the framework I'd be looking at. But leaving no-stone unturned.

quote:

ORIGINAL: The Happy Norseman

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pager

quote:

ORIGINAL: The Happy Norseman

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

FA olineman are not only scarce but extremely expensive.

We should have been drafting oline early and often for the last 5 years.

Amen! That's why this is the year to attack the problem in the draft. We are set up on defense. Go get one FA guard, sign Easton to a vet minimum then draft:

1st - Greg Little - T
2nd- Chris Lindstrom - G
3rd - TJ Hockenson - TE

Then address DT and LB.

Then win the f'n Superbowl!

Sign me up. I posted FA Guard list right after our embarrassing lost to the Bears (the second one). If Saffold resigns with the Rams, he wants to and the team has indicated they want him back - caveat with their salary cap situation they might not be able to, then FA G options aren't very good (pending any veteran cuts).

Best options to me, sign an upgrade at center. That FA seemed much younger, better, and cheaper (the last item is debatable https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/positional/ there appears to me very little difference between guard and center. There are two guards worth trading for. The RFA of the NE Pats, who has been excellent filling in for injury (name starts with a K). And Sitton, where the Dolphins appear to be in tanking mode to get the best QB of 2020 or 2021. I would kick the tires on either to see if they would accept a 2020 pick (hopefully in the 5th-2nd range - I'd be willing to give a higher pick if MIA would pick up some/half/most of Sitton's salary).

In a vacuum. I'd sign a center, trade for a guard - one of the two options listed above, draft a guard in one of the first two rounds. If it's within range of value at 18 or 50 - so bet it, if it can happen with a trade back even better. I'd jettison Compton/Jones/Remmers. I'd see what Easton is willing to accept, I wouldn't pay him more than a 2M prove it contract. If a developmental tackle is available in the draft round 3 or so, I might take him. I personally think A Collins, should be groomed as a swing tackle with the goal of him taking over the RT spot. Let OTAs and Training camp decide our interior lineup.

I don't know how feasible any component of this is. If they sign/or let go either of Barr/Richardson and don't think they have the inhouse horses, then that alters plans a lot of this. If players I expect to restructure like Griffen, aren't willing to, it has a huge impact.

But that's the framework I'd be looking at. But leaving no-stone unturned.

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to make the move for Paradis as some posters have suggested, and kick Elf out to Guard where he was successful in college. Better to pay for an excellent center than an average Guard. Then sign Easton to a vet minimum, assuming he's healthy. It's a move I could realistically see Spielman pull off. Dump Remmers and salary wise it would be close to a push, maybe cost the team a few million bucks more per year. After the draft, we could very realistically go into next year with a line that looks something like:

Reiff - Little(r)
Lindstrom(r) - Easton
Paradis - Elflein
Elflein - Remmers
O'Neill - Hill - Collins

With Dennison and Kubiak taking over, I'd actually feel cautiously optimistic that our line would be above average to good.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I was not very gracious to the Patriot fans I know for their teams Super Bowl victory. They were shocked and said that I'm a better person than that. Perhaps I am, or perhaps I'm not. I feel a lot of resentment that I have not been able to experience the euphoria of a championship. It was pointed out that I experienced the Twins World Series victory, but you know in 1991 I was out of the country and was unable to catch a single game. (I did watch the '87 Series, though, but you know that was 32 years ago.) That was before I moved back to Minnesota in 1992. Maybe I brought bad luck to the Minnesota teams. That makes me very bad.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

Paying Reiff 11.7ml to play G

We have zero leverage to restructure

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I was not very gracious to the Patriot fans I know for their teams Super Bowl victory. They were shocked and said that I'm a better person than that. Perhaps I am, or perhaps I'm not. I feel a lot of resentment that I have not been able to experience the euphoria of a championship. It was pointed out that I experienced the Twins World Series victory, but you know in 1991 I was out of the country and was unable to catch a single game. (I did watch the '87 Series, though, but you know that was 32 years ago.) That was before I moved back to Minnesota in 1992. Maybe I brought bad luck to the Minnesota teams. That makes me very bad.

quote:

ORIGINAL: jbusse

Interesting article about play-action:

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/2/1/18206319/rams-sean-mcvay-play-action-history-bill-walsh-mike-shanahan

Hope to see more play-action next year. This past season, Vikes ran play-action on 20% of their plays, ranking 24th in the league:

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/2018/rotopass-play-action-offense-charting

In 2017, Vikes ran play-action more than anyone:

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2018/2017-play-action-offense

quote:

ORIGINAL: jbusse

https://twitter.com/PFF_Zoltan/status/1092896475036745728

Jared Goff's PFF grade when the Patriots did not disguise their coverage: 66.0

His PFF grade when the Patriots went from split safety to single high or vice versa post-snap: 29.4
----

Too bad Zimmer didn't have a better approach to stop the Rams, but I guess it's easier when there's more tape. Plus Goff seemed razor sharp against the Vikes; not so much against the Patriots.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: jbusse

https://twitter.com/PFF_Zoltan/status/1092896475036745728

Jared Goff's PFF grade when the Patriots did not disguise their coverage: 66.0

His PFF grade when the Patriots went from split safety to single high or vice versa post-snap: 29.4
----

Too bad Zimmer didn't have a better approach to stop the Rams, but I guess it's easier when there's more tape. Plus Goff seemed razor sharp against the Vikes; not so much against the Patriots.

Coming into the game McVay already knew of a few situations he could exploit our coverage. They were one step ahead of us from the get-go. Same with the Eagles in the NFCCG. They knew that just by pointing at certain linebackers they could get the Vikes to react pre-snap in a predictable way that they then exploited.

Zimmer can will continue to beat poor to average teams with the superior talent and technique he has on his defense - but the good teams and smart coaches will always be too far ahead of him.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mark Anderson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: jbusse

https://twitter.com/PFF_Zoltan/status/1092896475036745728

Jared Goff's PFF grade when the Patriots did not disguise their coverage: 66.0

His PFF grade when the Patriots went from split safety to single high or vice versa post-snap: 29.4
----

Too bad Zimmer didn't have a better approach to stop the Rams, but I guess it's easier when there's more tape. Plus Goff seemed razor sharp against the Vikes; not so much against the Patriots.

Coming into the game McVay already knew of a few situations he could exploit our coverage. They were one step ahead of us from the get-go. Same with the Eagles in the NFCCG. They knew that just by pointing at certain linebackers they could get the Vikes to react pre-snap in a predictable way that they then exploited.

Zimmer can will continue to beat poor to average teams with the superior talent and technique he has on his defense - but the good teams and smart coaches will always be too far ahead of him.

On the bright side, we exploited the Rams' defense and Tom Brady couldn't.

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mark Anderson

quote:

ORIGINAL: David F.

quote:

ORIGINAL: jbusse

https://twitter.com/PFF_Zoltan/status/1092896475036745728

Jared Goff's PFF grade when the Patriots did not disguise their coverage: 66.0

His PFF grade when the Patriots went from split safety to single high or vice versa post-snap: 29.4
----

Too bad Zimmer didn't have a better approach to stop the Rams, but I guess it's easier when there's more tape. Plus Goff seemed razor sharp against the Vikes; not so much against the Patriots.

Coming into the game McVay already knew of a few situations he could exploit our coverage. They were one step ahead of us from the get-go. Same with the Eagles in the NFCCG. They knew that just by pointing at certain linebackers they could get the Vikes to react pre-snap in a predictable way that they then exploited.

Zimmer can will continue to beat poor to average teams with the superior talent and technique he has on his defense - but the good teams and smart coaches will always be too far ahead of him.

On the bright side, we exploited the Rams' defense and Tom Brady couldn't.

We were so close - just needed to hold them to 30 points or less and we'd have made the playoffs.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

Paying Reiff 11.7ml to play G

We have zero leverage to restructure

quote:

ORIGINAL: jbusse

Interesting article about play-action:

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/2/1/18206319/rams-sean-mcvay-play-action-history-bill-walsh-mike-shanahan

Hope to see more play-action next year. This past season, Vikes ran play-action on 20% of their plays, ranking 24th in the league:

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/2018/rotopass-play-action-offense-charting

In 2017, Vikes ran play-action more than anyone:

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2018/2017-play-action-offense

quote:

ORIGINAL: thebigo

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson

I was not very gracious to the Patriot fans I know for their teams Super Bowl victory. They were shocked and said that I'm a better person than that. Perhaps I am, or perhaps I'm not. I feel a lot of resentment that I have not been able to experience the euphoria of a championship. It was pointed out that I experienced the Twins World Series victory, but you know in 1991 I was out of the country and was unable to catch a single game. (I did watch the '87 Series, though, but you know that was 32 years ago.) That was before I moved back to Minnesota in 1992. Maybe I brought bad luck to the Minnesota teams. That makes me very bad.

Can we get a better definition of "not very gracious"?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lynn G.

Well put Pager. We all know the bleakness of having hopes dashed year after year after year.

And I don't think we owe Patriots fans a single dang thing. They are experiencing a high that is rarely felt in the sports world - why do they need anything from us? Why do they expect congratulations from us? THEY should be the gracious ones with their bounty of amazing luck. The fans haven't done a single thing to earn the joy they are feeling, so why is it OUR job to pump them up further?

Bruce - I say don't feel a bit bad for not giving the Patriots fans what they were apparently expecting. It's like being in the presence of a millionaire who just won an additional million dollars on a gameshow and not congratulating him for that extra pile of money in his bank account. He already had more money than he can spend - why would we be excited for him for getting more?