Vikings

INMAN'S FILM NOTES: Vikings @ Lions

Photo Credit: Brian Curski

Bashful Barr Nowhere to be Found

Ironically enough, in a season where Anthony Barr is on pace to finish with the fewest sacks in his four-year career, he is playing the best football we’ve seen from him yet. While entering a contract year, you have to wonder what type of conversation Barr and Zimmer had this offseason. With Zimmer’s first ever draft pick as a head coach, he selected Barr with the ninth pick, and up until this point, many would argue he hasn’t lived up to the top-10 status.

https://twitter.com/Luke_Spinman/status/935970165459529729

However, Barr is playing with an obvious newfound aggression, throwing down numerous big hits (*coughs* Aaron Rodgers) and creating splash plays for the rest of his team. Barr also has cleaned up his tackling from his once-porous rookie season (he led the league in missed tackles in 2014) and is on pace to shatter his career high.

If he keeps this up, Barr will certainly get an extension offered from the team this offseason, with the possibility of even being franchise tagged.

Everson for President

Everson Griffen continued his dominance over opposing left tackles, racking up two more sacks, bring his season total to a league-leading 12 (tied with Chandler Jones).

Give Zimmer credit for isolating Griffen and putting him one-on-one with opposing left tackles by using an “Over” concept in the 4-3 system.

https://twitter.com/Luke_Spinman/status/935972538106052608

Best in the Biz

Despite the outcome, I’ve always enjoyed squaring the Vikings defense up against some of the best NFL talent that the quarterback position has to offer. Matt Stafford is no exception, and a treat to watch. He can get away with his gunslinger mentality thanks to an absolute rocket of an arm.

Check out his feet and pocket presence here. It’s scary to think just how good Stafford will be in another few seasons.

https://twitter.com/Luke_Spinman/status/935971868565151745

Bullies Down the Hall

Countless times Zimmer was prodded this offseason about his team’s biggest area of improvement. And countless times he barked back, “Running the football and stopping the run on defense.”

I have to think Zimmer is whistling some sort of John Denver tune in the halls of Winter Park these days, thanks to a top-10 rushing unit on both sides of the ball.

To further that notion, Pat Shurmur needed just four play calls, all of which were runs, to march down the field for a second-half-opening touchdown drive. The Vikings looked like the bullies down the hall that ganged up and throttled their way down to the end zone. Thanks to great blocking up front, the running game has improved dramatically, which in turn, has opened up one of the best passing attacks in the NFL. Funny how that works.

https://twitter.com/Luke_Spinman/status/935981371096367104

Play of the Week

It might be the throw of the year when it’s all said and done. Keenum knows with every bone in his body there’s a free blitzer crashing down, waiting to stuff his turkey. Keenum stands tall in the pocket and delivers a butterfly with sore feet that just crashes down into Rudolph’s hands like a baby in a pillow. That’s pretty special, man.

https://twitter.com/Luke_Spinman/status/935982011445002241

Linval “Hungry” Play of the Week

https://twitter.com/Luke_Spinman/status/935979748718546944

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