Vikings

REIDELL: How the Vikings Defense Became a Team

(Photo credit: Brian Curski, Cumulus Media)

There are hundreds of clichés thrown around the NFL on a week-to-week basis. Coaches and players repeat the same phrases over and over, reaching a point when some fans begin to tune out completely.

But when Mike Zimmer — or any coach, for that matter — reminds the masses that football is a “team sport” either directly or through some comical form of a subliminal message, fans should definitely keep their ears open.

Listening is one thing; hearing is another.

When Zimmer says something along the lines of, “Yes, Xavier Rhodes played well today, but Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo were important as well,” he’s not taking away from Rhodes’ game. He is more than likely just attempting to explain what he believes may have led to the cornerback’s success on that day.

In order for coaches to perform at a high level for extended periods of time, they must first develop the respect of their players and hold on to that respect. This can often be the difference between good and great — knowing what works for a given set of players and conveying that message in a way that allows every player to naturally and instinctively buy in.

But, in order for a positive atmosphere to engulf a locker room, every player needs to believe in the long-term message. And once that happens, well, the sky’s the limit.

Zimmer has been building a defensive powerhouse for nearly four NFL seasons.

He has brought in a variety of players since joining the Vikings organization. Starting with the free-agent acquisitions of Linval Joseph, Tom Johnson and now-Carolina Panther Captain Munnerlyn, the powerful Minnesota coach began to put together his vision for this team.

Instead of grabbing flashy players — for the most part — Zimmer and the rest of the Vikings staff involved instead elected to pick up talented grinders. Players like Joseph, who had previously won a Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants, became immediate assets within his scheme and have since developed into primary contributors to what is now one beast of a unit.

After extending defensive stud Everson Griffen and signing the aforementioned defensive tackle duo, Zimmer looked to fortify other pieces of his defense. Criminally under-recognized safety Harrison Smith (2012) and top-notch cornerback Xavier Rhodes (2013) arrived prior to the Zimmer regime, but they were by no means the players they are today upon initially entering the league.

General manager Rick Spielman and the Vikings head coach had some work to do in order to complete the secondary and allow both players to function at a high level. But before they could do that, Zimmer and co. decided it was necessary to bring in more talent at the linebacker level.

Anthony Barr (2014) and Eric Kendricks (2015), both out of UCLA, were key draft selections who have allowed Zimmer to operate as he sees fit. The tandem has worked in unison, likely a result of a very apparent bond shared between the two special athletes.

Despite the vast majority of the Vikings defense now appearing to be complete, the Vikings continued to push for more talent on the “bad guys” side of the ball. Adding cornerback Trae Waynes (2015) during the first round instead of Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker was a gutsy decision that appears to have paid off in a big way.

Many analysts suggested the idea of pairing the wide receiver up with his former college teammate at Louisville, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but the decision-makers in the Vikings front office had absolutely none of this, instead grabbing a physical press-cover cornerback to go to battle on the opposite side of Rhodes.

The early returns on Waynes were not exactly ideal for a No. 11 overall pick, but he has shined brightly during the team’s biggest moments over the past few years while showing the capacity for greatness over the past several weeks.

Then came potentially Spielman’s most impressive selection to date — third-round defensive end Danielle Hunter, who, coming out of LSU, was widely reviewed as a significant project. In essence, Zimmer and Spielman managed to acquire critically important cogs at each level of the defense during the 2015 draft — Waynes (first round, secondary), Kendricks (second round, linebacker) and Hunter (third round, defensive line).

In order to make this a true monster, however, Zimmer needed to find a way to develop each of these players in a timely manner and also fill holes with high-character athletes willing to earn their place on the roster.

Long-term NFL veteran defensive back Terence Newman, Michigan linebacker Ben Gedeon, Missouri linebacker Kentrell Brothers, Cincinnati linebacker Eric Wilson and Clemson safety Jayron Kearse have all excelled in what are widely received to be “minor” roles on the Vikings roster (and defense), but their hard work certainly has not gone unnoticed.

Filling these gaps while simultaneously developing extremely gifted prospects like nickel cornerback Mackensie Alexander finally culminated in one of the finest defensive efforts in recent Vikings history last week against the Green Bay Packers.

Many will take away from the Vikings’ outstanding defensive effort using a handful of different reasons, but the fact of the matter is that Minnesota took advantage of a vulnerable Green Bay team playing in a vulnerable situation — and that is what great teams do.

The scoreboard doesn’t need to show 60-8 to reinforce a dominant effort from a defensive perspective. Holding opposing teams to zero points — in any era — is extremely impressive.

Twenty-four years is a very, very long period, and it’s now time to give the Vikings credit where it’s due. Zimmer, Spielman, salary-cap manager extraordinaire Rob Brzezinski and everyone else directly involved may have approached this rebuilding project in an unconventional way, but, let’s face it — it’s working.

And now it appears that the sky might be the limit for this special Vikings roster.


Statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.

For more Minnesota Vikings analysis and news, follow BJ Reidell on Twitter @RobertReidell and subscribe to “About the Labor: A Minnesota Vikings Podcast” available on iTunesStitcherCastBox and YouTube.

Vikings
There’s Joy To Be Found In This Tumultuous Transition Period In Vikings History
By Tyler Haag - Mar 28, 2024
Vikings
Harrison Smith Has Become Minnesota’s Lone Survivor
By Kaleb Medhanie - Mar 27, 2024
Vikings

Andrew Van Ginkel Brings Versatility and Energy To Minnesota's Defense

(Photo credit: Brian Curski, Cumulus Media)

When the NFL’s 2024 free-agency window opened, the Minnesota Vikings quickly attacked the defensive side of the ball, adding a trio of players, including Andrew Van Ginkel. […]

Continue Reading