Mike Zimmer has certain words he often comes back to when describing his players. A sure-tackling linebacker might be a “thumper.” A quick tight end has some “wiggle” to his game. And a smart offensive lineman might be “conscientious.”
One of his go-to words for physical pass-rushers is “violent.” It’s a word he used to describe longtime Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, as well as up-and-coming talent Ifeadi Odenigbo. It’s a trait that Zimmer and defensive end guru Andre Patterson coach into their pupils — the willingness to embrace contact instead of trying to finesse around every blocker.
“Some guys are edge guys and some guys are a little bit more wiggle,” Zimmer said, using one of his buzz words. “They’ll use swim moves, use things where they’re speed rushers trying to run around a guy. Violent guys are going to punch them and work his combinations off that.”
In the last two weeks the Vikings have inherited a blue chip talent in Yannick Ngakoue, a Pro Bowl player that comes to Minnesota after four years in Jacksonville. That’s four years of developing his technique away from Patterson’s watchful and demanding eye. Clearly, Ngakoue discovered how to unlock his strengths through his tutelage with the Jaguars. His 37.5 sacks since 2016 is the 12th-highest mark in the NFL. But don’t assume that Ngakoue is immune to instruction from Patterson, the venerable defensive line coach.
A reporter asked Patterson if he’d look to change techniques of Ngakoue’s if he observed something that didn’t align with his usual methodology.
“You know me, I’m changing him,” Patterson said, chuckling. “That’s what I’m doing. That’s who I am. When I say that, I’m not taking away who he is. Don’t get that wrong, OK? The things that are special to his game, we’re going to keep special to his game. But the things that I see that can add a different element to his game, to make him so much more difficult to block, we’re going to work on those things. And that’s one of the things that I’ve been very impressed with, is that he’s eager to try to work those things and work real hard at it and not get frustrated if it doesn’t win right away.”
Ngakoue is going to have to get his hands dirty — literally. The Vikings will be asking him to put his hand on the ground after Ngakoue acted primarily as a stand-up pass-rusher in Jacksonville. Not all 4-3 defenses are the same. Patterson has been working tirelessly with Ngakoue on his technique since his acquisition on Aug. 30. With Danielle Hunter recently placed on injured reserve, the 25-year-old will be the focal point of Minnesota’s pass rush for at least the first three games.
“It’s a big difference in what we do and what they do in Jacksonville,” Patterson said. “And I think that’s the reason why he had so much of a sense of urgency to put in the time to try to learn it because not just the terminology being different, but how we ask our guys to play is so much different, too. … In Jacksonville, he had his hand on the ground some, too, he wasn’t a stand up guy all the time. That adjustment hasn’t been as difficult. It’s just him understanding how we align, how we play blocks and those kinds of things.”
.@YannickNgakoue is a proven pass rush specialist; very durable and is only 24. Who wouldn’t want this phenom screaming off the edge? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/lPX6R9kOgm
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) March 6, 2020
Zimmer was asked if he sees the make-up of a “violent” pass-rusher in Ngakoue. He does, but wants to see it further refined.
“I think we’re trying to add more to his game as far as some of those things,” Zimmer said. “He shows that capability, so we’ll keep working on it. We’re trying to get him to understand how we want him to rush, as well.”
Patterson has built a sterling reputation around the league after his success with Griffen, Hunter, Odenigbo and Stephen Weatherly. He is unwavering in his confidence to shape rushers into his preferred style, whether they are NFL veterans are raw-looking rookies. Thursday he described further what he’s looking for in a so-called violent pass rusher.
“Guys that are explosive,” he said. “Guys that are not afraid to be combative. I always use the word ‘combative.’ We are combative rushers. We’re going to go be physical with you. We’re not pretty rushers that try to beat you with just quickness and quick rushes. We’re combative.”
Ngakoue put up big sack numbers in his four years with the Jaguars, but Patterson is more concerned with pressures, which can more sustainably affect an opponent’s passing offense. That might mean pushing a blocker into the passer, even if it makes recording the sack more difficult. Zimmer is a whiz at dialing up pressure through blitzes, but he also relies on his front four for containment, like holding a block to prevent the quarterback from leaking out of the pocket or keeping the fidelity of the run fit.
The newest Vikings defensive end thrives on making game-changing plays like stripping the fumble and bringing quarterbacks to the ground. Those elements will certainly be welcome in Minnesota, but he’ll also be asked to supplement that instinct with a healthy dose of discipline and physicality if he’s going to improve his run defense rush the way the Vikings prefer.
Thus far, Ngakoue has been receptive.
“He’s been outstanding,” said Patterson. “He’s been better than I’ve ever dreamed. He’s come in early, he stayed late, he’s got a great hunger for knowledge and wanting to be good, and I’ve been very, very impressed with him. I’m excited that he’s here even more after having these days to work with him.”
