Brian Flores says he loves offensive linemen. He swears it’s true.
“It’s a good group. I love hanging out with the linemen,” he said after practice on Thursday. “For whatever reason, my college roommates at B.C. (Boston College) were offensive linemen.”
Flores listed each Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman when speaking about the unit, knowing they’d be upset if he didn’t mention them. Flores says he’s good friends with Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper and assistant O-line coach Shaun Sarrett. Flores’ kids are friends with Kuper’s kids, and their wives enjoy each other’s company.
“I’ve got an affinity for the offensive line, and how they work and that connectivity that they have,” he insists. “I think we’ve got a good group. They play well together. They’re tough and physical. It’s a good challenge for us on a daily basis. Individually and collectively.”
So why does he insist on torturing them?
Flores loves to blitz. He blitzed 47.9% of the time last year when the league average was 35%. Through six weeks, he had blitzed 57.9% of the time and called Cover 0, or no safety help over the top, 20% of the time. The league average was 6%. Flores’ favorite blitz last year was the Bengal Hawk, which puts all non-coverage players on the line of scrimmage before backing some into coverage, forcing the quarterback to guess how much pressure is coming.
“Yeah, I mean, shoot, it was Install 1 for them, and yeah, it’s very complex,” said Sam Darnold, who’s also learning Kevin O’Connell’s complicated offense.
“I remember last year (when he was with) San Francisco, it gives a ton of problems. Just throughout the week, like, ‘Hey, what are we going to do if we get this look?’ And then you get those one-off looks where it’s like, shoot, I didn’t know they could bring that pressure from that side with that front. And there’s just so many different things you have to account for, and obviously, it’s a great scheme. But it’s really the players that make it go.”
Harrison Smith said he loves that Flores is willing to experiment with the defense and isn’t afraid if it doesn’t work out.
“Over the years, I study a lot of things. I study a lot of tape,” said Flores.
“I watch different coordinators from [Dick] LeBeau to Rex Ryan to Buddy Ryan to Zim (Mike Zimmer). I could go on and on. I’m constantly trying to stay with the times. A lot of things are involved offensively and defensively. I try to stay abreast of what’s new and what the trends are. I’m doing that whether it’s pro or college.
“You see different schematics. That’s cool. I think now is the time to try it. It’s training camp, preseason. If it’s something that you draw it up over and over again, it looks like it has rules to it. It looks like it may work. Why not give it a shot? I’m not afraid to test things out.
“Calling it a game is the difference. Over the years, I’ve gotten more comfortable doing that.”
Flores may need to get creative this season. After Danielle Hunter left in free agency, the Vikings added Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner. They also signed Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman, versatile players Flores can use to confuse quarterbacks at the line of scrimmage. However, Khyree Jackson’s tragic passing and Mekhi Blackmon’s ACL injury have cut into their already uncertain cornerback depth.
Absent the ability to lock down opposing receivers, and given Flores’ penchant for blitzing, expect Minnesota to send five or more players at the quarterback frequently. Flores says he loves offensive linemen, but you have to believe they don’t love him.
