Minnesota Vikings Q&A: Cornerbacks Exposed? KOC Play-Calling? Cashman Importance?

[@AndrewNelson-rg9tg]

I could not survive without this channel it is my zen™️the purple pimps 💜🏈

[@austinnichols3187]

I’m right there with you, Mr. Jerome Ezekiel Andy is the real deal!

[@AndrewNelson-rg9tg]

@austinnichols3187 yes he is

[@ahastar1141]

I think people under estimate how tough it can be to be the green dot guy. I think pace plays best when he can react and play fast, where having to worry about getting everyone set up can slow him down. Cashman coming back will be great for the defense, not mention the middle is where the lions and rams feasted. Having cashman covering I think makes a good difference. If I recall pace gave up a rams touch down near the goal line for jumping the wrong way against a classic Texas route. I suspect that cashman is able to cover that a bit better.

[@richborn6700]

We don't need the deep bomb every time. Are we trying to win games or dominate highlights?

[@tahrendt1]

I am curious about how/if Phillips and McCown provide in game play calling assistance? Two Xtra pairs of eyes if you will! They help create and install the weekly game plan! It should be a collective effort all the way through. Let’s Go! Skol

[@derekbaker3279]

Excellent point. My one concern with your suggestion is that, last year & the year before, KOC admitted that some of the time count violations were due to KOC & Wes Phillips taking too much time to decide on the play(s) before sharing that info with the QB. So, it would be good if Phillips & McCown can provide their observations & input, but do so very efficiently.

[@Whocoulditbe88]

We are horrendously bad at drafting corners 😢

[@derekbaker3279]

Most teams struggle with this, because (IMHO) cornerback represents the second most difficult transition to the NFL for draftees (QB being the most challenging). With 32 teams vying for the few true shut-down CBs in the draft, the likelihood of landing a Sauce Gardner is low...and even when you do, there is no guarantee that the CB will be a great fit in the defensive system AND will remain at the top of his game physically for more than a few years. Basically, 90% of CBs are always 'a work in progress', which is why depth at the position is also crucially important.

[@Whocoulditbe88]

@ last good corner we drafted was Xavier Rhodes and the last semi serviceable corner was Trae Wanes almost ten years ago 🤮

[@ahastar1141]

@@derekbaker3279 I also think we have had some bad luck this year at corner, and I think that really has hurt us. Blackmon seems like he is on the rise, and of course Jackson probably wasnt a day 1 guy, but I think would have made contributions this year going into next season. Spending the money to swoon a good corner away from a bad team is generally a much better proposition than trying to draft guys since you know what you are getting. Vikings have a ton of money next year, they just need to decide where they are going to spend it and corner seems like a great proposition

[@derekbaker3279]

@@ahastar1141 Exactly! Great points! FWIW, I still believe that - if Kwesi A-M can only add one true difference-maker to the defence - the best bang for the buck is to improve the iDL with a guy with the pass rushing/run stopping abilities of Dexter Lawrence. He would immediately make life easier for the DBs & inside LBs. (...but I have to admit that getting a guy like J.C. Horn would be NICE! lol...)

[@ahastar1141]

@@derekbaker3279 either way isn’t bad, though I will say it’s easier to find a DT in the draft than a corner, so it may be better for them to try and pay a corner and draft a DT if they can’t get who they want. Though I would argue a pass rushing DT would instantly upgrade this Defense

[@coolredsilver]

What about having a solid, run game?! That always allows a passing play a better chance.

[@SOCKSofIRONFIST]

Ravens lost to the Browns led by Jameis Winston and the Packers could barely beat the Jaguars. I think we are fine

[@2SS_1LE]

Do you see Minnesota making a trade for a Defensive player at the trade deadline?

[@raypetty9606]

Should we be on Quinnen Williams, Jeffrey Simmons, Dexter Lawrence and Jaycee Horn watch after Sunday? Safe to say, none of those teams are likely to win on Sunday.

[@KD-bd9rc]

I knew KOC should’ve gave up play calling when he called a pitch play for dobbs

[@Ghost2000-jn4en]

So you see us legitimately hosting a playoff game this year?

[@scottmack6656]

That would require them winning the division not likely but possibly.

[@conanbillybone2218]

The CB room isn’t ideal but they’re not the worst.

[@kimjaniszeski498]

Would Darnold be replaced by McCarthy by now if he wouldn't have gotten hurt? I missed the call out for questions.

[@derekbaker3279]

Great question, and I have seen a wide range of opinions on that topic. IMHO & FWIW, virtually all QB prospects find it a challenge to transition to the NFL, regardless of talent & work ethic. Given that Darnold has played quite well for the Vikes, I am of the opinion that it is unlikely that McCarthy would have played better. That does not meant hat McCarthy will be a bust...he has a ton of potential & I was thrilled when Kwesi A-M drafted him....but Darnold is able to do a fine job in all the areas where rookie QBs almost always struggle.

[@ahastar1141]

@@derekbaker3279 I dont think so with how darnold has played. I do think that he would have maybe played at the end of the texans game but since we havent blown anyone out I dont think hed play much. While I think you would want to see him play a bit, I think its hard when darnold seems to be playing nicely and do you risk taking a step back if you start him a bit too soon in a season where you are a competitive playoff team

[@derekbaker3279]

@@ahastar1141 Yes, I agree 100%. :)

[@geoffreysaign364]

KOC is horrific in clutch or pressure situations and creative plays. he never gets underneath. waiting for hockinson was stupid. he could have used TEs w/o waiting for hock. replace KOC with Andy Reid and we're in the superbowl. with KOC as is, we're lucky to make the playoffs

[@derekbaker3279]

1. There isn't a team in the NFL which would not improve if Andy Reid was their HC. lol. :) KOC is not perfect, and I do agree that making adjustments during the game is not always his strength, but I would suggest that "horrific" is an excessively negative 'rating'. 2. IMHO, as long as this team continues to avoid any other injuries to key players AND Kwesi A-M upgrades the pass rush & run defence with a difference-maker for the iDL, the Vikes *will* make the playoffs. Will the Vikes win the division? That is still *possible* , but Kwesi A-M *must* make a couple top-notch additions to the roster for that to becomes *likely* ..

[@SOCKSofIRONFIST]

his record in one score games says otherwise