O Line
Right tackle Brian O'Neill, the first-time team captain, was asked moments after the Vikings' 23-7 victory on Sunday over the Packers how rookie Ed Ingram, the new right guard, fared in his NFL debut.
"If you average over yards a carry and over 350 yards of total offense, you had to have done a good job," O'Neill said. "Just the way he bounced back from new looks, different adversity that will always hit throughout a game. He handled himself like an adult."
There were hiccups. Kenny Clark, the Packers' interior Pro Bowl defender, twice beat Ingram, the second-round pick, to pressure quarterback Kirk Cousins and stifle third downs. But Cousins was only sacked once — on one of those third downs — and operated a balanced attack that made for what left guard Ezra Cleveland called a "breath of fresh air" to start this season under head coach Kevin O'Connell.
That was the case when Cousins stepped up into a wide-open pocket and unleashed a 64-yard bomb to receiver Justin Jefferson in the second quarter. Cleveland shoved Clark to the ground, while center Garrett Bradbury and Ingram chased Packers defensive lineman Dean Lowry out of the area, setting a solid stage for Cousins to throw.
Jefferson had a career-high 184 receiving yards while catching nine of 11 targets. Cousins was hit on three of those 11 throws to Jefferson, but the line often gave him just enough time to avoid the sack.
"Whenever we give Kirk time," left tackle Christian Darrisaw said, "he's going to let it rip and it's going to be an explosive play. That's why we know, give him time and he's going to make the play happen."
The development of the line's youngest players — Cleveland, Darrisaw and Ingram — will be critical to how well they play together immediately. Sunday offered a positive first step against a formidable Packers defense, which gave Ingram — the rookie — some welcome-to-the-league moments.
"We pulling him along, but he got that dog and that grit to him that we need to fill in that position," running back Dalvin Cook said. "The will for those guys to get it done, and the want-to, and the physical part is all there."
While walking off the U.S. Bank Stadium turf after the victory, Cleveland turned to O'Neill and told him this was the first time that he'd been on a Vikings team with a winning record. Cleveland was drafted in 2020's second round, meaning the entire 2020 draft class is finally on a winning team.
"We all kind of realized that," Cleveland said. "Coming into this game, we'd never been over .500; been to .500, but never over. I think it's a big deal for us, because being over .500 in the NFL is hard to do. It's two years coming and I'm excited about it."
A young team could find stability in its offensive line, which has been anything but over the past few years.
"We have to spend a lot more time in that column," O'Neill said. "We'll get there. This was just one day, one step at a time.
https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-vikings-offensive-line-has-few-problems-with-packers-brian-oneill/600206020/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
"We're a violent group, too," O'Neill said. "You're going to see a better offensive line from us than you have in the past couple years."
The first time the Vikings have had a winning record since Cleveland has been on the team? Damn, I knew its been a bad couple years, but that is pretty sad for a team that was supposed to be so close under Zimmer.
@"JimmyinSD" said: The first time the Vikings have had a winning record since Cleveland has been on the team? Damn, I knew its been a bad couple years, but that is pretty sad for a team that was supposed to be so close under Zimmer.eye opening to me too...
Mediocrity sucks balls
O-line played very well yesterday. It was nice to see Bradbury have a pretty good game, hopefully he keeps it up. Ingram had some rookie moments, but he actually graded out quite well (I believe he had a PFF grade of 75). Darrisaw, Cleveland & O'Neill looked very good.
As the line gels and gets some experience playing in the scheme, they could be the difference between a very good offense and a great one.
@"PurpleCrush" said: O-line played very well yesterday. It was nice to see Bradbury have a pretty good game, hopefully he keeps it up. Ingram had some rookie moments, but he actually graded out quite well (I believe he had a PFF grade of 75). Darrisaw, Cleveland & O'Neill looked very good.As the line gels and gets some experience playing in the scheme, they could be the difference between a very good offense and a great one.
Bradbury looked pretty much like old early yesterday when Clark ran right around him, but as Leber was pointing out it likely was a miscommunication between GB and EC and that Bradbury likely thought he had inside help that way considering how he made little effort to his left on the play and seemed to allow a relatively free release. I didnt watch the OL super close, but for the most part I thought GB looked surprisingly better.
@"PurpleCrush" said: O-line played very well yesterday. It was nice to see Bradbury have a pretty good game, hopefully he keeps it up. Ingram had some rookie moments, but he actually graded out quite well (I believe he had a PFF grade of 75). Darrisaw, Cleveland & O'Neill looked very good.As the line gels and gets some experience playing in the scheme, they could be the difference between a very good offense and a great one.
Did you see that move that Clark put on the poor rookie? lol, didn't even touch him, just deked around him to the QB. I had to laugh although it sucked.
Vikings rookie Ed Ingram with the 2nd-highest run blocking grade (87.4) among ALL NFL guards so far per PFF
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 12, 2022
@"1VikesFan" said: https://twitter.com/SeanBormanNFL/status/1569356924826669058?t=D1Fc31-JnweghCGfvUo6Aw&s=19
Damn.
@"StickyBun" said:@"PurpleCrush" said: O-line played very well yesterday. It was nice to see Bradbury have a pretty good game, hopefully he keeps it up. Ingram had some rookie moments, but he actually graded out quite well (I believe he had a PFF grade of 75). Darrisaw, Cleveland & O'Neill looked very good.As the line gels and gets some experience playing in the scheme, they could be the difference between a very good offense and a great one.
Did you see that move that Clark put on the poor rookie? lol, didn't even touch him, just deked around him to the QB. I had to laugh although it sucked.
I sure did, lol. Was Ingram's welcome to the NFL moment. Overall he played well asides from that, and as Jimmy mentioned, what appeared to be some communication issues. Overall I think they played well against a very good GB front 4, and hopefully that's a confidence booster as Philly's front 4 (especially their DT's) is pretty damn good too.
Ingram's next test will be Fletcher Cox. He's no slouch either...
@"1VikesFan" said: https://twitter.com/SeanBormanNFL/status/1569356924826669058?t=D1Fc31-JnweghCGfvUo6Aw&s=19
What's particularly impressive about that is he came into the league with a reputation for great pass blocking. His run blocking was a concern.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison gained 100 of their combined 126 yards after contact, meaning they averaged less than a yard before contact on their 28 attempts.
The Vikings were facing a talented Packers front seven, and they still managed to average 4.5 yards per carry, so this is perhaps a fairly minor gripe. But Cook and Mattison had quite a bit of work to do, and the Vikings will try to make it easier for them going forward
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-packers-kevin-oconnell-defense-mike-zimmer-biggest-problem/600206172/
I see what Brian O'Neill is saying about the O-line being more 'violent' this year....
@"StickyBun" said: https://twitter.com/ThompsonNFL/status/1569459732297175040LOL...They call that a "Pancake Block"...
–O’Connell was generally pleased with the play Sunday of rookie right guard Ed Ingram even though he gave up an early sack to Rashan Gary. “He really ascended as the game went on, and then ultimately, there’s a lot to correct,’’ he said. Overall, O’Connell said that Ingram “battled."
https://www.twincities.com/2022/09/12/sammy-white-figured-vikings-justin-jefferson-for-sure-would-break-his-vikings-single-game-record/
cc: @MatthewColler pic.twitter.com/ASa5Jf56ff
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) September 13, 2022
@"StickyBun" said: https://twitter.com/ChrisTrapasso/status/1569689311473180676That was a thing of beauty. I believe the kid has the possibility of a Pro Bowl season. You just look at this size, game, technique, once it slows down for him he is going to be lockdown. A young Trent Williams would be just fine with me
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