Ed Donatell....bub bye

HC Kevin O'Connell said the team is in "evaluation mode" when asked if DC Ed Donatell would return in 2023.

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) January 18, 2023

@"dadevike" said:

@"medaille" said: I think there’s some amount of shared responsibility in that KAM and KOC picked Donatell because they wanted the Fangio defensive scheme.  Then between the 3 of them they determined which players they needed to run the scheme and got whatever they felt was needed to have whatever amount of success they were expecting to have.  Then at the end of the year Fangio defenses around the league have been struggling because the scheme has been figured out, Ring of Honor caliber players who are known for their intelligence like Smith and Kendricks look like they’ve fallen off a cliff.  I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some amount of investigation required in determining how much responsibility needed to be doled out to 1)  Bad initial scheme choice 2)  Better player scheme fit  3)  Players that just got old  4)  Donatell sucks as a DC.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re trying to hash out if Donatell was given better talent, and they chose a different scheme, would he be able to coach the defense to an adequate level and if they got rid of him, what caliber of DC would they be able to bring in to replace him.

I have no idea how much responsibility/blame falls on KAM re Donatell. Did KOC get to pick his DC? I would assume so. Did KAM need to approve ED or did KOC have the only say on this issue? Don't know. In the end, it does not matter much. The D was by far the worst part of this team and KOC knows it.

KOC does not coach the D but he is responsible for all the coaching. There may have been good reasons not to change DCs mid-season while the team is running away with the division and compiling a 13-4 record. But the season is over now and it is time to part ways with Donatell. KOC has very little choice in the matter. Imagine if he brings ED back and the defense sucks again and ruins another season. KOC's job as HC may be at risk and he may be seen as having an OC ceiling without having the temperament to admit his mistakes (clearly not the case) or the balls to correct them. 

Can't just shit can Ed without shit caning the scheme. Of the teams that run this scheme, none of them are successful. So running the same scheme with a different coach isn't likely to improve results. The same with bringing in players to better fit the scheme. At least a handful of teams primarily run this scheme each with their own set of players, they aren't successful. The scheme is flawed.
Ed needs to go and take the scheme out the door with him!

the don't need to fire him, he was on a 1 year contract

@"1VikesFan" said: https://twitter.com/vikesinsider/status/1615791157862141962?t=h5yxjid03iGKARE8VZP3Dg&s=19

@"StickyBun" said:

@"1VikesFan" said: https://twitter.com/vikesinsider/status/1615791157862141962?t=h5yxjid03iGKARE8VZP3Dg&s=19

Yes, you can feel the love in that, can't you? 

@"peacebringer" said: the don't need to fire him, he was on a 1 year contract

I think fans will like his new position… on the porch!  ;) B)  

@"comet52" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"1VikesFan" said: https://twitter.com/vikesinsider/status/1615791157862141962?t=h5yxjid03iGKARE8VZP3Dg&s=19

Yes, you can feel the love in that, can't you? 

Think he'd just say yes if it were yes.  But it's a corporate-speak organization.

@"comet52" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"1VikesFan" said: https://twitter.com/vikesinsider/status/1615791157862141962?t=h5yxjid03iGKARE8VZP3Dg&s=19

Yes, you can feel the love in that, can't you? 

Think he'd just say yes if it were yes.  But it's a corporate-speak organization.

@"1VikesFan" said:

@"comet52" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"1VikesFan" said: https://twitter.com/vikesinsider/status/1615791157862141962?t=h5yxjid03iGKARE8VZP3Dg&s=19

Yes, you can feel the love in that, can't you? 

Think he'd just say yes if it were yes.  But it's a corporate-speak organization.

Why would he just say yes if he hasn't talked to him yet or in fact hasn't decided?

I want Donatell gone as much as anyone but no way would I want KOC telling the world his decision, if he's made one, if he hasn't told the man personally.

I would also think that they wouldn't make any decision until they have a replacement plan in place and that may require another week or two if their primary candidate is still actively coaching in the playoffs.  Also that candidate may be already talking with whatever DC he is currently working with about following him to a new team,  so lots of pieces may need to fall into place before we could have a replacement in hand. 

I think what they're doing is the right thing. Stupid people make stupid, rash decisions based on popular opinion and without proper evaluation. And KAM does not strike me as stupid. 

Let the process work. It's obvious the defense needs a complete reevaluation, from players and contracts to scheme and coaching staff. I think you have to approach all of that holistically and formulate short term and long term plans before you start to lopping heads. 

@"jargomcfargo" said: Can't just shit can Ed without shit caning the scheme. Of the teams that run this scheme, none of them are successful. So running the same scheme with a different coach isn't likely to improve results. The same with bringing in players to better fit the scheme. At least a handful of teams primarily run this scheme each with their own set of players, they aren't successful. The scheme is flawed. Ed needs to go and take the scheme out the door with him!

Of those listed, I'm going to highlight a couple. First the Giants and Wink Martindale. He uses a 3-4 front, but he is anything but passive. His Blitz rate is the highest in the NFL and he is one of the most aggressive coordinators at attacking the QB which I don't have to remind anyone of fresh off the Vikings' loss. His version of the 3-4 looks nothing like Donatell's. Next up the Broncos who had the second highest rated defense in the NFL this year and were also 2nd for fewest points allowed. As we know, that wasn't the Vikings who had a negative points differential. Credit goes to Ejiro Evero the Broncos' DC who has used elements of other 3-4 schemes he's learned over the years while also sprinkling in his own elements to keep teams off balance and guessing what's coming. We were told that's what we would be getting with Donatell, but as we found out not all 3-4 schemes are the same and both KAM and KOC shoulder a lot of blame for letting the shit show that was our defense continue all season long until it cost us a playoff game. My point is that you can't lump 3-4 schemes together because they all have different variations and as I pointed out several teams are having success with their version of the scheme.   

@"medaille" said:

KOC’s job being at risk because of Donatell only occurs if he makes his decision in a vacuum or vouches for Donatell.  If a bunch of smart front office people get together and come to a consensus, it would be a much bigger problem if they threw KOC under the bus after their group decision failed.  While I think everyone is super impatient and heads must roll, I don’t think they are at tremendous risk of ruining next year by missing out on the perfect DC option by taking a couple days to figure out a full plan rather than shitcanning Donatell and then figuring out a plan.

@"jargomcfargo" said: Can't just shit can Ed without shit caning the scheme. Of the teams that run this scheme, none of them are successful. So running the same scheme with a different coach isn't likely to improve results. The same with bringing in players to better fit the scheme. At least a handful of teams primarily run this scheme each with their own set of players, they aren't successful. The scheme is flawed. Ed needs to go and take the scheme out the door with him!

KAM and KOC both millennials. Come from the culture of everyone gets a trophy. 

@"mgobluevikes" said: KAM and KOC both millennials. Come from the culture of everyone gets a trophy. 

We pick 23rd.  Isn't that 9th place?

Food for thought....seven of the final eight teams left in the playoffs run a base 4-3 defense. Get rid of Ed Donatell and get rid of this fucking scheme. Put your best players in positions that best utilize their strengths and abilities.