What we are getting with our new purchase.

I think Z would thrive if he stays and stays healthy.  We shall see about hunter.  And probably need a more agile LB than Hicks.

@"greediron" said: I think Z would thrive if he stays and stays healthy.  We shall see about hunter.  And probably need a more agile LB than Hicks.

This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

@"greediron" said: I think Z would thrive if he stays and stays healthy.  We shall see about hunter.  And probably need a more agile LB than Hicks.

Hicks is gone, but now I'm wondering if they might want to bring back Kendricks to pair with Asamoah. Was thinking all along that he'd be cut or traded, but he might actually fit with Flores a little better. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"greediron" said: I think Z would thrive if he stays and stays healthy.  We shall see about hunter.  And probably need a more agile LB than Hicks.

Right now we easily have the most cost-effective edge tandem in the NFL. At what we're paying them, Hunter and Smith are absolute bargains.

Hicks is gone, but now I'm wondering if they might want to bring back Kendricks to pair with Asamoah. Was thinking all along that he'd be cut or traded, but he might actually fit with Flores a little better. 

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

So lighter 34 ILBs are some of the best in the league, but ours won't be an every down starter because he's too light. Got it. Either way, it's far too early to say much of anything about last year's draft class. 

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

So lighter 34 ILBs are some of the best in the league, but ours won't be an every down starter because he's too light. Got it. Either way, it's far too early to say much of anything about last year's draft class. 

Some of the best in the league? You gave me one example of a 3-4 LB in Campbell who is a bit heavier and 3" taller. Asamoah is 6' 225 pounds. Who are your other examples of 3-4 inside LB's Asamoah's size? Find me a good comp. He isn't just light, he is short for a LB. And it's certainly not too early to say our dud of a draft class needs to step up and play some prominent roles for this team next season. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

So lighter 34 ILBs are some of the best in the league, but ours won't be an every down starter because he's too light. Got it. Either way, it's far too early to say much of anything about last year's draft class. 

Some of the best in the league? You gave me one example of a 3-4 LB in Campbell who is a bit heavier and 3" taller. Asamoah is 6' 225 pounds. Who are your other examples of 3-4 inside LB's Asamoah's size? Find me a good comp. He isn't just light, he is short for a LB. And it's certainly not too early to say our dud of a draft class needs to step up and play some prominent roles for this team next season. 

Oh for fuck sake, you think a couple of pounds is going to make the difference between All Pro and not being an "every down starter?" I just started with the all pro list and found two that were similar sizes. You want more, look up the depth charts on all 3-4 teams. You can start with the Steelers. 

And now he's too short too!?? LOL. This is what bugs me about so many fans. They only understand what they can see in print. Does his trigger, range, instincts factor in anywhere at all for you? 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

So lighter 34 ILBs are some of the best in the league, but ours won't be an every down starter because he's too light. Got it. Either way, it's far too early to say much of anything about last year's draft class. 

Some of the best in the league? You gave me one example of a 3-4 LB in Campbell who is a bit heavier and 3" taller. Asamoah is 6' 225 pounds. Who are your other examples of 3-4 inside LB's Asamoah's size? Find me a good comp. He isn't just light, he is short for a LB. And it's certainly not too early to say our dud of a draft class needs to step up and play some prominent roles for this team next season. 

Oh for fuck sake, you think a couple of pounds is going to make the difference between All Pro and not being an "every down starter?" I just started with the all pro list and found two that were similar sizes. You want more, look up the depth charts on all 3-4 teams. You can start with the Steelers. 

And now he's too short too!?? LOL. This is what bugs me about so many fans. They only understand what they can see in print. Does his trigger, range, instincts factor in anywhere at all for you? 

@"TBro" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

So lighter 34 ILBs are some of the best in the league, but ours won't be an every down starter because he's too light. Got it. Either way, it's far too early to say much of anything about last year's draft class. 

Some of the best in the league? You gave me one example of a 3-4 LB in Campbell who is a bit heavier and 3" taller. Asamoah is 6' 225 pounds. Who are your other examples of 3-4 inside LB's Asamoah's size? Find me a good comp. He isn't just light, he is short for a LB. And it's certainly not too early to say our dud of a draft class needs to step up and play some prominent roles for this team next season. 

Oh for fuck sake, you think a couple of pounds is going to make the difference between All Pro and not being an "every down starter?" I just started with the all pro list and found two that were similar sizes. You want more, look up the depth charts on all 3-4 teams. You can start with the Steelers. 

And now he's too short too!?? LOL. This is what bugs me about so many fans. They only understand what they can see in print. Does his trigger, range, instincts factor in anywhere at all for you? 

Can he be the latest version of Eddie McDaniel? I would take that all day. I trust that Flores will be able to put him into positions to make plays. 

@"supafreak84" said:

@"TBro" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

So lighter 34 ILBs are some of the best in the league, but ours won't be an every down starter because he's too light. Got it. Either way, it's far too early to say much of anything about last year's draft class. 

Some of the best in the league? You gave me one example of a 3-4 LB in Campbell who is a bit heavier and 3" taller. Asamoah is 6' 225 pounds. Who are your other examples of 3-4 inside LB's Asamoah's size? Find me a good comp. He isn't just light, he is short for a LB. And it's certainly not too early to say our dud of a draft class needs to step up and play some prominent roles for this team next season. 

Oh for fuck sake, you think a couple of pounds is going to make the difference between All Pro and not being an "every down starter?" I just started with the all pro list and found two that were similar sizes. You want more, look up the depth charts on all 3-4 teams. You can start with the Steelers. 

And now he's too short too!?? LOL. This is what bugs me about so many fans. They only understand what they can see in print. Does his trigger, range, instincts factor in anywhere at all for you? 

Can he be the latest version of Eddie McDaniel? I would take that all day. I trust that Flores will be able to put him into positions to make plays. 

Again, Eddie was an OLB in a 4-3 which allowed him to roam. Don't get me wrong, I think Asamoah could be used as a specialist in blitz packages and nickel, but at his size I think it would continue a trend of this defense being susceptible to the run unless we are throwing Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa out there in front of him

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

So lighter 34 ILBs are some of the best in the league, but ours won't be an every down starter because he's too light. Got it. Either way, it's far too early to say much of anything about last year's draft class. 

Some of the best in the league? You gave me one example of a 3-4 LB in Campbell who is a bit heavier and 3" taller. Asamoah is 6' 225 pounds. Who are your other examples of 3-4 inside LB's Asamoah's size? Find me a good comp. He isn't just light, he is short for a LB. And it's certainly not too early to say our dud of a draft class needs to step up and play some prominent roles for this team next season. 

Oh for fuck sake, you think a couple of pounds is going to make the difference between All Pro and not being an "every down starter?" I just started with the all pro list and found two that were similar sizes. You want more, look up the depth charts on all 3-4 teams. You can start with the Steelers. 

And now he's too short too!?? LOL. This is what bugs me about so many fans. They only understand what they can see in print. Does his trigger, range, instincts factor in anywhere at all for you? 

For fucks sake man he is small!! He looks like a fucking RB out there playing LB but you think he is going to be all world. Warner is still a bigger LB and plays in a 4-3 so throw that out, can't even compare that. His size is not an ideal fit for the style of defense we are trying to implement and if he can't stack against the run then he doesn't do us a lot of good. I think he could be tremendous as a WLB in a 4-3, but having him play inside in a 3-4 and having to man up on these 320-pound guards barreling down on him is not ideal, and you can throw trigger and range out the window. I'm very skeptical of him as an every down LB in this style defense and think we will at least need a bigger thumper on early downs.

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"StickyBun" said: This guy is going to love Flores's defense:

Why would that be? I still think he is more of nickel type LB, more of a specialist who you can use to spy, blitz or drop into coverage. He is just so undersized that I don't think he would hold up very well against the run, especially playing on the inside in a 3-4. The Vikings don't have the horses up front to keep bodies off him. 

"Undersized" is the most overrated criticism in football. 2X 1st team All Pro Fred Warner (6-3, 232) is skinnier than Asamoah (6-0, 227). Sure, he's in a 4-3 in SF, but he's the MLB there, so similar beef, stacking requirements. All Pro 3-4 ILB Devondre Campbell (6-3, 230) is skinnier than Asamoah.

I agree that the Vikings could use more beef up front at nose. But Asamoah's going to be a star regardless. 

It's not overrated when you are talking about an inside LB in a 3-4. Asamoah looks like a safety out there and I found it a strange fit when we drafted him knowing what we were trying to do defensively. I just don't see him as an every down starter in a 3-4, especially when we are lacking beef and talent in front of him. He is going to be best as a free roamer who is able to fly around and make plays but uncovered lineman are going to otherwise eat him alive in early down run situations. I hope I'm wrong because we need some bodies from this bust of a draft class to step up and be players for us next season.

So lighter 34 ILBs are some of the best in the league, but ours won't be an every down starter because he's too light. Got it. Either way, it's far too early to say much of anything about last year's draft class. 

Some of the best in the league? You gave me one example of a 3-4 LB in Campbell who is a bit heavier and 3" taller. Asamoah is 6' 225 pounds. Who are your other examples of 3-4 inside LB's Asamoah's size? Find me a good comp. He isn't just light, he is short for a LB. And it's certainly not too early to say our dud of a draft class needs to step up and play some prominent roles for this team next season. 

Oh for fuck sake, you think a couple of pounds is going to make the difference between All Pro and not being an "every down starter?" I just started with the all pro list and found two that were similar sizes. You want more, look up the depth charts on all 3-4 teams. You can start with the Steelers. 

And now he's too short too!?? LOL. This is what bugs me about so many fans. They only understand what they can see in print. Does his trigger, range, instincts factor in anywhere at all for you? 

For fucks sake man he is small!! He looks like a fucking RB out there playing LB but you think he is going to be all world. Warner is still a bigger LB and plays in a 4-3 so throw that out, can't even compare that. His size is not an ideal fit for the style of defense we are trying to implement and if he can't stack against the run then he doesn't do us a lot of good. I think he could be tremendous as a WLB in a 4-3, but having him play inside in a 3-4 and having to man up on these 320-pound guards barreling down on him is not ideal, and you can throw trigger and range out the window. I'm very skeptical of him as an every down LB in this style defense and think we will at least need a bigger thumper on early downs.

I like him as a big nickel if nothing else.

If he weighed 10 more lbs., this would improve? I don't see many 'big thumpers' anymore inside on D at LB. Nobody that has to 'man up' against a 320 lb. DT is going to win that battle as a LB. Fred Warner looks big to you??  Why is Warner even being brought to this conversation? You are comparing apples to oranges and the schemes are completely different. I would argue Warner wouldn't be as good in a 3-4, same as Kendricks. They are read and react linebackers who's strengths are maximimized when they are able to utilize that speed and are covered by quality lineman in front of them. Warner benefits playing behind the best four man front in football. Asamoah is undersized by any NFL standard and you are asking him to stack behind a two or three man front consisting of Tonga and Harrison Phillips. I don't like anything about that scenario playing in our favor. Two completely different situations.