Vikings’ Tom Johnson: “We’ve got the best defense in the NFL”
Players on the Vikings’ defense are heading into the season confident that they can dominate.“We’ve got the best defense in the NFL,’’ Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson said.
Other players echoed those sentiments. Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter said the players have it in their minds that they should be the best in the league.
“That’s what we’re going for,” Hunter said. “You got to want to be the No. 1 defense.”
Said safety Harrison Smith, “That’s the mindset we have to have.”
That’s where the Vikings were last year, as their defense dominated on the way to a 5-0 start. But the defense declined significantly later in the season, and the Vikings went from 5-0 to 8-8. The Vikings need their defense to back up its brash talk for 16 games this season
We'll see, but they are talented. Looks like Tom Johnson is stepping up big time to be more than a backup and is going to lock up the spot across from Joseph.
@"StickyBun" said: We'll see, but they are talented. Looks like Tom Johnson is stepping up big time to be more than a backup and is going to lock up the spot across from Joseph.According to Zimmer's recent comments, he is well ahead of Datone Jones... I'm surprised Shamar Stephen hasn't had more opportunities there after starting all of last season. Tom Johnson is a pass rushing specialist and not known for his run stuffing
@"Wetlander" said:Looks Like Stephen is going to be Linval's backup this year. That should give the Big Goon some much needed rest so he doesn't tire himself out. One thing for sure is, we have some damn good depth along that D-line.@"StickyBun" said: We'll see, but they are talented. Looks like Tom Johnson is stepping up big time to be more than a backup and is going to lock up the spot across from Joseph. I'm surprised Shamar Stephen hasn't had more opportunities there after starting all of last season.
@"PurpleCrush" said:For sure... Our 2nd team DL is better than a few teams first stringers.@"Wetlander" said:Looks Like Stephen is going to be Linval's backup this year. That should give the Big Goon some much needed rest so he doesn't tire himself out. One thing for sure is, we have some damn good depth along that D-line.@"StickyBun" said: We'll see, but they are talented. Looks like Tom Johnson is stepping up big time to be more than a backup and is going to lock up the spot across from Joseph. I'm surprised Shamar Stephen hasn't had more opportunities there after starting all of last season.
@"twgerber" said: Now only if the offense had that attitude....This offense wont be confused with the 98 show, but if the OL can gel a bit we should be just fine with what I've seen so far. In fact the offense we saw at camp will be great for the D as it should lead to more sustained drives that will keep the D better rested.
Put a top 5 defense together with an efficient, balanced offense and and you've got a recipe for winning a Super Bowl. Of course, other pieces (like schedule, staying healthy, a little luck, etc) play a big part as well, but those are things we can't control. The rest is there.
The thing about the offense is that we just don't really know what we are going to get. We are going to be running a game plan that has been built up in the offseason and fully implemented as opposed to someone taking over for Norv mid season and then having to adjust. Also moving away from old tendencies to fit new (and existing) pieces at RB will change how this offense works. There has been a lot of talk over the years about how we needed to move on from our power run dominant offense and we will see if making that change allows some of the pieces we have to thrive. If so, the offense could be a very nice surprise for us. I do think we still have some concerns on the OL, but we are still going to be looking at improvements overall on the offense. At least that's what I see. Couple that with a genuinely dominant defense and we have something.
@"Mike Olson" said: The thing about the offense is that we just don't really know what we are going to get. We are going to be running a game plan that has been built up in the offseason and fully implemented as opposed to someone taking over for Norv mid season and then having to adjust. Also moving away from old tendencies to fit new (and existing) pieces at RB will change how this offense works. There has been a lot of talk over the years about how we needed to move on from our power run dominant offense and we will see if making that change allows some of the pieces we have to thrive. If so, the offense could be a very nice surprise for us. I do think we still have some concerns on the OL, but we are still going to be looking at improvements overall on the offense. At least that's what I see. Couple that with a genuinely dominant defense and we have something.Yep, the team has clearly tried to transition from power running team to more of a passing team. Even last year, when Teddy was set to start the season, you could see that transition starting to come to life.
So I see that continuing to a degree. Problem is...the offensive line...and one very promising rookie back. No question that our OL is built to run block. From Reiff and Remmers to Elflein, Boone, Easton, and even Isadora. Every one of those guys run blocks much better than pass blocks. Add to that the old NFL adage that says good defensive teams are best matched with running offenses...
And so as good as I think Bradford, Diggs and company can be, I think our "comfort zone" is still going to be run, run and more run.
The offense is going to have to get much better in the red zone scoring TDs. Bottom line. Running the football should help set that up, but one whiff by Remmers and Bradford gets broken in half. Defenses are going to blitz and attack those OTs of the Vikings.
@"StickyBun" said: The offense is going to have to get much better in the red zone scoring TDs. Bottom line. Running the football should help set that up, but one whiff by Remmers and Bradford gets broken in half. Defenses are going to blitz and attack those OTs of the Vikings.red zone and end of game/half situations are being stressed very heavily in camp for both sides of the ball. as far as Sam getting broken, I think last year should set aside most of the fragile QB talk we heard when we traded for him, he earned a lot of respect IMO for his get up last year from the ass whoopins he was taking.
@"JimmyinSD" said:Bradford was tougher than I've ever seen him last year, a real trooper. He hung in there. But he can't keep taking shots like that. He's not built to, he's got a slight frame. The law of averages will catch up if keeps getting blasted like he did.@"StickyBun" said: The offense is going to have to get much better in the red zone scoring TDs. Bottom line. Running the football should help set that up, but one whiff by Remmers and Bradford gets broken in half. Defenses are going to blitz and attack those OTs of the Vikings. red zone and end of game/half situations are being stressed very heavily in camp for both sides of the ball. as far as Sam getting broken, I think last year should set aside most of the fragile QB talk we heard when we traded for him, he earned a lot of respect IMO for his get up last year from the ass whoopins he was taking.
@"StickyBun" said: The offense is going to have to get much better in the red zone scoring TDs. Bottom line. Running the football should help set that up, but one whiff by Remmers and Bradford gets broken in half. Defenses are going to blitz and attack those OTs of the Vikings.This was a massive problem with us. 3 yards or less out from goal line and we kick a field goal every time.
@"StickyBun" said:no QB can handle that kind of repeated abuse, but I dont think he is nearly as frail as most of us believed based on his past. I think the way he wears his jersey makes him look thinner than he really is, he looked much stockier than Teddy and not much lighter than Keenan. ( not that he is a poster of muscularity... but it was a recent frame of reference)@"JimmyinSD" said:Bradford was tougher than I've ever seen him last year, a real trooper. He hung in there. But he can't keep taking shots like that. He's not built to, he's got a slight frame. The law of averages will catch up if keeps getting blasted like he did.@"StickyBun" said: The offense is going to have to get much better in the red zone scoring TDs. Bottom line. Running the football should help set that up, but one whiff by Remmers and Bradford gets broken in half. Defenses are going to blitz and attack those OTs of the Vikings. red zone and end of game/half situations are being stressed very heavily in camp for both sides of the ball. as far as Sam getting broken, I think last year should set aside most of the fragile QB talk we heard when we traded for him, he earned a lot of respect IMO for his get up last year from the ass whoopins he was taking.
@"MaroonBells" said:Yep, the team has clearly tried to transition from power running team to more of a passing team. Even last year, when Teddy was set to start the season, you could see that transition starting to come to life.So I see that continuing to a degree. Problem is...the offensive line...and one very promising rookie back. No question that our OL is built to run block. From Reiff and Remmers to Elflein, Boone, Easton, and even Isadora. Every one of those guys run blocks much better than pass blocks. Add to that the old NFL adage that says good defensive teams are best matched with running offenses...
And so as good as I think Bradford, Diggs and company can be, I think our "comfort zone" is still going to be run, run and more run.
I don't think we are built to be a running team, but we had to get better in that area. Last year was awful as we put the passing offense is so many long situations. Being average at running will allow the passing to open up so much more.
@"Wetlander" said:Pretty sure Shamar's best spot is backing up Linval. He filled in at 3 tech admirably, but certainly wasn't a strong point on our team. IMO the 3 needs to be quicker and more about disruption than anchoring like the NT.According to Zimmer's recent comments, he is well ahead of Datone Jones... I'm surprised Shamar Stephen hasn't had more opportunities there after starting all of last season. Tom Johnson is a pass rushing specialist and not known for his run stuffing
@"greediron" said:I think that could be an issue, nobody to really spell LJ, we have 4 3tech guys but only 1 true space eater.@"Wetlander" said:According to Zimmer's recent comments, he is well ahead of Datone Jones... I'm surprised Shamar Stephen hasn't had more opportunities there after starting all of last season. Tom Johnson is a pass rushing specialist and not known for his run stuffing Pretty sure Shamar's best spot is backing up Linval. He filled in at 3 tech admirably, but certainly wasn't a strong point on our team. IMO the 3 needs to be quicker and more about disruption than anchoring like the NT.
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