5 things to be happy about, 5 things we need to improve
Well the game vs the Cowboys was shocking, horrible from the first drive to the last, and I wish it just never happened. As we are now just over half way through the season, it’s time to take stock. Time to look back on the preseason predictions and see if we were right or if something else is going on.
At the start of the season I thought this was going to be a big learning opportunity. How would Head Coach Kevin O’Connel (KOC) take to the job, what would he make of his coaching staff, and what, in terms of personnel on the field, was he missing and who could he trust?
With the past seven games it was easy to get caught up in the emotion of being a Vikings fan. After Sunday it was equally as easy to sink down into thinking ‘same old Vikings’. But really, let’s look at this as a whole. We have lost 2 games this season, 2! The season so far has been, on the whole, amazing. A far cry from the crushing disappointments of seasons past, and there is still a long way to go
It would take a catastrophe to miss out on the playoffs now and that’s an incredible place to be. Going back to the original predictions for the season, we have certainly progressed. KOC has certainly learnt a lot and for us fans, there’s a lot to be optimistic about, for this season and beyond. But if we were to drill down and pick out what we want more of and what we would change, what makes the list? Well sit back, cradle a brew and go through my list of five things to be happy about and five things we need to improve.
5 Things the Minnesota Vikings can be happy about
1. The culture
From iced out plane rides to soul rousing locker room speeches, one thing that has been a massive improvement on previous seasons is the culture. The guys are having fun, playing with heart, and coming together as one team.
When Kirk grabbed Head Coach Zimmer on the touchline in our victory over the Lions last season, I thought something was up. A rift between coaching and players that boiled over in a moment of emotion that screamed “Is that good enough for you!?” I couldn’t imagine that happening with Kirk and KOC. There is this synergy of win together, lose together and I am here for it.
And can you imagine last season’s team, partying on the plane home, led by a shirtless captain Kirk wearing chains from every corner of the team? No chance. And if this team was on the last play of the last game of this season, and Justin Jefferson was 17 yards short of breaking Randy Moss’ single-season receiving record, you bet Kirko isn’t taking a knee.
It will be interesting to see how we bounce back from the Cowboys game, but what I have loved is that no one has hidden. They came out, took responsibility and said it wasn’t good enough, KOC included and that’s something to be happy about.
2. Captain Kirk
You like that? I sure do! For all the Kirk haters out there, you can’t tell me Kirk isn’t proving you wrong. Fair enough, the O-line is helping him out in terms of his on field performances; however, it didn’t help so much with the loss of Christian Darrisaw to a concussion. As a whole package, Kirk looks great! Our new leader is showing all the doubters wrong by rushing in touchdowns, exceptional movement outside the pocket, executing versatile plays, and ushering in this new great culture. Plus, showing why KOC was excited to work with him in his new offence.
Yes, he has thrown some interceptions and on paper he isn’t having as good a season as previous, but I think that’s because he is taking more risks. He’s believing in himself and his teammates and I think it’s great to see. Kirko Cousins, that’s my QB.
3. Za’Darius Smith
What a revelation this guy has been! Cast out by the slackers as not needed, he is showing why you should never give up on a player. Sitting in fourth sport for the most sacks in the league with 9.5, 30 tackles and one wicked smile, Smith is a big part of this new culture we have developed at the Vikings. He’s a player that is slowly gaining cult status. Keep him healthy and our defence looks dangerous.
And the best thing is, the slackers are still paying him $11,424,443 in dead cap! lol
4. T.J.HOCKENSON
The Vikings logo comes alive and it turns out he plays tight end. It’s almost ridiculous to include him in this list after 3 games, but what a difference he has made (even counting the Cowboys game – no one came out of that well!). Now I love Irv Smith and I really wanted it to work out for him, but Hockenson is everything we hoped Irv would be and more.
Apart from his exceptional performances on the field, I love the way Kirk personified his personality by explaining he learnt the offence in 4 days when it took Kirk 4 months. And I can’t write about him without mentioning the shade he threw on the Lions on his exit, saying “That’s really what we’re here to do is go somewhere and win some games. That’s kind of the first time I’ve been able to say that,” That’s right Hock, we win games.
5. Kevin O’Connel
Last but nowhere near least, the Head Coach, Kevin O’Connell. This guy is quickly becoming a legend, not just in Minnesota but in the NFL. He wins a Superbowl with the Rams, becomes head coach to an NFL team, and takes the Minnesota Vikings to 8-2 in his first season!
It’s become one of my weekend rituals to listen to his post game locker room speeches, almost like you are part of the team. He’s still got a lot to learn, and no one reminds us of that more than himself, a great leader and great coach.
5 Things the Minnesota Vikings need to improve
1. The running game
I love Dalvin Cook. As a Sunderland fan, some of my sporting heroes have donned the number 33, Julio Arca, Lee Barry Cattermole and, as a Viking, Dalvin Cook. Also, as someone who was once described as ‘quick for a big lad’ I always thought I would play running back if I ever got the chance. So I look at that position with great scrutiny. And to be honest, this season, it’s been disappointing.
1,036 yards off 230 attempts puts us way behind divisional rivals the Eagles on 1,425 from 329 and we should have used it more vs the Cowboys with their documented inability to stop the run. We know we have the tools, we saw it with Cooks 81 yarder against the Bills, lets get them more in the game and create some gaps for them
2. Justin Jefferson
That’s right I said it, Justin Jefferson. I know, a week ago he just made the best catch in the history of the NFL. I know he has broken records this season and we are very lucky to have him. But I want more.
He’s got fewer receptions than Diggs, less yards than Hill and less touchdowns than Jamar Chase. I’m not saying he’s not better than them, I just want more. Let’s use him more, especially now we have Hockenson to take the focus away from him and cause more 1 on 1 coverage. Let the Jet fly!
3. Adam Thielen
Hmm, is this guy having me on? Two wide receivers on this list when we are 8-2 and have the 3rd highest ranking offence in the game (according to sportsnaut). Very similar to JJ, I want more from Thielen going forward. Yes he’s projected to have more receptions, more yards, and a higher average yards per catch than last season, but with just 2 touchdowns for the season, the previous red zone assassin isn’t living up to his speciality. Let’s get this man more on the scoreboard!
4. The Margin
Yes, it’s exciting when we win. And for the neutral, we are the poster boys for the NFL. But for the good of my health, please can we just comfortably win a game?
The Vikings won each of the 7 game streak by eight points or fewer, and there is always something to play for in the last quarter, the last 2 minutes, the last drive or the last play. It could have something to do with seemingly going to sleep in the 3rd quarter of most games, so please, for my health, can the Vikings please just win one by a comfortable margin? String all the good play together for a full game? Preferably starting with week 12 against the Pats!
5. The Media
Ok, this one might be outside of our control but I’m getting a bit tired of flicking over to Good Morning Football or scrolling through Twitter and having my smile stolen from me by a media that refuses to give us the credit we deserve.
Before the Bills game it was ‘they haven’t played anybody’ or ‘The Eagles was their benchmark game’ which was nonsense. Then The Bills game came and we got some editorial high fives from the media. That was short lived and by Tuesday The Bills had thrown the game away, Allen might not have been 100% and really they need to prove it against The Cowboys.
Well fair enough, we had a stinker against the Cowboys, but that happens, even to the best of teams. Last season the Rams finished 12-5, didn’t even win a game in November, and still won the Superbowl.
We are an 8-2 team, second best record in the division, yet still dismissed off hand. I’m not wanting them to talk about us as superbowl favourites, but please acknowledge the distance travelled and give the guys some credit, they deserve it.
This is obviously a really good team. Are we the complete article? No. But let me tell you we are special. This is our first season with a completely new setup. We are going to get better and learn more each week. This team, this group of people, have made me proud to pull on my purple each week, clap my hands above my head and scream Skol from my living room. It’s exciting to be a Vikings fan, let’s see how far we can go.
Richard Dawson
Edited by: Thomas Beauchene and Jacqui Melrose