Tag: Dalvin Cook

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Vikings Should Be Much Better Next Season

Let’s Reid between the lines…

The Minnesota Vikings just had their first losing season in six years. Despite the disappointment fans are feeling right now, the future is bright for next year’s squad.

Before looking to the future, it’s important to understand what happened to the 2020 team. There was a massive amount of roster turnover leading into the year. Below is a partial list of player losses to free agency:

FREE AGENCY LOSSES: 

  • S Jayron Kearse
  • S Andrew Sendejo
  • CB Mackensie Alexander
  • CB Trae Waynes
  • CB Xavier Rhodes
  • DT Linval Joseph
  • DE Everson Griffen
  • WR Stefon Diggs

And if those free agency losses weren’t enough, the 2020 season brought boatloads of injuries.  Professional football teams are expected to prepare for and overcome injuries to some degree, but this was an abnormal amount of losses to account for. Below is a list of the more significant injuries, so this is just the tip of the iceberg:

INJURIES (SEASON ENDING OR SEVERAL GAMES MISSED)

  • DT Michael Pierce (covid opt out)
  • DE Danielle Hunter
  • DE Kenny Willekes
  • LB Anthony Barr
  • LB Eric Kendricks
  • CB Mike Hughes
  • CB Kris Boyd
  • CB Mark Fields
  • CB Cam Dantzler
  • S George Iloka

Besides the return of injured players next year, there’s plenty more to be excited for. Most notably is the continued development of the 2020 draft class. With so many vacancies on the starting roster, this year’s rookies saw more playing time than they usually would in the Mike Zimmer system. All things considered, they played pretty well for being fresh out of college. When they are called upon next year, they should be ahead of the game and will really be able to contribute in starting or relief roles.

Shifting away from players, it will be exciting to see what changes come to the coaching staff over the offseason. There are multiple openings on staff.

At offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak has officially retired (for the second time). He helped orchestrate a top-ten Vikings offense in the category of scoring, but fans questioned his usage (or lack thereof) of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Others (myself included) believed he overly relied on running back Dalvin Cook. 

With Kubiak out, there is opportunity for an offensive facelift. Whoever fills the void will hopefully give the unit more balance between rushing and passing, and maybe introduce more modern concepts in each area.

Special teams coordinator is another seat that will need to be filled. The Vikings already released a statement saying they will not renew Marwan Maalouf’s contract. It’s no surprise considering Zimmer was caught on camera yelling at him numerous times this season.

I’m optimistic that the newcomer will bring stability to the kicking and return game. They can’t be much worse than coach Maalouf… The 2020 special teams unit was sixth to last in average kick return yardage, and dead last in field goal make percentage.

The Vikings first losing season in a while was no fun, but sometimes you have to get worse to get better. With coaching changes and continued development of last year’s rookies, the 2021 Vikings should be dangerous.

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Dalvin Cook’s Character Concerns

Let’s Reid between the lines…

Before Dalvin Cook was drafted in 2017, concerns about his character ran rampant in the media. But the Vikings scouting department did their due diligence, and they got a top-notch football player and man because of it.

The Vikings have a highly regarded scouting department. Former Viking Scott Studwell headed the unit until the 2019 draft, and he and his staff were respected league-wide. Since Studwell’s retirement, Minnesota’s scouts have continued earning praise for bringing in mature and talented players.

Scouting is about more than what a player looks like on the field. Before draft day, there are dozens of interviews with the player themselves, coaches, and even former teachers to try to gauge the player’s character.

Some teams will turn tail and run at the first sign of controversy with a player. Others don’t seem to care at all, signing known troublemakers and convicts with little regard, only to see them suspended later. The Vikings land in the sweet spot of aiming to recruit high-class players, while also not writing someone off because of accusations that may not be accurate.

Before the draft, respected analysts indicated that the controversy around Cook was misunderstood, blown out of proportion, and in some cases, downright false. Having come from Opa Locka Florida, a city with some of the highest crime rates in the country, it was understandable that Cook had at times been with the wrong crowd. The only two charges that remained on his record were criminal mischief from when he was a teenager, and an animal mistreatment citation. 

After numerous great interviews with Cook, the Vikings trusted their scouts and the good reviews of people who knew and coached him. Minnesota selected Cook in the second round of the 2017 draft. It didn’t take long to see they made a great pick. 

In three and a half years in the league, Cook has proven himself as an elite player and person. He hasn’t had so much as a brush with the law, and Vikings-related drama rarely (if ever) revolves around him. The only drama to date came with a brief contract holdout, and it was resolved quickly.

We all know who Cook is on game day. Off the field, Dalvin is a spokesperson and volunteer with Vikings Table, a food-truck charity for Minneapolis youth unveiled in 2019. Last year, he also donated his $17,000 royalty check from the football video game Madden to a local hospital. That’s the kind of player you want in your locker room.

Congrats to Dalvin Cook for another awesome season on the gridiron, but perhaps more importantly, for proving draft skeptics wrong and showing great character over the years. Hats off also to the world-class Minnesota scouts who brought another amazing role model to the Vikings.

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An Unpopular Opinion About Dalvin Cook

Let’s Reid between the lines…

Against the Packers, Dalvin Cook had what could be the best game of his career. Cook was coming off of a groin injury, and the Vikings were extremely lucky that the injury wasn’t re-aggravated. But, their luck could run out if they don’t start using second-stringer Alexander Mattison more, especially if they get into the playoffs.

Let’s start off by recognizing Dalvin Cook’s talent. The fourth-year running back is nothing short of a prolific player, and he could become the best Vikings running back of all time. Yes, I believe Cook’s ability to contribute in both the run and pass game puts him a step above former Vikings running back, Adrian Peterson. Naturally, the Vikings want to use Cook a lot.

However, Cook is only a threat when he’s at full strength.

For three years, the concern about Cook has been his durability. The concern is warranted, as Dalvin tore an ACL early in his rookie season and has been plagued with injuries ever since. As an insurance policy, Minnesota drafted running back Alexander Mattison last year.

Surprisingly, Mattison has been almost as effective as Cook. Considering their similar build and running style, maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise.

Last season, Mattison ran at a pace of 4.58 yards per attempt compared to Cook who averaged 4.34 YPA. Anything above 4 YPA is excellent in the NFL, so Mattison looked like the steal of the draft. Those numbers proved not to be a fluke, as he continues to gash defenses and is currently averaging 4.44 YPA. The two players perform so similarly that sometimes play-by-play announcers don’t even notice when Mattison subs in for Cook. 

In a way, the Vikings have twin running backs. Yet, they’re putting all the wear and tear on one.

In the Green Bay game, Cook got 30 carries, while Mattison only had three. I understand favoring your highly-paid superstar a bit, but at a 10:1 ratio? That doesn’t add up. The longer the Vikings use Cook disproportionately, the greater the risk of losing him to injury.

When the team renewed Cook’s contract this September, there were talks of limiting his snap count to try to keep him healthy. I thought it was a good idea, but that strategy seems to have gone out the window.

Considering Kirk Cousins’ struggles with the passing game, it makes perfect sense for Minnesota to ride their running backs. The Vikings overused Cook against Green Bay and are lucky he didn’t get hurt. It’s time to start playing Cook less and Mattison more.

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Vikings vs. Packers Week 7: The Norse Awakens

Let’s Reid between the lines…

Against all odds, the Minnesota Vikings went into Green Bay and blew up the Packer defense like the Star Wars rebellion destroying the Death Star. With this single but significant victory over their biggest division rival, there is renewed hope throughout the North.

The Vikings defense showed as much fight as I’ve ever seen. It didn’t matter that they were down to their 7th-string corner (Mark Fields) by the fourth quarter. Nor did it matter when a cleat punctured Fields’ lung and he had to be replaced by a backup safety. Excuses were left in the locker room, and the tenacious unit shut down the Packers offense. Impressive, most impressive.

Aaron Rodgers and Co. underestimated the Purple rebellion, especially when it came to the run game. Running back Dalvin Cook scored four touchdowns in one game. That hasn’t been done by a Viking since Ahmad Rashad in 1979. Like a freedom fighter, Cook sliced and diced the Green Bay defense as if wielding a lightsaber.

Some will call the win lucky, but in my experience, there is no such thing as luck. The Vikings have a storied past and this season has been rough, but our team is resilient. We don’t roll over like the New York Jets and admit defeat when there are almost ten games left to play. Instead, we fight.

We go into every game, knowing a victory could be the spark that lights the fire that burns the old narrative down. Tanking will never align with our values.

The team has already compiled too many wins to #TankForTrevor, so we may as well let that old storyline die.

While making the playoffs is unlikely, so was yesterday’s win, and it’s too early to count this team out. There’s plenty of work to be done, but this battered team has a glimmer of hope, and rebellions are built on hope.

Minnesota’s chances may be slim, but never tell me the odds. Don’t forget that another playoff berth was added to each conference this year, which means there’s an additional spot up for grabs.

We saw the Norse awaken in week seven, so let’s trust the team to tame the Lions in week eight. This is the way.

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Vikings Fans: It’s Not Time To Tank (Yet)

It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to realize the Vikings are off to a rough start. However, it might take a detective, or at least an in-tune and overly optimistic fan to find reasons the team could still turn things around. 

After this 0-3 start, many Vikings fans have given up on the season and turned to social media, using the hashtag #TankForTrevor (meaning star Clemson quarterback and likely number-one draft pick Trevor Lawrence). It is disturbing to see how quickly people give up, and despite the many reasons to do so, I am not yet comfortable pulling the plug on this season and boarding the train to tank town. Theoretically, the team could still go 13-3, so there is without a doubt still time to turn things around.

Let me be clear: there is limited time to infiltrate the win column and set sail towards the playoffs. Another loss or two this early in the year would almost certainly seal Minnesota’s fate of a losing season. It would be their first since 2014, when they went 7-9 in Head Coach Mike Zimmer’s first season. If the Vikings don’t win this week or next, tanking to obtain a high draft pick becomes a very real possibility, and I will reluctantly join the #TankForTrevor movement.

Since the team’s struggles have already been thoroughly covered in the media, let’s jump right into the reasons the Purple could turn things around.

Offensive Line Shuffle?

In place of injured right guard Pat Elflein, second-year blocker Dru Samia has had a tough go of it these past two weeks. Since Samia does not yet look ready for a starting role, talks of trying someone else are swirling. General Manager Rick Spielman recently told local radio station KFAN that Ezra Cleveland may “…get his opportunity shortly,” and I’m all for it. As a second round pick, Cleveland has plenty of potential. Keep in mind, Minnesota’s other most recent second-round lineman (Brian O’Neill) was an absolute success even when forced into early action.

A Pass Rush Emerges

After a quiet first two games as a Viking, possibly due to a minor injury, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue made some noise last week against the Tennessee Titans. Both Ngakoue and linebacker Eric Wilson tallied sacks on Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and the pass rush as a whole was creating pressure from multiple angles. Even safety Harrison Smith was seen rushing on the quarterback. Typically, safeties aren’t your go-to blitzers, but if that’s how the team can best produce a pass rush, I’ll trust defensive mastermind Zimmer’s judgement.

Kubiak Getting Dialed In

Fans including myself questioned Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak’s play calling through the first two games of the season. In my opinion, Kubiak redeemed himself Sunday. With Kubiak’s play calling, Kirk Cousins distributed the ball to six different receivers, including rookie Justin Jefferson (more on that later). The game plan was also very balanced, as the offense had almost a perfect 50:50 ratio of run plays to pass plays. Speaking of run plays, Kubiak made good use of Dalvin Cook, who racked up 181 yards rushing on the day. Reminds me of back when the Vikings would ride Adrian Peterson to the playoffs. Perhaps Kubiak will take a similar approach with Cook…

Justin Jefferson On The Scene

Minnesota’s last few first-round receivers have been busts, but Spielman finally seems to have struck gold in Justin Jefferson. In weeks one and two alone, Jefferson had more receiving yards than Treadwell did in his ENTIRE rookie season. And in week three? Jefferson blew up for 175 yards and a score against the Titans. One man can’t carry the team, but he could light the spark that turns this season around.

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No Need to Fear, Dalvin Cook is Staying Right Here

With the recent news that Dalvin Cook is holding out until he receives a new contract, Vikings fans are in a flurry. Many analysts are acting as though this is a shocking revelation, but this is not at all the case, nor should anyone get too riled up by the reports. Read on to understand why.

It is almost no surprise Cook is not planning to participate in team activities until he sees a new contract. Players at the NFL level have the right to do so, and although the new collective bargaining agreement brings players the possibility of fines or voided contracts, holdouts still are happening. Now, that doesn’t mean fans, coaches, and general managers have to like them, but they are hardly the boldest move a player can make. Want to see bold and controversial? Try not participating in team activities because you don’t like the model of your helmet (cough cough, Antonio Brown). Sheesh.

Not to mention, expecting Cook to play on what’s left of his rookie deal (roughly 2 million this year) is really a stretch of the imagination. Running back is an extremely high risk position where players tend to have shorter careers anyways. Cook is right to be looking for his “big payday” now that he has established himself.

Hearing that Cook’s camp was initially asking for top dollar ($16 million per year) was actually very predictable, assuming the reports were even true. Although he has missed many games over his first three seasons because of injuries, it is obvious that Cook is a very special running back, and he will be on the top of stat sheets for years to come. Expecting Rick Spielman and the Vikings to shell out 16 mil was/is unrealistic, but of course his agent was going to start high. That’s his job.

The latest reports say both sides are being flexible, and Cook’s camp has already lowered their asking price to 13 mil. Although this number is likely still a bit too high for Spielman’s liking, fans need not worry about getting a deal done this week, or even this month. With Coronavirus still prevalent, players literally cannot even show up to the practice field. The team should survive if Cook misses a couple Zoom meetings.

But, what if the two sides can’t reach an agreement by opening kickoff? This scenario is highly unlikely given Cook’s humble nature and the presence of salary cap wizard Rob Brzezinski on the Vikings staff, but let’s tool around with the idea. A prolonged Cook holdout would leave Minnesota with Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone, Ameer Abdullah, and C.J. Ham to tote the ball. Not the worst group of runners you’ve ever seen, eh? If you’re not convinced, these stats/notes should do you in:

  • Mattison boasted 4.6 yards per attempt his rookie year… Cook performed only marginally better at 4.8
  • Boone is absolutely on the rise. After going undrafted in 2018, the Vikings felt so strongly for Cook in 2019 that they turned down a fifth-round draft pick from the Eagles. He tallied almost 300 yards rushing in 2019 as the third-string back.
  • Abdullah may not light up the stat sheet, but he is a do-it-all running back still in his prime at 26 years old.
  • Ham is a silent gamechanger who can be loud when needed. Another player on the upswing, Ham earned his first Pro Bowl invitation last year, and he without a doubt was a significant factor in Cook’s big year. The stout, burly blocker can also catch passes… just check out his 36 yard catch and run against the Seahawks last season! – (https://www.vikings.com/video/ham-rumbles-for-36-yard-gain-on-pass-from-cousins)
  • Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has a track record of turning average running backs into dependable playmakers in his system

Again, don’t be fearful… as Voice of the Vikings Paul Allen would say, be FAITHFUL. With Spielman’s leadership, Zimmer’s interest in the running back position, and Brzezinski being in Minnesota, Cook is all but guaranteed to wear purple for years to come. Mark my words, the Vikings will find a way to conjure up some cash for their lead back.

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Mike Boone Ready to Reveal Himself

The Minnesota Vikings are proud to own one of the best running back duos in the NFL. Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison normally create the two-headed dragon that is the Vikings ground attack, but Minnesota will be short-handed on Sunday. With Mattison already ruled out due to an ankle injury, fans may finally see what backup Mike Boone is capable of.

https://twitter.com/_stevefrederick/status/1163261722087567365?lang=en

For those who are unfamiliar with Boone, he is a second year running back out of Cincinnati, and he was picked up by the Vikings after going undrafted in 2018. Boone hasn’t seen much action to date, but he piled up over 2,200 yards on the ground in his college days, and almost 600 in the air. With the one-dimensional Adrian Peterson days over, this is the kind of back that Minnesota coaches love.

College production aside, Boone has another big thing going for him. Actually, it’s a little thing, as he is a rather small running back. Boone is almost identical in stature to Dalvin Cook, as they are the exact same height (5’10”), and Cook is only five pounds heavier at 209. Being a small running back used to be a disadvantage in the NFL, but they are now well respected thanks to their quick lateral moves and difficulty to tackle. Vikings fans have seen first hand how effective a smaller back like Cook is, and there’s no reason Boone can’t do some of the same things.

In two years combined, Boone only has 19 carries as a Minnesota Viking. With this extremely small sample size, it’s quite difficult to make judgements about the raw runner. That said, in the few reps I’ve seen him take, he has a noticeably good burst, especially when running up the middle. It seems like his small frame allows him to squirm through small holes in the line, and he is able to pick up speed quite quickly. Everyone hates that it comes at the expense of Alexander Mattison, but fans should be very excited to finally see Boone in action.

With Mattison out, some fans are assuming (and hoping) the Vikings will simply feed Dalvin Cook more. To me, this is the wrong approach. With the Vikings currently in a position to make the playoffs (knock on wood), the coaching staff is going to want Dalvin Cook at full strength for when the going gets tough. Putting extra wear and tear on his body against a mid-tier team like the Chargers is counterproductive, and once again, this is the perfect opportunity to see what a guy like Boone can do. If Boone can “reveal himself” and make his presence known early in the game, he may become part of the regular rotation even when Mattison returns.

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Vikings Beat the Odds and Win BIG in Texas

Countless Cousins haters and all six Sunday Night Football experts said the Vikings wouldn’t take down the Cowboys. Despite the lack of faith, Minnesota beat the odds and earned a big win in Dallas.

The victory against the Cowboys was undoubtedly a team win, but Dalvin Cook and his blockers carried much of the load. It seems that every week, Minnesota’s lead back redefines his best, and he put together another top notch performance. The Vikings new and improving offensive line has been a big reason for Cook’s success. Fullback C.J. Ham has also proved invaluable as a lead blocker, as he leveled nearly every defender he faced on Sunday. He was quietly a game changer in this matchup.

Outside of Cook and the run game, the rest of the Vikings offense performed admirably. Minnesota fought hard for their seventh win of the season, and they did so in primetime, on the road, and against a team with a winning record. Keep in mind, the Vikings were also without star wide receiver Adam Thielen. In what some are calling his signature game, Cousins got along just fine without his go to receiver. He not only protected the football, but more importantly, the signal caller distributed it like a girl scout selling cookies. 

We saw screen passes to Cook. We saw three strikes to Diggs. We saw Kyle Rudolph score twice. Heck, Cousins even got Laquon Treadwell involved. And the rookies? Yeah, he threw to Bisi Johnson and Irv Smith too. In total, Cousins targeted eight different players against the Cowboys. The Vikings have been lauded for their offensive arsenal, and it was great to see Cousins using all of his weapons.

In order to come away victorious, the Vikings needed more than just their offense. Several other players came in clutch, and they all contributed to the team win. Special teams had a solid day, as kicker Dan Bailey was a perfect 4/4 against his former team. In the final moments of the game, the defense also corralled the Cowboys, as Eric Kendricks and Jayron Kearse thwarted Dallas’ last two comeback attempts. All in all, it was a huge win for the Vikings, and a big loss for those who bet against them.

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Purple Reign Vikings Forecast – Week 7

With midseason fast approaching, I thought it’d be fun to test out a new Vikings segment. Being that I’m the founder of Purple Reign News, it was only fitting that I play homage to that and name this the Purple Reign Vikings Forecast.

As the name implies, this segment will include predictions for the upcoming Vikings matchup, along with some context for these predictions. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the Lions game!

Football Almanac

For anyone who missed it, the Lions last played on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. The general consensus was that there was terrible officiating (surprise surprise), and who the calls favored depends on who you talk to. Regardless of the refs, the Packers turned over the ball three times, which should almost be a guaranteed win for the opposition. Nonetheless, the Lions practically gave away the game, surrendering a late comeback to Aaron Rodgers.

Weekend Outlook – Mostly Sunny

With the mediocre play of the Lions last week and their inability to close out a game, I’m expecting the Vikings to win without having to weather a hurricane. Road games against division rivals are never guaranteed, but I believe Detroit is the weakest link in the NFC North. They are also the Vikings only northern rival that plays indoors, which is certainly a luxury as we head into a chilly fall.

Getting into the X’s and O’s, it’s advantage Vikings. Four weeks ago, Dalvin Cook was carrying the Vikings on his back. As the team distances itself from earlier drama, Diggs, Thielen, and Cousins are dancing in the rain. With a legitimate triple threat coming to Ford Field, the Detroit defense is going to have their hands full. It’s hard to predict who will be Minnesota’s top producer on Sunday, and the Lions can’t cover everyone. Detroit should prepare for a storm.

Chance of Rain, 30%

In my mind, there are two players who could thwart this forecast:

Number one is Mathew Stafford. This hasn’t been talked about much, but I would draw a close comparison between Cousins and Stafford. Both are 7+ year veterans capable of putting up big numbers, yet neither has had much success in reaching or winning playoff games. With Detroit having only a mid-tier rushing attack, the Lions will likely put the game in Stafford’s hands. It will be up to the Vikings defense to hold back the experienced quarterback.

Number two is Damon Harrison Sr., the Lions starting nose tackle. At 6’3” and 350 pounds, Harrison is the heart of the Detroit defensive line, and he’s a mismatch for almost any blocker.

Minnesota’s interior offensive line has struggled whether injured or healthy, so it remains to be seen if they can keep Harrison away from Cousins. The rest of the Lions roster isn’t too concerning, but Harrison could be the cloud on an otherwise sunny day.

Final Forecast – Vikings 20, Lions 10

Division collisions (thanks Paul Allen) are rarely high scoring, so I expect the Vikings to find the end zone twice, kick two field goals, and smother Stafford and the Detroit offense.

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A Bad Marriage for the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings seemed poised to win the NFC North last season, but a botched arranged marriage between John DeFilippo and Mike Zimmer quickly sent the team’s hopes south. With Gary Kubiak now at Zimmer’s side, the Vikings are poised to take back the north.

I was optimistic about the signing of “Flip” last year, but it ended up being a blind date gone wrong. John came to Minnesota with a short resume, and Rick Spielman’s gamble on the young offensive coordinator ended up costing the Vikings their spot atop the division. Gary Kubiak is more of an old-school coach and a much better match for Zimmer and the Vikings offense. He’s only listed as the “Offensive Advisor,” but I expect the veteran will be wearing the pants in this year’s offense.

You can already start to see Kubiak’s influence on the offense. Gary has an affinity for tight ends, and Minnesota opted to re-sign Kyle Rudoph after months of deliberation. I expect Kubiak to get a great season out of Rudy, even on the backside of his career. He also loves the ground game, so the Vikings spent a high draft pick on running back Alexander Mattison. Running the ball was a huge point of contention between Zimmer and DeFilippo last year. DeFilippo preferred a passing attack, while Zimmer wanted to control the tempo with the run. Obviously, Flip’s strategy didn’t work, and he’s still salty about his time in the north. The new Jaguars coordinator recently spoke to Jacksonville reporters about working for the Vikings:

“I’m not going to make a lot of comments about that, about some of the things that happened up there… Every play I’ve called in my tenure as an offensive coordinator has been what I think gives our team the best chance for success.”

Some analysts argue that the NFL is past the days of having a single “bell cow” running back. I agree that the Adrian Peterson era is gone, but juggernauts like the Patriots rode their running backs right into the playoffs last year. New England has one of the best quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady, but they took pressure off of him by using an efficient committee of backs. You can expect Kubiak to replicate that this year with rookie Alexander Mattison and Dalvin Cook.

Any team looking to make a run at the Super Bowl needs to take care of business in their division. There will never be an easy path to the playoffs, but the Vikings now have the power couple capable of winning the NFC North.

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