There are a lot of problem areas with this team, but the lack of respect they are getting for their run defense from the media is incredible... Against Miami, Minnesota actually gained yardage. For the game, Miami had a total of -3 rushing yards. How impressive is this? Miami's rushing total is the lowest since 1961. That's nearly half a century... Of course part of the low rushing total is probably due to the fact that opposing offenses know they can throw the ball on the team, but give credit where credit is due. When a team does try to run on the Vikings, they shouldn't expect much. If the team can figure out a better pass defensive scheme, then this could easily be the best defense in the league.
I could be a total homer and saying the Dolphins OL is average at best but thats not my style. It is impressive as they have been doing it week in & week out. Its not because of Childress but have respect for the Vikings. If for no other reason than their cheerleaders year in & year out are hot. I think the 2 most impressive stats, yesterday, were the 2 defensive TD's for Miami and the aforementioned stonewalling of Miami's run game.
That's the one thing I've always given the Vikings is you won't run on them. It's to bad (well not really) their secondary isn't playing up to there capability so teams after watching the Pats on MNF come in and no to start fro the first Q to just spread em out and wing it. I've said for 2 years that the Williams brothers are the greatest DT duo in the leageu
One thing that is interesting to note - the Vikings have been passed on more than any other defense in the league. If you look at YPC, the Vikings rank 16th, I believe. In other words, if you try to normalize the fact that no one runs on us but passes far more than against any other team, the secondary is average...of course, an average pass defense with a very below average offense is a recipe for losing.
Seems the injuries have hit more in the secondary too. Smoot wasn't an injury but has missed some time and D. Smith had had his prolems. When Tank Williams was done in preseason no one really figured it was a big problem but right now he could prove to be helpfull if he was around. The one guy who never seems to slump is Winfield. I think he's one of the underated CB's in the leageu and for a little guy is the best tackler
Antione Winfield is an awsome Corner, and deserving of a the Pro Bowl, he's only about 5'9 at the most and is always making plays around the ball, shutdown Corner and sure tackler, he'll definatly be a safety when his age starts to show a little.
Yeah, Winfield is the man - he played with a concussion last week and is constantly at the top of the team in tackles. The guy is vicious. I do like some of the younger guys that we have, mainly Greg Blue and Cedric Griffin. Both are big hitters like Winfield, but both also need to work on their coverage skills (although Griffin has been fairly solid lately). I'm not too worried about the defense for the next couple of years - I'm worried that we can't turn around this offense fast enough to field something decent for a SB run.
