Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
Posts about Vikings coaches
Rookie QBs have been a problem for Vikings defense
Posted by: Kent Youngblood Updated: October 29, 2012 - 2:59 PM
Speaking from experience, Vikings defensive end Brian Robison gave Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson an enormous compliment Monday. Robison described Wilson – the rookie out of Wisconsin – as a combination of Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck.
If you’re a Vikings fan, a chill should have just moved the length of your spine.
The Vikings will be facing their third much-heralded rookie quarterback of the season when the Vikings travel to Seattle for Sunday’s game. And the first two – against Luck in Indianapolis Week 2 and against Griffin in Washington Oct. 14 – didn’t really go so well. The Vikings lost both games.
But back to that comparison: “It’s just the things (Wilson) can do with his legs and his arms,” Robison said. “Just his smarts. He’s always looking downfield for guys. That’s what he wants to do, make plays in the passing game. But if he has to tuck it and run, he has the wheels to do it.”
Wilson has completed 129 of 210 passes for 4-4 Seattle, for 1,466 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions and a passer rating of 82.2. He has run 36 times for 128 yards.
Wilson didn’t come with quite the fanfare of either Luck or Griffin, who were drafted with the first two overall picks in April’s draft. Wilson – whose lack of height {he’s 5-11} was questioned by some – was the sixth quarterback taken in the draft, going in the third round to Seattle.
But Wilson has the second-highest passer rating among rookie QBs, behind only Griffin. And the Vikings are impressed with what they’ve seen.
“It seems we keep playing these rookie quarterbacks who can make plays,” Robison said. “and so we have to make sure that what has happened with the last two doesn’t happen with this one.”
Gap control
Much will be written this week about the Vikings’ struggles in run defense of late. But here’s a phrase you’re going to hear a lot of: Gap control.
That’s the Vikings’ story, and they’re sticking with it. Both Robison and cornerback Antoine Winfield stressed gap control when it came to shoring up the run defense.
First, Robison: “The simple answer to that is we’re not in our gaps. Guys aren’t in their gaps and then we’re missing tackles. And that’s all the way across the front. That’s the front guys, that’s linebackers, that’s DBs.”
Now, Winfield: “Guys were out of their gaps. It happened in the Tampa Bay game. And missed tackles. Just shore up your tackling and stay in your gap.”
Ready to return
Vikings second-year safety Mistral Raymond, who was starting until dislocating his right ankle Sept. 23, said he is pain-free and ready to go. But he doesn’t know whether that will mean a return to the starting lineup.
“I’m available,” he said. “But, to what extent they want to use me, what role they’ll have me in, that’s totally up to the coaching staff.”
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Raymond will be evaluated after a full week of practice, then his role will be decided upon.
Another thing Raymond isn’t sure of is how long it will take for him to get back into the swing. He’s spent the last five weeks on the sidelines or in the training room. “I’ve never been in this situation,” he said. “I’m just going to try to make every day feel as natural as possible, go out and do my work and just try to be on the same beat with the rest of the guys. We’ll go from there.”
Getting closer?
Every Sunday rookie receiver Jarius Wright said he wakes up wondering if this will be the week he makes his NFL regular-season debut.
So far it hasn’t happened.
Wright, who spent some extra time after Monday’s workout practicing his routes, keeps working and waiting. “In case my number is called I want to be ready to go,” he said.
Both he and the coaches agree that he has come a long way since being drafted. “I’m 85 to 90 percent a different player from the beginning of the season to know,” Wright said. “Seeing guys go out there and play, and seeing defenses has definitely helped me.”
So when will that debut come?
“I think he has to continue to improve and keep working hard like he’s doing in practice,” Frazier said. “I don’t know that there’s anything more he has to do. But he’s improving, and he’s come a long way.”
Filling in
Cornerback A.J. Jefferson figures to get a lot more opportunity on the field with Chris Cook out with a broken arm. Jefferson was, acquired in an Aug. 31 trade from Arizona – where he appeared in 18 games over two seasons with the Cardinals – and has spent his time here adjusting to what the Vikings do on defense. Namely, run a lot more cover-two.
“It’s a complete turnaround,” Jefferson said. “Everybody knows we’re a cover-two team. In Arizona we played a lot more man-to-man. But it’s still football. I’ve been doing it a long time.”
Jefferson became the team’s third cornerback in passing situations when Cook left Thursday’s game and Josh Robinson replaced Cook with the first team. For the most part, Jefferson held up well.
Defending Ponder
Posted by: Kent Youngblood Updated: October 26, 2012 - 4:05 PM
There is no question Christian Ponder is the Viking’s quarterback of the present and future. But that didn’t stop coach Leslie Frazier from fielding a number of questions about Ponder’s recent struggles.
“He’s actually doing some things that you like to see,” Frazier said. “But, at the same time, you know that you’re working with a guy that’s in his second season. There are going to be some ups and downs and sometimes during the course of the game. The good thing about Christian is he’s shown the ability to make those corrections as we go. But we have to make sure we’re getting everybody on the offense to play up to the standards we’re asking and not make it all about the quarterback.”
To Frazier, there are a number of things that have to happen for Ponder – and the team’s offense – to get back on track.
One is picking up the blitz. The past two weeks – and especially Thursday – the Vikings have seen increasing blitzing from opponents. And those blitzes have been getting a lot of pressure on Ponder.
Frazier said keeping Frazier comfortable in the pocket is key.
To that end Frazier said the team would work hard on blitz pickup in the run-up to the team’s game in Seattle Nov. 4. “We’re going to work extensively on blitz pickup because I’m sure that other people will see what happened {Thursday} night,” Frazier said. “That’s probably the blueprint – put a lot of pressure, some extra guys in the box and make the offensive line have to adjust and the quarterback throw on the run a little bit.”
Conventional wisdom says that a team with a strong running game – something the Vikings have had in recent games – should translate into plays being available downfield. But the team has to pick up blitzes better.
“I think he’s begun to understand the nature of the business and the nature of the quarterback position,” Frazier said. “… There are going to be days like this. You have to be mentally tough. We think he is, and he’s shown that he is.”
Another item is making sure all the receivers are on the same page with Ponder.
Frazier said he would not consider benching Ponder, ever for a few series, if his struggles were to continue.
“Barring injury, Christian’s going to be fine,” Frazier said. “We have complete confidence that he’s going to do a good job for us. We’ll keep working as a group to improve as a whole.”
Another step
Each week it seems running back Adrian Peterson gets better. While running for over 100 yards for his second straight game Thursday, Peterson nearly changed the momentum of the game with his 64-yard, third-quarter TD run.
So you’d think Peterson would have stopped hearing questions about whether he’s back to 100 percent yet. But you would be wrong. So it’s no surprise he hauled out a little sarcasm when asked yet again Friday.
“I am over 100 percent, I am trying to get to 200 percent,” he said.
But seriously, Peterson said he felt better than he did last year. “But I still have room to improve,” he said.
Where is Rudolph?
Earlier this season tight end Kyle Rudolph was described as Ponder’s security blanket. But, in the past two games, Rudolph has made just two catches.
Frazier said Tampa safety Ronde Barber did a good job on Rudolph Thursday. “But sometimes it’s more what we’re trying to do, trying to get the ball to other people and understanding what we’re trying to do from an offensive standpoint,” Frazier said. “It’s not so much what other teams are doing to take him away. {Thursday} what they did, it made a difference. But it allowed us to get the ball to other people. We just weren’t always as successful doing that.”
A clear decision
The Vikings trailed 30-17 with under 12 minutes left in the game when Tampa Bay was called for holding on a second-and-10 incompletion. Frazier decided to decline the penalty. On the ensuing third-and-10 play Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman completed a 34-yard pass to receiver Mike Williams. The Bucs eventually scored to go ahead 36-17. Friday Frazier explained his decision to decline the penalty.
“Third and 10, with the time on the clock, believing you can get off on third-and-10 and get the ball back,” Frazier said. “We needed the ball.”
Matt Blair to be honored Thursday; other Vikings notes
Posted by: Kent Youngblood Updated: October 22, 2012 - 3:23 PM
In his 12-year career, outside linebacker Matt Blair was named to six straight Pro Bowls, was an all-Pro once. He played in two Super Bowls.
In honor of that career the Vikings will induct Blair into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime of Thursday’s game with Tampa Bay at Mall of America Field.
But when Vikings coach Leslie Frazier introduced Blair to reporters Monday, his main message was thanking Blair for helping the team win this year. Seems Frazier likes to have former Vikings standouts talk to the team before training camp starts. Last year it was Jim Marshall, this year Blair.
“He talked to players about visualizing success,” Frazier said of Blair. “And he talked to them about not getting caught up in the past, but just focusing on the moment. And that really was something that was a part of our approach with our team. And so, without me even talking to him about what direction I wanted to take our team in that first meeting, it was so apropos to listen to him talk about success and visualizing success.’’
Blair’s message was about players putting all their emphasis on preparation so that execution becomes nearly second nature. “It takes your entire heart to make it happen,” Blair said.
Blair related a story about a game against the St. Louis Cardinals during his rookie season. He made a few mistakes covering Cards tight end Jackie Smith and was benched. But coach Bud Grant put him back on the field to start the second half. “After the game Bud was asked ‘What did Matt Blair bring to the game?’ And Bud said, ‘Lack of experience.’ From that day on I decided I need to do a little bit more. And that’s what it’s all about.”
When asked what his induction into the Ring of Honor meant, Blair got a bit emotional.
“It’s very humbling to be put in with great players – the Tarkentons, the Ellers, the Carters, the Marshalls, the Grants, those guys are just legendary.’’
FANTASTIC FOUR
One of the highlights of Sunday’s defensive effort, according to Frazier, was the pressure the team was able to get from the front four without having to resort to blitzing. It was encouraging, even though the injury-plagued Arizona offensive line has struggled.
“I don’t know if we’ve done it that effectively without blitzing,” said Frazier of the Vikings seven-sack effort. Of those, a career-high three came from end Brian Robison, two from end Jared Allen and one from tackle Kevin Williams. “In the past we probably would have mixed in a little more pressure than we did (Sunday). That was our goal, to go into this game and be able to generate a pass rush without having to bring five or six guys, and our D-line stepped up to the challenge. They dominated just like we hoped they would and really took a lot of pressure off our secondary.”
Through Sunday’s games the Vikings ranked third in the NFC with 22 sacks, with Allen tied for eighth individually with six.
Frazier said not having to blitz allowed the rest of the defense to concentrate on slowing receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., who wound up with four catches.
ON SECOND THOUGHT…
Frazier admitted that he probably would do things differently if he had the final moments of Sunday’s first half to do over.
The Vikings decided to go for a field goal rather than take a knee late in the half. The result was a Christian Ponder interception. The Cardinals missed a field goal as the first half expired.
“Looking back on it, it probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do,” Frazier said. “We probably could have went in at the half and taken that 14-7 lead and say, ‘Hey, let’s just start the second half.’ ‘’
SMITH STAYS AGGRESSIVE
Vikings safety Harrison Smith is learning how to play aggressively without going over the line and incurring the fines he’s had to deal with this season.
“Sometimes when you get fined as often as he’s gotten fined in these first seven games, it can tip your emotions and make you start playing a little tentatively,” Frazier said. “That hasn’t been the case with him. He’s been aggressive. He’s still in tune with everything we’re trying to get done. He doesn’t seem to be sidetracked by anything that happened. … He’s a bright guy, and very, very athletic. But his maturity, not letting stuff hang onto him that can be negative, it’s impressive.”
Smith turned his first career interception into his first touchdown Sunday, a score that gave the Vikings a 21-7 lead early in the third quarter.
“That’s just how I’ve always tried to be on and off the field,” Smith said. “Just learn from your mistakes, but at the end of the day, I’m not going to try to slow down my play or play softer. I’m just going to try and play within the rules and play at a high tempo.”
NOT HIS CALL
Frazier was asked if the short turn-around time between Sunday’s victory and Thursday’s game with Tampa Bay put players at further risk for injury.
He was definitely not going there.
“Touchy area, there,” he said. “That’s a bigger call than coach Frazier standing here at the podium. We do what we’re told to do. We got a game on Thursday night, we’ve got to get prepared to play that game.”
Still, the short time to prepare will make this a different week. The players had the day off Monday. The team will get one full practice in Tuesday, then have the traditional walk-through on Wednesday. The coaches have to get the team ready to play while at the same time allowing players to get over the bumps and bruises of Sunday’s game.
“You have to really be smart in your preparation of how you’re going to get it done without overtaxing them mentally, but yet getting them where they need to be physically to go out and play,” Frazier said.
INJURY UPDATE
--Running back Adrian Peterson’s sore ankle came out of Sunday’s game OK. Frazier said Peterson was sore, but less so than he was a week ago. It remains to be seen how much Peterson will practice this week.
--Vikings tight end John Carlson, who left Sunday’s game with concussion-like symptoms, probably will not play Thursday, Frazier said. “We will have to take him through the protocol over the next few days, and in a short week, we don’t expect him make it,” he said. Other than that, there were various bumps and bruises, but nothing Frazier said would keep a player out of the game.
The players had Monday off. But the team was required to post an injury report given the proximity to the game. So, had the Vikings practiced today, Peterson (ankle), Allen (groin), CB Antoine Winfield (knee) Carlson (concussion) and T Matt Kalil (low back) would not have participated; S Mistral Raymond (ankle) and Smith (calf) would have had limited participation; and S Robert Blanton (hamstring), LB Marvin Mitchell (calf), QB Christian Ponder (knee), RB Matt Asiata (knee) and DT Fred Evans (knee) would have fully participated.
Lineman Schwartz relishes his return to action
Posted by: Kent Youngblood Updated: October 15, 2012 - 4:39 PMIt was only two series and a handful of plays. But, for right guard Geoff Schwartz, it was wonderful.
“I’m a football player who hasn’t been able to play football,” he said. “So it’s nice to finally be back playing.”
Schwartz missed all of the 2011 season because of a right hip problem. Signed by the Vikings during the off-season, he had sports hernia surgery during the preseason. And while he had been back practicing with the team for a while, Sunday was the first time he had a chance to play. He played in two series at right guard in place of starter Brandon Fusco, one in the second quarter and one that started late in the third quarter. Coach Leslie Frazier said the team wanted to get some film on Schwartz.
“We felt it was a good game to do it and it worked out pretty good to get him, I think he had about 11 snaps,” Frazier said.
Frazier said Schwartz held up pretty well, and that more reps could be in his future. For Schwartz, just getting on the field was a treat.
“It moved fast,” he said. “I mean, I looked it up. I had missed the last two preseasons, and the past season. It had been 29, 30 games I’d missed without being on the field at all.”
The fact that he had to block against a 3-4 scheme in his first game back – which often called for him to block linebackers – only made his return more difficult.
“My second series was better than my first,” he said. “I’ll just take my reps as they come, and just go from there.”
Fusco said he didn’t look at the decision to play Schwartz as a reflection on his own play. But the Vikings opened training camp hoping Fusco and Schwartz would compete for the starting job. Any competition going forward can only make them both better.
Fusco said he felt he could improve in some areas. “Just cleaning up on technique,” he said. “I have to continue to work and study more on the guys I play. I have to be more confident out there, play my game, be aggressive.’’
He feels fine
Vikings receiver Percy Harvin said he came out of Sunday’s game feeling fine. This despite looking a little beat up at times after making 11 catches for 133 yards, running twice and returning three kickoffs. Heading into Monday night's game, Harvin led the NFL with 49 receptions and 316 yards after the catch.
“I’m all good,’’ he said. “This is the best I have felt in a while. I’m a little sore, but no sorer than anybody else. I’ve got two days off. I’ll be ready to go Wednesday.”
While the discussion last season sometimes centered on whether the Vikings were playing Harvin enough, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier was asked Monday if there was a way to keep Harvin from taking too many hits. Harvin had been dealing with a hamstring issue.
“He plays, as you now, at 100 miles per hour,” Frazier said. “If you give it to him two times in a game, those two times, they are going to be full-tilt. That’s how he plays and that’s what you appreciate about him, and we’ll always be conscious of how we’re using him and not trying to overuse him. But when you have a talent such as his, you want to utilize his abilities.”
Harvin deflected any questions about playing time, saying only that he liked the game plan the Vikings had and that it just needed to be executed better.
Sorry Toby
After what happened Saturday, it was difficult to be the only former Stanford player on a Vikings team with five former Notre Dame players.
Stanford went to Notre Dame last week and lost in overtime when the Fighting Irish made a goal-line stand to end the game. “Yeah, that was tough,” Gerhart said. “My pockets are a little lighter today. But, man, we were right there. We had a chance. … But it is what it is. We win and lose graciously.”
The team flew into Baltimore, then took an hour-long bus ride to the hotel. The bus had satellite TV, and the team watched the Stanford-Notre Dame game all the way.
Etc.
The college-style offense Washington used Sunday gave the Vikings some problems, and it also gave defensive tackle Brian Robison an opportunity for some dark humor. Seems a week ago he and Jared Allen were watching a Big 12 Conference game and Allen gave Robison (who went to Texas) grief about the horrible defense played in the conference. “So I joked with him (Sunday) night,” Robison said. “I said, ‘Hey, Jared, how was your first Big 12 game?’ That’s the offense they run in the Big 12, and it’s hard to defend.”
RG3 powers Redskins past Vikings
Posted by: Chris Miller Updated: October 15, 2012 - 11:53 AMThe Vikings fell to the Redskins 38-26 at FedEx Field on Sunday, and here are the links to the Star Tribune's coverage:
Robert Griffin III's long scoring run was the final blow, as detailed in Dan's game story.
Mark's Five Thoughts about the game are here.
Jim Souhan wrote about the Vikings defense's reaction to Griffin.
Mark had a story on Christian Ponder's rough day.
Adrian Peterson returned to the scene of last year's injury.
Brian Peterson and Jerry Holt shot all the action.
McKenna Ewen had the postgame video.
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