Differing philosophies?
In his Monday meeting with the press, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier talked at length about needing to improve his team's run defense. He used phrases like returning to the drawing board and starting at square one. "Our defense doesn't resemble the type of run defense we're capable of playing," he said.
Well, linebacker Chad Greenway sort of agrees, and kind of disagrees.
There is no question the run defense needs to improve after the three-game stretch the Vikings have been through. But having to essentially start over? Linebacker Chad Greenway might have an issue with that one.
"Obviously what coach says is the golden word," Greenway said. "But, from our standpoint in the defensive room, it's more about going out there and just doing our job a little bit better."
This is a mantra that has been repeated by a number of Vikings players of late. Greenway said the tale the film study showed was a defense that "just a bit off."
So a total rebuild isn't necessary?
"Obviously we haven't been playing well and we've lost a couple in a row,'' he said. "So things are going to seem worse than they are. But the reality is we are 5-4 with every opportunity to win every game on the way out. So there's nothing to say we don't right the ship. You can't be doom and gloom with seven games left. So, you know, I don't buy into that."