Leslie Frazier's coaching staff is finally taking shape.
We all know the Vikings offence was pretty bad in 2010. But the defence struggled in several games as well. And it could use a change in philosophy.
Perhaps new defensive coordinator Fred Pagac will provide that change. At certain times during the six games he was defensive coordinator, he appeared more willing than Frazier to blitz and play an attacking style of defence, rather than stick to the basic Cover Two system. I think the Vikings have the defensive talent to be more aggressive in their playcalling.
The hiring of Bill Musgrave as offensive coordinator leaves me a bit concerned. As ESPN's Kevin Seifert points out, the NFL offences Musgrave has led have in the past had success that was of Darrell Bevellian proportions.
But while certain coordinators have a knack for getting the most out of their players, talent is what tends to make coaches look good most of the time.
Bevell took a lot of heat during his time as Vikings offensive coordinator for how ineffective his offences were. Yet the one year he got great quarterbacking and strong performances from a few receivers, the Vikings scored gobs of points and Bevell's offence was one of the NFL's best.
If the 2011 Minnesota Vikings get good-to-very good play from their quarterback, if the offensive line plays adequately, if receivers are getting open and catching the ball, and if Adrian Peterson stays healthy, Bill Musgrave will probably do just fine.
That's a lot of ifs though.
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2 comments:
if IFs and BUTs were candy and nuts then the Vikings will be pretty good next year.
I'm not sure how I feel about the coaching hires. I was hoping for coaches with ties to players I want on the team, but we'll see what happens. The good thing about what's-his-name is that he got a 1000 yard season out of two RBs in one year. The Vikings could use something like that if the QB situation does not improve dramatically and quickly.
Peter:
I like what Musgrave is saying – talking about using plays that and schemes that play to his players strengths. That's what good coaches are supposed to do. But his unit will struggle if Joe Webb and Rhett Bomar are still the best QBs on the roster come September. But I doubt that's happening.
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