Minnesota Vikings Random Thoughts

These are just a few random thoughts through seven games and following the Minnesota Vikings big win over the San Francisco 49ers.

The Offensive Line.

From the postgame words of right tackle Brian O’Neill, it sounded like the team, in general, and the offensive line, in particular, was fired up for the 49ers. It was the best performance by a Vikings offensive line in years. The following five got the best of one of the best defensive fronts in the league. 

LT   Christian Darrisaw

LG  Dalton Risner

 C   Garrett Brabbury

RG  Ed Ingram

RT  Brian O’Neill

Was the introduction of Dalton Risner in place of an injured Ezra Cleveland the difference? Perhaps. The Vikings offensive line had been trending upwards all season. That was happening with Cleveland at left guard. Would the group have played like they did against the 49ers with Cleveland on the field? Who knows? I know that I saw movement from Risner that I’d never seen from Cleveland. If Risner plays ahead of a healthy Cleveland, we’ll obviously know how the coaches see the position. 

More Offensive Line.

The key to the Vikings offensive line is the terrific offensive tackles. Christian Darrisaw is fast becoming the best left tackle in the league. Brian O’Neill is one the best right tackles in the league. Together, they are one of the best tackle tandems. From the start of offseason work, the key to improved offensive line play beyond merely adequate was the interior. The media and fans have been calling for personnel changes. The team’s decision-makers seemed content relying on improvement from the players that they had. While Risner was added earlier this season, the Vikings offensive line has improved with each game. It’s been a revelation to see.

T.J. Hockenson

The Vikings acquired tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions at last season’s trade deadline. Since then, he’s played a season’s worth of games (17). Here’s his stats:

107 catches

909 yards

5 touchdowns

Seeing as he spent his first handful of games were spent adjusting to a new offense, teammates, and home, that’s remarkable production. 

Jordan Addison

In his seventh professional football game, Jordan Addison introduced himself to the football world on Monday night. Randy Moss did a similar thing as a rookie in 1998. Against the 49ers, Addison put up these numbers:

7 catches 

123 yards

2 touchdowns (20,60)

Just as with Moss against the Green Bay Packers that beautiful Monday night at Lambeau, it wasn’t so much the actual numbers but how he put up those numbers. His robbery of Charvarius Ward for a 60-yard touchdown wasn’t something normally done by a rookie. Other than his spring driving, Addison has rarely looked like a rookie since he first put on a Vikings helmet.

Thinking of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the field together for next dozen years is a beautiful thought. 

Kirk Cousins

The narrative that Kirk Cousins is terrible in Prime Time games is a lazy narrative. Blasting that for years has been a substitute for thinking. He was outstanding against the 49ers this past Monday. It may have been his best game as the Vikings quarterback. It wasn’t his first great game under the lights. He’s often played well in Prime Time games. Here are his Prime Time statistics scaled to a 17-game season.

4,740 yards

33 passing touchdowns

14 interceptions

68%

Those statistics might get a quarterback in the Pro Bowl, some All-Pro consideration, and perhaps even some MVP votes. 

Camryn Bynum.

I’ve watched Camryn Bynum since his freshman year at Cal. He was probably my favorite Golden Bears player since Keenan Allen. He played mostly corner at Cal. I wasn’t sure about his pro prospects at the position. I hoped that he could play nickel. I thought that he could transition to safety. When the Vikings selected him in the fourth round, I hoped that he could make that transition. At the very least, I felt that the Vikings added an outstanding special teams player and teammate. Happily, Bynum has exceeded all of my early expectations. He’s worked and developed himself into an outstanding football player. 

Trade Deadline.

My trade deadline hopes: 

Danielle Hunter is still a Viking on 11/1. He should be signed to an extension. Not traded. 

If the Vikings do add a player, I hope that they add a pass rusher or defensive tackle. Maybe both?

Pass rusher:

Montez Sweat

Brian Burns 

That’s shooting pretty high.

Defensive Tackle:

Neville Gallimore

Teair Tart

Justin Jefferson.

I can not wait for him to be 100% and back on the field. Cousins need him. The Vikings need him. The league needs him. 

Thrash the Packers.