Mike Zimmer Has Vikings Defensive Turnaround Way Ahead of Schedule: Thanks to the emergence of a few potential stars, an infusion of talent and the acumen of the man in charge, the Minnesota Vikings defensive revival under head coach Mike Zimmer appears to be way ahead of schedule. Through eight games, the Vikings are on pace to allow 134 fewer points and 1,182 fewer yards this season than in 2013. The improvements have come through a talented and underrated defensive cast and the presence of Zimmer putting all the pieces together. Defensive end Everson Griffen, rookie linebacker Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith have emerged as weekly difference-makers. The additions of nose tackle Linval Joseph and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn in free agency, while young players such as defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and cornerbacks Josh Robinson and Xavier Rhodes continue to improve, have helped fill in the gaps. Zimmer is the glue. A year after allowing the most points and second-most total yards, the Vikings rank 12th in scoring defense (21.6 per game game) and eighth in yards per game (323.8). But dont tell those numbers to Zimmer just yet. Theres a long way to go. I never look at defensive rankings until at least Thanksgiving, Zimmer told reporters. I think by then you kind of know what you are. The calendar still reads October, but its clear the Vikings have fast-tracked an impressive turnaround on defense. The progress over just the last three weeks is something to behold. Since allowing 42 (Christian Ponder-aided) points at a rain-soaked Lambeau Field back in Week 5, the Vikings have given up only 47 total—tied for first among defenses that have played at least three games over that span. Opposing offenses are also averaging just 284.3 yards since Week 6, which ranks third overall. The Vikings six takeaways are tied for fourth. Standout individual performances litter the last three games. Griffen, who signed a $42.5 million extension with the Vikings this past March, has five of his eight sacks since leaving Lambeau Field. He now ranks third in the NFL in the category and is on pace to total 16. Meanwhile, Jared Allen—the man Griffen has replaced in the starting lineup—has looked awfully old in accumulating just 1.5 sacks for the Chicago Bears in 2014. Bleacher Reports Darren Page tracked Griffens ascension from promising backup to impact starter in fine detail here. No one seems to be criticizing his extension now. The Vikings smartly looked past that, paying for what was expected of the player in the future instead of paying for what the player had already accomplished, Page wrote. That’s why Jared Allen was politely ushered out of town, sliding Griffen into the starting lineup in his stead. Griffen has 27 quarterbacks disruptions and 26 stops this season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Allen has 23 and 15, respectively. The Vikings clearly made a sage decision in locking up the emerging 26-year-old and letting go the sharply regressing 32-year-old. Taking Barr at No. 9 overall last May could end up being one of the smartest moves of Rick Spielmans reign as general manager. The former running back-turned-linebacker has been a dream come true for a Zimmer defense that continues to use him in different and creative ways. Barr is a coverage linebacker and attacking defensive end packed into one of the most athletic 255-pound human beings on the planet. And lets remember that Barr is in just his third year playing the linebacker position. His ceiling has no limit. And his early impact is undeniable. Among rookie defensive players, Barr is third in stops (24) and tied for third in quarterback disruptions (14). His plus-7.0 grade at PFF is fifth among rookies and tops among 4-3 outside linebackers. In more traditional statistics, Barr ranks first in sacks (3.0) and third in tackles (54) among first-year defenders. Firmly in the discussion for Defensive Rookie of the Year, Barr garnered national spotlight in Week 8 with eight tackles, a sack and the game-winning fumble recovery for a touchdown in overtime against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Zimmer, who always seems hesitant to heap on too much praise for players, couldnt stop gushing about Barr on Monday. Hes very, very talented, Zimmer said. But I think the thing I love the most about him is the way he studies here in meetings, he takes a lot of notes. Hes very prideful about not making the same mistake twice. And he continues to get better. He wants to be very, very good. Then again, Zimmer was sure to acknowledge that Barr isnt doing it alone. And the other thing, like Ive said before, theres a lot of other people helping him, Zimmer said. Hes right. Not only has Griffen come on as a pass-rusher and edge-setter against the run, but Smith has become a Pro Bowl-caliber safety at the back end. The former first-round pick is tied for second among safeties with three interceptions. He was burned for a long touchdown by Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson back in Week 5, but hes generally been among the best safeties in coverage this season. Smith has also missed only three tackles, and hes second at his position in quarterback disruptions with eight, despite only blitzing 19 times. His game is complete. If the season ended today, Smith would have a strong case to be one of the starting safeties for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Additions to the defense are also paying dividends. Joseph has been a clog in the middle and surprisingly effective as an interior pass-rusher. He may not always find his way into the thick of the boxscore, but what he accomplishes on a play-to-play, series-to-series basis plays right into the Vikings resurgence. Munnerlyn has allowed some big plays in the passing game, but hes also been efficient on a per-play basis. Over his 186 snaps from the slot (fourth most in the NFL), Munnerlyn has allowed only 16 receptions and 168 yards, which places him near the top of the rankings in cover snaps per target and yards allowed per cover snap, per PFF. Jasper Brinkley, the defenses new starter at inside linebacker, hasnt been a liability. The position once carried with it much doubt to start the season. This is a different group, Zimmer said, when asked to compare last years defense to 2014. Meanwhile, somewhat forgotten players such as Floyd are beginning to turn the corner. A first-round pick of the Vikings in 2013, Floyd played sparingly as a rookie and started the 2014 season slow. But over the last two weeks, the 305-pound tackle has been nearly unblockable. The Buffalo Bills couldnt stay in front of him as a pass-rusher in Week 7. Last Sunday, the Buccaneers couldnt handle him in any situation. It was arguably Floyds best game as a pro. If Floyd progresses into anything close to the player Geno Atkins was for Zimmer in Cincinnati, the Vikings defense can reach new heights. Thats a big if, but performances like last Sunday prove Floyd is capable. On the edges, both Robinson and Rhodes have benefited from working with Zimmer, a former longtime defensive backs coach. Robinsons career has done a 180 after a disastrous 2013 season, and Rhodes is allowing an opposing passer rating of just 81.7 when targeted this season. Even Robert Blanton, the starting safety next to Smith, looks like he has staying power. One of his best games came against Buffalo, when he intercepted Kyle Orton. Zimmers fingerprints are all over the progression. Something Floyd said Monday was especially relevant. Were rushing as a unit now, not as individuals, Floyd told reporters. A novel concept but one that was missing from 2013 and is now clearly evident in 2014. Zimmer has the front four playing in unison to stop the run and pressure the quarterback. A cohesive front four benefits the entire defense. Many expected there to be a learning curve. Even Zimmer wasnt projected to turn around arguably the worst defense in the NFL in 2013 in just one season. But maybe most overlooked the idea that combining the Vikings obvious talent on defense and Zimmers ability to teach and coach defense could produce instant results. Amazingly, Minnesota has jumped from the NFLs cellar to brink of the top 10 in just eight short games. Zimmer will tell you that it takes until Thanksgiving to truly judge a defense. However, eight games is more than enough to confidently say the Vikings are far ahead of just about everyones schedule in refurbishing the unit. And with so many young, promising players under Zimmers watch, theres really no telling where the defensive guru could take his new defense. Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report. 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Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:20:17 +0000
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