Post by Purple Pain on Apr 11, 2020 12:27:57 GMT -6
It remains to be seen whether the Vikings are going to strengthen this area of the field in the draft. They recently signed Tajae Sharpe to a one-year deal worth $825,000 million in base salary but Diggs has left big shoes to fill.
That means Thielen’s production is going to be essential to Minnesota’s hopes of making a second consecutive playoff appearance. He is going to get more attention from opposing defenses and how he copes with this is going to go a long way to determining the franchise’s fortunes going forward.
There is nothing to suggest Thielen is not capable of picking up more of the load. But he suffered injury problems last year and the same again would be nothing short of a disaster for the Vikings.
Thielen’s rise to stardom
Adam Thielen’s rise to prominence in the NFL is an inspirational one. The former Minnesota-Mankato prospect went undrafted in 2013 before earning his way onto a roster the following year.
He was given an opportunity by the Minnesota Vikings and hasn’t looked back. Thielen quickly emerged as a real threat and a dependable catcher despite his lack of experience in the pros.
After two seasons of sparse involvement, Thielen burst onto the scene more prominently in 2016. The wide receiver was on the field for 74 percent of the Vikings’ offensive snaps on his way to 69 catches, 967 yards, and six touchdowns.
Things got even better for the player in 2017. Thielen cam on a significant amount and managed to secure 91 of 143 targets for 1,276 yards and four touchdowns. He provided the franchise with a real presence on intermediate routes and
Thielen firmly established himself as an elite NFL receiver in 2018. His consistency came to the forefront once again and had the best season of his career in quarterback Kirk Cousins’ first season with the franchise.
The player hauled in an outstanding 113 balls from 155 targets to achieve 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns on a 12.2 yards-per-catch average. His chemistry with Cousins was instant and although the Vikings did not make the playoffs, there was plenty of encouragement regarding the duo’s ability to link up on a consistent basis.
That means Thielen’s production is going to be essential to Minnesota’s hopes of making a second consecutive playoff appearance. He is going to get more attention from opposing defenses and how he copes with this is going to go a long way to determining the franchise’s fortunes going forward.
There is nothing to suggest Thielen is not capable of picking up more of the load. But he suffered injury problems last year and the same again would be nothing short of a disaster for the Vikings.
Thielen’s rise to stardom
Adam Thielen’s rise to prominence in the NFL is an inspirational one. The former Minnesota-Mankato prospect went undrafted in 2013 before earning his way onto a roster the following year.
He was given an opportunity by the Minnesota Vikings and hasn’t looked back. Thielen quickly emerged as a real threat and a dependable catcher despite his lack of experience in the pros.
After two seasons of sparse involvement, Thielen burst onto the scene more prominently in 2016. The wide receiver was on the field for 74 percent of the Vikings’ offensive snaps on his way to 69 catches, 967 yards, and six touchdowns.
Things got even better for the player in 2017. Thielen cam on a significant amount and managed to secure 91 of 143 targets for 1,276 yards and four touchdowns. He provided the franchise with a real presence on intermediate routes and
Thielen firmly established himself as an elite NFL receiver in 2018. His consistency came to the forefront once again and had the best season of his career in quarterback Kirk Cousins’ first season with the franchise.
The player hauled in an outstanding 113 balls from 155 targets to achieve 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns on a 12.2 yards-per-catch average. His chemistry with Cousins was instant and although the Vikings did not make the playoffs, there was plenty of encouragement regarding the duo’s ability to link up on a consistent basis.
With a good period of rest and the possibility of no OTAs this season, Thielen should be back to full health in 2020. Minnesota is banking on this and will need him more than ever next season.
The Thielen/Diggs tandem
During their time together in Minnesota, Thielen and Diggs amassed 8,801 receiving yards, 680 receptions and 54 touchdowns in the regular season. This was crucial to the Vikings’ success offensively in recent years and is a testament to how both made the transition from unfancied prospects to elite NFL players.
Diggs might have had his troubles off the field during his time in Minnesota. But things would have been far worse had it not been for the presence of Thielen.
He was a calming influence on Diggs and kept his emotions relatively in check when things looked set to boil over at certain points in 2019. The tandem’s production is going to be sorely missed and it is going to be up to Thielen and other receivers to fill the void.
During their time together in Minnesota, Thielen and Diggs amassed 8,801 receiving yards, 680 receptions and 54 touchdowns in the regular season. This was crucial to the Vikings’ success offensively in recent years and is a testament to how both made the transition from unfancied prospects to elite NFL players.
Diggs might have had his troubles off the field during his time in Minnesota. But things would have been far worse had it not been for the presence of Thielen.
He was a calming influence on Diggs and kept his emotions relatively in check when things looked set to boil over at certain points in 2019. The tandem’s production is going to be sorely missed and it is going to be up to Thielen and other receivers to fill the void.
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Can Thielen cope with the pressure?
The Minnesota Vikings have placed a lot of faith in Adam Thielen. He is going to need to repay them and more if the franchise wants to wrestle the NFC North title from the Green Bay Packers.
There is nothing in the player’s character to suggest he isn’t relishing the prospect of being the top dog in Minnesota. Thielen’s rags to riches story in the NFL is an experience that will stand him in good stead during what is going to be arguably his biggest season as a professional.
He is a strong-willed individual that has made the very most out of his opportunity with the Vikings. Although more will be needed in 2020, Thielen has a real chance to propel his status into the conversation of NFL’s best if he can prove more than just a prolific tandem receiver.
One would think a .500 or below season for the Vikings would see the team begin rebuilding. They have a substantial financial commitment in Thielen but also posses an out in 2021 from a contractual perspective.
While it seems unfathomable they would part ways with Thielen, stranger things have happened. It will be up to the player to perform to the level he is capable of with heightened expectations.
There is so much riding on next season for the Vikings. What they get out of Thielen will be crucial. He is sure to be up for the challenge of another 100-catch, 1,000-yard season after an injury-hit 2019.
The Minnesota Vikings have placed a lot of faith in Adam Thielen. He is going to need to repay them and more if the franchise wants to wrestle the NFC North title from the Green Bay Packers.
There is nothing in the player’s character to suggest he isn’t relishing the prospect of being the top dog in Minnesota. Thielen’s rags to riches story in the NFL is an experience that will stand him in good stead during what is going to be arguably his biggest season as a professional.
He is a strong-willed individual that has made the very most out of his opportunity with the Vikings. Although more will be needed in 2020, Thielen has a real chance to propel his status into the conversation of NFL’s best if he can prove more than just a prolific tandem receiver.
One would think a .500 or below season for the Vikings would see the team begin rebuilding. They have a substantial financial commitment in Thielen but also posses an out in 2021 from a contractual perspective.
While it seems unfathomable they would part ways with Thielen, stranger things have happened. It will be up to the player to perform to the level he is capable of with heightened expectations.
There is so much riding on next season for the Vikings. What they get out of Thielen will be crucial. He is sure to be up for the challenge of another 100-catch, 1,000-yard season after an injury-hit 2019.
... and neither is this Chris guy.