Post by Purple Pain on Jun 26, 2020 13:14:19 GMT -6
1. HARRISON SMITH & ANTHONY HARRIS, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
No pair of safeties has performed better or lifted their defense higher than the Vikings' tandem of Harris and Smith. A season ago, Harris (91.6) and Smith (91.4) produced PFF's top two coverage grades among players at the position. Harris also finished second at the position in terms of PFF's wins above replacement (PFF WAR) metric, while Smith finished fourth.
The formidable duo leads a secondary that relies on a variety of zone concepts that hand their safeties the responsibility of closing off the middle of the field. Since 2018, the Vikings have played quarters coverage more than any other coverage shell, lining up in that look on 16.1% of their defensive snaps.
This coverage scheme is more nuanced than your basic zone coverage, and it can resemble variable looks from one side of the field to the other. Harris is used as a primary deep-middle defender where his elite ball skills and closing range is greater than the veteran Smith, who can leverage his instincts and experience to disguise his alignment and assignment.
The struggle has been real for opposing quarterbacks. The Vikings safeties have allowed a combined 67 receptions from 110 targets in primary coverage over the past two seasons, giving up just 797 yards in the process. More impressive, however, is the fact that they've surrendered only two touchdowns while coming away with 17 interceptions over that timeframe — two more interceptions than the league's next closest safety group.
Minnesota Vikings Safeties: Combined coverage stats from 2018-19 (regular season only)
No pair of safeties has performed better or lifted their defense higher than the Vikings' tandem of Harris and Smith. A season ago, Harris (91.6) and Smith (91.4) produced PFF's top two coverage grades among players at the position. Harris also finished second at the position in terms of PFF's wins above replacement (PFF WAR) metric, while Smith finished fourth.
The formidable duo leads a secondary that relies on a variety of zone concepts that hand their safeties the responsibility of closing off the middle of the field. Since 2018, the Vikings have played quarters coverage more than any other coverage shell, lining up in that look on 16.1% of their defensive snaps.
This coverage scheme is more nuanced than your basic zone coverage, and it can resemble variable looks from one side of the field to the other. Harris is used as a primary deep-middle defender where his elite ball skills and closing range is greater than the veteran Smith, who can leverage his instincts and experience to disguise his alignment and assignment.
The struggle has been real for opposing quarterbacks. The Vikings safeties have allowed a combined 67 receptions from 110 targets in primary coverage over the past two seasons, giving up just 797 yards in the process. More impressive, however, is the fact that they've surrendered only two touchdowns while coming away with 17 interceptions over that timeframe — two more interceptions than the league's next closest safety group.
Minnesota Vikings Safeties: Combined coverage stats from 2018-19 (regular season only)
Stat Rank
Coverage grade 96.9 1st
Man-coverage grade 85.5 5th
Zone-coverage grade 94.8 1st
Coverage grade on plays with no pressure 94.1 1st
Coverage grade on passes thrown in 3 seconds or less 94.7 2nd
Forced incompletion percentage 18.2% 1st
Passer rating allowed 49.5 1st
... and neither is this Chris guy.