Post by Danchat on Nov 2, 2020 18:28:58 GMT -6
Every week I've been sifting through the Daily Norseman's weekly Player Recaps by GA Skol. I'm going to break out with its own topic here to get some more eyes on my analysis and get more discussion going on player progression/regression.
Here's this week's edition.
Mattison has been disappointing on his runs this year. I wonder if it might be time to give Boone some shots as the #2 - he's faster and ran well when given the chance last year.
Not sure why Ham rates so poorly week in and out from PFF. He rarely seems like a liability as a blocker.
Why was Jefferson only out there on 65% of the plays? Get him out there more!
Irv is playing just as much as Kyle, throwing to the TEs doesn't seem to be a big priority here. Thankfully Irv's poor blocking from the first few weeks is not a problem anymore.
Reiff continues to play well, despite the circumstances. Perhaps the pay cut really motivated him?
Still badly need a LG...
Dru Samia was officially benched, and Cleveland looked great out there. We finally have one player who might be a good guard... even if his future position is probably LT/RT.
We went from Holmes likely not making the roster, to him being the most heavily used D-lineman. Weird season.
Finally got some better play from these two.
They finally moved Mata'afa to DE, and he looked like a much better fit there. Not sure why they wasted so much time trying to play him in the interior when it was clear he never had the strength to do it.
I was hoping to see more Lynch yesterday...
Spielman has made some bad extensions, but getting Kendricks to ink a 4 year $40M extension looks like a steal at this point. Kendricks has been doing everything out there. It's hard to even recall that he used to have problems making tackles, now they all seem automatic for him.
I thought Gladney would be better than this - he's 24 and started 3 years in college - but he can't cover, surprise surprise. I can't say I'm surprised to see another CB underperforming expectations under Zimmer's tuleage.
Boyd finally got healthy to play this week, and then immediately hurt himself again.
Hand looks like he'll be our #2 CB next week. I didn't think he'd make the team initially.
Key of the week: I wonder if benching Samia for Cleveland potentially won us this game. I don't think Cook breaks as many runs to the right if Samia is getting his butt kicked.
Here's this week's edition.
Alexander Mattison - 5 snaps (10%) 3 runs for 8 yards. It is an obvious drop off from Cook to Mattison. He just doesn't have the vision, speed or strength of Cook. He is only out there when we need to give Cook a rest. I wish we still had Latavius Murray back there.
Mattison has been disappointing on his runs this year. I wonder if it might be time to give Boone some shots as the #2 - he's faster and ran well when given the chance last year.
C.J. Ham - 22 snaps (42%) 1 run for 2 yards. The week after only playing 8 snaps Ham comes back and plays 22. Cook runs nicely with him out there. I thought he did a good job opening up holes. PFF weirdly hated our run game yesterday and gave him an offensive score of 58.4.
Not sure why Ham rates so poorly week in and out from PFF. He rarely seems like a liability as a blocker.
Justin Jefferson - 34 plays (65%) 3 catches for 26 yards (4 targets) Not much to speak about.
Why was Jefferson only out there on 65% of the plays? Get him out there more!
Irv Smith Jr. - 41 snaps (79%) 1 catch for 16 yards. Irv's biggest contribution came in his blocking. He looked really good out there. I have to think this is why he has taken over the #1 TE spot from Rudolph.
Kyle Rudolph - 39 snaps (75%) 1 catch for 12 yards. It was a nice catch and run. Rudy was also used more to block than to run routes.
Irv is playing just as much as Kyle, throwing to the TEs doesn't seem to be a big priority here. Thankfully Irv's poor blocking from the first few weeks is not a problem anymore.
Riley Reiff - 52 snaps (100%) PFF grade of 82.9 for Reiff. He is the most reliable OL we have and is always so solid out there. I know he is expensive, but I don't think we can let him go next year if he keeps playing like this.
Reiff continues to play well, despite the circumstances. Perhaps the pay cut really motivated him?
Dakota Dozier - 52 snaps (100%) The new punching bag on the OL while Samia and Elf are sidelined. PFF grade of 59.9. He isn't that good. He cannot pass block at all and I am glad we didn't have to pass much.
Still badly need a LG...
Ezra Cleveland - 52 snaps (100%) PFF grade of 81.1. He was the best OG we've had in years. Cleveland struggle last game in his first NFL start. He did not struggle yesterday. He was opening up cutback lanes for Dalvin all day. He was the OG we need. If we bench him next week for Elf we should riot. Cleveland deserves another game at OG and if he plays like this, he deserves the starting spot. First 80 PFF grade from a Vikes' OG since Josh Kline in week 16 last year.
Dru Samia was officially benched, and Cleveland looked great out there. We finally have one player who might be a good guard... even if his future position is probably LT/RT.
Jalyn Holmes - 62 snaps (83%) Solid effort from Holmes. I saw him a few times in A A Ron's face.
We went from Holmes likely not making the roster, to him being the most heavily used D-lineman. Weird season.
Shamar Stephen - 43 snaps (57%) PFF grade 73.9. Really nice game from both our DTs. There was enough pressure on A A Ron in the 2nd half to stop their offense. Their run game got some yards, but no explosive plays.
Jaleel Johnson - 42 snaps (56%) PFF grade 72.8. Can we get this Jaleel every game? If he can play like this he would be a nice rotational DT
Jaleel Johnson - 42 snaps (56%) PFF grade 72.8. Can we get this Jaleel every game? If he can play like this he would be a nice rotational DT
Finally got some better play from these two.
Hercules Mata'afa - 32 snaps (43%) Hercules had a really nice game playing DE. We need to keep him out of the DT spot. He is a nice rotational DE.
They finally moved Mata'afa to DE, and he looked like a much better fit there. Not sure why they wasted so much time trying to play him in the interior when it was clear he never had the strength to do it.
James Lynch - 11 snaps (15%) I like Lynch. He doesn't get much time, but I'd like to see more of him.
I was hoping to see more Lynch yesterday...
Eric Kendricks - 75 snaps (100%) PFF 90.7 for a team high. Did you see him cover Davante Adams 35 yards down the seem? Kendricks played one of his best games of the season this week. He is the heart of our defense. He is irreplaceable.
Spielman has made some bad extensions, but getting Kendricks to ink a 4 year $40M extension looks like a steal at this point. Kendricks has been doing everything out there. It's hard to even recall that he used to have problems making tackles, now they all seem automatic for him.
Jeff Gladney - 75 snaps (100%) He had a tough matchup this week and proved he is not ready for it. PFF Grade of 49.9 was a defensive low for us. He got a reprieve because Green Bay was able to go after replacement after replacement.
I thought Gladney would be better than this - he's 24 and started 3 years in college - but he can't cover, surprise surprise. I can't say I'm surprised to see another CB underperforming expectations under Zimmer's tuleage.
Kris Boyd - 57 snaps (76%) I think Boyd filled in quite nicely. He was spring into action when Dantzler went down and surprisingly played over Hand.
Boyd finally got healthy to play this week, and then immediately hurt himself again.
Harrison Hand - 29 snap (39%) PFF grade 60.0 That is 3rd worst on our defense, but not that bad of a score.
Hand looks like he'll be our #2 CB next week. I didn't think he'd make the team initially.
Key of the week: I wonder if benching Samia for Cleveland potentially won us this game. I don't think Cook breaks as many runs to the right if Samia is getting his butt kicked.
... and neither is this Chris guy.