Post by Will on Sept 9, 2023 13:31:11 GMT -6
Many good comments above. The Vikings are younger and many are unproven. I think it is fair to expect improvement from Ingram. He has more experience and seems confident. I expect the IOL talent to be better, and I think a more varied offense that uses Oliver and Ham more will lead to both a better running game and a better play-action passing game. Darrisaw is likely even better this year; he may even be dominant and enable the Vikings to run to the left consistently. Can Darrisaw and Cleveland be dominant run blockers and be complemented by Oliver and Ham? It is possible. How about a great screen game to the left?
Tight End is a definite upgrade with Hockenson in Year 2 and Oliver as upgrades over Smith and Mundt.
At WR, Thielen underperformed. Fewer TDs and less separation. While smaller and clearly less physical, Addison may add the dimension of being open consistently in 1 on 1 coverage. This could be huge when 2 or 3 guys blanket JJ. Like Thielen, he seems to have great hands and a good feel for getting open. With his great work ethic, it will not be surprising if Osborn is better than in 2022. So overall, a good case can be made that the receivers will be better than in 2022.
How about Cousins? He has said multiple times that the KO offense was complex and that he did not have it mastered last year. It is fair to expect him to be better in 2023 than in Year 1.
If the Vikings were running the same run-game with the same Tight Ends as 2022, it would be reasonable to expect less this year without Cook. But the running game will be different with more 12 personnel and more CJ Ham and an OL in Year 2 together.
How about KO? He was a rookie play-caller and Head Coach last year, and he is likely to be better this year in both areas. Scheme changes, game plans, adjustments, and play-calling could all be better in Year 2. So just as Flores and his aggressive defense is a likely upgrade over Donatell and his passive defense, KO in Year 2 is a likely upgrade over his rookie self. So I expect the Vikings offense to be better in 2023. Top Five is possible. A more consistent offense that sustains more drives and possesses the ball longer would help the defense a lot.
The Defense has less talent and experience in all areas but Safety. But even with less proven experience, the Defense could be better because the Dona-shell scheme was so passive. Guys could step up and make the aggressive Flores Defense hard to play against. If Blackmon and Evans hold up, and it is certainly possible they will, the Defense could have some strong games that lead to big wins.
It is equally possible that some offenses will have answers for the Flores D, and this would mean some games get away from the Vikings if the offense cannot keep up. Away games against strong teams like the Eagles are candidates for tough matchups.
While the roster can look similar to or even worse than 2022, scheme changes and better coaching can make the Vikings better in 2023. The record may not reflect it, but playoff results should be better if injuries don't hobble them. I anticipate many exciting games, and I look forward to a stronger offense and a more aggressive defense.
Tight End is a definite upgrade with Hockenson in Year 2 and Oliver as upgrades over Smith and Mundt.
At WR, Thielen underperformed. Fewer TDs and less separation. While smaller and clearly less physical, Addison may add the dimension of being open consistently in 1 on 1 coverage. This could be huge when 2 or 3 guys blanket JJ. Like Thielen, he seems to have great hands and a good feel for getting open. With his great work ethic, it will not be surprising if Osborn is better than in 2022. So overall, a good case can be made that the receivers will be better than in 2022.
How about Cousins? He has said multiple times that the KO offense was complex and that he did not have it mastered last year. It is fair to expect him to be better in 2023 than in Year 1.
If the Vikings were running the same run-game with the same Tight Ends as 2022, it would be reasonable to expect less this year without Cook. But the running game will be different with more 12 personnel and more CJ Ham and an OL in Year 2 together.
How about KO? He was a rookie play-caller and Head Coach last year, and he is likely to be better this year in both areas. Scheme changes, game plans, adjustments, and play-calling could all be better in Year 2. So just as Flores and his aggressive defense is a likely upgrade over Donatell and his passive defense, KO in Year 2 is a likely upgrade over his rookie self. So I expect the Vikings offense to be better in 2023. Top Five is possible. A more consistent offense that sustains more drives and possesses the ball longer would help the defense a lot.
The Defense has less talent and experience in all areas but Safety. But even with less proven experience, the Defense could be better because the Dona-shell scheme was so passive. Guys could step up and make the aggressive Flores Defense hard to play against. If Blackmon and Evans hold up, and it is certainly possible they will, the Defense could have some strong games that lead to big wins.
It is equally possible that some offenses will have answers for the Flores D, and this would mean some games get away from the Vikings if the offense cannot keep up. Away games against strong teams like the Eagles are candidates for tough matchups.
While the roster can look similar to or even worse than 2022, scheme changes and better coaching can make the Vikings better in 2023. The record may not reflect it, but playoff results should be better if injuries don't hobble them. I anticipate many exciting games, and I look forward to a stronger offense and a more aggressive defense.
... and neither is this Chris guy.