Post by FSUVike on Jan 8, 2024 17:29:17 GMT -6
Seriously. Jackson Powers-Johnson is huge. Nimble. Powerful. Can execute any blocking scheme including the IZB and Gap concepts O'Connell uses. JPJ immediately and massively upgrades the running game without sacrificing the pass blocking.
Zach Frazier isn't as big as JPJ but he's damn good at every aspect of the game despite lacking elite athleticism. A nearly undefeated HS Wrestler is part of why his technique in all phases is so good.
Control TOP by running the ball far more effectively up the gut. Limit those 3 & Outs. Keep the Defense resting on the sidelines. Clean up the issues with stunts and blitzes.
But it will take the 2nd Round pick for JPJ, who could go much higher. Same for Frazier.
I do think KOC will blame his offensive issues on the personnel, not blocking scheme or playcalling. Despite my semi-serious prediction of a RB in the 1st, my early draft reading suggests there are no RBs worth touching very early. If we had a 3rd I would expect it to go there, so we'll see. Any good RBs to watch as Viking fits?
Kwesi built a cheap out into Bradbury's extension. Minnesota can easily move off of him this offseason.
Garrett is the biggest problem. He's an athletic Outside Zone Blocker who is best when pulling.
He just doesn't have the anchor to do combo blocks. If he's doing a combo block with Risner, which is the foundational principle of Inside Zone Blocking, one of them is supposed to disengage fast, climb to the next level and take on an ILB or Safety. Which means Risner is alone if that's Bradbury climbing.
If it's Risner climbing that means Bradbury gets some help for a beat and then he's alone. That's even worse! Say what you will about Ingram, but at least he has enough anchor to be left alone on a combo block when the Center climbs to the next level.
Kevin O'Connell is never going to change this blocking scheme. McVay just instituted it in LA and got it to work. And it makes sense from a scheme perspective. Inside Runs take far less time to develop than Tackles, Guards and Centers pulling in one direction to create creases for RBs to hit.
Defenses sitting in 2 High Safety looks have more time to react to OZB runs. So in theory you don't get as much bang for your buck running that scheme when you want to punish Defenses for having a light box. IZB and Gap runs hit faster. San Fran stays with OZB because Shanahan is the undisputed master of implementing it and McCaffrey and Deebo are perfect in it.
The problem that's been well documented here is that Cleveland, Risner and Bradbury don't fit IZB and Gap. You can't run those schemes when 2 of your 3 IOL aren't proper fits. Risner likely comes back as I think they value his pass blocking. Ingram fits the run blocking scheme. And replacing him is the ultimate final nail in the 22 Draft Coffin for Kwesi.
That leaves Center. With Bradbury having a contract with an easy out and 2 very good prospects in the Draft. JPJ will be just as good in Pass Pro and miles better than Garrett in run blocking. Miles.
Trey Benson and the kid from OSU are excellent RB fits for the Vikings. They are 3rd Round type guys. I'm not as high on the Michigan RBs fitting what O'Connell wants to do.
... and neither is this Chris guy.