This is a steal for the Vikings. What I don't understand is Jacksonville. Supposedly they were offered the 19th pick on draft night. They turn it down and get a pick likely in the fifties in a draft that is much more problematic due to the virus. The Jaguars are a dumpster fire. It's an interesting contrast to the Vikings since both were in the conference championship game in 2017.
You've mentioned that Ngakoue (gonna take a while to get that one in my fingers) is weak against the run. In the podcast, going as far as to say that "if you think they're gonna run, put someone else in." Do you see that as another role for Odenigbo, in addition to the situational interior rusher? Or does someone else, maybe Holmes, fit the bill for the "DE vs. run" sub?
Matthew: to borrow from Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express and the location of the conductor's uniform, if Hunter is fine the team should have done this deal, but if Hunter is hurt the team definitely should have done this deal.
Zimmer's comments about Sharif Floyd give one pause about the severity of "tweaks" and this trade doesn't assuage concern. Hunter is on the most team-friendly non-rookie K in the NFL. If something is seriously wrong with him, it's far less likely that he can negotiate a raise while under contract, the need for pass rush would be dire and suddenly a Ngakoue extension is a lot more affordable. . .
I just don't get this. I mean the trade seems like good value, so no issues with what we gave up to get Ngakoue. But for what? We now have an undersized 4-3 DE to go along with a very questionable pair of run DTs. And then we have to sign Ngakoue AND pay Hunter more (because he is better). Unless we switch to a 3-4, just don't see this being a great move, honestly. Teams should be able to run the ball down our throat, they won't need to pass.
And we still are going to have our kryptonite anyway: interior pass rushing teams will have a field day versus Elflein, Bradbury and Dozier on the inside. It just strains credulity to think that magically Dozier will become even an average starter, and that is even more far-fetched for Elflein.
I'd like to be more excited, but Ngakoue just doesn't seem like a good fit unless we switch to a 3-4, and it's too late for that this season. Then you throw in all the contract issues this will create with Hunter (and ditching others), and I just don't get it. Why does Rick seem to think we are a player away? This should have been a rebuild season that started by letting Cousins play out his contract (with no extension). Instead, we keep putting more and more chips into an almost futile effort to make this year our SB year. IMO, it will take a miracle, whether we have Ngakoue or not...
Do you see them having to drop or restructure anyone this year? Don't you need some money in reserve for adds during season for injuries? Overall really like this move, worth it for a proven edge stud whose 25 or so, great reload. This was my favorite add if it could be done.
Coller spoke this one into existence.
Big surprise move by the Vikings. A strong pass rush will help the young secondary. Thanks for the quick analysis.
Great article Mathew. Great addition to the team.
This is a steal for the Vikings. What I don't understand is Jacksonville. Supposedly they were offered the 19th pick on draft night. They turn it down and get a pick likely in the fifties in a draft that is much more problematic due to the virus. The Jaguars are a dumpster fire. It's an interesting contrast to the Vikings since both were in the conference championship game in 2017.
You've mentioned that Ngakoue (gonna take a while to get that one in my fingers) is weak against the run. In the podcast, going as far as to say that "if you think they're gonna run, put someone else in." Do you see that as another role for Odenigbo, in addition to the situational interior rusher? Or does someone else, maybe Holmes, fit the bill for the "DE vs. run" sub?
Matthew: to borrow from Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express and the location of the conductor's uniform, if Hunter is fine the team should have done this deal, but if Hunter is hurt the team definitely should have done this deal.
Zimmer's comments about Sharif Floyd give one pause about the severity of "tweaks" and this trade doesn't assuage concern. Hunter is on the most team-friendly non-rookie K in the NFL. If something is seriously wrong with him, it's far less likely that he can negotiate a raise while under contract, the need for pass rush would be dire and suddenly a Ngakoue extension is a lot more affordable. . .
I just don't get this. I mean the trade seems like good value, so no issues with what we gave up to get Ngakoue. But for what? We now have an undersized 4-3 DE to go along with a very questionable pair of run DTs. And then we have to sign Ngakoue AND pay Hunter more (because he is better). Unless we switch to a 3-4, just don't see this being a great move, honestly. Teams should be able to run the ball down our throat, they won't need to pass.
And we still are going to have our kryptonite anyway: interior pass rushing teams will have a field day versus Elflein, Bradbury and Dozier on the inside. It just strains credulity to think that magically Dozier will become even an average starter, and that is even more far-fetched for Elflein.
I'd like to be more excited, but Ngakoue just doesn't seem like a good fit unless we switch to a 3-4, and it's too late for that this season. Then you throw in all the contract issues this will create with Hunter (and ditching others), and I just don't get it. Why does Rick seem to think we are a player away? This should have been a rebuild season that started by letting Cousins play out his contract (with no extension). Instead, we keep putting more and more chips into an almost futile effort to make this year our SB year. IMO, it will take a miracle, whether we have Ngakoue or not...
Just don't get it...
Do you see them having to drop or restructure anyone this year? Don't you need some money in reserve for adds during season for injuries? Overall really like this move, worth it for a proven edge stud whose 25 or so, great reload. This was my favorite add if it could be done.