- Messages
- 79,278
- Reaction score
- 45,636
Vikes' pass defense must improve
by: Ken Moll
posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 | Print Entry
filed under: Minnesota Vikings, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams
One of the reasons the Minnesota Vikings came away with a much-needed divisional victory in Chicago this past Sunday was by making the Bears one dimensional on offense. Minnesota's defensive front seven is impressive out of the base 4-3 scheme. It is anchored by interior run stoppers Kevin and Pat Williams, who are very stout at holding the point. With the front four being so strong it gives great flexibility to the entire defense. Rarely does defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier put an extra defender in the box or mix in an exotic run stunt to stymie an opponent's ground attack.
Kevin Williams
Defensive Lineman
Minnesota Vikings
Profile
2007 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Solo Ast FF Sack Int
9 8 1 1 1 1
However, there is a huge disparity between the Vikings' run defense and the pass. Minnesota is ranked No. 2 in the league versus the run and only yields 66 yards per contest, but is last at defending the pass and yields 288 yards per contest. Despite this, most opponents will try and establish some sort of ground game likely by spreading the defense out (by formation) and taking slightly bigger line splits. Plus offenses will use formations that take at least one linebacker out of the middle and will give the advantage to the offense.
All of the Vikings opponent's will likely put the ball in the air early and often in order to avoid their stifling run defense. With average pressure up-front most quarterbacks will be able to scan the field and exploit the Vikings' base two-deep zone coverage schemes. Most defensive coordinators strive to make offenses one-dimensional, but for Minnesota to become a dominant overall defense it needs to make more plays versus opponent's air attack.
It will be intriguing to see how much improvement in this area that the Minnesota defense can make as the second half of the season progresses.
by: Ken Moll
posted: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 | Print Entry
filed under: Minnesota Vikings, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams
One of the reasons the Minnesota Vikings came away with a much-needed divisional victory in Chicago this past Sunday was by making the Bears one dimensional on offense. Minnesota's defensive front seven is impressive out of the base 4-3 scheme. It is anchored by interior run stoppers Kevin and Pat Williams, who are very stout at holding the point. With the front four being so strong it gives great flexibility to the entire defense. Rarely does defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier put an extra defender in the box or mix in an exotic run stunt to stymie an opponent's ground attack.
Kevin Williams
Defensive Lineman
Minnesota Vikings
Profile
2007 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Solo Ast FF Sack Int
9 8 1 1 1 1
However, there is a huge disparity between the Vikings' run defense and the pass. Minnesota is ranked No. 2 in the league versus the run and only yields 66 yards per contest, but is last at defending the pass and yields 288 yards per contest. Despite this, most opponents will try and establish some sort of ground game likely by spreading the defense out (by formation) and taking slightly bigger line splits. Plus offenses will use formations that take at least one linebacker out of the middle and will give the advantage to the offense.
All of the Vikings opponent's will likely put the ball in the air early and often in order to avoid their stifling run defense. With average pressure up-front most quarterbacks will be able to scan the field and exploit the Vikings' base two-deep zone coverage schemes. Most defensive coordinators strive to make offenses one-dimensional, but for Minnesota to become a dominant overall defense it needs to make more plays versus opponent's air attack.
It will be intriguing to see how much improvement in this area that the Minnesota defense can make as the second half of the season progresses.
