Following their bye week, the Vikings cautiously returned to TCO Performance Center on Monday morning.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores assembled his team as usual prior to the start of game preparation.
He continued by giving the defense a message to ensure that everyone knew exactly what was at risk for the next month or so.
“We have 35 days left,” Flores stated. “That’s the only thing we can be sure we have.”
Yes, in fact. Even though the Vikings currently have a 6-6 record and are above the cut line, the postseason is by no means assured. With star receiver Justin Jefferson set to return from a hamstring injury, the offense will have a boost heading into their upcoming games against the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions (twice), and Green Bay Packers. However, the defense will be heavily relied upon in the final stages of the season.
For this reason, Flores, forty-two, reaffirmed on Tuesday that he is committed to keeping everyone focused on the current task. This also applies to him, as he is becoming linked in the league to head coaching rumors. Flores made it apparent that he’s attempting to live up to the lessons he’s trying to instill in his players, even though he acknowledged that he’s currently privy to them.
Flores stated, “I asked them to put everything into these 35 days.” “I cannot deliver that message and ignore it.”
When asked if he had instructed his agent to keep anything from coming up with him, Flores grinned and said, “They know not to bring it up.”
Flores has been floated as a possible applicant for a few positions for a good reason. In a way that didn’t seem possible even a few months ago, he has assisted the Vikings in improving their defensive situation. It would be an understatement to say that Flores has gotten the best performance out of his players.
The passivity that former defense coordinator Ed Donatell appeared to take great satisfaction in is no longer present. Flores made a commitment to be more aggressive as soon as he was hired, and he has fully fulfilled that promise. The Vikings’ transformation into a defense that is on the verge of ranking in the top 10 has been astounding, as a new player or players seem to step up almost every week.
The Vikings will need to keep getting better if they hope to spend more time together.
“I’m concentrating on that,” Flores stated. I ask them to block out everything else, and I do the same for myself. You have to set an exemplary example. I will definitely carry that out.
Dobbs, Mullens or Hall?
Wes Phillips, the offensive coordinator, put on his best poker face when speaking with reporters on Wednesday, the day head coach Kevin O’Connell was supposed to reveal who would start at quarterback. He deftly sidestepped any inquiries about the Vikings’ approach to the topic during the bye week.
According to Phillips, “the entire offense was discussed.” “We’re going to utilize our advantages.”
It will be up to journeyman Josh Dobbs, seasoned Nick Mullens, or rookie Jaren Hall to decide who starts under center.
Phillips stated, “I believe we have determined some things that are better for the personnel that we currently have and some things that maybe we want to stay away from.” “To try and take advantage of the skill sets of the guys we have playing, there might be more of a boost in one area and less of something else.”
The subliminal allusions to the Vikings figuring out how to play to their advantages seem to suggest that Dobbs will be leading the team going forward. It won’t be up for debate for long.
Wright needs to improve
Ryan Wright, the punter, has clearly declined. Wright had an incredible jump in that stat category this season with a touchback percentage of 15.79 percent, after emerging as a rising star as a rookie last season with a touchback percentage of 1.37 percent.
Wright has additionally had trouble pinning teams deep, as the Vikings’ Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears demonstrated. Wright shanked a ball on a pivotal punt late in the game that went 26 yards and went out of bounds.
The Bears went on to kick a game-winning field goal in the final seconds, forcing the Vikings to defend a much shorter field.
Matt Daniels, the coordinator of special teams, said, “We harp on guys needing to be at their best when their best is required.” “With Mr. Wright, that’s kind of how things have to work.”
