As I watch the Vikings Winfield play...

Curseislifted33

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Man do I wish our CB's were more physical. I can't remember one play where Sherels, Simmons, Carter, Collado got their nose dirty and made a stick, whether it be on a pass play or more importantly in run support. As I watch the games from the front row, I have a good view of things. I have watched two weeks in a row as they either fall back as they make a tackle, miss a tackle, or make soft tackles. Is it because we are blessed to watch the most physical corner in the NFL every week? Am I seeing things or expecting to much? I hope they step up and start making some plays, it can only help in the future. GOOOOO GOPHS!

This could go for our safeties as well, but I have noticed it more with our CB's...
 

Winfield is special. I agree it's hard to watch him and then watch the college kids play. I think it has something to do with an internal clock. Which in turn probably is related to a consistent pass rush. Plus lots of experience.
 

He's a Freak

The way his body holds up making big hits on players that usually outweigh him 50 lbs. or more. Year after year. A total class act and my favorite Viking.
 

it's not even that, it's i would love to see our DBs meet the offensive player for the tackle instead of sitting and waiting for them to come to them...I watched Florida's D last night just hawk to the ball and all of their players were initiating contact...we need that
 

Yeah, i see that too. But outside of that where's the help when our DB's do square up a ball carrier. Half the job is slowing the guy up, but why are we always having to solo tackle guys we've stopped in their tracks. Watching Iowa last night. It was more than just better tackling. There was always help on the way. I don't see that with us. I haven't seen it since gibbs actually.

Possibly it's a product of soft coverage. If you're off your man there's a good chance you're that much further away from the action??
 


hahaha, as I was at the game on saturday, I said the same exact thing. I believe it was on a play where they did a little quick pass to the right and sherels ran up and missed the tackle. The same play, winfield gets to the reciever quick and lays a great hit. Sherels got to the ballcarrier slow, and missed the tackle because he was going for a little wrap up tackle instead of laying a hit.
 

it's not even that, it's i would love to see our DBs meet the offensive player for the tackle instead of sitting and waiting for them to come to them...I watched Florida's D last night just hawk to the ball and all of their players were initiating contact...we need that

Winfield is a lot better open-field tackler than most, too. I think a lot of our secondary's philosophy is 'keep the ball in front of you and don't give up the big play.' If our guys started playing like that, I think for every great hit or two, you'd see one guy get juked out of his cleats and big YAC from the opposing WR (or huge gains from the RB, etc)
 

Sherels tackles like a girl. BPT isn't much better.
 

Collado will stick his nose in there....he's a pretty physical DB...problem is, he can't cover anyone.:eek::cry::(
 




I think its too early to say that Carter isint a good tackler either. Give the kid some time and more opportunities and then you can say he is or is not afraid to throw his body around. Collado is a good tackler too. He laid a pop on that guy on special teams. But yes, we all know he cant cover.

And I was also thinking, last year I just remember more big hits on defense in general. I know Brock laid a few guys out, but even Lawerence seemed to have more big hits last year. Maybe its just me though. Royston was supposed to be that type of player, but I havent seen him hit too many guys that hard yet. Once again, mabye I just havent noticed them this year compared to last.
 

Collado is like a heat seeking guided missle on special teams. The kid is tough. Royston can lay the leather but he seems out of position a lot and hasn't played like Brock did. Theret is a hitter and would be great if he could add a step. It looks to me that Sherel's may be holding back after his injuries last year. IMO, Simmons has always been over rated. What has Carter done to date? Not much. But I hope he progresses to where he takes over for Simmons.
 




I don't mind not seeing "highlight reel" hits out of our DBs, but it would be nice if any one of them actually had solid tackling technique. Nobody teaches "form tackling" anymore and it's really obvious, not only when watching the Gophers but watching football in general.

I haven't paid that much attention to Sherels, as he seems kind of invisible out there, but Simmons' is one of the worst tacklers I've ever seen.
 

I came away from Saturday thinking Collado has replaced Triplet has the best special teams tackler. If he isn't making the tackle he is around the ball. I hope to see more of that this year (I hope it isn't a product of bad Prudue Special Teams).

The other thing I saw we started to do was play more press man. It forced our safeties to drift back to 15-20yrds at snap to protect from the deep ball, but it disrupted the timing of the routes enough that Elliot stopped looking all world on us. If our front 7 can stop the run of PSU I would like to see some more press man, cover 2 to slow down the timing of PSU's passing attack.

The other interesting thing is when BPT got the pick, Cosgorove gave him a fatherly hug. Has Carter been playing more just a way to get him experience or is BPT getting a lesson taught to him by getting subbed out?
 




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