The Minnesota Vikings have upgraded http://www.officialchargesshop.com/shop-by-players-jason-verrett-je... their offense this summer and still have an above-average secondary.
If they win the NFC North in 2017, though, they will do it on the backs of their defensive front seven.
Last season, the Vikings started the season with a dominant defense, going 5-0 despite an offense that had lost Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson to knee injuries. However, as the year went on, the offensive struggles were too much to handle, and the Vikings finished 8-8, two games behind the first-place Green Bay Packers and a game behind the Detroit Lions.
The margin was tiny — the Vikings blew two fourth-quarter leads in overtime losses to the Lions. Winning either game would have put them into the postseason and winning both would have given them a chance at the division title.
That’s why having Sam Bradford installed at quarterback and rookie Dalvin Cook at running back is important — a rejuvenated offense will allow the defense to spend more time on the sideline. That should prevent players from wearing down late in the season, which is what happened in 2016.
The impressive thing about the Vikings front seven is that they rank among the league’s best even though they will most likely will be without defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd for the entire season. Floyd sustained nerve damage during knee surgery last September, and isn’t able to use the quadriceps muscle even though 10 months have passed.
The Vikings don’t have one player who can replace him in every situation, but they have numerous rotation options. They signed run-stopper Datone Jones from Green Bay as well as Will Sutton, who struggled in Chicago’s 3-4 http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-john-randle-jerse... defense. With the Vikings, he’ll be back in a 4-3 that suits his skills.
Jones and Sutton will have a chance to play alongside massive nose tackle Linval Joseph. At 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, Joseph occupies a lot of space, but also is one of the strongest linemen in the NFC North. That allows him to play more than a simple anchor role. He is capable of collapsing the interior of an offensive line and making plays instead of just holding his ground.
That makes life much easier for Minnesota’s talented three-man rotation at defensive end — Brian Robison, Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter. Robison and Griffen started all 16 games, but Hunter earned more playing time as the season went on.
The trio combined for 28 sacks, 86 tackles and six forced fumbles. They recovered four fumbles and Hunter and Griffen each had touchdown returns. Hunter also added a safety.
At 23, Hunter is 11 years younger than Robison, and this is the year that he probably will take over as a starter. He had 12.5 sacks and two scoring plays in a rotational role, and showed the potential to become a dominant pass rusher.
Hunter will join young linebackers Anthony Barr (25) and Eric Kendricks (25) as the heart of the Minnesota defense. Barr and Kendricks fill two Jeff Locke Womens Jersey of the most important roles in a modern 4-3 — the every-down linebackers who can defend the run, rush the passer and cover running backs and tight ends. In a league where pass-happy offenses force defenses into the nickel on a regular basis, having those two linebackers is a must for a 4-3 to succeed.
The Vikings will be missing linebacker Chad Greenway, who retired this spring after an 11-season career. His spot will be filled by either another youngster, 25-year-old Edmond Robinson, or Emmanuel Lamur, who didn’t play well in 2016 as a free-agent acquisition from the Cincinnati Bengals.
Robinson spent last year on special teams, but has looked impressive in offseason workouts. If he can take over the third linebacker spot, it will give the Vikings even more depth for the front seven.
With Floyd, the Vikings might have Reggie Nelson Authentic Jersey had the best line and linebacker combination in the league, but even without him, they might be good enough to get Minnesota back to the postseason.