Despite all the valid complaints about KOC and KAM, the poor play of the offensive line and of Wentz, the defenses inability to stop the super quick passing game and running game, the inane penalties, and the turnovers, the team STILL had a chance to tie or win the game with under two minutes to […]
Despite all the valid complaints about KOC and KAM, the poor play of the offensive line and of Wentz, the defenses inability to stop the super quick passing game and running game, the inane penalties, and the turnovers, the team STILL had a chance to tie or win the game with under two minutes to go.
You can say what you want about KOC but he managed to get 13 wins in 2022, and 14 wins in 2024. 2023 was down due to the loss of Kork for half the season. KOC somehow, someway, always manages to have his team in most games.
At the end of the day, that is all you can ask for. A chance to tie or win the game with your last drive. That is entertaining! Sure it is frustrating while watching but that is the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.
KOC does not have teams that give up. I do not recall many games where that was the case. Maybe one game a season the team gets it’s arse handed to it but that happens to every team once a year.
This team battled through all the adversity and still had a chance to win.
I am not worried about KOC or KAM really. Both are learning and growing in their positions. I am not ready to call the 2025 free agent class a disaster or not very good. Hargrave and Allen are not grading very good right now but the season is long. It seems that Flores is playing Redmond and LDR a lot to give the players rest. It could prove wise late in the season.
Going forward, the state of the offensive line is a huge worry. Brian O’Neill only has a sprained MCL and might return in a few weeks or a bit longer. I am not sure Justin Skule is going to do much better but he is all they have unless they turn to Walter Rouse.
Ryan Kelly should probably hang up his cleats for the sake of his healt and his family. It was worth a shot I suppose. Drew Dalman was the top free agent at center but the Bears gave him a 3 yr 42M deal which I am sure he could not pass up. He is a really good run blocker but his pass blocking grade is worse than Jurgens. I hope Ryan Kelly makes the decision that is best for him and his family. If he wants to continue to play then I would expect him to miss a couple of weeks if not more.
There are some offensive linemen available on practice squads.
IOL Seth McLaughlin – Bengals
IOL Cole Strange – Browns
OT Trent Brown – Texans
OL Trysten Colon – Lions
C Michael Deiter – Commandos
IOL Drake Nugent – Cardinals
I would probably try to sign Trent Brown and Seth McLaughlin. McLaughlin was an excellent center at Ohio State and won the Rimington award in 2024. He suffered an Achilles injury on Nov 19, 2024 though. He should be fully recovered now. It would be quite sneaky to sign him and see if he could compete with Jurgens. If they want a veteran then Michael Dieter and maybe Tysten Colon would be possible options.
I feel there is plenty of season left for the team to continue to get better even with the injuries.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Let’s start with the biggest issue for the Vikings’ offensive line. They have dealt with way too many injuries so far this season, and that’s something that’s incredibly difficult to deal with. With the offensive line, it’s a lot harder to replace an offensive lineman.
Why is that? There is a major shortage in offensive line talent.
Look across the league at how many teams have issues on the offensive line. It’s a borderline epidemic because the development of those players is lacking. Only one Jeff Stoutland exists, and he coaches for the Philadelphia Eagles. The lack of great offensive line coaches has been a big aspect of this epidemic.
It’s also tough from a talent identification standpoint. There isn’t a clear template for finding good offensive linemen, as it requires a combination of athleticism, strength, and technique. Often, you don’t find a player who has all three coming into the NFL Draft with the hope of being able to develop them into a starter. For every Kolton Miller, there is an Evan Neal.
Having good backup offensive linemen is a good thing, but can you actually find them? Where are these great backup offensive linemen out there? Realistically, if you wanted to have really good backups, you need to draft and develop them like the Vikings did with Brandel.
There are two arguments you can make against the Vikings here. One, signing Kelly to be your starting center, considering his injury history. Hindsight is always 20/20, but only having three seasons since he joined the NFL in 2016 saw him play in every game. Having a second-year seventh-round pick as his backup was a major gamble, and it’s been up-and-down as expected. As far as Skule goes ($2 million), here are the other options they could have had and what they are getting paid. Spoiler alert: it’s bleak
The other aspect here is helping your offensive line out more with quick game. Why are the Vikings doing under-center play-action so often? Where is the quick game? Well, head coach Kevin O’Connell did provide more quick game options for the offense, but it was evident that quarterback Carson Wentz wasn’t taking them like he should.
Self-inflicted pressure: Wentz headlines Vikings’ latest PFF grades
As a team, the Vikings’ 60.4 offensive grade was the lowest of the season. That isn’t saying much considering they were average to below average against the Falcons (63.0), Bengals (64.3) and Bears (68.3). For context, the Lions have had scored offensive marks of 89.5 against the Ravens and 85.2 against the Bears.
Top 5 PFF grades on offense (min. 20 snaps)
WR Justin Jefferson, 75.1
RB Zavier Scott, 73.7
RT Justin Skule, 66.7
LG Blake Brandel, 63.6
RG Will Fries, 59.6
Bottom 5 PFF grades on offense (min. 20 snaps)
TE Josh Oliver, 46.2
C Michael Jurgens, 46.4
TE T.J. Hockenson, 47.7
WR Jordan Addison, 55.6
QB Carson Wentz, 56.4
Wentz was under pressure on 38.9% of 54 dropbacks and he scored rather poorly overall despite throwing for 350 yards. PFF tracked him for three turnover-worthy passes (he threw two interceptions). Both of his interceptions came when he was in a “clean” pocket, and he was 7 of 13 for 74 yards when under pressure. His under pressure grade was a dismal 29.6.
In two starts, Wentz is to blame for 28.6% of the pressures he’s endured, PFF says. The rest of the pressure on Wentz has been attributed to the left tackle (14.3%), left guard (14.3%), center (14.3%), right guard (10.7%), right tackle (17.9%) and tight end (7.1%).
Top 5 PFF grades on defense (min. 20 snaps)
DT Jalen Redmond, 77.0
OLB Jonathan Greenard, 72.4
CB Byron Murphy Jr., 68.9
LB Eric Wilson, 68.6
S Josh Metellus, 64.2
Bottom 5 PFF grades on defense (min. 20 snaps)
LB Ivan Pace Jr., 45.7
S Theo Jackson, 46.7
DT Javon Hargrave, 47.0
DB Isaiah Rodgers, 51.6
OLB Dallas Turner, 55.1
O’Connell provides injury updates in London on McCarthy, Van Ginkel, O’Neill, more
J.J. McCarthy could resume practicing this week but he isn’t expected to have a chance to regain the starting quarterback job until the Vikings return from the bye in Week 7 against the Eagles.
“As we get into Thursday and Friday, I’m hoping we can at least get him out there. And get him taking some drops, and starting to get back into the normal rhythm,” O’Connell said Tuesday in London, where the Vikings are preparing to play the Browns.
O’Connell said last week that he wants McCarthy to have a full week of practice before returning to the starting lineup, which means Carson Wentz will make his third straight start for Minnesota Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
McCarthy will be playing behind an offensive line that seems likely to be down three starts. Left guard Donovan Jackson is out after undergoing wrist surgery last week; center Ryan Kelly is in the concussion protocol after suffering a second traumatic brain injury in the span of 14 days; and right tackle Brian O’Neill is considered week to week with a sprained MCL.
The starting O-line against the Browns could look something like this:
LT: Christian Darrisaw
LG: Blake Brandel
C: Michael Jurgens
RG: Will Fries
RT: Justin Skule
There’s also a chance that edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel doesn’t play for the third time in five games this season. He missed the game in Week 2 with a concussion and he didn’t play last week because of a neck injury. The fact that he traveled with the team overseas was a good sign, but O’Connell told reporters Tuesday that he won’t practice this week.
“He’s feeling like he’s progressing, but we are evaluating every avenue and all options to get him feeling 100% to get back out there, and I’m hoping that timeline is ongoing and we’re on our way to doing so,” O’Connell said.
…
Meanwhile, the Vikings are expected to open the 21-day practice windows for fullback C.J. Ham and linebacker Tyler Batty, give them a chance to be activated from injured reserve.
Vikings’ $18 Million Starter Facing Calls to Retire Amid Health Concerns
Minnesota Vikings starting center Ryan Kelly is at a career crossroads amid his 10th season in the NFL that could have him considering hanging it up for good.
Signed to a two-year, $18 million deal as part of the team’s overhaul of the offensive line in the offseason, Kelly sustained his second concussion in three games during a Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But his history with concussions is much more than this season. Since the 2023 season, Kelly has been diagnosed with five concussions.
Asked how many concussions he’s had in his entire playing career after his second concussion during the 2023 season, Kelly said “five or six.” That puts him at seven or eight by his count.
Many Vikings observers have expressed concern that Kelly needs to consider his long-term health and consider retirement, including Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller who made a strong plea on his postgame show after the Steelers loss.
“He just had a concussion two weeks ago. I am not a doctor, I am not evaluating him, I am not his family member. Retire,” Coller said. “This has got to be it. One of the best players of the decade. Phenomenal center. The games he was in, I was so impressed… Talked to him a handful of times. Incredibly smart dude, incredibly impessive person. Every person you talk to loves Ryan Kelly. Retire.”
During the 2023 season, Kelly addressed the concerns with his health after he was diagnosed with a second concussion in Week 12 of the Indianapolis Colts‘ season.
“Yeah, you become 30 and you start thinking about things,’’ Kelly said in December 2023. “If it’s between playing football and when I’m 60 having dementia and all these things you see that can come from playing football, of course I’m going to look after myself and my family.
“It’s hard seeing some of these (retired) guys now. You have to be aware of your quality of life later.’’
“It certainly puts a seed of doubt in your mind,’’ Kelly said after his second concussion in 2023. “It’s a violent game and you’ve been playing it for a long time. Things add up.
“You can replace a knee and you can replace a hip,’’ “You’re not replacing your brain. I’ll try to play the game as long as I can. I’ll go out there and give everything I’ve got. If ultimately I have more concussions, I’ll make a decision then, whatever that is.’’
Minnesota Vikings vs Cleveland Browns picks, predictions for who wins NFL Week 5 game
The Arizona Republic: Vikings 24, Browns 14
Jeremy Cluff writes: “The Vikings suffered a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland in NFL Week 4. The result will be much more favorable for Justin Jefferson and Minnesota in London in NFL Week 5.”
What J.J. McCarthy can learn from Aaron Rodgers’ performance Sunday vs. Vikings
Rodgers didn’t hold the ball too long, either. Plays were designed to get the football out of his hands, in large part because his brain processes information very quickly. His time-to-throw average of 2.17 seconds was the fastest a quarterback has had in a game this season.
“(He was) understanding the defense, likes to find the soft spots,” said Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. “They tried to get the ball out quickly to throw us off and get the run game going. They had a good game plan.”
Kevin O’Connell: We Have To Improve and Continue To Grow As A Team
Cam Robinson trade could be good news for Vikings’ comp pick outlook
The Browns are acquiring Robinson to play. Starting left tackle Dawand Jones is out for the season, and backup KT Leveston has been terrible. Robinson figures to step into that role right away and provide an upgrade with his proven floor in pass protection. If he stays healthy and holds onto the job, he’ll likely earn the Vikings a fifth-round comp pick or perhaps even a fourth-rounder.
Anthony Lima: I think the Browns can beat the Vikings; 13 points might be enough to win
Note: Sadly, this is probably true
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Category: General Sports
