How does the loss this week prepare you for the next game?
It’s always good to know where you’re weak and what other teams focus on when defending you.
The Vikings were successful in stuffing the run and forced us to pass into defined coverage shells
As we look ahead to next week, we need to focus on the plan for when the run doesn’t carry our offense.
Can you summarize what it was like playing against the Cowboys last week?
Playing the cowboys on the road help solidify this defenses confidence. The ability to limit a big time offense makes you confident in the ability of the defense to force extended drives, and complete perfection by an offense.
On the offensive side of the ball, Jameson Williams had such a big day. The heavy run offense brings those safeties up into the box and Jamo was able to take advantage like he has all year.
Can you talk about the development of Terrion Arnold so far?
When you bring in a young corner to guard the PML’s best, you are looking at winning more reps than they lose, and not repeating mistakes.
Arnold can get lost sometimes against bigger bodies WRs and TEs, but he has proven to be valuable in both man and zone coverages and allows the safeties to roam freely than they have in the past.
Can you talk about what it’s like to prepare to go against a player like Justin Jefferson?
We are a team that is looking to lock the run down first and foremost regardless of opponent. Jefferson’s as elite as they come but it’s way easier to guard Jefferson when we know he needs a minimum of 10 yards, so it will be crucial to put the Vikings in pass situations and bracket cover Jefferson.
How has Kevin Zeitler’s experience in the league helped the team so far?
The ability of this team to run the football to the right is to not be understated. Penei is the center piece but Zeitler has been phenomenal in helping those runs become cornerstones to the offense.
What is the status of Emmanuel Moseley and when is he set to return?
Moseley has some healing to go, and with contributions from Rakestraw and Amik Robertson, our concern is so allow him to get fully healthy before hitting the field.
What makes Aaron Jones so good?
Relentless power. Jones is relentless between the tackles and the ability to fall forward will turn 2nd and 8 into 2nd and 5 which changes every play.
Over your career, what makes a team better at not turning the ball over as the season goes along? What kind of things you need to emphasize? How much of it is coaching? How much of it is a mental part? Physical part?
I think a focus on reacting and reading over finding a “play”. Staying on schedule to limit passing into 3 and long, and actually understanding coverage shells will go the distance.
It is completely mental, you have to understand the plan for what you see and be able to adjust it post snap. It’s a game of seconds and decisions.
What were some of the contributing factors to the loss this week?
The run game and finding consistent offensive drives. The Vikings offense was fantastic at the short game and keeping drives extended. They limited us to less than 5 first half possession and we only scored on one.
Being down 17-7 at half put us off schedule and we were throwing the ball more than we would like into pass coverage sets.
On defense, we couldn’t force turnovers and didn’t do a good job of covering when we brought pressure.
