10 thoughts - Vikings game

[Gandhi]

1 – This loss hurts more than last week.

2 – Sure, Murray took some bad decisions, but this is still my favorite version. It seems obvious to me that he is being controlled by the system. That he is not trying to freestyle and be a superman, but rather plays within the structure – unlike last week, for example. I think that brings out the best version of him.

3 – Pass protection is such an underrated part of Connor’s game. Two bigtime blocks in this game saved Murray from being decapitated.

4 – Some weeks ago, I wrote how Rallis might need an advisor to help him. I would like to apologize for that crazy thought. He’s really good.

5 – Matt Prater has won the last two games.

6 – I had Jonathan Greenard as my #1 wish signing in free agency. Instead, now he beat the Cards by taking over the game on that last drive.

7 – Do you let them score when they are on the 13-yard line with two minutes left? That’s about 1.50 minutes and three timeouts to get into field goal range. Ryland already has two game winners this season, and I remember in the Bears game where one of his kicks would have been good from at least 65, if not more. Now the Vikings managed to take about 40 seconds off the clock.

8 – The OC-position could certainly be upgraded, but I would be very surprised if Petzing gets fired. Shocked, actually.

9 – Whale of a game by Mack Wilson.

10 – Kind of interesting that Jalen Thompson stepped right in and took Taylor-Demerson’s snaps. I did not expect that.

 

[oaken1]

8.
I been a vocal Petzing hater.
However...he does have a solid offensive mind. Imo he was promoted too soon and still needs guidance and development to reach his potential..much like our friend Kliff...
I think we need a consultant to work with him, or an "offensive assistant " ...maybe a retired HC to help him figure it out...
Then I think we need to look at a new WR coach...we have talent there that is going unrealized

 

[slanidrac16]

Solid take.
I’m still backing Ryland.

 

[Gandhi]

I think we need a consultant to work with him, or an "offensive assistant " ...maybe a retired HC to help him figure it out...

I agree, Oaken, even though I doubt that it will happen. Gannon seems like a guy who believes a lot in his own guys.

Personally, I am looking at the Browns. Kevin Stefanski – their head coach – have a long relationship with Gannon (and Petzing) and is known as a great offensive coach. I think he is very much on the hot seat in Cleveland but could be a great hire with the Cards. He runs much of the same offense as Petzing – actually, Petzing is very inspired by Stefanski – so there would not be much of an adaption period. I would see it as a great option, if it can be done.

 

[oaken1]

I agree, Oaken, even though I doubt that it will happen. Gannon seems like a guy who believes a lot in his own guys.

Personally, I am looking at the Browns. Kevin Stefanski – their head coach – have a long relationship with Gannon (and Petzing) and is known as a great offensive coach. I think he is very much on the hot seat in Cleveland but could be a great hire with the Cards. He runs much of the same offense as Petzing – actually, Petzing is very inspired by Stefanski – so there would not be much of an adaption period. I would see it as a great option, if it can be done.

Agree. That could be a good choice if he thinks he is done as a HC...or wants to sit out a cycle or two.

Like most of our team our coaches are young and learning on the job. Rallis has adjusted well... not sure if it's the psychology of the coaches or the quality of their assistants but with the exception of the offensive line the defensive players are developing quite a bit faster it seems.

 

[TheCardFan]

10. Jalen didn't play well IMO.

 

[PJ1]

Thompson over Taylor-Demerson not a good thing in my opinion.

 

[BACH]

10 – Kind of interesting that Jalen Thompson stepped right in and took Taylor-Demerson’s snaps. I did not expect that.

If Thompson doesn't play better, this will be short lived

 

[Gandhi]

Agree. That could be a good choice if he thinks he is done as a HC...or wants to sit out a cycle or two.

I actually think they will keep him, but their remaining schedule is brutal, so they might very well go 0-6 the rest of the way, and thus 3-14 on the season. Further, obviously Stefanski has not yet been able to make it work with Deshaun Watson, and I could see the owner wanting to bring in someone else to try.

My thought is more because I think it would be ideal, and is not completely unrealistic.

 

[Gandhi]

Thompson over Taylor-Demerson not a good thing in my opinion.

I agree, PJ. I think that Thompson has been good throughout the season, but he was not impressive in this game. On the other hand, Taylor-Demerson have been a bright spot. I once saw an analysis about how important the safety-spot was for Gannon’s scheme in Philly, so maybe that is why he wanted to deploy a veteran.

 

[BACH]

I actually think they will keep him, but their remaining schedule is brutal, so they might very well go 0-6 the rest of the way, and thus 3-14 on the season. Further, obviously Stefanski has not yet been able to make it work with Deshaun Watson, and I could see the owner wanting to bring in someone else to try.

My thought is more because I think it would be ideal, and is not completely unrealistic.

Vrabel is lucking in the shadows there.

 

[PDXChris]

Agree. That could be a good choice if he thinks he is done as a HC...or wants to sit out a cycle or two.

Like most of our team our coaches are young and learning on the job. Rallis has adjusted well... not sure if it's the psychology of the coaches or the quality of their assistants but with the exception of the offensive line the defensive players are developing quite a bit faster it seems.

Rallis also has Gannon to help him.

 

[oaken1]

Rallis also has Gannon to help him.

yeah, for overall scheme. But player development usually falls on position coaches...they just seem weaker on the offensive side.

 

[JosiahLee]

My lasting thought is the decision to kick a FG on 4th and 4 was so cowardly and costly.

Ironically, even if they don’t convert there Minnesota would have kicked a FG to tie the game instead of going for it on 4th & 7.

 

[AZ Native]

My lasting thought is the decision to kick a FG on 4th and 4 was so cowardly and costly.

Ironically, even if they don’t convert there Minnesota would have kicked a FG to tie the game instead of going for it on 4th & 7.

I don't see it as cowardly. I believe Gannon did not want to go into overtime against the home team (which historically has bad consequences), and he had faith in this defense to stop them, which they almost did. Gannon made what he thought was the right call at the time. I see his reasoning, considering the way our defense has played.

 

[PDXChris]

yeah, for overall scheme. But player development usually falls on position coaches...they just seem weaker on the offensive side.

100%! Petzing needs a mentor for sure to help guide him there or better position coaches around him.

 

[JosiahLee]

I don't see it as cowardly. I believe Gannon did not want to go into overtime against the home team (which historically has bad consequences), and he had faith in this defense to stop them, which they almost did. Gannon made what he thought was the right call at the time. I see his reasoning, considering the way our defense has played.

Minnesota only punted the ball once in the second half and scored 17 second half points (should have been 20 but their kicker missed a chip shot).

Cards were doing nothing that was working defensively in the second half.

You just can’t lose games like that. I think they talked about a stat of Sam Darnold being 0-23 in games where he was down double digits in the second half. Still just an inexcusable loss. And the 4th down play where the defense left Justin Jefferson COMPLETELY wide open is mind boggling.

 

[Gandhi]

Vrabel is lucking in the shadows there.

Yes, and I could see Jimmy Haslam going a long way to get him. Vrabel would have to bring in an impressive offensive coaching staff, though, because obviously Haslam also wants something out of his major investment in Watson (that he will be paying for several years ahead).

 

[Gandhi]

My lasting thought is the decision to kick a FG on 4th and 4 was so cowardly and costly.

Ironically, even if they don’t convert there Minnesota would have kicked a FG to tie the game instead of going for it on 4th & 7.

I have read different takes on it, and one of them is that by going up by six, it forced the Vikings to play aggressively and with big urgency on the last drive, because they could not live with a field goal. It is likely that they would not dare to go for it on the fourth down you mention, if they could at least get the game to overtime by kicking a field goal instead.