Minnesota Vikings, week 1 coaches film analysis

It has finally gotten here. After months and months of waiting, football season has finally arrived!

There were a lot of things I took away from Monday night's game after watching the coaches film.

overall, I thought the team played with much more heart and intensity than I had seen since 2013. Also, the mental focus was very good, much more sharp than last season. With most things, the coaches can call great plays, but it's up to the players to execute those plays. The biggest difference I saw(strategic differences aside) was a much sharper execution in the plays than I saw last season. As usual, I'll start with the good, to the bad on Offense and then Defense.

Offense: The overall execution of the offense was good, started slow, but started to really pick up as the game went along.

Good: Joe Staley played an excellent game. If he plays every game like he did last night, no question he's back to being voted an all-pro. He was solid in pass pro and I thought, mainly because of his excellent athleticism, is a great fit for the ZBS. While most of the line did well with it, Staley executed his scoop blocks very well and has such a quick first step on runs away from him that he's excellent at cutting the backside man. On Hyde's 2nd TD, Staley cut the backside so well, he took out 2 players and is what sprung Hyde for the TD.

Torrey Smith - even though he didn't have a huge impact, by catches, in the passing game, his presence was noticed. Whenever he was on the field, safeties were definitely keying in on where he was and usually shifted over to his side. In fact, we used this as a tool in the run game, we started using twin receivers to the opposite side we were running, which opened up the cutback lane.

Hyde - not much to say, we all saw. The biggest thing I noticed was, he reminds me a lot of Terrell Davis. I know that's a lofty comparison, but, his combination of size, speed, tough running style and athleticism(that spin move reminded me a lot of TD in the SB in 98).

CK - while not perfect, I thought he showed growth in his pocket abilities. If he had done some of the things he did Monday night last season, we probably would've won at least a couple more games. That being said, it gives me much more optimism for where things can go this season.

Bad - untimely penalties showed up again. I thought Marcus Martin looked overmatched again. He didn't get great push in the run game, often moved too quickly to the 2nd level, he needs to help out his Guards just a little bit longer on a lot of plays. He got bull rushed a bit several times. I'm really hoping that Kilgore comes back sooner than expected. However, it also gives me more optimism for when Kilgore comes back.

Defense: Overall, I thought the defense played excellent. They still had the same trademarks of: solid tackling, good leverage and pad level, smart play and flying to the ball that they've shown for the past 4 seasons. What changed was the amount of disguise used. After film review, it actually seemed like we blitzed less than the impression I had when watching the game.

Good -
Michael Wilhoite - I thought he played a VERY good game. A lot of our success against Adrian Peterson early in the game was a result of Wilhoite's play, not necessarily bowman's. It was great to have Bow back, but, at the same point, we still had studs playing the "mike" position last year. Where we really felt the loss was at Willis' old spot. I felt the only way for our defense to improve on last year was to either upgrade Wilhoite or for Wilhoite to upgrade. If this game is any indication, Wilhoite has taken his game to another level. He showed much less hesitation in the run game and was much more aggressive and sound in everything he did. He really stood out in this game.

Dorsey and Ian Williams - I thought those 2 played a great game. Dorsey looks even better at the 5 technique than he did at NT. There was one play in particular, where those 2 guys ate up 4 blockers and didn't get moved at all off the LOS.

I was really impressed on a couple plays with Acker's speed. He trailed Mike Wallace across the field, who was on the dead run, and kept up with him the whole time.

There were some very, "creative" play calls by Mangini - in that, they went into some very different coverages out of pre-snap looks that were very unsuspecting.

As usual, breakdowns of individual plays to follow.

I figured Torrey Smith was demanding safety help. Im glad the film shows just that. His productivity isn't necessarily measured in catches, it's measured in dictating coverage and opening stuff up for other. It's gonna be nice to have an X WR with speed again.

Nice write up. Looking forward to this thread every week.


P.S. Sucks to hear about Martin. Without looking at him specifically, I just assumed he did a good job, since our run game was tight and CK had plent of time in the pocket.

Great stuff jonny, can't wait to see your breakdown of the plays.

that's all i wanted to know. if wilhoite was playing with instincts or not. he seemed to be last night. he was everywhere. i remember last season in the giants game showing the difference between he and borland. borland trusted his eyes and instincts and made a tackle for loss
wilhoite hesitated and the back got about 4 or 5 yards

wilhoite on the run downs is going to be the key
if he handles that we'll be golden

Mangini has some unique formations. It was cool to see.

Here's Hyde's 2nd TD and how Staley's block really sprung him. 9:44 4th QTR



Here, we come out in "13" personnel(1 back 3 TE's) and flex VD out wide. This forces the safety to shift more towards that twin receiver side.



At the snap, the entire line is trying to move to the right(our left), they're not blocking a person, they're blocking an area. Because we'd been running so effectively on the stretch plays, the defense started overpursuing slightly. The key is, the RB presses the hole and has to make one cut and go. Staley does a great job of cutting down the backside LB.


Staley's block no only takes out the LB, the backside DE gets cutoff as well. The O-line does a good job of walling off that side and driving the defense the direction it was already moving. Martin actually does a good job of getting on the LB.


Because the safety was split out wider, he has to come a longer distance to fill the hole. He underestmates Hyde's speed and doesn't get there in time.



You see how Staley's double block opens up a huge cutback lane with the rest of the line walling off that side.


At this point, you'd think that the safety has an angle to get to Hyde, but, Hyde's explosion and acceleration is too much.



Next thing the safety knows, Hyde's by and off to the races.

Here's a good example of Wilhoite and Dorsey working to stop the run. 4:46 1st QTR.



Here, Wilhoite moves up over the guard close to the snap. The Vikings are going to try and off tackle counter-lead play.



Ian Williams does a good job of maintaining his pad level and eating up 2 blockers.


Wilhoite stays patient in the hole and when Peterson flashes, he presses the hole, forcing Peterson to try and bounce it outside. Last years' Michael Wilhoite would've waited in the hole to make the tackle, but, this year, he presses the issue with the runner.


Dorsey stays patient and just holds his guy down until Peterson tries to bounce it, then he disengages and flashes color, forcing Peterson to stop, once again, and try and turn upfield, into a charging Wilhoite. This was a great play by those 3 guys. 1 yrd gain on the play.

Awesome breakdowns there guys. Can't wait too see more

Here's a play we got real lucky on. It's the Vikings 3rd offensive lay of the game 3rd and 10. 9:-- 1st QTR.



Here, Minn goes with 3 wide, so we bring in our 'nickel' package with Tartt. Here, there just going to create a hi/lo stretch on the outside. Tartt is trying to to feign a blitz.



Tartt's feign brings him right to the line at the snap. We're playing a cover 2-man on this play, Tartt's responsibility then, is the TE.


Tartt's biggest mistake is that he moves from the TE too quickly, he check the TE - who was chipping the DE, and assumes he's staying in to block. So, when the TE releases out into the pattern, Tartt doesn't see it, he's cluing in on the QB.



By the time Tartt realizes the TE has released into the pattern he has to fight through the crossing pattern.



You see here how open the TE got, Tartt is trying to recover, but, it leaves a large opening for the TE to pick up the first down. Either due to the pressure from Lynch, or just because Bridgewater got focused on the deep route, not sure, he chooses to throw the deep out route.


Bridgewater throws the ball incomplete. It's a big play early on because it leads to a missed field goal. If he hits the TE they either pick up the 1st down or have a shorter FG.

Either way, we got away with one here, but, it may have been because of the pressure. However, against more elite QB's, this would end up bad for us. Need to tighten up here - rookie mistake(to be expected from a rookie though).

you mean 2014, not 2013

There isn't any getting Kilgore back quicker. He is out 6 weeks no matter what.

Good work. Williams had a great game.

THe D played well but Bridgewater played like dookie also. Big Ben gon' hit that.

Great break down as always. Looking forward to more as you post additional info in this thread.