PurplePTSD: Some Key Vikings Need To Step Up

Press release from the PurplePTSD:

K. Joudry

2021-10-02

This week has been an optimistic one, but let’s not forget that we’re a 1-2 team. I believe it was one of the ancient Greek philosophers (Aristotle, perhaps, or maybe Socrates) who said that “you are what your record says you are.” Well, our record says we’re a below-average team. In a conference that features the Cards, Bucs, Rams, Peckers, and Seahawks, below-average just won’t be good enough.

The only way to change our underwhelming reality is to win games in bunches. Dropping our upcoming game against the Browns will put us right back into must-win territory, so it’s best we avoid an ignoble 1-3 fate. What can our Viking do to continue their upward trajectory? Getting some better performances from certain key players will be a good place to start.

1) Patrick Peterson

To be clear, Patrick Peterson hasn’t been bad. On the contrary, he has been pretty good. Pretty good isn’t enough, though.

The once-dominant corner was brought to Minnesota on a one-year, $8 million deal. He specifically identified his primary motivation for coming to Minnesota as having the chance to be coached by Zim (who has a reputation for revitalizing older corners’ careers). It was Peterson, after all, who initiated the contact with the Vikings in the offseason. Rick Spielman didn’t think he had a chance of signing the veteran corner until Peterson’s camp reached out.

Through three games, Peterson has had both good and bad moments. That’s more than can be said for Bashaud Breeland, whose moments have been exclusively bad. At this point, the team ought to replace Breeland with Dantzler. The same luxury doesn’t exist for Peterson. For better or worse, he will start for the rest of the season. He needs to be better.

Having a true #1 corner is a game-changer for a defense, especially one that is still improving. Playing defense is often a numbers game. When a team runs to the right, the defense wants to ensure it has more than enough players to overwhelm the blocking. Defensive math insists that 2 blockers equals 3 defenders. Zim can create a numbers advantage by having a dominant NT who demands double teams. He can also create a numbers advantage by having a corner who can be left on an island. Doing so allows him to roll coverage help to the other side, shutting down a team’s #2 passing option.

Peterson needs to elevate for this defense to get back to dominance.

2) D.J. Wonnum

I really like Wonnum, but he may not be the starter for long. Everson Griffen is getting back into his groove. In all likelihood, it won’t be long until Griff begins getting the starter snaps. Here are Wonnum’s snap percentages through three weeks:

His size/length combo has always been intriguing. Unfortunately, his potential hasn’t yet translated to meaningful production. Pro Football Reference suggests that he doesn’t yet have a sack, TFL, or even a pressure. He only has five tackles for the year. These are concerning numbers. Danielle Hunter is getting a ton of attention. Michael Pierce, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Griff are also soaking up attention. Wonnum is getting one-on-one chances and yet he isn’t accumulating impact plays.

He’s still a sophomore, one who will benefit from more time with Andre Patterson. As it stands, though, Wonnum is coming in at 99th overall in PFF‘s edge rusher rankings. They only have 100 listed. Cleveland’s offensive line will be a tough test for all of our defensive linemen, even with their injury concerns. A big Week 4 would suggest Wonnum is starting to figure it out.

Our defense will be considerably tougher to corral if a pass rusher or two can complement what Hunter has been offering us.

3) Chris Herndon

Like many writers and fans, I was optimistic when we made the move for Herndon. There’s no replacing a player like Irv, but Herndon is someone who provides reason for hope. After three weeks, that optimism looks unfounded.

Last week, Tyler Conklin was Minnesota’s #2 option in the receiving game, leading to a career day for our oft-overlooked TE. Herndon, in contrast, put forth another clunker. He only has 36 snaps for the entire season. 23 of those snaps have been on passing plays. He has yet to secure a reception.

Conklin has taken over as the main passing option; Ben Ellefson has asserted himself as our blocking TE. The end result is a Herndon who has quickly sunk down to 3rd on the TE depth chart. The frustrating part of this reality is that he’s capable of so much more. The 6’4, 253 pound TE is still only 25. In 2018, Herndon was PFF‘s 12th-best TE. The ability is there. The onus falls on Herndon to assert himself.

Cousins is famous for simply throwing to the open man. If the play design calls for a pass to Herndon, Kirk will hit him (if he’s open, of course). I’m not expecting Herndon to catapult himself into our team’s top pass game options. Nay, I’m merely looking for some contributions. Make a couple plays a game. Move the chains in a big moment. Catch a red zone pass. Do something to help this team climb higher.

The Send Off

Every team in the NFL has at least some really great talent. The strong teams, obviously, tend to have more elite talent than others. What they also have, though, are players who buy-in to their roles, players who step up in critical moments. We all think of Jarius Wright in 2017. He was a WR3 with modest numbers overall; he was also a WR3 who converted several critical third downs to help us win games.

Peterson is somewhat unique in this list insofar as he needs to elevate into true CB1 territory. Wonnum and Herndon, in contrast, merely need to become rock-solid contributors. If these three players can step up, our Vikings have a much better shot at overcoming that 0-2 start.

This press release was produced by the PurplePTSD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.