NFL 'Stat of the Day' is really something for the Vikings - News Block

January 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, United States; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) celebrates his interception with his teammates during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings welcomed a handful of new corners this offseason, including veterans Byron Murphy, Joejuan Williams and John Reid. USC’s Mekhi Blackmon joined from the 2023 NFL Draft. CJ Coldon, NaJee Thompson and Jaylin Williams all entered the fold via undrafted free agency.

NFL ‘Stat of the Day’ is really something for the Vikings

Meanwhile, a staggering number of veteran CBs have left the organization: Patrick Peterson (Steelers), Duke Shelley (Raiders), Cameron Dantlzer (Bills), Chandon Sullivan (Steelers), and Kris Boyd (Cardinals).

Winds of change in the Vikings’ secondary, new defensive coordinator Brian Flores will hope to repair the defense that allowed the second-most passing yards to opponents in 2022. Flores replaced outgoing Ed Donatell in February and evidently sought a big trade. scale. in the CB room.

And the roster turnover on CB was so great that it caught the eye of a man for an ‘NFL Stat of the Day’. The Huddle Report‘s Sam Teets tweeted Wednesday, “Stat of the Day: According to PFF, this offseason the Minnesota Vikings he said goodbye to five cornerbacks who played outside or in the nickel and contributed a total of 2,990 defensive snaps in 2022.“

Vikings Really Fallen — January 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, United States; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Duke Shelley (20) celebrates breaking up a defensive pass during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Whether this statistic implies a positive or negative future for Minnesota is in the eye of the beholder. Some might suggest keeping some Cornerback continuity look is preferred. After all, the Vikings created a point of emphasis in the last six months to maintain full offensive line continuity, returning to the starting five starting in 2022. Why not cornerback?

Others disagree.

ticket thief — December 25, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, United States; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) looks back at Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler (27) on a 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports.

VikingsTerritory‘s Janik Eckardt noticed Teets’ tweet and gave his opinion“After watching them play for 18 games, I have to say: thank God.”

Overall, it seemed almost miraculous in hindsight that the Vikings would go to 13 wins in 2022 en route to an NFC North title while putting up the third-worst defense in the league by points allowed. Imagine a team’s ceiling of 13 wins in a given season if No Give out points to opponents as candy.

vikings for display — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center. Flores was hired in February 2023 to replace Ed Donatel after Minnesota finished 30th in points allowed.

Fortunately, he’ll get a verdict on the Vikings’ CB plan in no time. The regular season begins in 67 days. The aforementioned Murphy is set to start at CB1, with one player from this group starting at CB2: Andrew Booth, Akayleb Evans, Joejuan Williams or Mekhi Blackmon.

Minnesota can’t get much worse if it gives up passing yards and passing touchdowns. We’ll see if completely avoiding CB continuity was the right way to go.

dustin baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel, vikesnow. He host a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with raun sawh and spice salt. His obsession with Vikings dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.