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A-Symmetric Hybrid November 25,
2022
In Washington, I sat behind a
father & son where this young man was wearing a Viking Jersey with the
number 33 on it. It was obviously an outdated Dalvin Cook jersey where he
appeared to be a bit intimidated by that fact but there was a revelation to
share with him. Getting his attention, he was asked to look upon the
present #33 where he was asked his observations. Again, being in his timid
state, he was tentative & said nothing. It was then that I shared with
him "POTENTIAL" & what may be at the door step..
"Look at him. This kid is a specimen. He's a very special player
just like that rookie season of Hall of Fame John Randle who could have been
apart of that incredible 1990 defensive line of Chris Dolman (Hall of Fame), Keith
Millard & Henry Thomas. It never happened. 1990 was John's
rookie season & he was displaced by Al Noga. In that 1989 season, the
intimidating Millard recorded a magical 18 sacks, earning him the Defensive
Player of the Year award, combined with Chris Dolman who passed him later in the
season recording a total of 21 sacks.
In that 1990 season, Millard only played in 4 games with a career altering
injury versus Tampa Bay but what might have happened if these Minnesota Vikings
had given John Randle the job instead of Al Noga. In that famous saying,
"Why doesn't he hit, if he's a hitter?" Well, in this case, you
cannot hit the ball if you're not given the opportunity. I hope you're
paying attention!!!!
There is clearly a missing piece in Ed Donatell's defense & it is clear that
he's too close to it to understand the oversight. This is where Kevin
O'Connell needs to step in & force the adjustment. Don't get me wrong,
Donatell's defensive scheme is brilliant as it "sucks-in initial complete
complacency" which is followed by a violent switch as the game
evolves. Initially, a zone defense is employed, inviting the opposing
offense to take advantage & then that initial defensive concept disappears
causing a great deal of consternation. The result has been close single
score contests that fall short due to Donatell's alterations. The problem
unfortunately is the obvious flaw & fail that is causing an open concept
that simply does not need to be.
They commonly refer to our defense as a front 7 but it is really a front six,
imparting 3 linebackers & a 3 man line. In this alignment, there is no
way to stop the run, which causes all sorts of issues with the secondary.
The objective should be to stop the run, forcing the offense into becoming 1
dimensional which plays into the hands of Danielle Hunter & Za'Darius Smith
... but that's not happening. The result now is a decimated secondary with
the loss of Dantzler, Evans, Booth (, Cine). This cannot stand nor can it
be applied effectively in the up coming playoff run. Regardless of how you
might feel, a new approach needs to be tested in depth or you'll be facing
disappointment.
The clues for the solution of overcoming it all comes from both former head
coaches Mike Zimmer & Don Shula. Shula's attention to detail was
without fail where he imparted his version of the 3-4 defense like no other,
especially in that 1973 season. The key here is that Donatell is missing a
key line backer that is an absolute requirement in stopping the run to make the
offense 1-dimensional. Where it all comes together is the insertion of the
A-Symmetrical Hybrid.
Mike Zimmer, as you might recall, had an enormous degree of adversity to
overcome. Although he may have been lacking offensively, it is clear that
most coaches would have chucked it having to face his adversities. When
the impossible overwhelmed his defense his response was to insert his hybrids
into his defense & this is exactly what is missing from Ed Donatell's
defense. In other words, it's not Ed's concepts that are a fail ... the
fail is in the missing piece ... the A-Symmetrical Hybrid.
For the most part, his defensive line scheme is working quite well where the 4th
lineman is actually listed as a linebacker. This will get even stronger
with the return of DT Dalvin Tomlinson but this will not be enough. The
problem is that Donatell is only sporting two linebackers in Kendricks &
Hicks & we all know how that turns out versus teams that can not only run
the ball effectively (Philly & Dallas) but that are fully committed to the
run. The back end with Smith & Bynum are perfectly suitable except
that Bynum's coverage rolls need to be expanded. The corners, once healthy
are not at issue ... that it except for Chandon Sullivan. To be direct,
for a good deal of the game, he represents a lost opportunity on this Viking's
defense. In other words, Sullivan needs to be utilized only when the
offense is clearly 1-dimensional.
How many times have you thought that you cannot compete without a slot cover
corner where in fact that very thought ... is a myth. Said another way, if
an elite receiver moves into the slot what chance does Sullivan have stopping
that receiver in coverage. If you said the probability is close to zero
... then you'd be correct. The solution doesn't present itself in the
match up but rather in the down & distance that results from the A-Symmetrical
Hybrid. If it's 3rd & long, then the odds immediately change into
Donatell's favor, especially with Wonnum added to the
mix.
Brian Asamoah II is an A-Symmetrical Hybrid Linebacker that will change
absolutely everything. Whenever he's on the field he's like "The
Flash" of the camera. He is clearly the solution to shutting down the
run game & he's a specimen of an athlete. Just look at him!
Asamoah cannot help you until you put him into that "Batter's Box"
combined with forcing his game into a steep growth curve. Now is the time
to insert this new concept or new wrinkle especially in the early stages of the
game.
There is a reason that Sullivan is no longer with the Packers. It is time
that we stop accepting the idiotic concept of just checking a box. It is
time to evolve Donatell into accepting that evolution & copy Zimmer's
developments ... into developing Hybrids & Utility.
We all can see Kevin O'Connell standing in front of his staff saying these
words, "We can do better ... to achieve this we need to change our approach
to this game. We need to evolve this defensive scheme by applying concepts
that are going to make a difference." It is not always about coverage
... it's about athletic skill ... it's about the most fundamental aspect of this
game ... TACKLING! Teams are putting up unacceptable numbers against our
defense schemes where it is time that we stand up & make impactful
decisions. We need skill sets that will maximize our
utility!
You can stand pat & hope for some sort of different outcome based upon the
status quo or you can make significant strides by finding something that was
previously overlooked. Wisdom is knowledge applied. The concepts are
sounds ... of this there is no doubt ... it's just that no two horses are
capable of the same things.
I'll take the quasi-A-Symmetrical Athletic Hybrid ... EVERY TIME!
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: November 25, 2022
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