EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -Almost forgotten in the furor over Brett Favre’s arrival in Minnesota is a Vikings defense that remains one of the NFL’s best.
Enjoying the extra experience and familiarity of this veteran-laden unit, defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier has been guiding his group at an accelerated rate through meetings, film and practice. The Vikings are confident this advanced placement course of sorts can lead to an even larger impact on the team’s success this season.
“We’re doing things now that we wouldn’t be able to do at this point my first year here,” said Frazier, who took over his position in 2007 after Mike Tomlin left to become Pittsburgh’s head coach. “It’s easy to install things and know our guys can pick it up.”
t week with four straight stops at the 1-yard line in the closing seconds.
“That was pretty impressive,” said defensive end Jared Allen, one of four defensive players Minnesota sent to the Pro Bowl last year. “What makes a quality team is the people playing behind you. As you know, injuries and fatigue are part of this league.”
The Vikings claim confidence in Fred Evans and Letroy Guion, should starting tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams be suddenly forced to serve their pending four-game suspensions as their case continues to crawl through the court system. Brian Robison has some pass-rushing potential as a second-string end behind Allen and Ray Edwards.
With E.J. Henderson back in the middle, following a freak injury in Week 4 that required season-ending surgery to repair damage to his toes, the linebackers should be in solid shape. Chad Greenway and Ben Leber had decent years at the outside spots while the Vikings tried to fill Henderson’s hole with a number of plug-ins. With Heath Farwell returning from knee surgery and rookie Jasper Brinkley on the roster, this is a deeper unit too.
Vikings in this zone-style Tampa Two scheme.
Allen’s 14 1/2 sacks significantly enhanced the rush up front, and the Vikings moved from last in the league in yards passing each of the last two seasons to 18th. This summer, they appear stronger in the nickel and dime packages – with Benny Sapp, rookie Asher Allen, Marcus McCauley and Karl Paymah on the depth chart behind Winfield and Griffin.
Safety Darren Sharper, who signed with New Orleans, is the only 2008 starter who didn’t return. Tyrell Johnson started half of the season as a rookie at the other spot, though, while Madieu Williams sat out with a neck problem. Williams is healthy now, eager to play a full schedule and prove the Vikings’ investment – a six-year contract worth up to $33 million – was sound.
“The comfort level is extremely high with the guys,” Williams said. “We just have to continue to progress and work to get better, making sure that we work toward being the best that we can possibly be.”
So what would that look like?
“I don’t know. We haven’t played any games yet,” Greenway said. “We’re trying to work that way, but you can never tell until you get out there and start playing for real.”
s, one of the truest indicators of defensive success. The turnover total can always go up.
Greater cohesion, though, could be the key. Allen, the new guy last season, has raved about how much more comfortable he is. Favre was raving this week, too, about the players around him.
“This team has got some serious talent,” he said.
The Vikings visit Houston on Monday night, and Childress said wide receiver Bernard Berrian has a chance of playing. Hobbled by a hamstring strain for more than a week, Berrian has returned to practice – but not at full participation. Tight end Jim Kleinsasser, who is wearing a splint on his left hand to protect an undisclosed injury, is still being held out of contact drills.
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