New-look Brian Flores defense perplexes 49ers, alters our expectations for Vikings
6 months, 1 week ago

New-look Brian Flores defense perplexes 49ers, alters our expectations for Vikings

New York Times  

MINNEAPOLIS — He stood alone in the corner of the Minnesota Vikings’ locker room, finally able to take a breath. Cashman recorded 13 combined tackles in the Vikings’ statement 23-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. “B Flo, I don’t know what he’s calling,” said Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw, “but he’s cooking over there. Metellus described his unit’s play as “beautiful.” Bynum admitted Sunday’s game plan seemed “simple.” “We’ve played two games,” Metellus said, “and it just felt too easy back there.” They’re all impacting the opposition. A good mix of vets and young guys, guys who just enjoy football, and that’s the coaches included.” Van Ginkel called this defense “special.” Smith agreed, saying, “I think he’s onto something there.” Are they surprised things have come together this quickly?

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History of this topic

Brian Flores vs. Ben Johnson is a matchup made for this type of moment
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Brian Flores vs. Ben Johnson is a matchup made for this type of moment

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — Who will be the one to do it? Will it be Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, or will it be Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson? It will be, in the words of Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels, “a slobberknocker.” “Ben is one of the best in the game as far as calling it,” Flores …

The story behind the Vikings’ 5-0 start: Between chemistry and scheme, it’s just ‘different’
5 months, 1 week ago

The story behind the Vikings’ 5-0 start: Between chemistry and scheme, it’s just ‘different’

New York Times  

In April, Josh Metellus keyed into the Minnesota Vikings’ facility, snaked through the back hallway and climbed the steps up to the third floor. – Brian Flores pic.twitter.com/Ikkw2Jr96I — Minnesota Vikings October 15, 2024 Once his eyes dislodged from the whiteboard, Metellus listened to Flores’ vision of him as a player. GO DEEPER How Brian Flores and the Vikings built …

The Vikings’ defense shines in their opener to Flores’ satisfaction after an offseason restocking
6 months, 2 weeks ago

The Vikings’ defense shines in their opener to Flores’ satisfaction after an offseason restocking

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings had long been in full control of the New York Giants in this promising season-opening performance, when Byron Murphy Jr. batted away a fourth-down pass near the goal line late in the fourth quarter to ensure a touchdown-free afternoon for a revamped defense. “Guys were disciplined up front, playing unselfish, doing the right things,” …

What we learned from Vikings’ rout of Giants: Sam Darnold shines, N.Y. offense sputters and more
6 months, 2 weeks ago

What we learned from Vikings’ rout of Giants: Sam Darnold shines, N.Y. offense sputters and more

New York Times  

NFL Week 1 scores and live updates: Schedule, news, analysis, inactives, observations from Sunday’s games For the first time since 2017, Kirk Cousins was not the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback to open the season. Darnold’s strong Minnesota debut — highlighted by a touchdown connection with star receiver Justin Jefferson — vastly outplayed the Giants’ Daniel Jones, who was stifled by …

The Vikings have big plans for an energized Aaron Jones. He feels like he’s just entering his prime
6 months, 3 weeks ago

The Vikings have big plans for an energized Aaron Jones. He feels like he’s just entering his prime

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Aaron Jones has begun his eighth NFL season, approaching a new team in Minnesota and his looming 30th birthday in December with the aplomb a running back in the NFL needs these days to stay healthy and relevant. “I feel like every year, I’m getting better and better, and last year I felt like I was just …

Brian Flores isn’t afraid and isn’t looking back — how about the rest of the NFL?
1 year, 2 months ago

Brian Flores isn’t afraid and isn’t looking back — how about the rest of the NFL?

New York Times  

Brian Flores swiveled in a chair and repeated the question. “Coach Belichick doesn’t have six hours to sit there and look for a player,” said Tim Pichette, who worked alongside Flores on “the back-row crew.” “We trimmed the fat. The day after that win, Ross fired Flores, saying “an organization can only function if it’s collaborative and works well together.” …

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has mastered art of psychological war on QBs
1 year, 3 months ago

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has mastered art of psychological war on QBs

New York Times  

The Athletic has live coverage of Vikings vs. Bengals. “They’re a really good defense, really good defensive coordinator,” Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell said after his team’s 3-0 loss to the Vikings last Sunday. It’s an illusion.” GO DEEPER Brian Flores' vastly improved Vikings defense continues to thrive on abnormality Week 7, 15:00 remaining in the second quarter, …

The Vikings are relishing Brian Flores running their defense as long as they can
1 year, 3 months ago

The Vikings are relishing Brian Flores running their defense as long as they can

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings stumbled to an 0-3 start, endured seven games without superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and have started three different quarterbacks after king-of-durability Kirk Cousins went down with a season-ending injury. That’s a tribute to Brian Flores, whose bold debut as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator will undoubtedly put him in the conversation for head coach vacancies around …

How the Vikings look after 4 games: Team MVP, top rookie, toughest remaining tests
1 year, 5 months ago

How the Vikings look after 4 games: Team MVP, top rookie, toughest remaining tests

New York Times  

The Minnesota Vikings are 1-3 with a point margin that is better than their turnover margin. Notably, the Vikings have also improved in yards per play allowed, going from 30th in 2022 to 10th this season. Top rookie: Jordan Addison Four of the Vikings’ 2023 draft picks have played thus far: wide receiver Jordan Addison, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, defensive tackle …

Daniel Jones sacked 10 times as Giants show little in 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks
1 year, 5 months ago

Daniel Jones sacked 10 times as Giants show little in 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks

Associated Press  

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — If there is any image that should stick in the minds of the New York Giants after being thoroughly beaten by the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night it’s the sight of quarterback Daniel Jones being sacked 10 times. Seemingly every time, the $160 million quarterback went back to pass, there was a white shirt or two …

Vikings defense under Brian Flores is being redone with aggression, deception and freedom
1 year, 7 months ago

Vikings defense under Brian Flores is being redone with aggression, deception and freedom

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota’s defense broke down again last season. I don’t know how they get it done over there.” The hallmark of the scheme, which has a basis in a 3-4 alignment but will switch to a 4-3 if the opponent calls for it, is to send pass rushers from unpredictable places and make the offense unsure about where …

Vikings OTAs: How Brian Flores’ defense becomes ‘multiple’ and more on Brian Asamoah
1 year, 10 months ago

Vikings OTAs: How Brian Flores’ defense becomes ‘multiple’ and more on Brian Asamoah

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — In conversations with players on his defense, Brian Flores has talked about identity. “What I love about our defense and staff is the answer is toughness first, then fundamentals, technique and effort.” GO DEEPER Brian Flores’ defense makes 'intense' first impression at Vikings OTAs Akayleb Evans’ tackling Because the Vikings were so active during the 2022 NFL …

Brian Flores’ Vikings defense makes ‘intense’ first impression & more takeaways from OTAs
1 year, 10 months ago

Brian Flores’ Vikings defense makes ‘intense’ first impression & more takeaways from OTAs

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — He arrived in a suit. “Mentally, from the backfield, looking at that defensive front, those backers, the way they’re moving around and lining up, it’s very intense,” Mattison said. “It’s been an easy adjustment.” Williams spent most of his time tracking receivers on the outside, which is a role he could occupy come the start of the …

Lewis Cine’s injury update, first impressions of Brian Flores and more Vikings thoughts
1 year, 11 months ago

Lewis Cine’s injury update, first impressions of Brian Flores and more Vikings thoughts

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — Earlier this week, a host of Vikings players returned to the TCO Performance Center for voluntary workouts. “When you design a safety,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart once said, “he’s got all the qualities.” The Vikings traded down in the first round last year and selected Cine with the 32nd pick. Cine responded yes, adding that he “did …

What did the Vikings add in Brian Flores? Mentor and former players explain
2 years, 1 month ago

What did the Vikings add in Brian Flores? Mentor and former players explain

New York Times  

They had a job opening. “I’m just so happy for his wife, Jennifer, and their kids.” Others relate to Pioli’s joy, including Flores’ former players. “It’d be: ‘Let’s get into man-to-man coverage.’ If they had quick guys on the outside or ran an elaborate offense, that’d be the staff’s job to not only construct a game plan but also teach …

Flores had ‘gut feeling’ that Vikings DC job was best fit
2 years, 1 month ago

Flores had ‘gut feeling’ that Vikings DC job was best fit

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Brian Flores interviewed for at least four jobs this offseason, even one for head coach. “You get a gut feeling — I think we’ve all kind of had those — that this was the place for me and my family,” said the 41-year-old Flores, who’s married with three children. One year removed from his messy firing as …

Giants can’t overcome mistakes, Seattle’s defense in loss
2 years, 4 months ago

Giants can’t overcome mistakes, Seattle’s defense in loss

Associated Press  

SEATTLE — After weeks of riding the edge with one close win after another, the New York Giants finally ran into a combination of obstacles they couldn’t overcome. Barkley was stymied, held to a season-low 59 yards rushing on 20 carries by a Seattle defense that less than a month ago gave up 235 yards on the ground to New …

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