Vikings WRs and 2016 draft

[losperros]

That's what I'm thinking. He "hit it off" with CJ to some extent towards the end of 2014 and the same early/mid 2015 with Diggs. Something else to consider: While Diggs might be soaking up most of the WR targets, Teddy is probably one of the most "equal-opportunity" QBs in the league with his target distribution. In other words, he seems to pass to the open guy rather than lock onto one guy most (for the most part). Part of that may be lack of a Megatron-/A.J. Green-type target but also a product of who his primary reads on any given play. What's curious to me (and it may just be me) IS that target distribution. When Norv was at Cleveland, the QBs peppered Josh Gordon with targets. Of course, I'm not sure if that had more to do with Gordon's abilities (in that Megatron-type dominant mold), Norv's scheme making him primary read or a combination of both. Early on I was kind of hoping he'd do that with Patterson. Boy did that go the opposite direction in a hurry.

Not to be one-note, as I've said this before, but I've been wondering why Turner doesn't try more Diggs/Johnson WR tandem sets. Nothing against Wallace but Bridgewater has had chemistry with both Diggs and Johnson in the past, plus both those guys can get deep if need be. I think Wallace should still be used but there is plenty of athletic skill among all the receivers. As you said, Teddy is an equal opportunity passer, so why not utilize all the potential targets? It's not like the Bridgewater to Wallace connection is currently working all that well.

[slapnut19]

first and foremost we aren't coaches and have no clue how players like johnson and patterson practice or what their habits are in team meetings. it could be that maybe wallace is just the better option for what they want to do this year. i don't think they would just roll out wallace ahead of players that would be more productive. zimmer and turner don't strike me as coaches who just hand positions to players without them earning them.

[PurpleKoolaid]

first and foremost we aren't coaches and have no clue how players like johnson and patterson practice or what their habits are in team meetings. it could be that maybe wallace is just the better option for what they want to do this year. i don't think they would just roll out wallace ahead of players that would be more productive. zimmer and turner don't strike me as coaches who just hand positions to players without them earning them.

And Whats Wallace done to earn it? Other then a huge contract? The guys cant even run around a defender, much less catch a ball.

[slapnut19]

And Whats Wallace done to earn it? Other then a huge contract? The guys cant even run around a defender, much less catch a ball.

i don't think they play people based on how much money they are making. if that's the case the patterson would have been ahead of johnson last season and diggs this season. like i said we aren't around the team every day like the coaches are. they play people for a reason. also wallace does have a few drops, but he's also beaten his man down the field on multiple occasions this year only to have the ball sail over his head. has he had a good year? obviously not, but just putting in players who don't know the offense (patterson) and guys coming off of injury (johnson) doesn't mean you get better production.

[Pondering Her Percy]

And Whats Wallace done to earn it? Other then a huge contract? The guys cant even run around a defender, much less catch a ball.

I completely disagree about running around a defender. Teddy has missed him on 6 deep balls this year. That's not Wallaces fault. He has dropped some balls, but he's also been over or under thrown an awful lot this year too

[losperros]

first and foremost we aren't coaches and have no clue how players like johnson and patterson practice or what their habits are in team meetings. it could be that maybe wallace is just the better option for what they want to do this year. i don't think they would just roll out wallace ahead of players that would be more productive. zimmer and turner don't strike me as coaches who just hand positions to players without them earning them.

The Vikings have one of the worst passing offenses in the league and you don't think shaking it up a bit might help? We saw last year that Johnson can make big plays and we've seen this year that Diggs can as well. And Patterson is a big play machine that can be productive when he's used properly. Wright is speedy and a good slot receiver. So why put Wallace in a position where he's the only deep option or is expected to perform as a #1 WR? Teddy and Wallace aren't connecting. Give some of the other guys a shot. The Vikings need better results from their passing game than what they're presently getting.

[PurpleMustReign]

The Vikings have one of the worst passing offenses in the league and you don't think shaking it up a bit might help? We saw last year that Johnson can make big plays and we've seen this year that Diggs can as well. And Patterson is a big play machine that can be productive when he's used properly. Wright is speedy and a good slot receiver. So why put Wallace in a position where he's the only deep option or is expected to perform as a #1 WR? Teddy and Wallace aren't connecting. Give some of the other guys a shot. The Vikings need better results from their passing game than what they're presently getting.

So far, this is my only real complaint about Zimmer. It isn't like he doesn't have talent to work with, he just isn't using it. It's not like the stadium will explode or the world will end if he tries things and they don't work out. It is increasingly frustrating. As poor as Teddy is playing, putting playmakers on the field can only help. And if one more person says Patterson shoudln't play because he can't run a route or didn't work with Irvin over the offseason, I will scream.

[slapnut19]

we are 8-3. if you want "innovative" "big play" offenses go root for chip kelly. how's that innovation working for you?

[mondry]

Not to be one-note, as I've said this before, but I've been wondering why Turner doesn't try more Diggs/Johnson WR tandem sets. Nothing against Wallace but Bridgewater has had chemistry with both Diggs and Johnson in the past, plus both those guys can get deep if need be. I think Wallace should still be used but there is plenty of athletic skill among all the receivers. As you said, Teddy is an equal opportunity passer, so why not utilize all the potential targets? It's not like the Bridgewater to Wallace connection is currently working all that well.

On the surface what you're asking seems reasonable and makes sense. One of the reasons they could want to keep Wallace HEAVILY involved is if they believe he offers the highest upside (which he probably does) and they believe they can play their way out of the "slump". They need to continue to build on their timing and the connection and the only way to really do that is to simply get more reps in. If Teddy starts hitting Wallace on these deep balls for big plays / TD's it'd make a massive difference come playoff time.

If you believe that won't or can't happen then yeah a swap would make some sense for the short term gain but I'm guessing the coaches are going to give it a bit more time with this many games left.

[Purple bruise]

Bench Wallace and get this kid out on the field

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ULptC9-QM

[losperros]

On the surface what you're asking seems reasonable and makes sense. One of the reasons they could want to keep Wallace HEAVILY involved is if they believe he offers the highest upside (which he probably does) and they believe they can play their way out of the "slump". They need to continue to build on their timing and the connection and the only way to really do that is to simply get more reps in. If Teddy starts hitting Wallace on these deep balls for big plays / TD's it'd make a massive difference come playoff time.

If you believe that won't or can't happen then yeah a swap would make some sense for the short term gain but I'm guessing the coaches are going to give it a bit more time with this many games left.

You believe it sounds good on the surface, then you should see what it's like on the field. Watch the video that Purple Bruise posted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ULptC9-QM

This video reveals Teddy Bridgewater making a number of big plays by throwing to Charles Johnson. That includes deep passes. And it happened just last season. With guys like Johnson, Wright and Patterson around, you will never convince me that the best plan of action is to unrelentingly thrust Wallace into a roll that isn't working. I'm not saying bench Wallace. I'm saying give the other talented WRs more opportunities.

Regarding Wallace's upside, it sure isn't revealing itself this season. And it's obviously becoming more frustrating for him as the season wears on.

As Einstein said, "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

[PurpleKoolaid]

Bench Wallace and get this kid out on the field

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ULptC9-QM

Wow, I forgot how nice the Teddy to CJ combo worked. Makes me wonder if CJ is in the doghouse with CP84. I know CP has problems running routes, but watching the routes Norv has some of the other receivers running, I'd like to see CP given a few legit chances, and give Wallace a few breathers for all of the energy he wastes on his blazing speed while on the field.