Is Harrison Smith the reason?

[Sutsgold]

The more I watch him the more I love what he brings to our team! Finally some attitude from our secondary. I know he got booted today, and we were thin at secondary so it could have cost us, but I love how physical he plays. I find it to be contagious and I give him a lot of props for bringing this dimension to our defense.

[Demi]

Yeah some amazing hits so far. Seems like our safeties for a while have played scared most of the game. Even a penalty is fine now and then when he puts the fear of pain in opposing receivers!

[Rus]

He's a pretty good, aggressive player. Haven't seen a Viking defensive back play with that kind of attitude in awhile. The Vikings scouts came away from that last draft looking pretty smart for moving up and landing the guy, just like they did for drafting a kicker.

This last draft just looks better and better every week...

[Angels Wings]

Didn't know too much about the guy when we drafted him, but felt like he had to be worth something for the team to trade up from the second round to pick him in the first. Scouting reports weren't that good and a few posters weren't to happy with the pick either. Either way, he has been a pleasant surprise.

Him getting the hook in today's game was some hot garbage though...

[Rus]

Didn't know too much about the guy when we drafted him, but felt like he had to be worth something for the team to trade up from the second round to pick him in the first. Scouting reports weren't that good and a few posters weren't to happy with the pick either. Either way, he has been a pleasant surprise.

Him getting the hook in today's game was some hot garbage though...

The thing about the pre-draft scouting reports is that you kind of have to read between the lines. A lot of them are highly skewed in favor of guys who are ultra-quick and athletic, and come from the powerhouse programs where they have to play against elite receivers more often. Smith didn't exactly fit that mold, but they also mentioned that he was a leader of his defense and that he had great instincts and excellent positioning. Depending on the type of defense you're installing, one type can be much better than the other. From what I could tell from Frazier's (and Chili's as well) defense, the guys who struggled were the guys who had all the athleticism but didn't have the instincts. Inversely, guys like Antoine Winfield were total studs in that system, far better than kids 10-12 years younger. I think Robinson might be able to fit, though, even though he was drafted almost purely for his speed...he seems like he has some instincts to go with his insane speed. He got cut down because he didn't play for a "big time" program. UCF is kind of "ehhh" to the scouts.

[jackal]

yes he has made a big difference ..

I think him getting booted was more about the refs taking control of the game again.

I have seen players do worse than that and stay in games.

[TheIrishVikingsFan]

Harrison smith has made a huge impact for the Vikings. He has really brought some aggression in the secondary.
Jamarca Sanfords play has really improved aswell from last year, the guy is all over the place.

In fairness the Vikings have gotten excellent production out of all their rookies,
Blair walsh=money
Harrison Smith
Matt Kalil
Josh Robinson

[PurpleMustReign]

Harrison smith has made a huge impact for the Vikings. He has really brought some aggression in the secondary.
Jamarca Sanfords play has really improved aswell from last year, the guy is all over the place.

In fairness the Vikings have gotten excellent production out of all their rookies,
Blair walsh=money
Harrison Smith
Matt Kalil
Josh Robinson

Was it Blanton that played yesterday in the place of Smith after he was ejected? The defense didn't miss a beat even with him in there.

[dead_poet]

Was it Blanton that played yesterday in the place of Smith after he was ejected? The defense didn't miss a beat even with him in there.

Yes.

[PurpleMustReign]

Cool. One thing i noticed at the game was that they are all playing with a lot of aggressive energy. Rhett Ellison had a nice catch and run that i was suprised he made. It was like he was channeling the percy harvinhim.

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[Juice]

Harrison Smith was on the Vikings roster at the 2012 Senior Bowl so they probably got a great look at him before the draft. I'm glad to see that extra work by the coaches and everyone involved paying off thus far. Audie Cole was also on the team.