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Defensive Ends Key Vikings To Watch
While
it seems like job one for the Minnesota Vikings is figuring out the
quarterback position, another red flag priority is rushing the
quarterback. The
2006 Vikings were best in the league in rushing defense but ranked last
in the NFL along with Cincinnati in most passing yards given up per
game.
Pass
defense, of course, will be a responsibility for the entire defense but
the ends will be expected to lead the charge that can result in more
quarterback hurries, sacks and interceptions. That’s part of their job
descriptions.
End
Kenechi Udeze, who started 15 games for the Vikings, had no
sacks last season. The other end last year, Darrion Scott, who
started 13 games for the Vikings last season and replaced
Erasmus
James in the lineup after he injured his knee, led the team in sacks
at 5.5. As a team, the Vikings had 30 sacks (five NFL teams had
fewer).
Now
speculation is that James, who has a pass sacking reputation, will
return as a starting defensive end. He and second year man Ray
Edwards are the Vikings mega potential sack men.
James
missed 13 games last season after sustaining a serious left knee
injury. In 2005, his rookie season, he started the final nine games of
the season, tied for the team lead in sacks with 4.0 and ranked fifth
among NFL rookies in that category.
Dean Dalton, who now is a multi-media NFL expert, was a Vikings
assistant coach when James was drafted. He’s also followed Edwards, who
last season as a fourth round draft choice started two games with three
sacks.
“We
believed when we drafted him (James) that he had that special juice,”
Dalton said last week. “He has a really explosive first step that can
get him on the edge, but he’s young (24). In the NFL he’ll be going
against left tackles which are usually the most athletic experienced
offensive players so he’s got to really refine his game. But he does
have the skill set. …Erasmus has all the ability and all the potential
in the world to be an outstanding defensive end.
“And
right now Ray Edwards shows flashes of it. He just needs to be more
consistent but it’s been encouraging because he’s played at a more
consistent level throughout this training camp so far.”
The
Vikings have been taking a patient approach with James’ recovery from
the knee injury. He hasn’t played in the first two pre-season games but
sometime during the season Dalton expects him to be playing. (Viking
coach Brad Childress indicated last week on KFAN Radio that James will
play Saturday night in Seattle in Minnesota’s third pre-season game).
“Even
still when he gets back he’s got to overcome the mental part of not
favoring that injured knee,” Dalton said. “There’s a long way to go
but I believe he’s making progress that will allow him to get back on
the field this year.”
Edwards needs to show more consistency and probably minimize his already
well-known temper but he’s a promising player at only 21 years old.
“Having an explosive temper is generally not a sign of maturity,” Dalton
said. “…Therefore he will need to get a harness on that so he can be
more consistent for his team. Somebody that he and his coaches can
count on.”
Edwards has been starting for the Vikings with Udeze in the first two
pre-season games. Edwards hurried Jets quarterback Chad Pennington
last Friday night into a bad throw that was intercepted and returned for
a touchdown by linebacker Chad Greenway. In pre-season games
rookie Brian Robison, the fourth round pick from Texas, has shown
pass rushing skills too, and leads the team in sacks with two.
With
a strong rush from the defensive ends and tackles, led by a pass rushing
specialist at defensive end like James or Edwards, plus solid
communication among the entire defense, the Vikings won’t have to blitz
as much and can take another step toward productivity. How important is
improving defensive end play?
“It’s
really important,” Dalton said. “That will really solidify a very, very
good defense and make it a great defense if they can get excellent play
out of the defensive end position.” |
