Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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2. Highlighting characteristics of Cook
Kubiak, who has coached a number of talented running backs throughout his years in the league, was asked if Dalvin Cook reminds him of anyone.
He said “they’re all different” but did point to a common thread that he sees between Cook and the likes of Terrell Davis, Arian Foster and Clinton Portis, all of whom have been under his tutelage.
“They have a toughness [and] edge to them,” Kubiak explained. “Dalvin’s not the biggest guy in the world, but when he runs, he runs angry. And he pass protects; he’ll stick his face in there and do those types of things.
“So, those guys have an edge, and Dalvin has it,” he added. “But the thing that Dalvin’s done a great job for us – he’s a three-down player, he’s on the field protecting Kirk, catching the football, so we’re able to get him other ways to help us win than just handing it to him.”
3. A heavy dose of offense
One signature mark of Minnesota’s 2019 offense is the heavy personnel packages that the Vikings have used, including multiple tight end sets.
He told reporters that the system works because the team is “kind of built” in a way conducive to that approach. He emphasized the talent level of tight ends Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith, Jr., and Tyler Conklin, who all have contributed in key ways throughout the first 11 games.
“They’ve been healthy, so we’ve had them up every week. We have the ability with the fullback (C.J. Ham) to play the game that some people, I mean, maybe a third of the teams in this league carry a fullback, so we’re just kind of built to play that way a little bit,” Kubiak said.
He added that the ability to implement the larger packages can “calm down the game” for a team depending on the defense it’s facing.
“It’s just a give-and-take and what gives you the best chance to make some big plays, to still be consistent running the ball,” Kubiak said. “It’s just something that works for us, and our health has probably been a big part of that.”
4. Stefanski adjusting without a big threat
Diggs and Thielen form one of the best receiver tandems in the NFL, often forcing opponents to make hard decisions on which player they most want to minimize.
Even though Thielen has missed all or part of the past five games, the Vikings have been able to go 4-1 in that stretch.
No team wants to miss an All-Pro-level player, but the absence has allowed other players opportunities to contribute more often and for Stefanski to gain experience with creating elsewhere.
Kubiak pointed out that some teams are better than others at taking away strengths. He noted the success of Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick at making opponents, in the words of some, “play left-handed.” Kubiak credited Broncos Head Coach Vic Fangio with taking some things away from the Vikings on Sunday.
“That is a tremendous challenge. That’s what you have to learn to do. People are so good in this business,” Kubiak said. “Obviously Vic, tremendous defensive football coach, but when you show up on Sunday and whether you’re playing Belichick or somebody who says, ‘This guy won’t beat me,’ but yet it’s your job as a coach to say, ‘Well, that’s one of my best players, I’ve got to give him a chance to beat you.’ It’s a chess match, and it’s one that takes a lot of work between player and coach to get him loose and give him a chance.”