DAILY CLIPS SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 - Amazon S3
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
DAILY CLIPS SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019
LOCAL NEWS: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Pioneer Press
Vikings’ Kevin Stefanski: ‘I am exactly where I want to be’
By Chris Tomasson
https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/11/mn-vikings-kevin-stefanski-john-michels-brad-childress-mike-
zimmer-cleveland-browns/
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer turns down Vikings’ offer to join Browns
By Chris Tomasson
https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/11/mn-vikings-mike-priefer-cleveland-browns-nfl-freddie-kitchens/
The Sean McVay Effect: How does Vikings’ Mike Zimmer stay relevant amid seismic shift in NFL?
By Dane Mizutani
https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/11/sean-mcvay-mn-vikings-mike-zimmer-nfl-los-angeles-rams/
Longtime Vikings assistant coach John Michels dies at 87
By AP
https://www.twincities.com/2019/01/11/bud-grant-mn-vikings-john-michels-dies-tennessee/
Star Tribune
Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski will 'pull everything apart'
By Ben Goessling
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-offensive-coordinator-kevin-stefanski-will-pull-everything-
apart/504217782/
Mike Priefer leaves Vikings to be Browns special teams coordinator
By Ben Goessling and Mark Craig
http://www.startribune.com/mike-priefer-out-as-vikings-special-teams-coordinator/504224202/
2018 Vikings grades: Safety Harrison Smith leads a deep secondary
By Andrew Krammer
http://www.startribune.com/2018-vikings-grades-safety-harrison-smith-leads-a-deep-
secondary/504210612/
John Michels, a Vikings assistant for 27 seasons, dies at 87
By Staff Reports
http://www.startribune.com/john-michels-a-vikings-assistant-for-27-seasons-dies-at-87/504189002/
Vikings.com
Skill Players Impressed by Multiple Messages from Stefanski
By Craig Peters
https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-stefanski-enabling-players
Stefanski Ready to Pull Apart Offense and Build Foundational Scheme
By Eric Smith
https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-stefanski-ready-pull-apart-offense-build-foundational-schemeStefanski ‘Exactly Where I Want to Be’; Appreciates Roots to Community, Vikings
By Lindsey Young
https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-stefanski-community-ties
2018 Vikings Position Recap: Offensive Line
By Lindsey Young
https://www.vikings.com/news/2018-vikings-position-recap-offensive-line
Lunchbreak: Thielen Voted NFC North Offensive MVP by ESPN
By Lindsey Young
https://www.vikings.com/news/lunchbreak-thielen-voted-nfc-north-offensive-mvp-by-espn
6 Vikings Special Teams Numbers of Note from 2018: Sherels 5th in PR Avg.
By Craig Peters
https://www.vikings.com/news/6-vikings-special-teams-numbers-of-note-from-2018-sherels-5th-in-pr-avg
VIKING Update
Stefanski tearing apart Vikings offense before rebuilding it
By Tim Yotter
https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Kevin-Stefanski-tearing-apart-Minnesota-Vikings-
offense-before-rebuilding-it-127689217/
Sherels' longevity shows in franchise punt-return marks
By Tim Yotter
https://247sports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/Article/Marcus-Sherels-longevity-shows-in-franchise-punt-
return-marks-127682376/
1500 ESPN
Tension still in the air during Stefanski’s uncomfortable introduction
By Matthew Coller
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2019/01/tension-still-air-stefanskis-uncomfortable-introduction/
Overrated! Kirk Cousins takes a hit from NFL defensive players in poll
By Judd Zulgad
http://www.1500espn.com/news/2019/01/overrated-kirk-cousins-takes-hit-nfl-defensive-players-poll/
The Athletic
‘Exactly where I want to be’: Why Kevin Stefanski is staying with the Vikings
By Chad Graff
https://theathletic.com/763143/2019/01/11/kevin-stefanski-vikings-offensive-coordinator-why-he-decided-
to-stay/
Vikings offseason: Improving the O-line and navigating a tricky salary cap
By Arif Hasan
https://theathletic.com/761424/2019/01/11/vikings-offseason-improving-the-o-line-and-navigating-a-tight-
salary-cap/NATIONAL NEWS: Saturday, January 12, 2019
ESPN
Vikings luck out with Kevin Stefanski returning as offensive coordinator
By Courtney Cronin
http://www.espn.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/83171/vikings-luck-out-with-kevin-stefanski-returning-as-
offensive-coordinator
The MMQB
NFL Announces ‘Inspire Change’ Initiative, Will Boost African-American History Education in
Schools
By Jenny Vrentas
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/11/nfl-social-justice-program-inspire-change-initiativePUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/12/19 Vikings’ Kevin Stefanski: ‘I am exactly where I want to be’ By Chris Tomasson If there was disappointment for Kevin Stefanski in not getting Cleveland’s head coaching job, it evidently didn’t last long. On Wednesday, the Browns chose Freddie Kitchens over Stefanski, the other finalist. But Stefanski then agreed to a deal to be the Vikings’ offensive coordinator after serving on an interim basis for the final three games of the 2018 season. “It was a good experience to go through,” Stefanski said Friday about interviewing with the Browns. “I am exactly where I need to be. I am exactly where I want to be. I am happy to have gone through it, but this is a special opportunity here.” Stefanski is Minnesota’s longest-tenured assistant, having been with the team since Brad Childress hired him in 2006. Stefanski said Childress was among those who have offered congratulations this week. Stefanski, promoted from quarterbacks coach when John DeFilippo was fired Dec. 11, had a contract that expired Tuesday. He hasn’t wasted any time since reaching a deal to return. “He has already given me a list of everything that we have to go over from now until training camp,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. There is plenty to address for the Vikings, who disappointingly finished 8-7-1 and failed to make the playoffs. They were 20th in the NFL in total offense and 30th in rushing. “The plan is pull this thing apart, see what we did well and then add some things,” Stefanski said. “We are not going to just change for the sake of change. We are going to change it for the better.” Stefanski declined to give specifics on how much the offensive philosophy will change. And he declined to offer specifics about the offensive line, which had its share of struggles in 2018. Stefanski is hopeful continuity will help in his dealings with quarterback Kirk Cousins, who had some ups and downs in his first season in Minnesota. “Kirk and I spent a year together just now,” Stefanski said. “I got to know him a little bit more. He got to know me a little bit more. That is something we can build off of.” Stefanski said he “texted a bunch” of players in recent days in a continuing effort to get to know them better. He said he has a “shared vision” with Zimmer. Stefanski said he remained in “constant” communication with Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman while he was a candidate for the Browns job. Zimmer said he conducted “some other interviews” for the position but didn’t name any other candidates. After the Vikings had problems on the ground for much of the season, Zimmer stressed to Stefanski the need for more balance. In Stefanski’s first game as coordinator, the Vikings rushed for a season-high 220 yards in a 41-17 victory over Miami. But in a 24-10 loss to Chicago in the finale, they had a season-low 164 total yards, including just 63 rushing.
“I’m glad I got the opportunity,” Stefanski said of his interim stint. “I wish I could have done better, I wish we could have done better. But certainly it was a good experience for having not called plays before.” LONGTIME VIKINGS ASSISTANT DIES John Michels, the longest-tenured assistant in Vikings history, died Thursday in Kingsport, Tenn. He was 87. Michels was an assistant from 1967-93, all but one season as offensive line coach. “I knew that he had bad health,” said hall of fame tackle Ron Yary, who played for the Vikings from 1968- 81. “It wouldn’t be any use to have called him because he wouldn’t have been cognizant of who I was.” Michels was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and Yary said he brought discipline to the Vikings. “He was a drill sergeant as a coach, but a very kind, generous, helpful, concerned man off the battlefield,” Yary said. “A coach is one thing but being a good person is much more important, and if there ever was a man who was dedicated to the health and welfare of his family and lived a life of honor and distinction, you can’t get anybody better than John.” CHILDRESS EXPLAINS DEPARTURE Childress provided an explanation Friday for his abrupt departure from the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of America Football, a new league that begins play next month. Childress, who coached the Vikings from 2006-10, resigned Wednesday and was replaced by defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. “I’ve been fortunate to work with many great players and coaches throughout my years in football, including those at the Alliance,” Childress said in a statement. “Throughout it all, my biggest supporters have always been my family. I have an amazing wife, four kids, four grandchildren and am still lucky enough to have my parents around. For now, I need to refocus. I’m looking forward to spending time with them and supporting them as they’ve done so for me.”
PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/12/19 Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer turns down Vikings’ offer to join Browns By Chris Tomasson Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer is moving on after eight seasons with the Vikings. Priefer, whose contract expired Tuesday, told NFL Media on Friday he was offered a DEAL to return but has elected to coach the special teams for new Cleveland head coach Freddie Kitchens. “I had an unforgettable eight seasons working for the Minnesota Vikings,” Priefer said in a statement to NFL Media. “We were an extremely successful team all around and I loved being a part of the franchise’s growth. My contract with the Vikings expired after this season and when the Vikings asked to re-sign me, I decided to humbly decline and have taken a new job with the Cleveland Browns.” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer did not return a message seeking comment. Sirius XM NFL Radio reported last week the Vikings were working to retain Priefer, although they were looking at other options in case a deal could not be reached. Priefer, a native of Cleveland, told NFL Media he also had interviews with Atlanta and Detroit. Priefer, 52, joined the Vikings in 2011 under then-coach Leslie Frazier. He was retained when Zimmer took over in 2014. Priefer was suspended for the first two games of the 2014 season for a homophobic remark he made the previous year, which was reported by former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe. Priefer had to undergo sensitivity training for that incident. “Obviously, I’ve gone on with my life and he’s gone on with his, and hopefully he’s learned something from the encounter that we had, the sensitivity training and everything,” Kluwe said Friday. “And hopefully he’ll take that newfound knowledge to another team because I think the league really could use a more welcoming and diverse atmosphere, and anybody that can help make that happen is to be commended.” Kluwe said he hasn’t had any contact with Priefer since the Vikings released the punter in 2013. Kluwe in 2014 threatened to sue the Vikings for wrongful termination before a settlement was reached. Jerome Felton, a Vikings fullback from 2012-14, was a strong supporter of Priefer’s character during the situation involving Kluwe, and remains so. However, Felton said Friday the incident might have cost Priefer a chance to become a head coach. He had an interview with the Chicago Bears in January 2013 but hasn’t had one since. “He has head-coaching chops,” Felton said. “He’s one of those people that everybody respects. Coach teaches you to do things the right way…. I was upset about (the Kluwe situation) because I thought he was somebody who was probably on his way to being a head coach in the NFL and that might have taken that opportunity away or delayed it at the very least.” Felton, a coaching intern with the Vikings during training camp last summer, said they will miss Priefer. Felton, who played in the NFL from 2008-16 with Detroit, Indianapolis, Carolina, the Vikings and Buffalo, calls him the best special teams coach he has known. “I’ve been around,” Felton said. “I’ve been with coaches that are new and old, and it’s not even close. He’s a great teacher. … If I were running a team, he would be one of my first hires, for sure.”
Priefer’s tenure with the Vikings included Cordarelle Patterson leading the NFL in kickoff-return average in 2013, 2015 and 2016; Marcus Sherels being one of the league’s top punt returners, and kicker Blair Walsh making the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2012. However, Walsh missed a potential game-winning field goal in the waning seconds of a 2015 playoff loss to Seattle, and was released midway through the next season. Since then, Minnesota’s kicking game has continued to be inconsistent. In 2018, rookie kicker Daniel Carlson was cut after missing three field goals in Week 2, including a 35-yard attempt on the final play of overtime, in a 29-29 tie at Green Bay. Carlson’s replacement, Dan Bailey, had some issues, including making just 4 of 9 attempts between 40 and 49 yards. Now, the Vikings will be looking for a new special teams coordinator. Priefer agreed to join the Browns two days after they named Kitchens as head coach. “I am excited to work with Coach Kitchens, (general manager) John Dorsey and the entire Browns organization,” Priefer said in his statement to NFL Media. “I will always remember my time spent with the Vikings and deeply appreciate everyone that I was able to work with during my time there. I want to thank the Wilf family (ownership), Coach Zimmer and (general manager) Rick Spielman for everything.”
PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/12/19 The Sean McVay Effect: How does Vikings’ Mike Zimmer stay relevant amid seismic shift in NFL? By Dane Mizutani Mike Zimmer has a reputation of being one of the most stubborn head coaches in the NFL, a trait that should serve him well as the league continues its seismic shift away from his area of expertise. It was only a month and a half ago that the 62-year-old Zimmer cited his distaste for the 105 points and 1,001 yards of offense produced together by the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs in a “Monday Night Football” game. “Not my cup of tea,” Zimmer said at the time. “It might run me out of football.” While he hasn’t been run out of the league quite yet, Zimmer might have been on to something back then, as his defensive-minded approach is quickly becoming obsolete in the modern-day NFL as teams search for the next Sean McVay to run the show. Hired by the Rams at the ripe age of 30 years old, McVay boasts a 24-8 record in two seasons as L.A. head coach. He has used his vast knowledge as an offensive-minded savant to unlock the potential of quarterback Jared Goff, while simultaneously turning the Rams into a legitimate Super Bowl contender that seems to have staying power amid an ever-changing league. The domino effect it has had on the league is impossible to overlook at this point, according to ESPN analyst Field Yates. “I’m looking at a window of the last a couple of years,” Yates said. “It came into focus after the hiring of Sean McVay and the immediate success the Rams have had under him. He has become sort of the symbol of how this thing has changed over the past couple of years in the NFL and that’s a credit to him and his brilliance.” That phenomenon — aka The Sean McVay Effect — has never been more prevelant than this offseason with a bulk of the head coaching vacancies being filled by candidates with an offensive-minded background. Whether it’s Bruce Arians scoring a job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Adam Gase retreading with the New York Jets, Freddie Kitchens locking down the full-time gig with the Cleveland Browns, Matt LaFleur getting a shot with the Green Bay Packers or Zac Taylor reportedly being the frontrunner with the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s no coincidence that teams have made a concerted effort to hire the best offensive- minded candidate. That said, no hire illustrates The Sean McVay Effect more than Kliff Kingsbury being named head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, a couple of months after being fired by Texas Tech. Heck, in the original news release sent out to announce the hiring of Kingsbury, the Cardinals actually emphasized his friendship with McVay, seemingly using that as a selling point to the fan base. That wording has since been changed online. “There’s nothing that I can say that is going to change that,” Kingsbury said, responding to those critics who think he’s in over his head. “I know it’s about the work that started (on Tuesday) and what we do from this point forward. That’s how I’m attacking that.”
Nonetheless, Kingsbury didn’t deny the fact that his relationship with McVay contributed to landing in his current role. Neither did LaFleur, who actually thanked McVay in his opening statement after being introduced by the Packers. “He is a close friend of mine,” LaFleur said. “Just watching him empower everybody around him, from the other coaches to the players, really brings out the best in everybody.” It’s become a meme at this point. Any sort of connection to McVay is something that can actually set candidates above the rest of the field. “I do think the NFL has the copycat mantra to it and because Sean McVay has been one of the most successful people in recent years, teams are trying to find a way to replicate that success,” Yates said. “You’re talking about a lot of coaches that are much younger. We have seen this dramatic shift where I don’t know that the timeline that we used to have is still in place.” Perhaps the biggest misconception within The Sean McVay Effect sweeping the nation, Yates notes, is the fact that teams might be conflating what they are looking for in an actual candidate. They aren’t looking for the next McVay at all. They are simply looking for the success that McVay has produced. “I think the success he has had delves a lot deeper than him simply being a young offensive-minded guy,” Yates said. “It speaks to his connectivity with his players. It speaks to his in-game management. It’s speaks to his ability to adjust on the fly. It’s all of these things. And what we’re doing is using the things we have learned about Sean McVay since he has become a head coach rather than what we knew about Sean McVay before he became a head coach. That’s where some of this doesn’t always add up. There’s always going to be a wide range of outcomes for how head coaching tenures turn out.” That’s where some of these hirings could backfire down the road. Just because someone looks, or feels, like McVay, doesn’t mean they will perform like McVay. That seems to be what Zimmer is hanging his hat on as the NFL landscape continues to change. As far as he is concerned, if he can hold on long enough, everything will start to balance out. “You know, football has always been real cyclical (as far as) what’s working for this team,” Zimmer said. “I go back to like Tampa 2, right? Everybody in the world ran Tampa 2 because the offense couldn’t figure it out. Then they figured it out and then everyone had to start doing something else. Everything kind of catches up to everything in time. That’s part of it.” Still, Zimmer also realizes that “the league wants scoring” so the rules are always going to be skewed to favor the offense over the defense. In that sense, he, and the other defensive-minded coaches around the league, simply have to find a way to combat The Sean McVay Effect. “It all goes round-and-around and guys study it and study it and they try to figure out ways to stop it,” Zimmer said. “Once they do, they have to go to something else.”
PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/12/19 Longtime Vikings assistant coach John Michels dies at 87 By AP KINGSPORT, Tenn. — John Michels, a college football hall of famer whose 27 seasons as a Minnesota Vikings assistant coach included all four of their Super Bowl appearances, has died. He was 87. Michels’ daughter, Sarah Michels-Dunkel, said Friday that her father died Thursday in Kingsport, Tenn. Michels worked on the Vikings’ coaching staff from 1967-93, making him the longest-tenured assistant coach in franchise history. He was the offensive line coach that entire stretch, most of it under coach Bud Grant, aside from one season as running backs coach. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1953 and 1956 before joining the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he played for Grant. Michels later worked on Grant’s coaching staff at Winnipeg and with the Vikings. Michels also was an assistant at Texas A&M for one season. He was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1954-56. Michels played guard on Tennessee’s 1951 national championship team and earned consensus All- America honors in 1952. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and entered the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 1/12/19 Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski will 'pull everything apart' By Ben Goessling Officially introduced Friday in the job he hoped to get a year ago, new Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski vowed to “pull everything apart” in the team’s latest effort to forge an offensive identity. Stefanski, who called plays for the Vikings’ final three games of last season after the team fired John DeFilippo on Dec. 11, was named the team’s permanent offensive coordinator on Wednesday, following his second interview with the Browns for their head coaching opening on Tuesday. In his introductory news conference Friday, he downplayed his involvement with the Browns, saying: “I am exactly where I need to be. I am happy to have gone through it. But this is a special opportunity here. It’s a special group that we have. I am excited to get started.” The 36-year-old Stefanski, who came to the Vikings as part of Brad Childress’ staff in 2006, finally ascended to the Vikings’ top offensive job this week after being passed over in favor of DeFilippo, then blocked from taking the Giants offensive coordinator job, last year. On Friday, he spoke of a “shared vision” with coach Mike Zimmer on offense, deferring questions about the makeup of the offensive staff and the play of the offensive line in 2018 to Zimmer. “I understand him, he understands me,” Stefanski said. “We understand what gives defenses problems ... we’re going to put together game plans in a system that gives our players the best chance to succeed on either side.” The Vikings were 2-1 with Stefanski in his interim post, but a 24-10 loss to the Bears to end the regular season also dashed the team’s final hopes to make the playoffs. Of his three-game stint, Stefanski said: “I wish I could have done better. I wish we could have done better. But it was a good opportunity for me, having never called plays before.” Zimmer has made clear his desire to run the ball more frequently than the team did in 2018, and Stefanski hewed to that vision in his three weeks as the Vikings interim offensive coordinator. The team ran the ball on 71 of its 131 plays on first and second down in the final three weeks of the season, posting 220 rushing yards in a 41-17 win over the Dolphins on Dec. 16. “I just know as an offense, not necessarily as an offensive line, as an offense, this is the NFC North, so we’re going to be a physical group,” he said. “Certainly when you talk about the offensive line and defensive line it starts there. That’s kind of going to be our thing moving forward.” The Vikings, who were ninth in the league in yards and 14th in points at the midway point of the season, finished 20th in yards and 19th in points, as their offensive identity issues metastasized through the second half of the year. As Stefanski took over on Friday, he said the team wasn’t going to “change for the sake of change,” and there figures to be a fair amount of familiarity with the West Coast-based schemes the Vikings have used under Pat Shurmur and DeFilippo. As he gets to work figuring out what will make the offense better in 2019, though, Stefanski took the long view on Friday. “What it ends up looking like, I think, remains to be seen,” he said. “I have a pretty good idea of what I want it to look like and what Coach [Zimmer] wants it to look like, but we’re going to work through that process and not skip any steps.”
PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 1/12/19 Mike Priefer leaves Vikings to be Browns special teams coordinator By Mark Craig and Ben Goessling The Vikings will have a new special teams coordinator in 2019 as Mike Priefer is going home. Priefer, the team’s special teams coordinator for the past eight seasons, will not return to the team in 2019. Instead, he will become special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns under new coach Freddie Kitchens. Priefer’s deal with the Vikings expired after the 2018 season. He was offered a contract with the Vikings, but instead chose his native Cleveland. Priefer was born April 21, 1966 in Parma, Ohio, just west of Cleveland. His father, Chuck, coached football, baseball and basketball at Parma’s Padua High School from 1963 until 1976. Chuck Priefer was head football coach from 1972 until leaving for the college ranks as an assistant and Miami of Ohio in 1977. He moved on to North Carolina from 1978 to ’83 before the Packers hired him as their special teams coach in 1984, Mike’s senior year in high school. After working as a graduate assistant at Navy, Mike Priefer’s first paid position was in Northeast Ohio as Youngstown State’s assistant in charge of offensive tackles, tight ends and special teams. Mike Priefer, who had been with the team since the 2011 season, leaves after a tumultuous season for the Vikings’ special teams units. The team released fifth-round pick Daniel Carlson after the rookie missed three field goals in a Week 2 tie against the Packers. The Vikings signed veteran Dan Bailey, who only missed one extra point but missed seven field goals (including one that was blocked against the Seahawks on Dec. 10). The team finished the year last in the league in field goal percentage, making just 68.8 percent of its attempts and hitting only five of its 12 attempts from 40-49 yards. The Vikings also had kickoff coverage issues that began in the preseason and continued through the regular season. They ranked 20th in the league in kickoff coverage, though they finished the year fifth in punt coverage. During Priefer’s tenure, the Vikings had some of the league’s most explosive return units with Percy Harvin and Cordarrelle Patterson. Their issues with kickers and punters proved to be an ongoing problem, however, with former Pro Bowler Blair Walsh famously missing a 27-yard field goal in the team’s wild-card playoff loss to the Seahawks after the 2015 season. Walsh’s ongoing struggles led to his release midway through the 2016 season, when he missed four field goals and four extra points through nine games. Priefer, 52, coached Vikings special teams from 2011-18. He was head coach for a game in 2016, a 17-15 Vikings loss to Dallas, when coach Mike Zimmer had eye surgery. Before coming to Minnesota he was special teams coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs (2006-08) and Denver Broncos (2009-10). He sat out the first three games of the 2014 season as a suspension and had sensitivity training for making homophobic remarks at a special teams meeting the previous season.
PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 1/12/19 2018 Vikings grades: Safety Harrison Smith leads a deep secondary By Andrew Krammer The Vikings defense became the NFL’s first since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the 1998 and 1999 seasons to force the fewest passing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. Historical success wasn’t uninterrupted. Early hiccups and an infusion of young talent for ailing starters led to the ninth-most explosive pass plays allowed (10 of 40-plus yards), tied for the Vikings’ worst mark in the Mike Zimmer era. Grades are based on a 1-to-5 scale, with ‘5’ marking excellence, ‘4’ for above-average, ‘3’ for average, ‘2’ for below-average and ‘1’ for failure to perform. Players that did not accrue a season (weren’t on the active roster for at least six weeks) or played in three games or fewer are not graded. Below are individual grades, based on game and practice observations, weekly film reviews and interviews with coaches, for 13 defensive backs who finished the season on the Vikings’ active roster, injured reserve or practice squad. Unofficial NFL stats, such as QB pressures, missed tackles and targeted passes, are compiled by ProFootballFocus.com. Previously: (Linebackers) Anthony Barr’s contract season leaves you wanting more; (Defensive linemen) Danielle Hunter’s name now among the NFL’s best S Harrison Smith (4.5) — A safety disruptive near and far from offenses, Smith was again the Vikings’ Swiss Army Knife in 2018. Led all defenders with 1,024 snaps [98.6%]. One of five Vikings to play more than 1,000 snaps. Named to a fourth straight Pro Bowl. Six All-Pro votes led the team. Just one of three NFL defensive backs with three interceptions and three sacks, joining the Chargers’ Derwin James and Atlanta’s Brian Poole. The primary blitzer in the secondary, Smith forced nine pressures (three sacks) during 39 rushes. Masterful at disguising and timing his pass rush at the snap. Baited Josh Rosen into an interception to Anthony Harris in the Week 6 win vs. Arizona by faking a blitz to one side, then bailing into deep coverage with Harris rolling underneath to the other side. Integral to the Vikings’ run defense. Smith started playing more of a linebacker role in Weeks 8-11 when Anthony Barr was injured. Only four safeties had more run stops (18) than Smith; none had fewer missed tackles (one). Coaches rave about Smith’s preparation, vision and closing speed leading to anticipatory plays behind the line of scrimmage. Had a season-high four stops in the Week 16 win at Detroit, including two for a loss. Remains a hard hitter, jarring the ball loose from Alshon Jeffery on a deep third-and-20 pass in the fourth quarter at Philadelphia. Penalized once (and fined $10,026) for the late hit that injured Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s shoulder. Surrendered one touchdown in coverage when San Francisco’s Dante Pettis turned upfield on him during a scramble drill for a 22-yard score in Week 1. Ended the same Sunday with the game-sealing interception off Jimmy Garoppolo. Put in man-to-man and zone coverage situations. He’s credited by teammates for on-field communication on upcoming plays and adjustments. Gambles didn’t always pay off. Got beat on 35-yard and 40-yard catches against Arizona. Messed around before the snap and got beat on a 22-yard throw to Kevin White in the season finale loss to the Bears. Set to have the seventh-highest cap hit ($10.75 million) among NFL safeties next season, which is a relative bargain for the Vikings. More reading: Boxing, flying and Big Brothers Big Sisters – How Harrison Smith keeps a measured approach to his craft. S Anthony Harris (4.0) — Harris took control of the starting job Week 8 against the Saints and didn’t let go. The former undrafted safety started the final nine games in a breakout season. Played 623 snaps
[60%]. Tied for the team lead with three interceptions, including two off Mitchell Trubisky in the Week 11 loss at Chicago. Jumped a Larry Fitzgerald route for an interception in the win against Arizona. Broke up a goal-line Tom Brady pass to Julian Edelman in the loss at New England. Regarded as a film junkie who gets razzed in team meetings for knowing it all. So it’s little surprise he’s earned Mike Zimmer’s trust as the starting safety. Rarely caught out of position. Isn’t the most athletically gifted player, but makes up for it with everything else. Not flagged. Missed two tackles, including Jordan Howard on a 42-yard run in the season finale loss. Pending restricted free agent. More reading: ‘That’s too easy for him.’ Anthony Harris keeps Vikings teammates on their toes in meeting rooms. CB Trae Waynes (3.5) — Waynes went from one of the NFL’s most targeted cornerbacks in 2017 to one of the least targeted this season. The credit starts with his coverage. Played 692 snaps [66.6%]. Allowed 36 catches on 54 targets for 429 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Missed two starts due to concussions. Also left games against the 49ers, Bills, Rams, Jets and Patriots due to injuries. Returned in New York after a few plays and had his best game, deflecting three Sam Darnold passes and grabbing an interception. Beat on a ridiculous Jared Goff throw for a 47-yard touchdown in Los Angeles. Did not play in the second half due to a concussion. A sure and willing tackler and run defender who surrendered just 90 yards after the catch, fifth fewest among all NFL corners. Ranked ninth with eight run stops — second in the Vikings secondary. Penalized three times, twice for pass interference. Missed three tackles. Could stand to make more plays on the ball. Waynes had a solid season, though durability is a concern. The Vikings front office has a decision to make with his $9.069 million option for next season not guaranteed until March. CB Mackensie Alexander (3.5) — Eventually made a leap in his third NFL season, Alexander became the Vikings’ steady slot cornerback after rotating with others throughout the first half of the season. Played 564 snaps [54.3%]. Missed the season opener due to an ankle injury suffered in an exhibition against the Jaguars. Played through a knee injury in New England, where he was pulled from the game after allowing a couple of big completions on the first drive. Settled into the disruptive pass defender the Vikings’ brain trust saw when drafting him in 2016’s second round. Eight of his team-leading 10 pass deflections came after Nov. 18. Showed his range in that Chicago game. Deflected two fourth-quarter Trubisky passes; the first was a Tarik Cohen screen he quickly identified and the second came in slot man-to-man coverage on Allen Robinson. Made critical third-down deflections in man coverage against the Cardinals and Dolphins. Had the most sacks (4) by a Vikings defensive back since Robert Griffith in 1999. That was a product of blitz design, disguise and setup. Alexander was literally not touched on all four sacks. Still has work to do as a tackler, missing seven. Flagged six times (three declined). Put together the kind of season that builds confidence for the future. Entering a contract year in 2019. More reading: The game is becoming fun again for Mackensie Alexander. CB Xavier Rhodes (3.0) — From start to finish, Rhodes was questionable to play for the Vikings in his sixth NFL season. Ready? (*inhales deeply*) A hamstring injury had him listed questionable in Weeks 1 and 13. A foot injury had his availability in doubt in Weeks 8 and 9. He missed the Saints game. Then a groin injury prevented him from playing in the season finale loss to the Bears. Played 769 snaps [74%]. Coming off an All-Pro season, Rhodes said injuries disrupted his ability to play well when he was on the field. Started out well shadowing Marquise Goodwin before the 49ers receiver’s injury. Then allowed nine catches for 70 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay. Had trouble with Davante Adams this season, also called for a 26-yard interference penalty and allowed a 15-yard touchdown on the same drive of the Week 12 win. Held Rams star Brandin Cooks to one catch for nine yards before the third quarter, when he was pulled by Mike Zimmer after kicking a penalty flag and drawing unsportsmanlike conduct in reaction to being called for holding. Cooks caught a 47-yard touchdown on the next play of the Week 4 loss. Fined $13,369 for kicking the flag. Lost out on $62,500 from two missed games due to per-game roster bonuses in his contract. Led the team with nine penalties (three declined), six for some form of illegal contact. Still one of the league’s most disruptive man-to-man corners when healthy and concentrated. Held Alshon Jeffery to two catches for 39 yards in the Week 5 win at Philadelphia, getting beat on a fourth down.
Tipped a Sam Darnold pass into a Harrison Smith interception during the Week 7 win at New York. Played well against Allen Robinson in Chicago, where the Bears star had three catches for 39 yards. Had a career-low seven pass deflections on the season. His lone interception was an overthrown Jimmy Garoppolo pass on a slant route in Week 1. Ranked 29th in yards (470) and 35th in QB rating (88.4) allowed. An inconsistent and injury-plagued season. Missed three tackles. More reading: Xavier Rhodes says ‘lesson learned’ about returning too quickly from injuries. CB Holton Hill (3.0) — A coveted undrafted signing, Hill received more guaranteed money ($75,000) than any undrafted addition in the Mike Zimmer era. The former Texas corner arrived in Eagan as an athletic project and emerged from his rookie season with 374 snaps [36%] under his belt. Started three games, all in big spots against the Saints, Seahawks and Bears. Had three deflections in Seattle, but also missed two tackles. Made the smart play on a first-down deep shot by Russell Wilson, turning for the ball to avoid pass interference and nearly intercepting him. Not the quickest to identify running plays. Ended on a down note against the Bears in the season finale. Beat by Taylor Gabriel on a 40-yard deep ball to set up a one- yard touchdown run. Also bounced off Jordan Howard to allow a six-yard touchdown run. Played 260 special teams snaps [58.2%]. Penalized twice, including a 20-yard interference penalty on a Patriots touchdown drive. Another promising young cornerback in the mix with plenty to polish. CB Mike Hughes (2.5) — Drafted 30th overall out of UCF, Hughes surprised Vikings coaches with his initial grasp of a complicated position at 21 years old. Hyper-quick feet helped him earn playing time right away as a slot defender and primary backup on the outside. Played 243 defensive snaps [23.4%] before tearing his ACL in Week 6 against Arizona. Returned a Jimmy Garoppolo interception 28 yards for a touchdown in his first game. Still made rookie mistakes in coverage. Appeared to be the culprit for busted coverage on Kyle Juszczyk’s 56-yard catch and run in Week 1. Got caught in a miscommunication with Eric Kendricks leading to a 26-yard touchdown in the Week 3 loss to Buffalo. Lost the ball on a 48-yard toss to Shelton Gibson in Philadelphia. Returned four kickoffs for a 26.7-yard average. Not flagged. Missed four tackles in coverage. Showed plenty of reason for excitement. Athletically gifted enough to stick with speedy receivers in coverage. Flashed traits as a hard-nosed slot and outside defender, unafraid to tackle in heavy traffic. Forced a Brandin Cooks fumble in the fourth quarter. The Vikings may have found a gem if he can pick up where he left off. DB Jayron Kearse (2.5) — Appeared in all 16 games, mostly as a specialist, during his third NFL season. Earned a role as a slot defender in a ‘big nickel’ package and played 202 snaps [19.4%] on defense. Long arms allow Kearse to make plays when in position, like his third-down deflection in the end zone against the Rams’ Cooper Kupp. Grew into a strong downhill defender with 11 stops (six vs. pass, five vs. run) without a missed tackle. Room to improve in coverage after allowing 13 catches on 16 targets for 89 yards, including a 17-yard catch near the goal line to set up a Jets touchdown. Penalized four times (one declined); his defensive holding in the season finale negated an Anthony Barr sack on Mitchell Trubisky. A strong gunner on special teams. Played 241 snaps [53.9%] there. Entering a contract year in 2019. S Andrew Sendejo (2.0) — One of the Vikings’ undrafted-to-starter stories, Sendejo could have played his last snap for Minnesota. Landed on injured reserve after Week 5 because of a groin injury. Played 324 snaps [31.2%] after missing time in the spring due to a back injury. His highlight was ripping loose a touchdown catch from Charles Clay in the Week 3 loss to the Bills for the season’s lone pass deflection. Had as many missed tackles (4) as stops (4). Penalized twice for unnecessary roughness. Fined $53,482 as a repeat offender for hitting Packers receiver Davante Adams. A disappointing and injury plagued contract season for Sendejo, who has an expensive $5.5 million team option for 2019 that appears unlikely to be picked up by the team. Turns 32 in September. S George Iloka (2.0) — Signed Aug. 22 in the same month he was a surprise cut by the Bengals. Didn’t see action on defense until injuries ended Andrew Sendejo’s season. Started three games, but was yanked from the third (Week 8 vs. New Orleans) after a 44-yard trick play from Taysom Hill to Michael Thomas over him on the fifth snap. Played 116 defensive snaps [11.2%]. Forced a fumble on Jets returner Andre Roberts that went out of bounds. Played 238 special teams snaps [53.2%]. Didn’t get many opportunities in Minnesota and is unlikely to return. Pending free agent.
CB Marcus Sherels (2.0) — Again evaded competition to remain as the Vikings punt returner in his ninth NFL season. Ranked sixth with 12 yards per return, including a 70-yard sprint against the Dolphins. Sherels, 31, took heat from teammates on the sideline and after the game for being caught 22 yards shy of the end zone. Missed four games due to rib and foot injuries. Played 190 special teams snaps [42.5%]. Named a second Pro Bowl alternate as a specialist. Did not fumble for the third season as punt returner. Played 29 defensive snaps [2.8%], allowing a 24-yard catch by Josh Gordon. Pending free agent. CB Craig James (N/A) — The undrafted rookie was cut after the preseason and re-signed to the practice squad in October. Promoted to the active roster Week 13 for depth. Played 25 special teams snaps in three games. CB Jalen Myrick (N/A) — Signed Sept. 5 to the practice squad after roster cuts. The ex-Gophers defender and return man was re-signed in October and was one of 10 practice squad players to sign a futures deal on Jan. 2.
PUBLICATION: Star Tribune DATE: 1/12/19 John Michels, a Vikings assistant for 27 seasons, dies at 87 By Staff Reports John Michels, an assistant coach with the Vikings for 27 consecutive seasons, died Thursday, the team announced. He was 87. Michels coached the offensive line under Bud Grant from 1967-83, then spent the 1984 season coaching running backs during the one season Les Steckel was coach. Grant returned in 1985 and Michels was back to coaching offensive linemen until 1993. He is the longest serving assistant coach in Vikings history. Michels was an All-America guard at the University of Tennessee when it won the national championship in 1951. Tennessee was 29-4-1 in three seasons Michels started at guard, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. He was drafted by the Eagles in 1953 but played for Grant in the Canadian Football League. Michels became an assistant coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers under Grant, who took over the Vikings coaching reins in 1967. “I had known of John as a player in Philadelphia, and when he was released, I brought him to Winnipeg to play,” Grant told vikings.com. “He was a great player at Tennessee in college even though he was undersized. What made him great on the field was his competitiveness. He played a year for me, and I knew he wanted to get into coaching. He went to Texas A&M for a year, and I brought him on to our staff after that.” When ex-Vikings tackle Ron Yary made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, Michels was his presenter.
PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 1/12/19 Skill Players Impressed by Multiple Messages from Stefanski By Craig Peters EAGAN, Minn. — Kyle Rudolph could see this coming back when Kevin Stefanski was the Vikings tight ends coach (2014-15). Kirk Cousins remembers the impression that Stefanski made on him during the 2012 Senior Bowl when Stefanski was an assistant quarterbacks coach and the Vikings staff coached Cousins and other draft-eligible prospects for a week. Dalvin Cook shared a much more recent anecdote of connecting with Stefanski during the new offensive coordinator’s interim role at the end of the 2018 season. And Mike Zimmer explained Friday the most-recent example of how Stefanski impressed him. “He is a bright, young coach. Very detailed,” Zimmer added before introducing Stefanski to members of the media for the first time as the offensive coordinator. “He has already given me a list of everything that we have to go over from now until training camp.” The list was the most recent example of the ways that Stefanski has quietly impressed with his organization, attention to detail, preparedness and ability to communicate. “I think one of the biggest things that always stood out to me in working with Kevin was how prepared he was on a weekly basis in making sure he provided us with every resource that we needed as players to be prepared to go out and win games on Sundays,” Rudolph reflected of the 2014-15 seasons when Stefanski led his position group in Zimmer’s first two years in Minnesota. “He did a phenomenal job, whether it was cut-ups, handouts, whatever we needed to feel like we were most prepared to go out and play our best on Sunday, he provided for us.” In 2016, Stefanski shifted to running backs before moving to coach quarterbacks in 2017, a position he assisted with from 2009-13. With three weeks left in the 2018 regular season and after back-to-back road losses in which Minnesota combined to score 17 points at New England and Seattle, Zimmer relieved John DeFilippo from the offensive coordinator post and elevated Stefanski. It was quite the audition for the role, with Stefanski stepping in front of the entire offense for installation of the game plan and the oh-so important role of calling plays when the popcorn is popping. “One of the things I knew he would do well was his command of the room,” Rudolph said. “Going from a position coach when you’re dealing with a couple of guys to when you’re in charge of the entire offense, you’re in charge of 35 guys and you’ve got to sit in front of a room and deliver for every offensive coach on the staff, every offensive player. “That role is not too big for him,” Rudolph added. “It wasn’t in the three weeks that he took over as interim offensive coordinator, and you knew that, just because of how prepared he was as a
position coach. It was always easy for Kevin, when he had his part of the game plan that he had to get up in front of the room and present, he was always confident in his preparation and work presentation, that you knew he was going to do it well when he had to do it full-time.” Stefon Diggs hadn’t had Stefanski as a position coach, but he was impressed with the way that the 36-year-old handled the added role and his daily approach. “He’s the same guy, you know what you’re going to get out of him, and he’s a guy you want to play for,” Diggs said. “He believes in his players. And he’s going to push you. He’s going to want the most out of you every day, and when it’s time to make plays, he’s going to let his playmakers just play.” That brings us back to Cook, who has dazzled at multiple times and dealt with injuries in his first two seasons. Cook’s rookie campaign ended in Week 4 of 2017 when he tore his ACL. He had 95 and 90 yards from scrimmage in the first two weeks of 2018 but suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 at Green Bay. Cook missed five of the next six games before ripping off a career-best 70-yarder against Detroit in Week 9. Cook had 12 rushing yards on nine carries the following game at Chicago and 29 on 10 attempts against the Packers in November. He averaged 9.3 yards per carry against New England, racking up 84 yards on just nine rushes. Zimmer was asked if the Vikings ran the ball enough against the Patriots and said, “No.” Needless to say, when Stefanski was preparing for his first game as interim offensive coordinator, he placed an emphasis on getting the run game going against a Dolphins approach that offered opportunities to capitalize. Stefanski let Cook know he’d have a good chance against his hometown team. “He came to me and said, ‘We’re going to get you the ball. Make a play,’ ” Cook said. “When your coach looks at you and tells you that, you’re going to go out and give 110 percent and run through a wall or something. He’ll come to certain guys and say, ‘We’re going to come to you this drive, so make a play.’ I love that and love our coaches getting me the ball and getting me the touches.” Cook rushed 19 times for 136 yards, helping Minnesota total season highs of 40 carries and 220 yards. “My goal to make sure our best players, our playmakers, are getting the ball to score a bunch of points,” Stefanski said Friday. “That is the goal. You score more than the other team and you get a W. It’s kind of simple as I look at it. When you pull it apart and you identify your guys — that is going to be our goal, play to our strengths.” Cousins said this week he was “thrilled to hear that” Stefanski would be the new offensive coordinator. “We feel like the continuity is very important, not only for me at the quarterback position but for our entire offense, for the young players learning the system and for our coaching staff to have
the familiarity, as well,” Cousins said. “Kevin’s proven over many years in the Vikings facility that he’s a great coach, a great leader, carries himself well and is the right person to lead our offense going forward. “I don’t know what the personality trait is, but when you carry yourself well and relate well to players, that’s a very valuable trait in a coach – and not every coach has that trait,” Cousins added. “I first met Kevin and saw that he had that trait back at the Senior Bowl in 2012, and ever since then I’ve really followed his path and really felt that he’d be a coach I’d enjoy working with because of the experience I had at the Senior Bowl, and I always felt like he was an up-and- coming coach in the league. I’m sure, I know that his interview with Cleveland [for a head coaching job] went as far as it did for good reason, and I think that he’ll have other opportunities like that in the future, especially if we as an offense are able to do the job we’re expecting to do this next fall.” Stefanski said he wants to build relationships with every player on offense and take another step forward with Cousins. “Kirk and I spent a year together just now. I got to know him a little bit more. He got to know me a little bit more,” Stefanski said. “That is something that we can build off of. Just like every player, and I texted a bunch of them these last few days, just like every player, I hope to develop a relationship with them and find out what we can get, how we can get the most out of each player.” When asked what the Vikings might do at offensive line — where Clancy Barone and Andrew Janocko stepped up to co-coach after the tragic passing of Tony Sparano just two days before training camp opened — Stefanski deferred to Zimmer. He did add that he wants the entire offense to befit the NFC North. “So we’re going to be a physical group,” Stefanski said. “Certainly when you talk about the offensive line and defensive line, it starts there. That’s kind of going to be our thing moving forward. “I kind of go back to the style of offense that we play will vary by game, but at the end of the day we’ll make sure that this is a physical unit,” he added. Stefanski is grateful for the continuity that he has with the Vikings that started back in 2006. He will have incredible familiarity with most of the roster as he and the staff build the foundation for 2019 and introduce it to players during OTAs. Diggs said players will be ready for the message. “Just like before – we had a hundred-percent confidence in him before when he got the job [on an interim basis], and it’s not going to change,” Diggs said. “Buying in won’t be hard because we’ve seen him do it, we’ve had him, and it’s going to be a good place just to get the ball rolling.”
PUBLICATION: Vikings.com DATE: 1/12/19 Stefanski Ready to Pull Apart Offense and Build Foundational Scheme By Eric Smith EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have handed the keys to the offense to Kevin Stefanski, their longest-tenured coach who is now the Offensive Coordinator. Stefanski impressed Minnesota’s front office with recent interviews, plus a three-game sample size at the end of the 2018 season when he held the role of interim offensive coordinator. And it was clear Friday morning that the 36-year-old’s vision for the 2019 season has already been communicated with Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer. “He is a bright, young coach. Very detailed,” Zimmer said. “He has already given me a list of everything that we have to go over from now until training camp.” Zimmer gave a noticeable smile when mentioning the list Stefanski gave him, as it seemed to indicate his new coordinator’s preparedness for what lies ahead. At one point Friday morning, Stefanski said he was going to get right back to work following the press conference and keep digging into what the Vikings offense could look like going forward. “The plan is to pull this thing apart, see what we did well and then add some things. We are not going to just change for the sake of change,” Stefanski said. “We are going to change it for the better. That is the goal. “We’ll try to do absolutely everything, we’re going to look at everything, we’re going to really pull this thing apart and be diligent about that aspect of it,” Stefanski later added. “What it ends up looking like, I think, remains to be seen. I have a pretty good idea of what I want it to look like and what Coach wants it to look like, but we’re going to work through that process and not skip any steps.” Stefanski will have plenty of tools to work with in a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, a 4,000-yard, 30-touchdown quarterback in Kirk Cousins and a multi-purpose threat in running back Dalvin Cook. Minnesota’s offense was slightly worse than middle-of-the-pack in 2018, as the Vikings ranked 19th with 22.5 points per game and were 20th overall with an average of 345.6 yards per game. The Vikings endured a coordinator change in the final month of the season, as Stefanski took over the role for the final three games of 2018. As he takes over the position on a full-time basis, Stefanski said he was on the same page with Zimmer for what the offense could look like. Stefanski mentioned that the offense is “going to be a physical group” since the Vikings are in the NFC North.
“I would go back to a shared vision. Having worked with Coach for a bunch of years now, I understand him and he understands me,” Stefanski said. “I think we both understand what gives defenses problems, and as Coach being a [former] defensive coordinator, he understands real well what is hard on a defense. “He’s someone that we’re going to use as a resource, certainly, and we’re going to put together game plans in a system and offense that we feel like gives our players the best chance to succeed on Sunday,” Stefanski added. The Vikings averaged 27.6 rushing attempts per game in the three contests Stefanski was in charge of Minnesota’s offense, an uptick from the 21.1 rushing attempts per game in the 13 contests of the season. Minnesota ranked sixth overall in pass attempts as Cousins had all 606 of them in 2018. “I think what Coach Zim’ talked [during the 2018 season] about was balance, and that’s going to be what we want to do moving forward,” Stefanski said. “We just don’t want to be predictable. “I can’t tell you that we’re always going to run it or we’re always going to pass it,” Stefanski added. “We’re going to try to be balanced and not be predictable.” Stefanski has three months to craft his vision for the Vikings offense, as players are scheduled to return in mid-April for offseason workouts. When they do, they will look to Stefanski for direction to help the Vikings get back to the postseason after missing out on the dance in 2018 with an 8-7-1 record. Stefanksi joined the organization in 2006 and spent the first three seasons as an assistant to former Head Coach Brad Childress. Stefanski has held a variety of roles since then, as he was Minnesota’s quarterbacks coach in 2017 and through this season after coaching the running backs in 2016. Stefanski was the Vikings tight ends coach in 2014 and 2015, and he was the assistant quarterbacks coach from 2009 to 2013. Yet as he enters his 14th season in Minnesota, Stefanski now has the chance to start from scratch and make the offense his own while pulling from all the coaches he’s worked with over the years. “Our goal is to put together a foundational scheme,” Stefanski said. “Start at the bottom and build something, then week-to-week, we can always pull from our foundation.”
You can also read
