• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • Pro Wrestling
  • MMA
Double Linebacker Blitz Looks: A Mike Zimmer Staple

Double Linebacker Blitz Looks: A Mike Zimmer Staple

November 29, 2017
Las Vegas Raiders WR Henry Ruggs

Agholor and Ruggs’ Similar Raiders Roles

January 22, 2021
Will Young Upstart QBs Overcome Their Veteran Rivals This NFL Season?

NFL Championship Games: Don’t Want No Rematch? Well, We Got Two

January 21, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
ESPN’s McFarland: A loss in Green Bay will make Bucs’ season “a failure”

ESPN’s McFarland: A loss in Green Bay will make Bucs’ season “a failure”

January 21, 2021
"Stan"- Fans gone foolish.

Opinion: Fans Need Common Sense Approach

January 21, 2021
Tyreek Hill vs Casey Hayward: Chiefs Matchup

AFC Championship Game: Three Key Matchups

January 21, 2021
Understanding What the Deshaun Watson Rumors Mean for Houston, Miami, the NFL

Understanding What the Deshaun Watson Rumors Mean for Houston, Miami, the NFL

January 21, 2021
NFC Championship Game: The Greatest Career vs. the Greatest Year?

NFC Championship Game: The Greatest Career vs. the Greatest Year?

January 21, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr

Raiders Opinion: Keeping Carr Only Realistic Option

January 21, 2021
WWE NXT Results, Grades & Opinion: January 20, 2021

WWE NXT Results, Grades & Opinion: January 20, 2021

January 21, 2021
Backup Brian Elliott Gets Flyers Back On Track With Shutout Win Over Sabres

Backup Brian Elliott Gets Flyers Back On Track With Shutout Win Over Sabres

January 21, 2021
Afc West/LA Chargers QB Philip Rivers

Charge Complete: Philip Rivers Calls it a Career After 17 Seasons

January 21, 2021
AL Notes – Blue Jays snag Springer and Yates, lose out on Brantley, Happ finds a home

AL Notes – Blue Jays snag Springer and Yates, lose out on Brantley, Happ finds a home

January 20, 2021
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • FullPressRadio.com
  • SHOP FPC
  • FullPressHockey.com
  • FullPressWrestling.com


Friday, January 22, 2021
Full Press Coverage
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Coverage
No Result
View All Result
Home NFL NFC NFC North Minnesota Vikings

Double Linebacker Blitz Looks: A Mike Zimmer Staple

Sam Smith by Sam Smith
November 29, 2017
in Minnesota Vikings, NFC, NFC North
Reading Time: 3min read
1
Double Linebacker Blitz Looks: A Mike Zimmer Staple

http://zonecoverage.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/IMGP5688-1.jpg

1.5k
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has made for himself a long, prosperous career as a defensive mind due in large part to his creative blitz schemes. Zimmer hand-picked the Vikings defensive personnel to fit into his style of pass-rush chaos, hence the reason fans so often see Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks in the faces of opposing quarterbacks.

Barr and Kendricks especially are ideal components to Zimmer’s system. His most-used brand of blitz is the double-A-gap look, which means two non-lineman players, typically the linebackers, line up in the gaps between the center and the two guards. Having linebackers like Barr and Kendricks who could moonlight as pass-rush 3-4 linebackers forces opponents to always be accounting for the pressure to cave the interior line.

More FromFPC

Will Young Upstart QBs Overcome Their Veteran Rivals This NFL Season?

NFL Championship Games: Don’t Want No Rematch? Well, We Got Two

January 21, 2021

ESPN’s McFarland: A loss in Green Bay will make Bucs’ season “a failure”

January 21, 2021

NFC Championship Game: The Greatest Career vs. the Greatest Year?

January 21, 2021

4 Keys to NFC Championship Game

January 20, 2021

Offensive coordinators concern for this blitz has been a big reason for the Vikings run to 9-2 this year. It limits what teams do offensively as they are forced to make quicker throws with fewer progressions. It prevents running draw plays on third-down passing scenarios. And it has given Everson Griffen more space to operate on the outside as he makes a run at the Defensive Player of the Year award.

All that having been said, there was one play in particular that stuck out to me from last Thursday’s win over the Detroit Lions. The Vikings were up 13-0 and had absolutely dominated the opening quarter. But early in the second, Detroit put forth a drive and had second-and-10 on the Minnesota 14. The Vikings brought the double-A-gap look as they frequently do against shotgun, this time with a late show and with Smith and Kendricks coming through the middle. Barr came off the edge on Matthew Stafford’s face side. Here is what happened next:

Look at all that space. A better throw and that is the most walk-in of walk-in touchdowns. Detroit offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter had Zimmer’s scheme pegged on that play and it should have resulted in a game-swinging touchdown. As it happened, however, the Lions settled for a field goal.

This play got me wondering: Have some coordinators figured out, at least in part, how to counter Zimmer’s blitzes?

The short answer is no. The longer answer is not at all and I was foolish for thinking otherwise.

There were 12 plays where the Vikings at least showed a dual-linebacker blitz and they brought a blitz on nine of those. Of those 12 plays, 11 were passes with one swing pass that was effectively a run, a run that Barr blew up. On those 11 pass plays, Stafford completed six passes for 56 yards and one interception. That is a passer rating of just 30.9. Even if he had completed the aforementioned screen pass, that would only bump his rating to 74.1.

Minnesota did not sack Stafford on any of these blitzes but they did record either a pressure or a run stop on six of the 12 plays. Plus, Zimmer ramped up the blitz calls after Stafford tweaked his knee on a long touchdown early in the fourth. After that play, they allowed just five yards passing on five snaps with double linebacker blitz looks.

What this shows is, like with any blitz-heavy scheme, there are going to be plays that slip through the cracks. But with the right personnel and the creativity to alter blitz looks, Zimmer forces opponents to account for everything. The Lions did not run one more effective screen over a blitz after that near-miss in the second quarter. It is not as if the Vikigns stopped bringing blitzes. In fact, they brought more. But they dropped Barr out of the A-gap and blitzed Mackensie Alexander instead. Or they dropped both linebackers into coverage. When opponents see linebackers staring down their guards, they cannot just prepare for them to charge through those gaps.

That is what makes this scheme so successful: The versatility. There is versatility in the pass rush and versatility in the coverage. And it works because of the versatility of the players.

–Sam Smith is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Vikings and Full Press Coverage NFC North. Like and Follow @samc_smith Follow @fpc_vikingsFollow @fpc_nfcn

 

Tags: Anthony Barrblitz schemesEric KendricksfeaturedFootball schemesHarrison SmithMike ZimmerMinnesota VikingsNFCNFL
Share614Tweet384
Previous Post

Indianapolis Colts Three Round Mock Draft

Next Post

Round Two: Rams vs Cardinals Preview

Sam Smith

Sam Smith

Next Post
Round Two: Rams vs Cardinals Preview

Round Two: Rams vs Cardinals Preview

Former Jets Back in the Headlines, But Who Gets the Last Laugh?

Former Jets Back in the Headlines, But Who Gets the Last Laugh?

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: Your 2017 NFL Coach of the Year, Mike Zimmer

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chicago Bears: Predictions For Week 6 Matchup against Carolina Panthers

October 14, 2020
Love

Cavs-Warriors Discussed Kevin Love Trade

November 14, 2020
Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams

Chicago Bears: Predictions For Week 7 Matchup Vs. Los Angeles Rams

October 21, 2020
Nov 17, 2018; Athens, GA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Andy Isabella (5) runs past Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith (29) to score a touchdown after catching a pass during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings Mock Draft 3.0: Post-Combine Edition

8
Chicago White Sox: MLB’s Most Overrated Team Going Into 2020

Chicago White Sox: MLB’s Most Overrated Team Going Into 2020

7
LeBron

LeBron, not Michael, is the Greatest of All Time

5
Will Young Upstart QBs Overcome Their Veteran Rivals This NFL Season?

NFL Championship Games: Don’t Want No Rematch? Well, We Got Two

January 21, 2021
ESPN’s McFarland: A loss in Green Bay will make Bucs’ season “a failure”

ESPN’s McFarland: A loss in Green Bay will make Bucs’ season “a failure”

January 21, 2021
"Stan"- Fans gone foolish.

Opinion: Fans Need Common Sense Approach

January 21, 2021

A Twitter List by iglen31

FPC Podcasts

  • Ep. 185 - Just Chatting
    by Talkamania on January 22, 2021 at 12:25 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdcn.co/e/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43062341/talkamania_episode_185.mp3
  • Ep.60: Horsemen Business
    by Full Press Coverage on January 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2752739688.mp3
  • Episode 30: NFL Playoffs, Bears DC Search, Good Vibes on Deshaun Watson? (with Richie Chicago of Shoot Your Shot Sports)
    by Full Press Coverage on January 22, 2021 at 4:53 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9697694193.mp3
  • Ep 52: Bruins Early Season Struggles
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4775422577.mp3
  • Ep.173: End of An Error/Start of An Era
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV6539295850.mp3
  • Ep 18: Conference Championship Weekend w/ Booger McFarland
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/43049333/eyetest_18.mp3
  • Ep.59: 2021 Selma City Vikings Preview
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3657536205.mp3
  • Ep. 58: Alabama Wolfpack Preview
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 3:39 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7565063983.mp3
  • Ep.50: Free Agent Preview
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV8328937753.mp3
  • Ep 59: 2020 Championship Sunday Preview
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2119491149.mp3

  • WWE NXT Results, Grades & Opinion: January 20, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on January 21, 2021 at 5:21 am

    WWE NXT Results: January 20, 2021 A.K.A. Fight Pit 2: Electric Boogaloo Results: Leon Ruff & […]

  • AEW Dynamite Results, Grades & Opinion: January 20, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on January 21, 2021 at 3:53 am

    AEW Dynamite Results: January 20, 2021 A.K.A. The One With -1’s Birthday Results: “Hangman” […]

  • Royal Rumble 2021: Making the Case For Big E
    by Evan Gomes on January 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    It is time for Big E to get his own Wrestlemania moment. After striking out on his own brand away […]

  • WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: January 18, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on January 19, 2021 at 4:50 am

    WWE Raw Results, Grades & Analysis: January 18, 2021 A.K.A. The One Where Alexa Goes Full Fiend […]

  • WWE: 3 Potential Surprise Entrants for the 2021 Men’s Royal Rumble Match
    by Evan Gomes on January 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    Who should be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble? One of the most fun questions heading into […]

More Wrestling News

  • Top 10 New Jersey Devils Prospects
    by Russ Cohen on January 22, 2021 at 3:11 am

    Here are the top 10 prospects in the New Jersey Devils organization. The post Top 10 New Jersey […]

  • Jack Hughes Already A Different Player For The Devils
    by Jim Biringer on January 21, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    The New Jersey Devils are off to fast start to begin the 2020-21 NHL Season and big reason why is […]

  • Sidney Crosby’s OT Heroics Lead Penguins Over Capitals
    by Luke Talotta on January 21, 2021 at 2:35 am

    The Penguins picked up their second victory over the Capitals in three nights and improved to 2-2 […]

  • Backup Brian Elliott Gets Flyers Back On Track With Shutout Win Over Sabres
    by Carol Schram on January 21, 2021 at 2:13 am

    After an unexpected relief appearance against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night, backup goaltender […]

  • Devils Upgrade A Position Of Need By Claiming Aaron Dell
    by Jim Biringer on January 20, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    The New Jersey Devils needed to upgrade their backup goalie position after Corey Crawford's […]

More Hockey News

  • Ep 52: Bruins Early Season Struggles
    by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2021 at 10:51 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the first few games of the season and wonder what […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25536904/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-21%2F3056b20d5e95c23e9c23b40f379c9029.m4a
  • Ep 51: Bergeron Dons The "C", Picking Up the Chara/Krug Slack; Season Expectations
    by Full Press Coverage on January 13, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    Mike Cratty of the Sal and Cratty Show and BlackNGoldHockey.com joins Ian […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25157918/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-13%2F4542c465ec7a3234f146bea647ede57e.m4a
  • Ep 50: Mr. Chara Goes to Washinton
    by Full Press Coverage on December 31, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the Capitals signing of Bruins longtime captain, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24623669/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-31%2F26d5b85c06ec2255c2f6cfc78b24cf94.m4a
  • Ep 49: Bruins New Division; Chara's Future in Boston
    by Full Press Coverage on December 23, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Ian and Chris return to discuss the NHL's 56-game season, the Bruins new […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24356084/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-23%2F5755949a0115f50df8582cc32916323a.m4a
  • Ep 48: Jake DeBrusk Signs; Reverse Retro Jerseys; Thanksgiving Food Draft
    by Full Press Coverage on November 26, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    On this Thanksgiving episode of the Big Bad Bruins Podcast, Ian and Chris […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/23142833/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F52d6fc857b1cd37d19b4fe24752398f6.m4a
  • Ep 47: Recapping the Bruins Offseason to this Point
    by Full Press Coverage on October 21, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    Ian and Chris the free agent moves the Bruins have and haven't made as […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/21440275/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F5e55ff65a935458b843f84f596268c6e.m4a
  • Ep 46: NHL Free Agency Wishlist; Krug and Chara's Future; Rask to Stay
    by Full Press Coverage on October 9, 2020 at 8:21 pm

    Ian and Chris recap the Bruins draft and take a look ahead to the start of […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/20863092/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F02c7a7b0f8c9979d30155fe48c48dfba.m4a
Full Press Coverage

© 2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • Staff Portal
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • Have a news tip?
  • Privacy Policy
  • FPC Radio Network
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • FullPressHockey.com

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows

© 2020 Full Press Coverage