Kevin O’Connell Is A Different Kind Of Gambler – Zone Coverage

Its 3 a.m. at a Las Vegas casino. Mike Zimmer is tired. His eyes are bloodshot. To his left, theres a pile of cigarette butts. To his right, there are several water bottles filled with tobacco spit.

Hes been sitting at this slot machine for what feels like an eternity. Hes lost a lot of money. But with each pull, he feels like this could be the one that wins.

Unfortunately, the pit boss decides hes been here long enough. Two large men grab Zimmer by the shoulders and drag him out of the casino.

You cant do this to me, Zimmer screamed. I was just about to hit!

But just as Zimmer name-dropped Bill Parcells in an effort to save himself, two men walk into the casino.

Kevin OConnell and Sean McVay look at the blackjack tables. After scouting for a few moments, OConnell high fives McVay and allows him to enjoy the rest of his bachelor party.

When OConnell sits down at the table, hes gambling just as much as Zimmer did with the Minnesota Vikings. But while Zimmer pressed his luck playing slots, OConnell is counting cards at the blackjack table.

Mike Zimmer took over the Vikings in 2014 with a specific plan in mind. He knew the type of players that he wanted on defense. He also hired Norv Turner to run the offense. By establishing these baselines, Zimmer felt like the Vikings would always be competitive. But he forgot to take into consideration the variables that each season presents.

In 2014, it was Adrian Petersons child abuse case. A year later, it was a missed kick by Blair Walsh. In 2016, it was Teddy Bridgewaters knee injury, Turners resignation, Zimmers eye injury, and having his corners go rogue in Green Bay.

Zimmer pulled the lever again and hit the jackpot in 2017.

One of the greatest draft classes in NFL history matured. Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, and Eric Kendricks became impact players. The Vikings had the NFLs No. 1 defense. Aaron Rodgers and Carson Wentz got hurt. The Super Bowl was in Minneapolis. Everything was there until the Vikings got blasted in the NFC Championship game.

That taste of success fueled Zimmer to hit the jackpot again. But each time he pulled the lever, something else went wrong.

In 2018, the Vikings hired the wrong offensive coordinator. A year later, the roster got old. In 2020, Hunter got hurt, and the roster was too young. In 2021, they lost too many close games.

Players get hurt. Things go wrong. But as the variables changed, Zimmer never adapted. He just kept pulling the lever hoping to hit big. Eventually, he was hauled out of TCO Performance Center.

Normally when the next coach comes in, they play the same game as Zimmer. They establish their own system. And they find their own guys. They do whats best for themselves.

But OConnell has elected to work with the same roster that Zimmer left behind. Instead of overhauling it and establishing his foundation, OConnell is taking the information he has and is using it to his advantage.

Consider what OConnell sees on offense. Kirk Cousins is a top-10 quarterback who gets flustered in big moments. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are two of the best receivers in the game. Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the NFL. Brian ONeill and Christian Darrisaw anchor the offensive line.

With the exception of Darrisaw, these pieces helped the Vikings rank fourth in total offense during the 2020 season. Instead of doing things in non-negotiable terms, OConnell is growing these elements into an even bigger strength.

Hes trying to put Cousins in the best situation of his career. He could use Justin Jefferson likeCooper Kupp and the running game as a complement rather than the foundation. A scheme tweak could help the interior offensive linemen.

The defense is a more daunting task. It was one of the worst units in the league during the final years of the Zimmer era, and OConnell has plenty of reason to tear it all down. But instead of looking at what he doesnt have, hes focused on what he already has.

Harrison Smith is a play-making safety. Hunter is one of the best pass-rushers in football. Kendricks and Patrick Peterson are veteran leaders. Even Anthony Barr was effective when healthy last season.

Again, this isnt about shaping the roster to his liking. Its working with what you have and playing it in the best way possible.

OConnell mentioned Harrison Smith as a versatile player. The Vikings signed ZaDarius Smith as a complement to Hunter. Jordan Hicks should man the middle of the field with Kendricks. Peterson can be a mentor for the Vikings young corners.

In each case, OConnell sees a strength and turns it into a bigger advantage. For a roster that will figure to have weaknesses, it might be his best chance to survive a competitive rebuild.

OConnell has chosen to use this knowledge in hopes of getting on a heater. It could also result in him bleeding money and getting beat up in a back alley. But even if it means getting his ass kicked by a guy named Butch, its a gamble hes willing to take. He might not need a cigarette, hes ready to ride this thing out.

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Kevin O'Connell Is A Different Kind Of Gambler - Zone Coverage