The risk and reward of Zimmer's blitz schemes with the 2020 Vikings

While the Minnesota defense struggled in 2020, Zimmer’s blitz packages were able to manufacture some pressure amid injuries to key players like Danielle Hunter, Anthony Barr, and Eric Kendricks. Compounding the issue were rookie corners Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler. With no true edge rushers and a young secondary, Zimmer was forced to lean on creative blitz packages to try and manufacture pressure and got some mixed results.

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[WeeklySpiral]

Zimmer can scheme it up, but you still need guys that can win one-on-ones. 2021 should be a huge bounceback year a fully healthy Vikings defense.

[ralphp.]

As a vikes fan, I'm glad you made this video, but I think the angle you took is wrong. This is a scheme on its way out. The double-A/B gap looks have been used for too long, and o-lines and QB's have had too many reps against it, so free rushers are going to be exceedingly rare. Rub routes and picks on mesh are way over-allowed for offenses, which makes quick passes easier agains more complicated stunts like the one you highlighted with Steffen. The whole system can fall apart with 1 or 2 key injuries (Kendricks), or hold outs (Hunter), or corners that aren't quick enough to read the play and recognize their responsibility (Dantzler at 6:00 against Gronk). So for Zim's scheme to actually work, you need to pay up on at least one DE, pay up on fast linebackers, and pay up on smart, veteran secondary... Not a recipe for championship team in 2021/22 or the foreseeable future imo. Sorry for the rant. I'm just salty on the direction my team has taken over the last, oh, 20 years or so.

[sydneydillon]

Amazing how many times they got pressure but couldn’t finish with sacks. Being healthy next year should make a huge difference

[eugenepoon]

As a noob of the sport (not being American is my excuse haha) I'd have never guessed that whether you line up in the B or A gap makes that much of a difference for LBs dropping into coverages

The more you know i guess!