The Minnesota Vikings were silent for about 12 hours on the first day of free agency. Rumors are swirling about who the Vikings are talking about for possible free movements. Names like Joe Thuney, Shaquill Griffin, Carl Lawson and Trey Hendrickson were semi-credibly linked to the Vikings, but none of the men ended up wearing purple and gold. In fact, all of the above players got stuck elsewhere, leaving the Vikings fans with names like Carlos Dunlap (DE) and William Jackson (CB) behind.
But late Monday night, Minnesota orchestrated its first splash signing with 3DT-NT Dalvin Tomlinson of the New York Giants. Seven years ago, general manager Rick Spielman plucked a defensive attack on Linval Joseph of the Giants – also a great man – and he did it again in 2021.
While the Giants used the 27-year-old Tomlinson as a nose job in New York after Damon Harrison (most call him Snacks) departed, the Vikings will employ Tomlinson in the 3-technique position. Why? Because the team is already paying Michael Pierce to play nosebleed. He’s even bigger than Tomlinson – not a statement most people can make.
Tomlinson will bring immediate legitimacy to the 3DT spot, especially with the filling of the run. You know – the same team that made an NFL recording with Alvin Kamara during Christmas six recordings will now look back and giggle over the yuletide memory. Pierce and Tomlinson will ensure in 2021 that performances of six touches by backs are completely impossible.
And experts like the move. CBS Sport given the Tomlinson-to-Vikings deal an A grade. Cody Benjamin met CBS Sport of the Vikings addition said:
‘Tomlinson is exactly their kind of addition: a big, gaping plug for Mike Zimmer’s defense. His presence should help their situation, as long as Danielle Hunter returns to it. ”
Beef in the middle
At about 15:00 CST on Monday, March 15 – the interior for the Minnesota Vikings became very thick.
Pierce and Tomlinson tilt the scales at a combined £ 660. This is the size of a large grizzly bear. And the persistent skill of the tandem will lead to a grim result for opponents of running rugby.
Apparently, head coach Mike Zimmer took the Vikings’ defense problems to heart. His team handed over the sixth most rushing yards to the opposition during the pandemic season. With Pierce and Tomlinson, the rankings should rise to the Top 10 and maybe even Top 5 in 2021.
Even in a delighted NFL, teams that complete the run reach the post-season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the top team in the league during 2020. Do you remember how the season worked out for them?
Mediocre days at 3DT should be over
For too long, the Vikings have thwarted the defensive position of 3 techniques. This is an area where Zimmer throws a boyfriend and calls it good. Examples include Tom Johnson, Shamar Stephen and Jaleel Johnson. This practice will be terminated for at least two seasons, that’s the duration of Tomlinson’s contract.
Minnesota used Sheldon Richardson at 3DT in 2018, and although he was generally disappointing, Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph, Sheldon Richardson and Everson Griffen had a fierce prediction.
The defensive line is something like Danielle Hunter, Michael Pierce, Dalvin Tomlinson and Stephen Weatherly or DJ Wonnum or the newcomer EDGE rusher.
This prediction is several times sexier than Jalyn Holmes, Jaleel Johnson, Shamar Stephen and Ifeadi Odenigbo from 2020. And it’s not even close.
What’s next for the defensive line?
What is unclear about the 2021 defense line? Bystanders are not sure if the Vikings are ‘done’. Was the acquisition of Tomlinson an emergency plan to miss Carl Lawson and Trey Hendrickson? The idea would be: Well, we will not terrorize on both sides from the sides, but damn, we will stop the run like no one else.
It remains to be seen whether a proper defensive end will be found to upgrade from Weatherly / Wonnum. Spielman is presumably clearing a loophole with Adam Thielen through contractual restructuring. In that scenario, Thielen would still get his money – only in a more creative way.
Then the Vikings can spend money on a player like Carlos Dunlap – a man who played defensively under Zimmer for four seasons in Cincinnati. Or men like Bruce Irvin, Everson Griffen, Jadeveon Clowney are still unsigned. There is also always the concept.
Spielman en Zimmer kon really transform the line of defense into a deadly force with one of those men. Otherwise, Zimmer can hand out free agent cash to his other favorite spot – cornerbacks.