'I'm a believer' Vikings DC Brian Flores sends firm message about young defender balling out
When the Minnesota Vikings exited the NFL Draft without having majorly addressed the defensive line other than a couple of journeyman signings and a seventh-round pick, there were a lot of questions for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. In totality, he made five additions: Jonathan BullardJerry TilleryLevi Drake RodriguezTaki TaimaniJalen Redmond Two veterans, one seventh-round pick, […]
When the Minnesota Vikings exited the NFL Draft without having majorly addressed the defensive line other than a couple of journeyman signings and a seventh-round pick, there were a lot of questions for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
In totality, he made five additions:
Jonathan Bullard
Jerry Tillery
Levi Drake Rodriguez
Taki Taimani
Jalen Redmond
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Two veterans, one seventh-round pick, one UDFA and one from the UFL. Considering the defensive line was a weak spot on the team, not addressing it felt like a mistake.
Now, the Vikings did make major moves by fixing the edge rusher room for both today and in the future with multiple assets and they chose to wait on the defensive line, a decision that is proving to have been a smart move for now.
Jalen Redmond has earned real playing time
When they made that risky bet, it wasn't because of negligence. They understood that pressure was the key to unlocking this defense and fixing one position group. The players they brought in were hopefully going to help out this season and they have.
One of the biggest standouts has been Redmond, who the Vikings signed from the UFL's Arlington Renegades. After earning a game ball against the Arizona Cardinals, Redmond got his first NFL start and did a great job
"He's been playing well," said defensive coordinator Brian Flores. "And I'm a believer, if you go with the hot hand, and you've been playing well, and you've been practicing well and you're kind of moving in that direction. I think he earned himself a few more snaps, and he did well in those snaps, so he'll likely get more snaps. And that's just kind of, I think, a fair and right way to kind of to do things. I mean, I think he's done well, and hopefully continues on that trajectory. I think he will. He's a good kid."
The hot hand he has been. Early on against the Falcons, Redmond made his presence known.
It's an impressive play from Redmond. He stays patient, sees the zone run play and runs right through the A gap tackling running back Bijan Robinson for a tackle for loss. It was the first of two on the day for Redmond on his career-high 39 snaps.
He wasn't just getting tackles for loss, Redmond also batted down two passes while rushing the passer.
It's impressive to see a player like Redmond come up from being a late Summer addition to the roster to being a starter, as he took over for Jerry Tillery. His 39 snaps outnumbered Tillery's 19, essentially flipping their roles.
When you come into the building on the backend of the roster, it takes the right mindset to get you onto the final 53-man roster.
"I think, you know, everybody roots for the underdog. I also think those guys have a chip on their shoulder," said Flores. "I think, and it's a chip, and I think we've talked about this in the past. I think you've got to have a drive to want to develop. You got to have an inner drive, an inner chip, an inner whatever you want to call it, to want to do what it takes to work and develop. And those are the guys, I think, who oftentimes [make it], because no one is a finished product when they enter the league, everyone's got to work. Some people are more talented, more athletic, more have more let's call it a big-time college experience. But ultimately, no one's a true finished product, and they've got to work when they get here, to reach their optimum level.
"Those guys who are undrafted, or come from the XFL, they feel like they've got to work even harder than all those guys. And oftentimes they surpass those guys. And if they're in the right you know, it's all about time and timing. So if they're in the right environment with the right people, right coaches, right situation, and they work at it, then they give themselves the best chance."
Redmond has stepped up in a big way and has been a massive win for Adofo-Mensah, who arguably deserves Executive of the Year.
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