Impact Of Frank Smith
O’Connell hired Smith as the team’s assistant head coach. Smith most recently worked with the Miami Dolphins as Mike McDaniel’s offensive coordinator, where they developed a creative and adaptable offense built on speed.
An offensive line coach by trade, Smith brings a deep understanding of the run game. At his last stop, the Dolphins took a more shotgun-style quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa and married those pass concepts with run designs originally intended for an under-center system.
When O’Connell bridges some of the Vikings’ greatest hits with Murray’s strengths, he will defer to Smith’s history. Smith will also streamline some of the Vikings’ run strategies to establish a clear identity.
It bears repeating that Smith used 21 personnel about 30% of the time. Bred will get a lot of snaps in this O. I think we will finally see more emphasis on the running game. There’s a clip of Smith talking about Jennings that I need to find.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
O’Connell hired Smith as the team’s assistant head coach.
So under the radar and could be a big payoff for the offense..
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
So under the radar and could be a big payoff for the offense..
I’m a little surprised more people aren’t jacked about this. Might make up for losing Udinski.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
I’m a little surprised more people aren’t jacked about this. Might make up for losing Udinski.
People should be jacked about it. Smith is a master craftsman. Maybe some hesitation due to KOC never committing fully to the run game tempers it a bit.
We bring in new players and coaches every year with the assumption that it will lead us to running the football more and it never has. It's the old, "I'll believe it when I see it" deal, and as long as OConnell is calling plays, I don't think it will happen. He wants to use the running game as a complimentary piece in trying to keep defenses honest while he tries to hit the big pass. He doesn't want to run the ball as a primary option on offense and bitched about having to do it and running bigger personel packages after the media hammered him on it last season. Coincidently, McCarthy was more successfull after he did finally make the switch...so the media and some on this board were right! He should have been running the ball more and having a more balanced offense the entire time instead of the "chuck and duck" so we thought, "maybe he's seen the light" but what's the first thing he says in his postseason presser....that he wants to get back running his offense and hitting on big chunk plays in the passing game! Lol. The guy does NOT want to establish a running game and it's why I say that I don't believe the OConnell offense is built for success in the postseason where you HAVE TO run the football with some measure of consistency and effectiveness.
Bullazin wrote:
People should be jacked about it. Smith is a master craftsman. Maybe some hesitation due to KOC never committing fully to the run game tempers it a bit.
Drafted a FB in the 5th round.
Brought in an Asst. HC who ran 21 personnel at 3x the league average.
Signed a WR3 known best for his elite blocking.
Seems like a commitment to me.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
Drafted a FB in the 5th round.
Brought in an Asst. HC who ran 21 personnel at 3x the league average.
Signed a WR3 known best for his elite blocking.
Seems like a commitment to me.
6'4 325lb Jackson
6'6 324lb fries
6'7 325lb Brandel
In front of Murray.,...
This whole thing is gonna work a lot better than anyone is expecting.
JustInTime wrote:
I’m a little surprised more people aren’t jacked about this. Might make up for losing Udinski.
I think many fans are looking to see it on the field first, would be my guess. Would love for this guy to move the strategic needle.
JustInTime wrote:
I’m a little surprised more people aren’t jacked about this. Might make up for losing Udinski.
I think a lot of people just aren't sure what his role will be. I like who he is and what he brings to the table. And I'm hopeful that translates to running the ball more effectively, it not more often. But at the end of the day, he's still an AHC with no offensive title on a team with an offensive head coach and figurehead OC. Just makes me wonder how much influence he'll have.
"The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”
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