VikingBuzz BLOG

Vikings defensive coordinator, and now assistant head coach, Leslie Frazier should be able to make more scheme changes this season with some of the added individual components on his side of the ball.

Frazier will have more scheme options

Improvement by the Vikings from their eight-win season of a year ago will likely be led by improvement on their defense.

The team led the league in both rushing offense and rushing defense a year ago.  It's no big secret that the development of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is the key to improvement in the passing game on offense.  On defense, some key additions could go a long way toward giving defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier much more flexibility.

The additions of defensive end Jared Allen and safety Madieu Williams should allow Frazier to make some scheme changes that will help.

Allen, flanked by two of the best defensive tackles in the game, should be able to provide a better pass rush from the front four, enabling Frazier to rely less on five- and six-man blitzes, which will also give him more freedom with mixing up coverages.

The addition of Williams, who offers much-improved range and footspeed, should allow Darren Sharper more freedom to roam within the framework of the defense, which should play to his ball-hawking strengths nicely.

"Well, I tell you, I'm excited," Frazier said.  "I think all of our coaches are (excited) to work with the caliber guys that we have, solid football players and good people.  It's exciting, very exciting."

It will be interesting to see early on what scheme changes and new wrinkles Frazier is able to utilize with his group.

Audibles:

Brad Childress talks OTAs and Gus Frerotte in this StarTribune video clip.

The biggest difference for Frerotte since coming back to Minnesota:  "Coach isn't as tall as my last coach here."

Sidney Rice and Bernard Berrian are bonding.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Rick Spielman's father, Sonny, who has been hospitalized with complications from colon cancer.

Tarvaris Jackson and Adrian Peterson were taking care of some personal business and missed Wednesday's OTAs.

Gus Frerotte took most of the snaps with the first team offense at quarterback.

Vikings-Packers in Week 1 among top games to look forward to in 2008.

Is Ryan Longwell a sleeper pick for fantasy football players this season?

Ex-Viking Tank Williams appears to be fitting in nicely with the Patriots in a hybrid safety/linebacker role.

Ex-Viking Mewelde Moore is already involved in the community in Pittsburgh.

Vikings Hall of Famer Ron Yary is among those participating in Fred Biletnikoff's golf tourney.

If Tarvaris Jackson can be average, the Vikings can be very, very good .

What does the Erasmus James trade say about the future (of the Redskins)?

Vikings offensive line considered "decent."

Receivers adjusting to new force-out rule.

LB Rufus Alexander and WR Darius Reynaud have been limited by injuries .

Join the Discussion