Give the Vikings’ 1st-Round Selection Credit for a Nice Bounce Back Effort

In Week 1, the Vikings’ 1st-Round selection wasn’t very good. Or, perhaps, things could be put in more glib terms: Caleb Banks played poor football.

The effort in Week 2 was noticeably different.

Banks didn’t start. What he did do is get featured as a key part of the overall defensive effort. Part of the reason for the increased workload was due to Ty Ingram-Dawkins leaving with a hip injury. The rookie was productive out there, climbing up to 6 tackles with 1 tackle for loss. That’s a good reset game for a player who is still growing his game.

The Vikings’ 1st-Round Selection Played Much Better

So far, the discussion around Caleb Banks has involved the DT’s pad level. He’s looking to correct the problem before it becomes his version of J.J. McCarthy’s “layered throws.”

Being so tall can be a two-way street. The long arms can be vital in controlling a blocker, allowing the defender to win the rep since he can land his mitts onto the offensive lineman early in the rep. But then there’s the downside of standing too tall, allowing a blocker to get underneath him (low man wins, says John Madden). Learning to use his frame in a manner that benefits, not hinders, him is what’s being worked on.

Kevin O’Connell yet again came around to that topic in his weekly meeting with Paul Allen. Per the head coach, Banks has continued to chip away at the pad level issue, in no small part due to the effort from defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen to ensure the rookie reaches his immense potential. O’Connell’s retelling makes it sound as though Nielsen is fully invested in growing Banks and 3rd-Round nose tackle Domonique Orange.

Note, as well, that DC Brian Flores kicked over praise to Banks for the ongoing work in his presser earlier in the day. The point at this stage, Flores notes, is work and progress, not perfection.

Since getting the chance to put eyes on Banks in the summer, I’ve maintained that he’ll be as good as he wants to become. All of the ingredients are there. He boasts youth and immense physical potential. Minnesota’s facilities are second to none and the coaching is excellent. Provided health cooperates, Caleb Banks lacks for nothing.

The defender’s second Ravens practice from the middle of August involved several impressive wins. Being so raw and yet so capable of creating a ruckus made his upside evident.

On Sunday, Banks got onto the field for 36 snaps, which works out to 49% of the total for Coach Flores. Offering up 6 tackles and 1 TFL is a nice day at the office. Most players at his size get tasked with being a 1-technique (shaded on the center like Linval Joseph and Pat Williams) but that’s not the case for Banks. He’s a ballerina bully, allowing him to play a role that’s closer to Kevin Williams as a 3-technique who can be stretched out to 5-technique.

Caleb Banks, 23, is still a diamond who needs some polishing. What’s encouraging is that he had some sparkling moments in that grinding, gritty win over Chicago on Sunday. Being able to help with close wins while still getting polished up is a nice outcome for the young lad.

Next up for the Vikings is a Week 3 Bucs game that will take place down in Tampa Bay.

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