Kevin O’Connell Has Consistently Uplifted 2 New Coaches as Reasons for Optimism

Ask Kevin O’Connell and he’ll say that some news coaches have been helping. Frank Smith is a tremendous mind for the rushing attack. Meanwhile, Keith Carter comes to work prepared and determined. Combined, these two are meant to push the Vikings’ rushing attack to a new level.

All eyes are on the quarterbacks in the Twin Cities. Perhaps the best way to support whoever wins the job will be through a potent ground game. Being able to control the clock, grind down defenses, remain unpredictable, and setup play action will pay dividends whether Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy get the nod. Kevin O’Connell has consistently praised these two new coaches, Smith and Carter, for what they’re contributing to the rushing attack.

Kevin O’Connell Points Toward Pair of New Coaches

Quite possibly, leaning on Jordan Mason is the way to go. After all, he’s a 27-year-old runner who hasn’t had a huge workload to this point in his career. The fresh, physical runner boasts a nasty demeanour even if he does have limitations in the passing game.

Otherwise, the main names to know are Aaron Jones, Demond Claiborne, and Max Bredeson (the 5th-Round rookie fullback). Jones, in particular, is going to receive a meaty workload. A touch less athletic than the Jones of yesteryear, the veteran is only hindered by injury. A healthy Jones is an effective Jones; expect him to be featured prominently

In fact, Jones has been outspoken about the brilliance of Coach Smith, pointing to Miami’s former OC as somebody who understands the game at a very high level. Jones is a smart guy who has been around for a while. Impressing the veteran therefore says something.

Check out some of what Kevin O’Connell had to say back in June about these coaches: “I think Keith’s done a phenomenal job. Really being the engine behind the technique and fundamentals. And can’t understate Frank’s impact from a schematical, big-picture standpoint of really being what we want to be as an offense.”

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To clarify, O’Connell is discussing o-line coach Keith Carter and assistant head coach Frank Smith, both of whom are bringing a fresh perspective to the coaching staff.

More broadly, O’Connell is responding to a question of running wide zone. Picture the offensive line moving horizontally as a runner glides toward the sideline. That runner needs good vision and decisiveness. When a sliver of daylight appears between the large lads, explode vertically. The basic philosophy sounds simple but it’s the sort of thing that needs extensive practice to perfect. Football is all about the details.

And, no doubt, there’s plenty of merit in sticking with the ground game. A run that went for 3 yards in the 1st quarter may go for 13 yards in the 4th quarter due to the fatigue that sets in on the gridiron. Can these new coaches push O’Connell toward being more patient with the ground attack?

In fact, Coach Carter spoke to that reality not too long ago when he chatted with the Vikings’ Tatum Everett. “The run game isn’t always pretty,” the coach said, “it’s not always even exciting. But you need belief that it’s getting better as the game goes. And the more ops we get, the more we’re going to be able to make it better as the game goes.”

Carter is speaking toward a central issue for Kevin O’Connell: being too reluctant to commit himself to calling run plays consistently.

The Vikings are moving into the fifth season with Kevin O’Connell as the head coach. Continuing to struggle on the ground could plausibly be a central reason for the team failing to live up to its potential. Or, perhaps, the opposite occurs as the O’Connell offense figures out how to arrive at a healthy balance. Doing so would position the Vikings to get into the playoffs and do damage once there.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.