moniqx4
Starter
Q: Not the performance we were expecting. Especially after promising a much different outcome. It seems everything you thought your team would be able to handle ended up being the opposite. What are your thought on that?
Coach: We came up short big time this game, didn't get it done out there. The Offense was never really able to get anything going. When playing the Lions, the Offense must produce, can't strictly rely on the defense. Everyone is very disappointed in how we performed in this game. We may have been overzealous in our remarks up to that game, but we really felt we could do a better job than that and I wanted to get our team in a good frame of mind going into that game, and unfortunately, didn't work out as expected.
Q: The defense, they were good but not so good. They did come up with the 3 picks, but the Lions still got a number of big plays. Everson Griffen returned, but no sacks at all. Which we thought he'd be able to get more fired up for this game. What were your biggest issues you their defensively?
Coach: Well, where do I begin. In terms of no sacks from Griffen, he was fired up, but they threw a few guys his way to keep him under control. Also, they run very quick passing plays and don't hold on the ball for long, and making it very difficult to get the pressure we wanted on him. On The flip side, we did keep his completion rate a lot lower than his average at 59%. We were able to keep Tate and Ebron from having any impact on the game. But we also allowed Fuller to have a great game, and of course Calvin Johnson, still was able to make plays for them. Our run defense was just not there. From the coaching position, we should of changed a few things in our lineup to give us a better matchup against their running game, and we failed to make that adjustment.
Q: Bridgewater, had a hard time out there. Threw his first pick in a few games, and the 3rd down conversions we not happening. Can you elaborate on what was going on at the QB position?
Coach: It was a tough game for him today. Offensive line was struggling against their pass rush. That interception, even though it was the only one in a game, was very costly, it could of kept the game much closer and I think it kinda of got in his head afterwards and he got a little too cautious with the ball and made it hard to get those plays we needed in those 3rd down situations.
Q: Running game, seeing another week where its ok, but seems you guys gave up on it earlier than you should have. Only 16 carries all game, yet the average per carry was in around 4 yards. Getting that type of output from the running game, why not stick to it more to control the clock better and keep their offense off the field.
Coach: That was really a mistake on the coaching staff of not game planning better so we could utilize the running game more. We ended up in too many situations where we were almost forced to pass. We should have been paying attention to the effectiveness of the run instead of making it more of an afterthought to the passing game and that was a big mistake on our part.
Q: This game was big in terms of positioning in the NFC division, and just in giving the Vikings more credibility as a real contender. Where does this loss leave you guys?
Coach: It definitely was a game we wanted and even needed to win in some respects. However, I don't think it lessens our position as a contender in the division. We'll meet them again later on in the season , in our house and hopefully makes things even up for the season. In the meantime, we need to get ready for the next opponent and get back to winning, so when the time comes for us to meet again, our body of work for the season will demonstrate to everyone we are a real contender.
Q: Good luck next week against the Eagles. A team with a similar record, in Philly. Should be a good matchup.
Coach: Thanks, but I hope luck is not what we need to win that game.
Coach: We came up short big time this game, didn't get it done out there. The Offense was never really able to get anything going. When playing the Lions, the Offense must produce, can't strictly rely on the defense. Everyone is very disappointed in how we performed in this game. We may have been overzealous in our remarks up to that game, but we really felt we could do a better job than that and I wanted to get our team in a good frame of mind going into that game, and unfortunately, didn't work out as expected.
Q: The defense, they were good but not so good. They did come up with the 3 picks, but the Lions still got a number of big plays. Everson Griffen returned, but no sacks at all. Which we thought he'd be able to get more fired up for this game. What were your biggest issues you their defensively?
Coach: Well, where do I begin. In terms of no sacks from Griffen, he was fired up, but they threw a few guys his way to keep him under control. Also, they run very quick passing plays and don't hold on the ball for long, and making it very difficult to get the pressure we wanted on him. On The flip side, we did keep his completion rate a lot lower than his average at 59%. We were able to keep Tate and Ebron from having any impact on the game. But we also allowed Fuller to have a great game, and of course Calvin Johnson, still was able to make plays for them. Our run defense was just not there. From the coaching position, we should of changed a few things in our lineup to give us a better matchup against their running game, and we failed to make that adjustment.
Q: Bridgewater, had a hard time out there. Threw his first pick in a few games, and the 3rd down conversions we not happening. Can you elaborate on what was going on at the QB position?
Coach: It was a tough game for him today. Offensive line was struggling against their pass rush. That interception, even though it was the only one in a game, was very costly, it could of kept the game much closer and I think it kinda of got in his head afterwards and he got a little too cautious with the ball and made it hard to get those plays we needed in those 3rd down situations.
Q: Running game, seeing another week where its ok, but seems you guys gave up on it earlier than you should have. Only 16 carries all game, yet the average per carry was in around 4 yards. Getting that type of output from the running game, why not stick to it more to control the clock better and keep their offense off the field.
Coach: That was really a mistake on the coaching staff of not game planning better so we could utilize the running game more. We ended up in too many situations where we were almost forced to pass. We should have been paying attention to the effectiveness of the run instead of making it more of an afterthought to the passing game and that was a big mistake on our part.
Q: This game was big in terms of positioning in the NFC division, and just in giving the Vikings more credibility as a real contender. Where does this loss leave you guys?
Coach: It definitely was a game we wanted and even needed to win in some respects. However, I don't think it lessens our position as a contender in the division. We'll meet them again later on in the season , in our house and hopefully makes things even up for the season. In the meantime, we need to get ready for the next opponent and get back to winning, so when the time comes for us to meet again, our body of work for the season will demonstrate to everyone we are a real contender.
Q: Good luck next week against the Eagles. A team with a similar record, in Philly. Should be a good matchup.
Coach: Thanks, but I hope luck is not what we need to win that game.