The Purple Persuasion

@tmsfreon How many games did Darnold miss prior to his time in Mn?

@TPPSkol Except for the good qb who is durable part.

So…. The Vikings are close.

@canedad19 Wasn’t the right time in the content calendar

Shoulda pulled me on the pod in late 2025 when I told Twitter this. Y’all coulda been breaking news.

@TheBrohioan Not that you’re 5’3 but what is a short king?

@TheBrohioan He’s not 5’3 🤣

Kyler is shredded and Caleb is taking notice He a fan, he a fan, he a fan

@emma_tani @K1 @DerrickSpencer_ 🔥🔥🔥

.@k1 dropped some heat on ig 🔗 bit.ly/49o3cyZ 📸 @DerrickSpencer_

I’m talking 2025, not the entire tenure of KO. So let’s do week 13. First drive - ran on first, passed on 2nd and max was sacked in 3&3 after a penalty. Second drive - pass to jones for a first, jones runs for 1, inc to Addison, and 3&9 Max hits Addison for 7. Third drive- Max missed Addison, Mason for 2, and 3&8 incomplete for Addison. What do you do differently other than run on 3&long?

I never said it was MY opinion they needed to run earlier. I was told by someone with much more knowledge than either of us that the coaching staff had disagreements about utilization of the run. Would be more than happy to discuss that further in the DM’s since you clearly don’t believe me on it. In regards to the most consequential games of KO’s tenure, here’s how the run game has preformed. Some is utilization and some as I also made a point to mention, is effectiveness: - 2022 playoff loss: 71 combined rushing yards from RBs -2023 week 17 (loss that effectively ended playoff contention): 57 rushing yards from RBs - 2024 week 18: 110 RB rushing yards (58 came from one run by future ring of honor member Cam Akers) - 2024 playoff loss: 87 RB rushing yards (26 came from one run by future ring of honor member Cam Akers) - 2025 week 13 (loss that effectively ended ended playoff contention): 67 RB rushing yards The Ram’s by comparison had their top 2 RBs combine for over 100 yards in both of their playoff wins this year. Against the top opponents in the most high pressured games, you have to have a threat to run the football and expect some level of explosiveness. This is why I was adamant about adding speed and elusiveness to the RB room. KO 1000% can prioritize it but so far it’s been inconsistent when needed most.

The Vikings roster as constructed is in a very good spot, health will be the biggest concern as it is for every team in the NFL. Where I disagree is the notion that KOC can't/won't/doesn't want to help his QB's. 2025 he ran the ball 43% of the time, same as 2024 even though they were losing much more than in 2024. In 2022 and 2023 those numbers were 35% and 36%, both prior to the arrival of Aaron Jones. As far as the "QB strengths" comment... in 2021 with the Rams, Stafford had one of the best years of his career. You can attribute as much or as little to O'Connell as your bias will allow you. 2022 - Kirk had one of the best years of his career. 2023 - Kirk prior to his injury had one of the best years of his career. 2024 - Darnold had the best year of his career 2025 - O'Connell deviates from his prior ability to get the most out of his QB's due to his stubbornness and inability to adapt to the QB's strengths. It has nothing to do with who was under center, but a stubborn, egotistical coach who only wants things done his way. I don't buy it.

@HAWKJOHNSON6 Throw more passes and you’re going to have more opportunities for interceptions.

@TPPSkol Cousins had a statistical downturn in 2022 under KOC. His completion percentage went down, his interceptions went up, and he had his worst passer rating of his career as a starter. Definitely NOT one of his best years. In fact his worst as a starter.

I asked in an other thread, but what game scripts early in the season change by running the ball more? Did the numbers adjust later because the team was playing in a more favorable scripts to run the ball? On the disagreements, are these things that are or have been reported on or Smokey back room conversations?

Again I’ve never said he won’t or can’t adjust. But his traditional offense isn’t a fit for what Kyler excels at. He’s even acknowledged such. The run game numbers adjusted as the year went on but he was running a version of the offense he didn’t want to be running. I know for a fact there were disagreements on the offensive staff about the run game early on.

@Donnieb96224845 Why does that make it begrudgingly? Could make the same argument that Aaron Jones wasn't here and that was the change. See how tha tworks?

@TPPSkol They were thats why it was 43% not 36%

@Zimmersbadeye @FrankieP970 It's another tired excuse. Couldn't be the guys fault who's never played in the league, its the guy who's found success with multiple different QB's.

@FrankieP970 @TPPSkol The most games he's played in a row is 4. With his inability to stay on the field and constantly missing practice when can they structure anything around McCarthy?

@Donnieb96224845 Are they skewed because of that? Why wouldn't they be skewed rom playing with leads in 2024?

@TPPSkol The running numbers for last year are skewed because he ran more the back half of the year and begrudgingly adjusted for his QB. So yes he has a way he wants to run his offense and you have a much better chance at success if you have 50 or starts already. It's not that hard

@jwr4th69 We can only hope.

@TPPSkol Adding Max Bredesen as FB/HB is gonna be a fan favorite like Ham was. Also adding Asst HC and run game guy Frank Smith shows Vikings gonna be running the ball a lot more with more 12 personnel. Gonna be a fun 14-3 or 13-4 season.

@FrankieP970 He can't snap the ball, read the field, and put touch on the throw. He can give him the tools but McCarthy needs to put them to work.

@TPPSkol The only QB he was responsible of from day 1 was JJMC. Cousins and Darnold had already a structure and a semblance of a career. Do you honestly think he helped McCarthy and structured the playbook to help him grow? I think his talent with QBs is decent but not exceptional.

I can't recall what game script would've benefit from running the ball more. What gyames would you say running the ball more would've changed the outcome? KOC tailored the offense to both Kirk's and Darnold's strengths as QBs. '22 and '23 until his injury Kirk was playing some of the best football of his life. Statistically, 2024 Darnold was way better than 2025.

I never said he was incapable, but he likes his offense the way it’s set. That was clear this year and I’ve been told by people involved in conversations that there was a big debate about leaning more into the run game early in the year. He has mentioned making adjustments for Kyler so if that’s his intention I think we should be Gucci.

I think the Vikings have a roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl. Three biggest things that will decide that: - Health - Adjusting to your QB’s strengths - Utilization and effectiveness of the run game

@MadCityViking @alec_lewis Exaclty. Mostert was a beast that year, he had a couple long TD runs of 21+ but everthing else was in the red zone.

@TPPSkol @alec_lewis Yeah this will be the biggest/strongest interior we’ve had in forever. DJ 324/BB 315/WF 321. Hopefully DJ year two and Fries a year off the injury both take big steps. Lean on people and let defenses get sick of tackling Mason later in games.

Still think he’s underratedly elite as a runner