Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,552
- 0
Kubiak on evaluating the Vikings offensive line
Minnesota's offensive line this season has had its ups and downs but has held its own to help the offense rank fifth overall in total yards per game (387.1) and fourth in rushing yards per game (4.92).
Kubiak was asked about specific stats or situations he uses to assess offensive line performance.
He said it's important to look at "everything" in evaluations.
"This is a stats-driven business; there's not any stat we can't go look at or see nowadays. Really, that's hard to answer," Kubiak said. 'We evaluate everything we do every day, every week, and when the season's over, you go back and you evaluate it again. But I think our guys have played well, they've played hard. Have we been perfect? No, none of us have been. And that includes this guy.
"You always strive for perfection, but I love the way our guys have hung in there this year. We've only had five guys play almost every step of the way ... except for the guard position, where we've had a few different people," he continued. "So I think that's the measure of a good offensive line too, when they're able to hang in there together for what is a very difficult season in the NFL. So we've been fortunate from that standpoint."
Kubiak also said he's proud of the way right tackle Brian O'Neill and center Garrett Bradbury have handled the "revolving door" at right guard. Pat Elflein, Dru Samia and Ezra Cleveland all have spent time there.
"I think they've handled it great," Kubiak said. "You sit there and think about Ezra being a rookie, starting seven games, and he's played well, so you've got to give those guys credit for helping him. But that's part of what we do, you know? It's going to happen in this league – you're going to have issues, you're going to have injuries, and guys are going to have to step in.