Vikings defense works on polishing its theft techniques

MANKATO – K.J. Wright seized Adrian Peterson's left arm, allowing Kam Chancellor to go for the kill shot.

The Vikings' dream of a Lombardi Trophy was dashed in January by a mob of blue and white. Instead of a first-down Peterson catch, the fourth-quarter playoff fumble caused by Wright and Chancellor gave Seattle possession in enemy territory. A Seahawks field goal set the 10-9 score that stood as final in the first-round playoff game.

"Takeaways change the whole outcome of a game," cornerback Terence Newman said.

Blair Walsh's whiffed 27-yard attempt is the postseason punchline in Minnesota, but Peterson's fumble, safety Andrew Sendejo's dropped interception and the offense's inability to score a touchdown were also story lines in that Jan. 10 game in the deep-freeze of TCF Bank Stadium.

Two of those three center on turnovers or takeaways. The latter was one of 12 points of emphasis dictated by coach Mike Zimmer on the eve of training camp.

After a statement season from the Vikings defense, Zimmer's to-do list includes shoring up play against the run and during hurry-up situations — as well as taking the ball away.

"I'm kind of preaching turnovers more this year, because I think that can help us get to somewhere else," said Zimmer, who added this caution: "I don't ever want it to be in expense of fundamentals."

The Vikings' 22 forced turnovers (13 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries) ranked middle of the pack (18th) last season and tied for the fewest by a Zimmer defense in 14 years as defensive coordinator with the Bengals, Falcons and Cowboys.

Scheme and technique are still most important, but causing turnovers could aid a Vikings offense that struggled in red zone and third-down situations.

"That's something we have to work on as far as getting the ball back to our offense and giving them more opportunities," defensive end Brian Robison said. "So that's something that's going to be a big key for us this year."

Much of the focus in the first two years of Zimmer's scheme required a strict adherence to the rules, according to players.

"Now you can do more things when you know," cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said.

Munnerlyn, who joined the Vikings with Zimmer in 2014, learned the hard way coming from a Carolina Panthers defense predicated on corners playing zones and reading the quarterback. He drew criticism in his first season for sometimes freelancing, which is not endorsed by the Vikings coaching staff.

Munnerlyn's coverage duties in Minnesota shifted to man-to-man principles with route patterns dictating who covers who — "man within zone," as Zimmer often says. Following the rule book can make one "robotic," so feeling normal within the scheme is a key to stealing the football, Robison said, adding the line can help by stripping the opposing passer or tipping throws.

It's not about taking risks.

"This is a very technical team, that's what we pride ourselves on," said Newman, who led the team with three interceptions last season. "So we're going to try to be in the right positions to make those plays and take less chances."

Entering his third season in Minnesota, Munnerlyn said they have an added focus on disguising their intentions before the snap in an effort to bait quarterbacks.

"Tricking them into throwing into coverage," Munnerlyn said. "Or thinking we're blitzing this way or blitzing that way."

They're also trying to cause more fumbles, evident by a semi-daily drill in camp that sees a pair of linebackers converge on a ball carrier with one focused on ripping out the football.

The Vikings' 15 recovered fumbles in the past two years are tied for 25th in the NFL.

"Probably the easiest way to do it," Newman said. "Is a guy hits the ball carrier, another guy comes and tries to get it out."

That just might help them steal a game.