WATFORD, ENGLAND – Kevin O’Connell described Justin Jefferson’s lunging, toe-dragging, how-did-he-do-that catch along the Green Bay sideline last week as a simple route concept executed in a “really special way.”
“The fact that he was able to cover 13 yards on a six-step speed-out is not something I have seen many times before, if ever,” O’Connell said. “To do all that, playing that fast, covering that much ground, and to get his feet in and finish the catch like he did, one of one for sure.”
The catch was vintage Jefferson indeed. The playing fast part is being duplicated across the board at the other skill positions.
One needn’t possess a Ph.D. in football to discern that the Vikings offense was playing at a different speed from the Packers defense in racing to a 28-0 lead in the first half.
The Vikings were a step (or three) ahead.
“I know Miami has some speedsters,” running back Aaron Jones said of the Dolphins offense, “but I think we’re up there. There’s a lot of speed on that field.”
O’Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah prioritized speed when reshaping the roster. Their objective was to surround Jefferson with as many playmakers as possible to complement his all-world talent and take advantage when defenses devote extra defenders to blanketing Jefferson.
Jordan Addison can fly. Jalen Nailor’s nickname is “Speedy.” Jones has brought explosiveness at running back.