Brian Flores Vikings hire has Minnesota celebrating arrival of blitzing, aggression and schematic advantage
You know how Dolphins fans feel about the pending (don't worry, he's still coming) arrival of defensive legend-guru-genius-mastermind Vic Fangio.
Well, that's how Vikings fans, and some media folks, and in general, the Midwestern region of this country are feeling this morning about the hiring of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
"The Vikings couldn't have done better," wrote Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
"This is a huge get for head coach Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings," wrote Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The former Dolphins coach spent last season as a defensive assistant with the Steelers.
But Flores' defensive acumen was too strong to keep him without a play-call sheet for long.
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Flores was also candidate for the Cardinals' head coaching job.
Folks from the land of cold (28 degrees Fahrenheit Tuesday afternoon) are all fired up about the heat they expect Flores will bring, with a touted and aggressive blitz.
They didn't blitz much in Minnesota and it's kind of ironic Miami fans are looking forward to Fangio's defense - we blitz less! - but we always want more (or less) of what we don't have, right?
Flores inherits a pathetic purple bunch of tacklers. They were second-worst in the NFL in defensive yards allowed and third-worst in points per game allowed.
In a way, Flores is making an anti-Adam Gase decision here. Gase would have benefitted from being an offensive coordinator again before taking the Jets head coach job, which was a fast flop.
Dolphins said Flores was fired over communication, collaboration
Flores is old-school and can be rigid and strict and stubborn. But he is a hell of a defensive mind.
"He did not deserve to be fired (from Miami)," Souhan wrote. "Flores gives them a chance to win schematic and in-game intellectual duels with opposing offenses."
It does seem highly probable the Vikings will have fewer penalty yards and points allowed in 2023.
The columnists in Minneapolis are buying into Flores' tough-love demeanor.
Minnesota Vikings believe Brian Flores will fit nicely
"In terms of experience, connections and knowledge, Flores is ideal for the Vikings. He might even be an ideal personality fit," Souhan wrote. "(Kevin) O'Connell believes in being a modern communicator; Flores is known for being more gruff. The Vikings now essentially have two excellent coordinators running their team."
It's quite possible Flores' approach will fly better as a coordinator than it did at times as a head coach.
One thing is for sure. Folks in Minnesota are sold. Well, pretty much everyone.
"Apparently Brian Flores can change water into wine," tweeted Brian Murphy of Purple Insider and a former Pioneer Press columnist.
Replied Dustin Baker of Vikings Territory:
"Brian Flores, as Miami HC, Defense NFL Ranking:
" EPA/Play: 2019 = 32nd, 2020 = 7th, 2021 = 8th.
"He actually kinda did?"
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and Twitter @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Brian Flores hired by Minnesota Vikings as defensive coordinator
