NFL Network"s Eric Davis on where the Vikes "O" following Norv Turner"s resignation - 11/2/16
USA TODAY Sports" Lorenzo Reyes looks at the three biggest story lines heading into this week. USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) sits on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.(Photo: Jeremy Brevard, USA TODAY Sports)
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. There was a sense within the Minnesota Vikings organization dating back to at least January that this might be Norv Turners final season in coaching.
That was around the same time the Vikings hired Pat Shurmur to coach tight ends, giving the appearance and there was a lot of truth to it that Shurmur was the likely offensive coordinator in waiting whenever Turner, 64, or the team moved on.
What nobody anticipated was the succession plan would take hold now, with the Vikings coming off consecutive ugly losses, but still owning the NFCs second-best record at 5-2 as they prepare on a short week for Sundays divisional home game against the Detroit Lions.
Turners resignation not a retirement, at least not yet early Wednesday morning was a shock to everybody, including Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, Shurmur and players, most of whom found out about the move from media reports before they arrived at the facility.
Know this about Zimmer: Hes a defensive-minded coach whos as hands-off with his offense as anybody. Every head coach makes recommendations during the week, as they should, but Zimmer stays out of it on game day, doesnt overrule play calls, etc.
I would say that since Norv has been here, I"ve given him almost 100%, total free will in everything that they"ve done offensively, Zimmer told reporters.
Its clear there were differences of opinion about how the Vikings offense could get back to playing the way it was before duds the past two weeks at Philadelphia and Chicago. Injuries have decimated the O-line, leaving little way to solve the problems through lineup changes.
But differences arent unusual in the NFL, especially when things arent going well. Its just rare they run off a coach as accomplished as Turner, who told NFL Media: I dont want anyone to think I am bailing. It just wasnt working.
Frankly, the whole thing is bizarre. But if Turner reached a point he didnt feel he could be all-in on the Vikings direction, he was right when he said (in Zimmers recounting of their lengthy meeting) this was the best thing for both Turner and the team.
Know this about Shurmur: He was one of the key voices in the Vikings discussion about a potential trade for Sam Bradford, who had Shurmur as his coordinator for stretches in both St. Louis and Philadelphia, at times calling plays in place of Chip Kelly with the Eagles last season.
The Vikings watched all of Bradfords tape after Teddy Bridgewaters devastating knee injury late in the preseason. But it was Shurmurs knowledge of Bradfords strengths and weaknesses, and in turn how to tailor the offense accordingly, that buoyed the Vikings confidence they could make things work with virtually no preparation time.
The Bradford trade was bizarre by NFL standards, too, but it seemed to be working pretty well until the O-line issues really caught up to the Vikings the past couple weeks. They havent been able to run the ball all season, even before former MVP Adrian Peterson (and, more recent, Jerick McKinnon) went down, which only exacerbates things in protection.
I think that no matter what the scheme is, we have to go out there and we have to execute, Bradford said.We have to be better than what we have the last couple weeks.
Shurmur doesnt have time to overhaul Turners Air Coryell derivative offense, but he figures to put his own spin on it that reflects his roots in the short passing game of the West Coast offense and Kellys up-tempo, diverse run scheme.
The Vikings were probably going this direction eventually. The only difference is theyre doing it at an abnormal time, but then again, what about their season has been normal?
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