Already owning one of the strongest defensive lines in the league
Leonard Floyd Jersey , the Minnesota Vikings have made another addition to their front four this summer.
He even was a former first-round draft pick.
Anthony Barr has established his place as the strong side linebacker, an integral part of coach Mike Zimmer's pressure-driven scheme. This switch is not
by any means complete or permanent, considering the value Barr has given the
Vikings while rarely missing a snap in the middle of the defense with former
college teammate Eric Kendricks. With Brian Robison capably spelling Everson
Griffen and Danielle Hunter at the defensive end spots, there's not a glaring
need for one.
Sliding Barr and his athleticism and speed to the front, though, provides yet another way Zimmer and the Vikings can attack an offense.
"Definitely, it could be a change-up for us," Barr said. "Hopefully I can get a couple more opportunities to do that, and we'll see where it goes. It's
something I'm going to continue to work on and get better at. I'm excited for
it."
The Vikings have used passing-situation packages this offseason that include cornerback Terence Newman at safety while making Harrison Smith a hybrid
linebacker. Put Barr at defensive end, and Everson Griffen can move inside. Or
Barr could simply line up as a fifth down lineman. Either way, that's the
potential for quite the fierce pass rush.
"We are just trying to utilize our guys the best way we can," Zimmer said. "If a guy has a skill set of being possibly a pass rusher, then we're going to
look at him and see if he can be a pass rusher. If a guy's a great inside cover
guy, then we're going to try and look at him there."
Barr has taken plenty of turns with the defensive linemen during individual drills in training camp so far
Emmanuel Sanders Jersey , evidence that this is more than just a token experiment.
"It's a conscious effort in getting him into rush situations where he knows what to do," Zimmer said. "I really don't have any concerns when he's rushing on
a back, but sometimes when he gets on a bigger stronger guy and gets in certain
positions, he has to know what to do."
Barr was the first player the Vikings drafted after hiring Zimmer in 2014, the ninth overall selection out of UCLA who spent only two years with the Bruins
on defense after beginning his college career as a running back. With 10? sacks,
six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one interception over four
seasons, Barr has left himself plenty of room to improve on such modest
statistics. There are many more ways to contribute than those basic
measurements, of course, but Zimmer's matter-of-fact assessment in 2016 that
Barr "has a tendency to coast a little bit" still hovers over his
trajectory.
Across the NFL, Barr is known mostly for his hit on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the sixth game of the year that led to a broken
collarbone and set the NFC North rivals on opposite courses in 2017.
Interestingly, referee Pete Morelli told reporters at Minnesota's practice
facility on Thursday that the league's stricter rules about targeting
defenseless players would now make that play a 15-yard penalty.
Barr is the only core player left on an expiring contract, with extensions recently signed by wide receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive end Danielle Hunter and
Kendricks. Barr's salary for 2018 is a little more than $12.3 million
Rob Havenstein Jersey , and he hinted at disappointment when spring practices began without a new deal. He didn't address the subject in his first
remarks to reporters at training camp.
"My focus is here at camp, getting better with the team, and we'll let that figure itself out," he said.
If this defensive end thing works well, Barr's price will only go higher.
"I'll never talk business out in the open or in public," general manager Rick Spielman said. "I'll just tell you he fits everything that we want as a
Minnesota Viking."
Here’s a look at what’s happening around the majors today:
HIGH HEAT
It’s expected to be a hot box at many ballparks, with game-time temperatures likely to climb over 100 degrees in Texas for White Sox-Rangers, near triple
digits in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Yankee Stadium, and into the mid-90s in
Chicago and Cincinnati. On Saturday, three Twins left early with heat illness at
Wrigley Field.
”Drink more water, try to stay by the fan. I try to keep a towel by my side and make sure I catch my breath,” White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson said. ”It’s a
mind thing. You can’t think too much about it. If you do, it’ll eat you up.”
Angels manager Mike Scioscia saw starter Tyler Skaggs wilt after five innings in Baltimore. Scioscia was already anticipating another steamy afternoon.
”These guys will be hydrating tonight and I know Deck McGuire
Richard Dent Jersey , the starter, was hydrating all day just in anticipation of the heat,” he said.
Said Orioles skipper Buck Showalter: ”There’s a big bulletin board the guys see every day reminding them of the things they need to do to hydrate properly.
… We’re taking a lot of precautions.”
RIVALRY NIGHT
The Red Sox and Yankees play in prime time, with stars David Price (9-5, 3.66 ERA) and Luis Severino (12-2, 2.10) on the mound. New York entered Saturday a
major league-best 19-5 against left-handed starting pitchers, and its .820 OPS
against lefties was best in the majors. The left-handed Price has been tough
lately, though, going 7-1 with a 2.72 ERA in nine starts since being diagnosed
with a mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome that caused him to miss a scheduled
turn against the Yankees in early May.
POWER PITCHER
The biggest bat off Cincinnati’s bench might be in the bullpen. No, really. Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen has homered in three straight at-bats after
connecting for a pinch-hit grand slam Saturday in a 12-3 victory over Milwaukee.
He also went deep Friday during Milwaukee’s 8-2 win. ”We treat him as a position
player. We covered him in scouting meetings. We’re going to have to make some
adjustments,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. The last major league pitcher
to homer in three consecutive at-bats was Colorado’s Mike Hampton in 2001. For
the season, Lorenzen is 4 for 6 with three homers and six RBIs. His fifth career
homer was the second grand slam by a Reds pitcher in a week – starter Anthony
DeSclafani also hit one against the Chicago Cubs.
STINGY STUFF
The surging Rays (41-41) send left-hander Blake Snell (10-4, 2.31 ERA) to the mound against Charlie Morton (10-1, 2.54) and the World Series champion Astros
in the finale of a four-game series. Snell didn’t give up a hit until the
seventh inning of an 11-0 win over Washington on Monday night. Tampa Bay has
limited opponents to two runs or fewer in five straight games
Da'Shawn Hand Jersey , and seven out of eight during a tough stretch against the Yankees, Nationals and Astros. Morton has won three straight starts and
hasn’t permitted an earned run in his last two. Houston first baseman Yuli
Gurriel (paternity leave) is expected back in the lineup.
CANADIAN CURRENCY
Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ (10-3, 3.62 ERA) faces the skidding Tigers on Canada Day in Toronto. An expected trade target as the July 31 deadline
approaches, Happ has won six straight decisions and is unbeaten in eight
outings. Detroit has lost 11 games in a row overall – and 12 of 14 in Toronto.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have won 10 of 11 at home.
BAY AREA BOOM
Jed Lowie and the Oakland Athletics (46-38) try for their seventh straight victory when they host AL Central-leading Cleveland. The surprising A’s have won
12 of 14 overall. They’ve also taken seven in a row against Cleveland, and nine
of the last 10 meetings in Oakland.
SUMMER WINS
Chicago Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (10-2, 2.18 ERA) hopes to start a new month the same way he ended the last one. After going 5-0 with a 1.13 ERA in
five June starts, Lester pitches against Lance Lynn (5-6, 4.81) and the
Minnesota Twins in the finale of the three-game interleague series.
WESTWARD NO
The Baltimore Orioles are 0-15 against AL West opponents this year after losing to the Angels 6-2 on Saturday. The O’s have dropped seven in a row
overall, 17 of 18 at Camden Yards and own the worst record in the majors at
23-59. They’ll try again when Kevin Gausman (3-6, 4.20 ERA) pitches at home
against Los Angeles righty Deck McGuire, who makes his third major league start.
Gausman has lost his last four decisions and hasn’t completed seven innings in
any of his past eight starts.
—
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