Inside Slant: Mike Remmers and Pat Shurmur Have Fond Memories of Time with Vikings
On Sunday, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur and offensive tackle Mike Remmers will take a few extra minutes before their Week 5 home game against the Minnesota Vikings to catch up with old acquaintances.
But come kickoff, that's where the pleasantries and good wishes end for Shurmur, the Vikings offensive coordinator from 2016-17, and Remmers, who had stints with the team in 2013 and 2017-18.
“There are a lot of people there that I worked with intimately, a lot of people there that I care about,” Shurmur said Monday. “But after a few handshakes, we get to the business of playing the game.”
Since going 13-3 in 2017 and just barely missing the Super Bowl, the Vikings have had some struggles.
They finished 8-71 last season, good enough for second place in the NFC North but not good enough for a playoff berth. And currently, they're off to a 2-2 start which has them in last place in their division.
But both Shurmur and Remmers cautioned reporters not to draw any concrete conclusions based on Minnesota's record thus far.
“Certainly, when we play the Vikings this week, I know all too well what they can do to an offense,” Shurmur said.
So does Remmers, who was asked about running back Dalvin Cook, whose 410 rushing yards (on 71 carries) is currently second among NFL rushers, behind Carolina's Christian McCaffery.
"He's a, he's a heck of a runner," Remmers said. "I don't know what the stats are, but I know he's doing well this year and they've been running the ball well.
"They got new offensive coordinator, so I'm not quite sure what their scheme is, you know now, but, um, you know, he's a, he's a shifty guy, and he's got a lot of speed."
But it's the Vikings pass rush that Shurmur, as the team's offensive play-caller, and Remmers, as one of quarterback Daniel Jones' protectors, will have to deal with Sunday.
The Vikings are currently tied for 10th place in sacks (11) with Arizona, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay, and, according to Pro Football Focus, they have recorded 79 total pressures in four games.
"They're just big, strong physical guys and they got a lot of speed on the edges," Remmers said of his former defensive teammates.
"They just do a great job rushing and getting the edges on tackles and getting penetration up front. This is going to be a good challenge for us."
Shurmur, whose Giants hit the practice field Wednesday following their customary off-day, believes the Giants will be ready.
“I think this group has shown me that they’re capable of winning, and they’re willing to work,” he said.
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