Inside The Vikings

Watch: Vikings Rookie Jay Ward Crushes Cardinals QB For Sack, Fumble

Ward laid the boom on a well-timed blitz drawn up by Brian Flores.
Will Ragatz|
Watch: Vikings Rookie Jay Ward Crushes Cardinals QB For Sack, Fumble
Watch: Vikings Rookie Jay Ward Crushes Cardinals QB For Sack, Fumble

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Minnesota Vikings

So this is what a Brian Flores defense can look like.

With the Vikings already leading 7-0 in the first quarter of their preseason finale against the Cardinals, Flores dialed up one of his patented blitzes on a 3rd and 6. Seven players showed pressure on the line of scrimmage before the snap and five of the seven went after the quarterback, with two dropping into coverage.

The result was rookie safety Jay Ward being completely unblocked off the right side. He exploded downhill and crushed unsuspecting Cardinals rookie QB Clayton Tune for a sack and a forced fumble that Troy Reeder recovered. One play later, the Vikings scored again on Jaren Hall's first preseason touchdown pass.

That's the Flores experience the Vikings signed up for. We've seen it in action all throughout training camp, but this was the most vivid example so far of this defense's aggressive philosophy playing out in a game situation. When a disguised blitz works perfectly, the Vikings will be able to bring someone that the offense doesn't pick up in pass protection.

Now picture it being the regular season and Harrison Smith or Josh Metellus being the one to make that hit. The Vikings are hoping to see plenty of that this year.

Ward was drafted in the fourth round out of LSU this year. A 6'1", 188-pound defensive back, the Vikings love his versatility to play cornerback, safety, or nickel.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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